NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • Parliament to resume debate on Operation Sindoor today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Rajya Sabha is scheduled to begin its discussion on Operation Sindoor on Tuesday. The operation, launched by the Indian Armed Forces, was conducted in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 people, most of them tourists.

    Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha will continue the debate on Operation Sindoor for the second consecutive day. On Monday, the House opened the discussion with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiating the debate. He described India’s cross-border strikes as accurate, precise, and non-escalatory, and said that the operation served a specific objective.

    “Operation Sindoor’s main purpose was to destroy and decimate terror factories operating from Pakistani soil. It was stopped because the goal of dismantling terror bases and nurseries was achieved,” the Defence Minister told the House.

    He also said that it was the Indian government which decided to call off Operation Sindoor and there was no pressure from any entity or nation, as claimed by the Opposition and their claims are “blatantly false” and “misleading”.

    Singh further criticised the Opposition for focusing on issues that he termed as relatively minor, stating that such distractions could compromise national security. “When the aim is to go higher, we should not pay attention to small issues because focusing on issues that remain comparatively small can divert attention from national security,” he said.

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who also addressed the House during the debate, said India’s response to cross-border terrorism has undergone a strategic shift, which he described as the “new normal.” He said the country had moved past an era of strategic restraint and was now defining its own terms.

    He elaborated on this evolving doctrine: Terrorists will not be treated as proxies, cross-border attacks will be met with direct and appropriate response, there will be no dialogue except on terrorism – talks and terror cannot go hand-in-hand, India will not bow to nuclear intimidation, and good neighbourly ties are incompatible with terrorism – blood and water cannot flow together.

    Participating in the debate, Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi criticised the government for its handling of the April 22 attack. He said that more than 100 days had passed since the incident, but the five perpetrators had not been apprehended. Gogoi also questioned the rationale behind stopping Operation Sindoor after Pakistan capitulated, asking why the government did not proceed to reclaim areas under illegal occupation by the neighbouring country.

    Congress, the principal opposition party, has been allotted around two hours to present its views in the Upper House, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge expected to lead the debate.

  • Heavy rains lash Delhi; IMD warns of more intense showers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Delhi witnessed an intense spell of rain on Tuesday morning, bringing much-needed relief from the prevailing humid conditions.

    However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall across Delhi-NCR, raising concerns over flooding and traffic disruptions.

    According to the IMD, the downpour may lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, road flooding, closure of underpasses, traffic congestion, reduced visibility, and potential damage to plantations, standing crops, and weak structures, including kutcha houses.

    In response to the inclement weather, Air India issued a travel advisory alerting passengers to possible disruptions in flight operations to and from Delhi. The airline urged travellers to check their flight status and allow extra time while heading to the airport.

    Similarly,  IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued travel advisories, warning passengers of potential disruptions to flight operations on Tuesday morning.

    The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across large parts of the country until August 4. On Tuesday, extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Northwest India, particularly East Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, while Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana will continue to receive heavy showers.

    In West India, regions such as Konkan and Gujarat are expected to experience isolated heavy rain on July 29, with light to moderate rainfall forecast for the next six to seven days.

    Northeast India, including Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is also likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, while East and Central India, including Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, may see isolated heavy rain and thunderstorms.

    In South Peninsular India, states like Kerala and Coastal Karnataka are expected to receive heavy rain and strong winds (40–50 kmph) on July 29–30, along with light to moderate rainfall across most areas through the coming week.

    (With ANI inputs)

  • Sensex, Nifty trade flat after early losses; realty stocks lead gains

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market opened lower on Tuesday but recovered mildly to trade flat by mid-morning amid mixed global cues and cautious investor sentiment.

    At 9:29 AM, the BSE Sensex was nearly unchanged, edging up just 1.69 points to trade at 80,892, while the NSE Nifty rose 16 points or 0.06% to 24,696. The indices had opened in the red, with Nifty briefly dipping to around 24,600 at the bell.

    According to Hardik Matalia, equity strategist at Choice Equity Broking, the Nifty may find support at 24,600, followed by 24,500 and 24,300, while facing immediate resistance at 24,800, and further barriers at 24,900 and 25,000.

    “A sustained move above the 25,000 mark is critical to easing the current selling pressure,” Matalia noted. “As long as the index remains below that level, the short-term trend remains weak. Traders should follow a sell-on-rise approach,” he added.

    In early trade, realty stocks outperformed, with the Nifty Realty index leading sectoral gains. However, IT stocks slipped, with the Nifty IT index declining 0.32%. The Nifty Bank index remained largely flat, down 0.01%.

    Among the top gainers in the Nifty pack were JSW Steel, Jio Financial, IndusInd Bank, Reliance Industries, and Shriram Finance. On the other hand, Eternal led the laggards with a 1.64% drop, followed by Infosys, SBI Life Insurance, Wipro, and Bharat Electronics.

    Market sentiment was dampened by the lack of progress on a much-anticipated India–US trade deal, with expectations dimming for an agreement before the August 1 deadline.

    In global markets, Wall Street presented mixed signals. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.14%, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.33%. The S&P 500 closed nearly flat, up by just 0.02%.

    Across Asia, trading sentiment remained cautious. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.91%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.93%. However, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.59%, while Chinese markets remained largely flat during morning hours.

    On the institutional front, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) extended their selling streak for the sixth consecutive session, offloading equities worth ₹6,082 crore on Monday. In contrast, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing shares worth ₹6,764 crore, offering some support to the market.

    – IANS

  • Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday many people were starving in Gaza and suggested Israel could do more on humanitarian access, as Palestinians struggled to feed their children a day after Israel declared steps to improve supplies.

    As the death toll from two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fuelling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

    Describing starvation in Gaza as real, Trump’s assessment put him at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Sunday “there is no starvation in Gaza” and vowed to fight on against the Palestinian militant group Hamas – a statement he reposted on X on Monday.

    However, Netanyahu later on Monday described the situation in Gaza as “difficult”, saying his country was working to ensure aid delivery to the besieged strip.

    “Israel will continue to work with international agencies as well as the U.S. and European nations to ensure that large amounts of humanitarian aid flows into the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office.

    Trump, speaking during a visit to Scotland, said Israel has a lot of responsibility for aid flows, and that a lot of people could be saved. “You have a lot of starving people,” he said.

    “We’re going to set up food centres,” with no fences or boundaries to ease access, Trump said. The U.S. would work with other countries to provide more humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including food and sanitation, he said.

    A White House spokesperson said additional details on the food centres would be “forthcoming.”

    ‘WHEN YOU GO TO BED HUNGRY, YOU WAKE UP HUNGRY’

    On Monday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 14 people had died in the past 24 hours of starvation and malnutrition, bringing the war’s death toll from hunger to 147, including 88 children, most in just the last few weeks.

    Israel announced several measures over the weekend, including daily humanitarian pauses to fighting in three areas of Gaza, new safe corridors for aid convoys, and airdrops. The decision followed the collapse of ceasefire talks on Friday.

    Wessal Nabil from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza described the struggle of trying to feed her three children. “When you go to bed hungry, you wake up hungry. We distract them with anything … to make them calm down,” she told Reuters.

    “I call on the world, on those with merciful hearts, the compassionate, to look at us with compassion, to be kind to us, to stand with us until aid comes in and ensure it reaches us.”

    Two Israeli defence officials said the international pressure prompted the new Israeli measures, as did the worsening conditions on the ground.

    U.N. agencies said a long-term and steady supply of aid was needed. The World Food Programme said 60 trucks of aid had been dispatched – short of target. Almost 470,000 people in Gaza are enduring famine-like conditions, with 90,000 women and children in need of specialist nutrition treatments, it said.

    “Our target at the moment, every day is to get 100 trucks into Gaza,” WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, Samer AbdelJaber, told Reuters.

    Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Reuters the situation is catastrophic.

    “At this time, children are dying every single day from starvation, from preventable disease. So time has run out.”

    Netanyahu has denied any policy of starvation towards Gaza, saying aid supplies would be kept up whether Israel was negotiating a ceasefire or fighting.

    A spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, said Israel had not placed a time limit on the humanitarian pauses in its military operation, a day after U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher said Israel had decided “to support a one-week scale-up of aid”.

    “We hope this pause will last much longer than a week, ultimately turning into a permanent ceasefire,” Fletcher’s spokesperson, Eri Kaneko, said on Monday.

    Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Compared to last week, U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said, there had only been a “small uptick” in the amount of aid being transported into Gaza since Israel started the humanitarian pauses.

    TRUMP SAYS HAMAS DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH

    In his statement on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to fight until it achieved the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas and the destruction of its military and governing capabilities.

    Trump said Hamas had become difficult to deal with in recent days, but he was talking with Netanyahu about “various plans” to free hostages still held in the enclave.

    The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked communities across the border in southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

    The Gaza health ministry said that 98 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours.

    Some of the trucks that made it into Gaza were seized by desperate Palestinians, and some by armed looters, witnesses said.

    The Hamas-run Gaza government said only 87 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Monday, with the majority of trucks looted due to what it described as “direct and systematic Israeli complicity”.

    “Currently aid comes for the strong who can race ahead, who can push others and grab a box or a sack of flour. That chaos must be stopped and protection for those trucks must be allowed,” said Emad, 58, who used to own a factory in Gaza City.

    The WFP said it has 170,000 metric tons of food in the region, outside Gaza, which would be enough to feed the whole population for the next three months if it gets the clearance to bring into the enclave.

    COGAT said more than 120 truckloads of aid were distributed in Gaza on Sunday by the U.N. and international organizations.

    More aid was expected on Monday. Qatar said it had sent 49 trucks that arrived in Egypt en route for Gaza. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates airdropped supplies.

    Israel cut off aid to Gaza from the start of March in what it said was a means to pressure Hamas into giving up dozens of hostages it still holds, and reopened aid with new restrictions in May. Hamas accuses Israel of using hunger as a weapon.

    Israel says it abides by international law but must prevent aid from being diverted by militants, and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s people.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: SAVYINT Named First Official Technology Partner for IDEX’s Next-Gen Access Cards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IDEX Biometrics ASA today announced its first official technology partner agreement with Savyint Group, a leading digital identity and trust services provider in Vietnam. This strategic agreement will bring IDEX’s innovative biometric FIDO Access cards to market across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commercial expansion and demonstrating market acceptance for IDEX’s new product line in ID/Access.

    The agreement addresses the rapidly growing demand for secure digital authentication solutions in Southeast Asia, where organizations across finance, government, enterprise, healthcare, and education sectors are increasingly adopting passwordless authentication and zero-trust security frameworks.

    The global digital identity solutions market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to grow from $43.07 billion in 2025 to $153.63 billion by 2032, driven by escalating cybersecurity threats and regulatory compliance requirements. The FIDO authentication market specifically is expanding at an exceptional 24.4% CAGR, reaching an expected $5.72 billion by 2029, as organizations rapidly adopt passwordless authentication to combat rising phishing attacks and credential theft. Southeast Asia represents a particularly dynamic opportunity, with the region’s digital economy already reaching $295 billion in 2024 and on track to become a $1 trillion market by 2030, while Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate in digital identity solutions globally.

    The IDEX Total Access card represents a breakthrough in secure authentication technology, combining the convenience of traditional access cards with advanced fingerprint biometric authentication. These FIDO-certified cards eliminate the need for passwords while providing the highest levels of security through on-card biometric matching. Users simply place their finger on the card’s integrated sensor for instant, secure authentication to access digital services, making it ideal for enterprise access control, secure login applications, and digital identity verification across multiple platforms.

    “Digital trust represents the confidence users place in people, technology, and processes to create a secure digital ecosystem,” said Mr. Steve Hoang – CTO & Chairman at Savyint Group. “IDEX’s biometric FIDO Access cards enable us to significantly strengthen and expand our identity solutions portfolio, providing the robust authentication foundation that transparent and secure digital services require.”

    “Savyint Group has established itself as a trailblazer in digital identity and trust services throughout Vietnam and APAC, with an impressive customer base spanning finance, government, enterprise, healthcare, and education,” said Anders Storbråten, CEO of IDEX Biometrics. “Their proven expertise in customer authentication and commitment to building comprehensive digital trust ecosystems makes them an ideal partner for introducing our biometric access technology to this dynamic market.”

    This agreement represents a crucial step in building IDEX’s distributorship channel strategy, providing a proven go-to-market pathway for the company’s Total Access cards in the high-growth Southeast Asian region. The agreement positions both companies to capitalize on the accelerating shift toward biometric authentication solutions while establishing a foundation for broader regional expansion.

    About SAVYINT

    Savyint is an IT security company based in Sydney, Australia with an R&D center in Hanoi and international offices in Singapore, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Sofia (Bulgaria).

    With over 20 years of experience, Savyint is among the world’s leading IT companies, providing software platforms, system solutions, and services for digital transformation. Its expertise includes open banking, information security, and FinTech, particularly in the Finance & Banking, FSI, Government, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Education, and Media sectors.

    Website: https://savyint.com/

    About IDEX Biometrics

    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    For further information, please contact:

    Anders Storbråten, CEO and CFO, Tel: +47 416 38 582

    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About this notice:

    This notice was issued by Kjell-Arne Besseberg, COO, on July 29, 2025 at 08:00 CEST on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Plastic Greenpeace report exposes petrochemical giants’ campaign to derail Global Plastics Treaty A report released today by Greenpeace UK reveals how the Global Plastics Treaty is under threat from some of the world’s largest petrochemical companies who have been systematically lobbying against… by Alexandra Sedgwick July 29, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    A report released today by Greenpeace UK reveals how the Global Plastics Treaty is under threat from some of the world’s largest petrochemical companies who have been systematically lobbying against cuts to plastic production while generating massive profits from their growing plastics business. The report reveals that since the treaty talks began in November 2022, seven companies alone have produced enough plastic to fill 6.3 million rubbish trucks – equivalent to five and a half trucks every minute. 

    The report – ‘Plastics, Profits and Power: How petrochemical companies are derailing the Global Plastics Treaty’ draws on data obtained from industry sources. It finds that that since the start of the treaty process, Dow, ExxonMobil, BASF, Chevron Phillips, Shell, SABIC and INEOS have ramped up their plastic production capacity by 1.4 million tonnes and sent a combined total of 70 lobbyists to negotiations, where they have also been represented by powerful industry front groups.  

    Dow alone has sent at least 21 lobbyists to negotiations whilst earning an estimated £3.4 billion from plastics. The report also states that INEOS, the UK’s largest plastics producer, has raised production capacity by more than 20% and is investing £3.5 billion in Project ONE, set to become Europe’s biggest plastics plant in Antwerp, Belgium.

    The Greenpeace UK report comes just days before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, in the final round of treaty talks. The report reveals the tactics used by lobbyists to dominate negotiations, influence delegates, and block progress. It also highlights the lobbying by powerful trade associations at the talks, pushing industry-friendly positions while shielding corporate members from scrutiny.

    Anna Diski, the report’s author and Senior Plastics Campaigner with Greenpeace UK, said:

    “We all want to see a strong Global Plastics Treaty that turns the tide on plastic pollution. Our research shows that those with the most to lose from meaningful regulation are working hardest to obstruct it. We can’t allow the corporations who profit from plastic pollution to write the rules or we’ll end up with a toothless Treaty. It’s time to ban lobbyists from the Talks and for UN Member States to stand firm and support a strong Treaty.”

    According to CIEL, 220 fossil fuels lobbyists attended the fifth round of treaty negotiations in 2024 held in Busan, South Korea which ended without agreement. This made lobbyists the single largest delegation at the talks – more than the EU and its member states combined, outnumbering the delegates from the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty by three to one. 

    Greenpeace is calling for at least a 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040 and is demanding that a strong conflict of interest policy be embedded in the treaty to prevent undue influence; negotiations must also prioritise those most affected by the plastics crisis, with space guaranteed for independent scientists, Indigenous Peoples, frontline communities and civil society groups, all of whom should all be able to play a role in shaping and implementing the treaty.  

    Ends.

    Contact:

    Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or +44 7377 730878 / +44 20 7865 8255

    The report is available here 

    A photo gallery of images associated with the report is available in the Greenpeace Media Library

    Notes: 

    The INC5.2 summit to agree a Global Plastics Treaty will run from 5-14 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Greenpeace will be present with an international delegation of 30 people representing Africa, Southeast and East Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Canada, Colombia and the US.  The delegation will use its extensive policy and legal experience and government relationships to push for greater ambition in the treaty process, particularly on the critical issue of delivering legally binding cuts to plastic production. 

    Greenpeace UK’s analysis is based on estimated global production figures for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) for November/December 2022, 2023 and 2024 financial years, for Dow, ExxonMobil, BASF, Chevron, Shell, SABIC and INEOS, produced by Market Research Future (data available on request). This estimate covers two of the world’s most widely-used polymers, commonly found in packaging and consumer goods. It excludes other major plastic types such as PET and polystyrene, and excludes 2025 production data even as treaty talks continue into this year. As such, the final figure is presented as an underestimate of total plastic production during this time. To calculate the plastic volume in rubbish truck equivalents, Greenpeace UK used the standard capacity of a UK refuse truck, which holds approximately 12 metric tonnes of plastic waste.

    All of the companies mentioned in this report were given the opportunity to reply to the findings, none responded.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – African Women in Business unveils Association to Boost Intra‑African Trade

    Source: Media Fast

    The network facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the African Union Commission, brings together over 102 women business associations from six regions across Africa

    Johannesburg, South Africa: July 29, 2025 -The Continental Network for Women’s Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA) aimed at promoting intra-African trade, was officially unveiled at the inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa last week.

    The game-changing initiative – facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the African Union Commission and supported by the AWIP Pavilion under the framework of ITC’s SheTrades and One Trade Africa strategies, has brought together 102 women’s business associations from West Africa, North Africa, Indian Ocean, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa.

    The Association also unveiled its leadership with South Africa’s Dimakatso Malwela, President of Women of Value South Africa (WOVSA) being elected the first Association’s chairperson. She will be deputized by Ms. Fanja Razakaboana, who is the President of the Madagascar Women Entrepreneurs Association (GFEM).

    Kenya’s Laura Akunga Mwenje, who is the Founder and CEO of Benchmark Solutions Limited and the Chairperson of African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Kenya and Secretariat, has been elected the treasurer of the Association, while Ms. Mabel Ibidun Quarshie – the Chief Executive Officer of Acquatic Foods Limited Ghana, will serve as the Association’s Secretary.

    Other regional representatives on the Association’s Board include Ms. Sitti Abdallah Mshangama (Comoros), Ms. Brbara Banda (Malawi), Ms. Yomita El Sheridy (Egypt), Ms. Leila Belkhira Jaber (Tunisia), Dr. Blessing Irabor-Oza (Nigeria), Ms. Nicole Gakou Gomis (Senegal), Ms. Betty Mulanga Kadima (the Democratic Republic of Congo), Ms. Esther Omam (Cameroon), and Dr. Nigest Haile (Ethiopia).

    “We are delighted to bring together women’s business associations from across Africa to advance intra‑African trade. This Network underpins ITC’s broader efforts through SheTrades and One Trade Africa to create real market access for women-led enterprises,” ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo said while unveiling the association’s leadership.

    Addressing important challenges

    In her acceptance remark, Ms. Malwela said the Association has the capacity to address important challenges facing women entrepreneurs across Africa.

    “Women entrepreneurs face a multitude of challenges, primarily revolving around access to funding and financial resources, gender bias and discrimination, work-life balance, and establishing strong support networks and confidence. Oftentimes, these hurdles impede their ability to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. As the Association looks to the future, we will seize opportunities to advance policies that address these challenges,” Ms. Malwela said.

    CONWOBAA has been designed to facilitate trade for women entrepreneurs through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping members of the WBAs access cross-border trade opportunities and build sustainable businesses.

    “This powerful network is led by women in leadership who are successfully running businesses and advocating for the growth of women-led enterprises across Africa. We look forward to the continued growth of this network and the opportunities it will create for women entrepreneurs across Africa to leverage AfCFTA and elevate their businesses to new heights,” Ms. Tembo said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • Russian strikes on penal colony in Zaporizhzhia kill 16, Ukraine says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian strikes on a penal colony in the frontline region of Zaporizhzhia in southwestern Ukraine overnight killed 16 people and injured at least 35, regional Ukrainian military and Zaporizhzhia’s governor said on Tuesday

    Zaporizhzhia governor Ivan Fedorov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said that the correctional facility’s buildings were destroyed, and nearby private homes were also damaged.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, condemned the strikes as “another war crime” committed by Russia.

    “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s regime, which also issues threats against the United States through some of its mouthpieces, must face economic and military blows that strip it of the capacity to wage war,” Yermak said on X.

    Moscow forces have regularly attacked Zaporizhzhia, using drones, missiles and aerial bombs, since the start of the war that Russia started with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    Russia unilaterally declared early in the war its annexation of parts of Zaporizhzhia and areas in and around three other Ukrainian regions. Kyiv and its Western allies called the move an illegal land grab.

    Fedorov said that Russian forces launched eight strikes on the Zaporizhzhia district, reportedly using high-explosive aerial bombs.

    Reuters could not independently verify Fedorov’s report. There was no immediate comment from Russia.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes, but thousands of civilians have been killed in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian.

    (Reuters)

  • Australia sweep T20 series against West Indies

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Australia completed a 5-0 sweep of the West Indies in their Twenty20 international series with Ben Dwarshuis’s bowling paving the way for a three-wicket victory in Basseterre, Saint Kitts on Monday.

    Mitchell Owen top-scored for Australia with 37 off 17 balls, while Cameron Green (32), Tim David (30) and Aaron Hardie (28 nout out) all made valuable contributions as the visitors reached their target of 171 with 18 balls to spare.

    The win sealed the first T20 series sweep by an Australian men’s team in the West Indies, and saw them end the tour with a perfect 8-0 record after a similar sweep in the three-test series.

    “I didn’t expect 5-0 at the start of the series,” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said. “But we played some great cricket. It was something we spoke about after the fourth game.

    “We knew no Australian team had completed a clean sweep. We’ve had guys come in and played different roles for us.”

    The match featured 15 sixes, which Marsh attributed to the size of the venue.

    “I think it’s a small ground, so there’s always going to be more sixes than normal,” he said.

    “But I think if you look down our batting order in all the five games, we had a lot of power and I guess the messaging was just to play their natural game.”

    Marsh also lauded the performance of his relatively inexperienced bowlers in the death overs.

    “I’m pretty sure in the last four overs, we didn’t go for more than 40 or 50 across the five games,” he said.

    “It’s really hard to do. So I think all of them executed. Nathan Ellis was outstanding, Sean Abbott was brilliant. Ben Dwarshuis hasn’t played a lot, did a really good role, and even Xavier Bartlett has grown and grown as a bowler.”

    West Indies fans must have feared the worst when Australia won a fifth straight toss and bowled the hosts out for 170, a total they reached thanks in large part to Shimron Hetmyer’s knock of 52 off 31 balls.

    Dwarshuis picked up Hetmyer’s wicket as well as those of openers Brandon King (11) and Shai Hope (9).

    “It was a little bit of a slower wicket so we tried to hit the wicket hard and use the slower balls as well,” said Dwarshuis, who was named player of the match.

    Australia return home for a limited-overs series against South Africa, while the West Indies play Pakistan in three T20Is and three one-day internationals.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: 80 years on, story of Flying Tigers still unites two peoples

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

    Eighty years after the end of World War II, a county in central China still echoes with memories of international solidarity forged in wartime.

    In Zhijiang Dong autonomous county in Huaihua, Hunan province, the Flying Tigers Memorial Museum stands to honor a remarkable chapter of shared history between China and the United States — the story of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers, during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

    In 1937, the year Japan launched its full-scale invasion of China, Claire Lee Chennault, a retired lieutenant from the U.S. Army Air Corps, was invited by the Chinese government to serve as chief advisor to the Chinese Air Force and help develop its aerial capabilities.

    In 1941, the Flying Tigers was officially formed in Zhijiang, with Chennault as the commander. That December, after two squadrons successfully fended off Japanese aircraft over Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, the name Flying Tigers spread across China.

    Inside the museum that honors the Flying Tigers, visitors are captivated by a wall that displays the squadron emblems, tracing the four stages of their development in China. Most of the emblems feature cartoon-style wartime designs.

    Emblems of the Flying Tigers squadrons, displayed at the Flying Tigers Memorial Museum in Zhijiang Dong autonomous county, Huaihua city, Hunan province. [Photo by Wang Xinguang/China.org.cn]

    Through a large collection of artifacts, including fighter aircraft, personal belongings, original documents, and photographs, the museum portrays the mutual assistance and deep friendship between the Flying Tigers and the Chinese people.

    One notable exhibit is a flight jacket worn by a Flying Tigers member, donated by a veteran during his return to Zhijiang for a cultural festival after WWII.

    Sewn onto the back of the jacket is a blood chit, carrying a message in Chinese that reads: “This foreigner (American) has come to China to help in the war. Soldiers and civilians, please offer him rescue and protection.”

    A flight jacket of a Flying Tigers member, displayed at the Flying Tigers Memorial Museum. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

    The message was meant to identify Flying Tigers members who would parachute or crash-land in Japanese-occupied areas. By showing it to Chinese soldiers or civilians, they could quickly be recognized and receive help. It therefore became known as a life-saving chit.

    The museum’s exhibits not only reflect the camaraderie between the Chinese and American people in their joint fight against fascism, but also underscore a broader message — one of mutual respect and enduring friendship between nations. 

    Today, the museum continues to receive support from the U.S., including numerous donated artifacts — a testament to the enduring commitment of both nations to honor the legacy of the Flying Tigers.

    Wu Jianhong, director of the museum, said that families of Flying Tigers members still visit China to donate items, keeping alive the shared spirit of cherishing peace.

    “It can be said that the Flying Tigers Memorial Museum is a commemorative site jointly built by the Chinese and American people,” Wu said.

    Near the exit of the museum stands the Wall of Heroes, inscribed with the names of 882 Chinese Air Force soldiers and 2,197 Flying Tigers members who lost their lives during the war.

    The Wall of Heroes inscribed with the names of Chinese Air Force soldiers and Flying Tigers members at the Flying Tigers Memorial Museum. [Photo by Wang Xinguang/China.org.cn]

    “The names on the wall honor those heroes whose identities could be confirmed,” said Deng Yu, a guide at the museum. “But many others remain unnamed — their sacrifices are remembered just the same.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Steaming ahead: China’s rural cafés embrace ‘coffee+’ model for deeper growth

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

    Customers enjoy coffee and their leisure time at a cafe in Baiyanggou Village in Urumqi County, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 15, 2025. (Xinhua/He Xiaotong)

    In Daofu, a quaint county in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, traditional Tibetan homes have been beautifully transformed into cafés, seamlessly blending international favorites like coffee with local treats such as butter tea and highland barley.

    “Sipping highland latte while listening to Tibetan folk songs and learning Thangka painting — what a perfect way to unwind!” exclaimed tourist Xu Xiaomei.

    In this county, which is filled with Tibetan heritage, cafés don’t just serve drinks — they offer local culture. “Even our coffee cups are custom-made from Daofu’s black pottery,” said Gao Yaojun, a local hotel manager, at the hotel’s café.

    Daofu now welcomes more than 1.5 million coffee-related tourist visits each year, reflecting the wider boom of café culture in China’s countryside. As of 2024, over 44,000 countryside coffee shops have sprung up nationwide.

    To stand out in an increasingly crowded space, many rural cafés are turning to the “coffee+” model, which pairs coffee with experiences like hiking, handicrafts, or farm visits. It’s not just about sipping a latte — it’s about discovering what makes each place special.

    In southwest China’s Guizhou Province, for example, a café perched on a 200-meter-high cliff has gone viral online. Adventurous visitors embark on a challenging trek through the forest and climb the cliffs to reach it, with the entire experience costing nearly 400 yuan (about 55.7 U.S. dollars) per person. Similar adrenaline-fueled cafés have also emerged in provinces like Zhejiang and Fujian.

    In south China’s Yunnan Province, one of the country’s key habitats for wild Asian elephants, guests at a café in Pu’er can sip freshly brewed coffee while watching elephants roam and forage in the distant forests.

    Some cafés have chosen to tap into their agricultural roots. As China’s primary coffee-producing region, Yunnan offers visitors the chance to sip locally grown brews while exploring plantations and roasteries.

    In Wanning, China’s island province of Hainan, coffee farm cafés let visitors roast their own beans, blending agritourism with beverage culture. And the leftover coffee grounds are turned into eco-friendly crafts like sand paintings, murals, and scented accessories.

    This rural café boom is largely fueled by urbanites seeking weekend escapes into nature. In the first quarter of 2025, rural tourism in China welcomed 707 million visitors, an 8.9 percent year-on-year increase. Revenue reached 412 billion yuan, up 5.6 percent.

    The café boom is also energizing local economies. In Anji County, Zhejiang, a rural region with under 600,000 residents, more than 300 countryside cafés have opened in recent years. Cafés here often operate on a community co-op model: villagers and collectives invest land or resources, café managing teams handle operations, and profits are shared through rent, wages, and dividends.

    Deep Blue, one of Anji’s most popular cafés, returns nearly half of its coffee sales revenue to local shareholders. “You’ve got to admire how brilliantly resourceful these young people are,” said one villager.

    The rise of rural cafés is also reversing urban migration. Many young entrepreneurs are returning to their hometowns, drawn by the potential of rural development. Among them is Wang Han, 27, from Xinzhai Village in Yunnan. After working in Shenzhen and Kunming, Wang returned in 2020 to open a café and an online coffee business. “There’s something worth coming back for. Now visitors from across China come to tour our coffee fields and taste our brews,” he said.

    At Deep Blue, its 127 staff members have an average age of 25 and backgrounds ranging from medicine to shipbuilding, according to founder Cheng Shuoqin, who grew up in Anji and launched his business in 2022, along with six partners.

    Cheng believes concerns about market saturation are premature. More well-educated young talent is still on their way to the countryside, he said. “The more young people return, the brighter the future of the countryside.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 PM amid ongoing Monsoon Session

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    On the seventh day of the Monsoon Session, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 PM shortly after it convened at 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

    The adjournment came as the Upper House prepared for a 16-hour-long discussion on Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

    Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha proceeded with its scheduled business in the morning and is set to continue the debate on Operation Sindoor for the second straight day. The discussion began on Monday, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opening the debate, describing India’s cross-border strikes as precise, measured, and non-escalatory, aimed at achieving a clearly defined objective.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Situation on border with Thailand has improved: Cambodian PM

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    PHNOM PENH, July 29 (Xinhua) — The situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand has improved after a ceasefire agreement came into effect, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on social media early Tuesday.

    “The situation on the frontline has eased with the ceasefire that came into effect at midnight on Monday in line with the spirit of the agreement between Cambodia and Thailand reached at a special meeting in Malaysia,” he wrote. “An early end to hostilities will also allow affected people, such as evacuees, to return to their homes sooner and resume normal life,” the prime minister said.

    “This ceasefire and peace agreement is bringing positive and effective results,” Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said on social media on Tuesday morning.

    The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire from midnight Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said following a meeting he hosted in Malaysia on Monday.

    A shootout between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over disputed border territory began on July 24, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • PM Modi expresses grief over death of Kanwariyas in Deoghar road accident

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district that claimed the lives of five Kanwariyas and left several others injured. The Prime Minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) expressed grief over the tragedy. In a post on X, the PMO said, “The road accident that occurred in Deoghar, Jharkhand, is extremely tragic. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the devotees who lost their lives in this incident. May God grant them the strength to bear this pain. Along with this, I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured.”

    The accident took place early Tuesday near Jamuniya village under the Mohanpur block of Deoghar. A private bus carrying around 35 pilgrims collided head-on with a truck transporting gas cylinders. The vehicle was en route from Deoghar to the Basukinath temple during the ongoing Shravani Mela, when it lost control and hit a stack of bricks after the initial impact.

    According to Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Sadar Ravi Kumar, “The information about the accident was received around 4 to 5 am. A private bus, carrying pilgrims from Deoghar to Basukinath, lost control and collided with a truck. The bus then crashed into a pile of bricks. The driver died on the spot. Four more deaths have been confirmed. The injured have been admitted to Deoghar Sadar Hospital.”

    Inspector General of Dumka Zone, Shailendra Kumar Sinha, confirmed that the bus was carrying Kanwariyas from Mohanpur and that the collision involved a truck loaded with gas cylinders. “Five Kanwariyas have died in the incident. All the injured have been shifted to the district hospital for treatment,” he said.

    Santhal Pargana Zonal IG S K Sinha also confirmed the incident. “Five Kanwariyas have died in a road accident as their bus collided with a truck. Several others are injured. More details are awaited,” he told ANI.

    Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the incident and directed the district administration to provide all necessary medical aid and assistance. In a post on X, he said, “Extremely sad news was received this morning about the death of devotees in a bus accident near Jamuniya Chowk. May Baba Baidyanath grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the grieving families.”

    The site of the crash is located along the banks of the north-flowing Jamuniya River, near a prominent Shiva-Parvati temple. Eyewitnesses said the impact of the collision was severe, leaving the bus mangled and several passengers trapped. Emergency teams, including the police, medical personnel, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), responded promptly to carry out rescue and relief operations.

    Further investigation is in progress to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the crash.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Global hunger declines, but rises in Africa and western Asia: United Nation (UN) report

    Source: APO


    .

    An estimated 8.2 percent of the global population, or about 673 million people, experienced hunger in 2024, down from 8.5 percent in 2023 and 8.7 percent in 2022. However, progress was not consistent across the globe, as hunger continued to rise in most subregions of Africa and western Asia, according to this year’s The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2025) report published today by five specialized agencies of the United Nations.

    Launched during the Second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, SOFI 2025 indicates that between 638 and 720 million people faced hunger in 2024. Based on the point estimate* of 673 million, this represents a decrease of 15 million people from 2023 and of 22 million from 2022.

    While the decline is welcome, the latest estimates remain above pre-pandemic levels, with the high food inflation of recent years contributing to the slow recovery in food security.

    Notable improvements are seen in southern Asia and Latin America. The prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) in Asia fell from 7.9 percent in 2022 to 6.7 percent, or 323 million people, in 2024. Additionally, Latin America and the Caribbean as a region saw the PoU fall to 5.1 percent, or 34 million people, in 2024, down from a peak of 6.1 percent in 2020.

    Unfortunately, this positive trend contrasts sharply with the steady rise in hunger across Africa and western Asia, including in many countries affected by prolonged food crises. The proportion of the population facing hunger in Africa surpassed 20 percent in 2024, affecting 307 million people, while in western Asia an estimated 12.7 percent of the population, or more than 39 million people, may have faced hunger in 2024.

    It is projected that 512 million people could be chronically undernourished by 2030. Almost 60 percent of those will be in Africa. This highlights the immense challenge of achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), warned the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations agency for children (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

    Tracking nutrition targets

    • From 2023 to 2024, the global prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity – an assessment registering the experience of constraints on access to adequate food during part of the year – decreased slightly, from 28.4 to 28.0 percent, accounting for 2.3 billion people. This is 335 million more than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 683 million more than in 2015, when the Sustainable Development Agenda was adopted.
    • Among the indicators of child nutrition, the prevalence of stunting in children under five declined from 26.4 percent in 2012 to 23.2 percent in 2024, reflecting global progress.
    • The prevalence of child overweight (5.3 percent in 2012 and 5.5 percent in 2024), and in child wasting (7.4 percent in 2012 and 6.6 percent in 2024) remains largely unchanged.
    • The percentage of infants under six months exclusively breastfed increased significantly, from 37.0 percent in 2012 to 47.8 percent in 2023, reflecting growing recognition of its health benefits.
    • The prevalence of adult obesity rose from 12.1 percent in 2012 to 15.8 percent in 2022.
    • New data show an increase in the global prevalence of anaemia among women aged 15 to 49, from 27.6 percent in 2012 to 30.7 percent in 2023.
    • Estimates for a new SDG indicator introduced in the report reveal that about one-third of children aged 6 to 23 months and two-thirds of women aged 15 to 49 years met minimum dietary diversity.

    Food inflation

    SOFI 2025 also examines the causes and consequences of the 2021–2023 food price surge and its impact on food security and nutrition.

    The report highlights that the global policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic – characterized by extensive fiscal and monetary interventions – combined with the impacts of the war in Ukraine and extreme weather events, contributed to recent inflationary pressures.

    This food price inflation has hindered the post-pandemic recovery in food security and nutrition. Since 2020, global food price inflation has consistently outpaced headline inflation. The gap peaked in January 2023, with food inflation reaching 13.6 percent, 5.1 percentage points above the headline rate of 8.5 percent.

    Low-income countries have been particularly hit hard by rising food prices. While median global food price inflation increased from 2.3 percent in December 2020 to 13.6 percent in early 2023, it climbed even higher in low-income countries, peaking at 30 percent in May 2023.

    Despite rising global food prices, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet fell from 2.76 billion in 2019 to 2.60 billion in 2024. However, the improvement was uneven. In low-income countries, where the cost of a healthy diet rose more sharply than in higher-income countries, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet increased from 464 million in 2019 to 545 million in 2024. In lower-middle-income countries (excluding India), the number rose from 79 million in 2019 to 869 million over the same period.

    The report recommends a combination of policy responses to food price inflation. They include targeted and time-bound fiscal measures, such as social protection programs, to safeguard vulnerable households; credible and transparent monetary policies to contain inflationary pressures; and strategic investments in agrifood R&D, transport and production infrastructure, and market information systems to improve productivity and resilience.

    What they said

    FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu: “While it is encouraging to see a decrease in the global hunger rate, we must recognize that progress is uneven. SOFI 2025 serves as a critical reminder that we need to intensify efforts to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. To achieve this, we must work collaboratively and innovatively with governments, organizations, and communities to address the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations, especially in regions where hunger remains persistent.”

    IFAD President, Alvaro Lario: “In times of rising food prices and disrupted global value chains, we must step up our investments in rural and agricultural transformation. These investments are not only essential for ensuring food and nutrition security – they are also critical for global stability.”

    UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell: “Every child deserves the chance to grow and thrive. Yet over 190 million children under the age of 5 are affected by undernutrition, which can have negative consequences for their physical and mental development. This robs them of the chance to live to their fullest potential. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report for 2025 underscores the need to act urgently for the world’s youngest and most vulnerable children, as rising food prices could deepen nutrition insecurity for millions of families. We must work in collaboration with governments, the private sector and communities themselves to ensure that vulnerable families have access to food that is affordable and with adequate nutrition for children to develop. That includes strengthening social protection programs and teaching parents about locally produced nutritious food for children, including the importance of breastfeeding, which provides the best start to a baby’s life.

    WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain: “Hunger remains at alarming levels, yet the funding needed to tackle it is falling. Last year, WFP reached 124 million people with lifesaving food assistance. This year, funding cuts of up to 40 percent mean that tens of millions of people will lose the vital lifeline we provide. While the small reduction in overall rates of food insecurity is welcome, the continued failure to provide critical aid to people in desperate need will soon wipe out these hard-won gains, sparking further instability in volatile regions of the world.”

    WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “In recent years, the world has made good progress in reducing stunting and supporting exclusive breastfeeding, but there is still much to be done to relieve millions of people from the burdens of food insecurity and malnutrition. This report provides encouraging news, but also shows where the gaps are and who is being left behind, and where we must direct our efforts to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy and nutritious diet.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades and Visa expand partnership to support women and youth entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa

    Source: APO


    .

    The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) SheTrades initiative and Visa announce a regional capacity building programme to support women and youth-led businesses in Kenya and South Africa, expanding their partnership into sub-Saharan Africa. 

    Building on collaborations in the Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions, the programme will enhance the digital, financial and entrepreneurial capacities of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led by women and youth – two key groups driving innovation and inclusive growth across the continent.

    Entrepreneurs can register to join the programme here.

    Across sub-Saharan Africa, women are estimated to own close to 60% of MSMEs, while earning 38% less in profits. Structural barriers – such as limited access to finance, digital technologies and tailored business support – continue to impede their full participation in formal economies. 

    Similarly, while the region’s young demographic can be considered a strength, young entrepreneurs encounter challenges in accessing the skills, tools and networks required to build and scale their enterprises. According to the African Development Bank, narrowing gender and age-based disparities in labour markets and enterprises could boost economic output by as much as 34%, underscoring the potential positive impact of inclusive economic participation.

    To address these barriers, the programme offers a hybrid learning experience combining online and in-person capacity building tailored to the needs of women and youth-led MSMEs in the region, including on topics such as artificial intelligence for business, financial literacy, digital payments, investment readiness and broader entrepreneurial skills.

    At the core of the programme is Visa’s She’s Next, which provides women entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding and networking. By connecting programme participants with the She’s Next alumni and the wider SheTrades community, the initiative will foster peer learning, sustained engagement and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

    ‘This partnership reflects our shared commitment to closing the digital and financial inclusion gap for African entrepreneurs,’ said ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton. ‘We look forward to building on our partnership with Visa to enable long-term economic empowerment of women and youth, who, when fully engaged in trade, become powerful agents of change in their communities and countries.’

    The programme will be delivered in collaboration with a network of public and private partners, including the SheTrades Hubs in Kenya and South Africa, hosted by ABSA Bank Kenya and the Small Enterprise and Finance Development Agency (SEDFA), respectively. Microsoft Philanthropies will contribute AI-focused learning modules, which will be made available as UN public goods through the SheTrades Academy.

    ‘At Visa, we believe that economies that include everyone, everywhere, uplift everyone, everywhere. Our expanded partnership with ITC SheTrades through the She’s Next initiative is a testament to this belief,’ said Michael Berner, Head of Visa Southern and Eastern Africa. ‘By equipping women and youth entrepreneurs with the digital tools, financial knowledge, and networks they need to succeed, we are helping individual businesses thrive and contributing to the broader economic resilience and inclusive growth of the region. This initiative reflects Visa’s ongoing commitment to driving equitable access to the digital economy and unlocking opportunities for underrepresented communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.’

    The programme was announced during the Global SME Ministerial Meeting, organised by ITC in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Small Business Development, where Visa contributed to discussions on financing solutions for sustainable small business growth.

    Upcoming webinars include:

    • Kick-off & Microsoft AI Launch: 31 July

    • Digital Tools & AI Integration: 28 August

    • Budgeting & Financial Planning: 18 September

    Entrepreneurs can register to join the programme here.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 29 July 2025 Departmental update WHO and Noora Health begin collaboration to strengthen support for family caregivers

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) and Noora Health have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance global support for family caregivers – an often overlooked but vital component of health systems.

    This strategic collaboration, formalized during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2025, underscores the growing recognition of the essential role families play in delivering care across the life course. Representing the partners at the MoU signing were Dr Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage – Life Course at WHO, and Dr Shahed Alam, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Noora Health.

    The partnership aligns with key global health priorities, including the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), and the Rehabilitation 2030 initiative.

    Through this MoU, WHO and Noora Health will focus on three core areas:

    1) creating training materials to improve caregiver knowledge and self-care practices for mothers, children, adolescents, and older adults;
    2) building a strong evidence base to inform policies and training and strengthen family caregiver-inclusive health systems globally; and
    3) conducting research and analysis to better understand and support the needs of family caregivers globally.

    Noora Health, a non-profit organization, has trained over 30 million caregivers across South Asia and South-East Asia, equipping families with the skills and knowledge to care for loved ones at home. Its work is rooted in the belief that families play a critical, although frequently undervalued and neglected, role in care delivery systems.

    This partnership marks a critical step forward in embedding family caregiving into mainstream health policy and practice, with the shared goal of improving outcomes and strengthening health systems worldwide.

    Note for editors

    WHO Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing (MCA)
     MCA leads global efforts to promote health and well-being across all stages of life – from pregnancy and childbirth to adolescence and ageing. Its vision is to ensure that every pregnant woman, mother, newborn, child, adolescent, and older person not only survives but thrives, enjoying the highest attainable standard of health and development.

    To achieve this, MCA provides strategic leadership, advocates for equity, and coordinates global partnerships. It works to reduce health risks through multisectoral action, generates and synthesizes evidence, and develops normative guidelines and human rights-based policies. The Department also supports countries in implementing these strategies and monitors progress to ensure lasting impact on health, growth, and well-being across the life course.

    Noora Health
    Since 2014, Noora Health has empowered over 30 million family caregivers and patients across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal through its innovative training programmes. At the heart of Noora Health’s approach is the recognition of family members as essential caregivers. By equipping them with critical health knowledge and skills  – both in hospitals and at home through a robust digital platform – Noora Health strengthens the broader care ecosystem, eases the burden on health workers, and improves community-wide understanding of health care, recovery, and prevention.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 29 July 2025 Departmental update Community innovation leads the way at 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health through “Ideas Labs”

    Source: World Health Organisation

    As the world braces for increasingly complex climate and health challenges, local innovations, Indigenous knowledge, and community-rooted practices take centre stage at the 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health, co-hosted by the Government of Brazil, WHO, and PAHO, from 29 to 31 July in Brasília. 

    A key feature of the Conference, the Ideas Lab, spotlights a bold new wave of thinking and doing, showcasing pioneering efforts that span from predictive malaria mapping and clean air advocacy to artificial intelligence and sustainable healthcare. Designed to complement the official programme, the Ideas Lab serves as a platform to amplify innovative local and Indigenous knowledge, youth-led and technological solutions, and cross-sector policy approaches that link climate action with better health outcomes. 

    Over three days, participants are presenting replicable solutions that will inform and bolster the forthcoming Belém Health Action Plan across three key tracks: 1) Health Surveillance and Monitoring, 2) Evidence-Based Policy and Capacity Building, and 3) Innovation and Production.  

    “The Ideas Lab is about more than showcasing innovations. It’s about equity, participation, and policy relevance,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization. “These sessions create space for communities to speak for themselves, to be heard, and to input into the COP30 process to put health at the heart of climate decisions.” 

    Ideas Lab contributors span Community-Based Organizations to universities, specialist networks to NGOs, with representation from across the globe.  

    Sessions include, among others:  

    • Mapping Toxic Transfers in Uganda: A cross-disciplinary project using geospatial tools, water testing, and health data to trace the impacts of climate-induced flooding on community health, while informing safe water and infrastructure policy. 
    • Predictive Modelling for climate-driven malaria dynamics: A predictive malaria system combining climate and health data to trigger targeted community interventions, co-led by women’s groups and rooted in local knowledge for urbanizing African Regions. 
    • Innovative Financing for Health Resilience: From Brazil to Indonesia, examples of blended capital solutions offer a roadmap to close the climate-health financing gap, especially critical for countries facing dwindling development aid. 
    • Adapting Health Supply Chains: A dialogue on how to future-proof the multitrillion-dollar health supply chain for climate resilience, equity, and sustainability. 
    • The Right to Clean Air: From Brazil to Australia and the pacific, inviting solidarity between communities experiencing escalating threats to air quality, health and cultural survival.  
    • AI for Climate-Resilient Health Systems: Showcasing how the Global South is pioneering artificial intelligence to strengthen pandemic preparedness and deliver culturally relevant, sustainable health interventions across 20 countries. 
    • Intergenerational dialogue plays a key role in transforming One Health ideas into concrete, sustainable actions and real-time solutions, where mechanisms for youth engagement in One Health can be adjusted to the needs and wants of each setting and context.

    Equity is at the heart of the Global Conference and equitable solutions are highlighted throughout the Ideas Lab, with sessions exploring how climate change disproportionately impacts women, migrants, Indigenous peoples, and youth, and how these groups are also leading in climate and health action. Examples include the Emerge Study which examines the relationship between climate extremes, forced migration, and health in Latin America, and how migration can be supported as an adaptive strategy, and Youth for One Health, a proposal that is grounded in intergenerational justice and builds on youth councils globally to advocate for biodiversity, planetary health, and green cities. 

    Towards COP30: From dialogue to delivery 

    The Ideas Lab will feed directly into conference outcomes and COP30 preparations, helping generate actionable tools and knowledge products that can be adapted by countries, particularly through the Belém Health Action Plan. By fostering participation across regions and sectors, it aims to seed long-term collaboration across and between climate change action and human health. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Himax Subsidiary Liqxtal Proprietary Vision-Care Pro-Eye Monitor Named Finalist for Top Ten Age-Friendly Technology Product

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAINAN, Taiwan, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liqxtal Technology Inc. (“Liqxtal”), a subsidiary of Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX), and a pioneer in liquid crystal optical innovation, today announced that its flagship vision-care product, the Liqxtal® Pro-Eye Monitor, has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Top Ten Age-Friendly Technology Product Awards, presented by the Taiwan Healthy Ageing Tech Show Committee. This prestigious recognition honors outstanding innovations that promote health, comfort, and quality of life for Taiwan’s aging population.

    Built on Liqxtal’s patented electrically tunable liquid crystal technology, the Pro-Eye monitor projects digital images to a virtual viewing distance of approximately 16 feet, dramatically farther than the typical 20 – 24 inches of conventional monitors. This design significantly eases ciliary muscle strain and reduces eye fatigue, offering a more natural and effortless viewing experience, especially for seniors experiencing dry eyes or blurred vision due to extended screen use.

    With Taiwan’s senior population rapidly growing, technologies that support visual wellness are increasingly vital to long-term care and healthy aging. Since its debut, the Pro-Eye Monitor has garnered strong interest across healthcare, eldercare, and smart home industries for its potential to redefine visual comfort for older adults. Evaluated by a panel of experts from the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs and academic institutions, its selection as a top ten finalist underscores Liqxtal’s leadership in age-friendly innovation.

    Liqxtal Pro-Eye Monitor will be showcased at the 2025 Taiwan Healthy Ageing Tech Show, held August 8 – 10 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. Purposefully engineered to address age-related visual challenges, the Pro-Eye represents Liqxtal’s commitment to improving elderly eye health through advanced optical technology. During the event, Liqxtal will also exhibit other smart optical solutions, including the Liqxtal® Dim, which integrates Liqxtal’s proprietary pixelated liquid crystal light valve with Himax’s WiseEye™ ultralow power AI sensing technology, empowering an intelligent system that automatically adjusts light transmittance based on ambient conditions, enhancing both comfort and safety for seniors in varying lighting environments.

    “Liqxtal has been dedicated to advancing liquid crystal optical technologies to deliver eye-care solutions that provide both comfort and functionality,” said Dr. Hung Shan Chen, President of Liqxtal. “Being named a finalist for the top 10 Age-Friendly Technology Awards is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to extending this transformative technology to a broader range of aging-related applications, bringing us closer to our vision of a smarter, healthier lifestyle.”

    Liqxtal warmly invites media, healthcare professionals, and industry partners to visit Booth A805 at the Taiwan Healthy Ageing Tech Show during August 8 –10, to experience the Pro-Eye Monitor firsthand and explore how next-generation liquid crystal optics are shaping the future of visual wellness in senior care.

    About Liqxtal Technology Inc.

    Liqxtal Technology Inc. is a Taiwan based company that has been focused on exploring opportunities with liquid crystal (“LC”) beyond just displays since the company’s inception. With a distinguished track record in liquid crystal optics, Liqxtal has developed liquid crystal based optical components such as LC lens for ophthalmic application, LC diffuser for 3D sensing and LC retarder for light sensing. Additionally, Liqxtal designed and released LQ001, a high voltage & tunable frequency LC driver with a 1mm x 2mm footprint, which is particularly ideal for portable products. As a subsidiary of Himax Technologies, Liqxtal also integrates novel display solutions such as tunable backlight with local dimming capability powered by FPGA for niche applications. Lastly, Liqxtal is dedicated to novel vision eyewear technology and strives to innovate and advance useful optical solutions to the world.

    About Himax Technologies, Inc.

    Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company’s display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company’s industry-leading WiseEye™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,609 patents granted and 370 patents pending approval worldwide as of June 30, 2025.

    http://www.himax.com.tw

    Forward Looking Statements

    Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC, as may be amended.

    Liqxtal Contact:

    Henry Hung, Deputy Director of Market & Sales Division
    Liqxtal Technology Inc.
    Tel: +886-6-505-0880
    Email: info@liqxtal.com

    Himax Contacts:

    Karen Tiao, Head of IR/PR
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-2-2370-3999
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    www.himax.com.tw

    Mark Schwalenberg, Director
    Investor Relations – US Representative
    MZ North America
    Tel: +1-312-261-6430
    Email: HIMX@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30cd9f50-e221-43d4-a3cb-836122c81cf7

    The MIL Network –

  • Classrooms of change: How National Education Policy 2020 is transforming learning

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Five years ago, on July 29, India embarked on a journey to overhaul its education system with the launch of the National Education Policy 2020. Today, its impact is increasingly visible in classrooms across the country – reshaping how children learn, how teachers teach, and how schools function.

    NEP 2020 marked a paradigm shift from rigid, exam-centric education to a more flexible, inclusive, and learner-focused model. Anchored in India’s cultural heritage and aligned with global goals like Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4), the policy laid out a vision for an education system that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning – from the foundational stage to secondary levels.

    One of NEP’s major successes has been the prioritisation of early childhood education and foundational learning. With the launch of the NIPUN Bharat Mission in 2021, the government aimed to ensure that every child achieves Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) by Grade 3. Initiatives such as Vidya Pravesh, Balvatikas, and Jadui Pitara have introduced millions of children to joyful, play-based learning. The results have been promising: Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 reported a significant rise in foundational reading and arithmetic levels among Class III children in government schools. 23.4% children could read Grade II-level text in 2024, up from 16.3% in 2022 and 20.9% in 2018. Arithmetic proficiency has also improved, with 27.6% of Class III students now able to perform basic subtraction, compared to 20.2% in 2022 and 20.9% in 2018.

    A restructured school framework under the 5+3+3+4 model is supported by two new national curriculum frameworks – National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). These have replaced rote learning with competency-based, multidisciplinary education. New textbooks like Mridang, Sarangi, and Joyful Mathematics reflect India’s linguistic and cultural diversity while encouraging deeper engagement and creativity. Vocational education now begins as early as Grade 6, and career pathways are supported through the National Credit Framework.

    Samagra Shiksha, the flagship school reform scheme, has helped boost enrolment and reduce dropouts. Infrastructure has improved substantially – with nearly all schools having access to drinking water, electricity, and gender-inclusive toilets. Hostels under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), along with 5,269 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, have provided critical support to girls and children from marginalised communities.

    The digital push has also been transformative. Platforms like Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) and PM eVIDYA have enabled access to quality learning content in over 130 languages, even during the pandemic. The Rashtriya Vidya Samiksha Kendra (RVSK) now provides real-time education data, improving governance and accountability.

    Teachers remain central to NEP’s success. Over 14 lakh educators have undergone training through National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA), with continuous support through digital platforms. Assessment reforms are underway through Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), which has championed competency-based evaluations and holistic progress cards that assess not only academics but creativity, socio-emotional development, and well-being.

    NEP 2020 also places strong emphasis on inclusion. The Pre Assessment Holistic Screening Tool (PRASHAST) tool helps schools support children with disabilities, while Indian Sign Language has been introduced as a secondary subject. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has developed flexible pathways for out-of-school children and even for Agniveers to complete their education.

  • Three terrorists killed in Op Mahadev were involved in Pahalgam terror attack: HM Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the three terrorists killed during Operation Mahadev on Monday were directly involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

    Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing debate on Operation Sindoor, Shah said, “Yesterday, the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police neutralised three terrorists — Suleiman, Afghan, and Jibran. Suleiman was a top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the Pahalgam and Gagangir terror attacks. Multiple pieces of evidence support his involvement.”

    He added that Afghan and Jibran were also senior Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives.

    “I want to inform the House that the terrorists who killed our citizens in Baisaran Valley have now been eliminated,” Shah said.

    “The people who used to supply food to them were detained earlier. Once the bodies of these terrorists were brought to Srinagar, they were identified by those who were kept detained by our agencies,” Shah added

    The anti-terror operation took place in the Lidwas area, as confirmed by the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army on Monday.

  • NISAR set to transform earth science with ISRO-NASA collaboration

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The first images of Earth were captured in 1946 through a motion camera picture. The world stood still from far above while its floor held the chaos on its surface and beneath all the land. Almost eight decades from then, the world will now see what is on and under Earth in remarkable detail, all thanks to the collaborative project between ISRO and NASA called “NISAR.” Slated to be launched on July 30 from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center,the mission is set to change the course of how we see this planet.

    What exactly is NISAR?

    NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) aims to monitor Earth’s surface using advanced radar imaging. A three-dimensional view of Earth will be generated through the two radars of NISARthat will be able to track changes in the surface with accuracy of a fraction of an inch. This project, which cost around $1.4 billion, is more than just a testament of collaboration between NASA and ISRO but a scientific marvel in itself. NISAR is the most advanced radar system that will generate around 80 terabytes of data per day. That is equivalent to one hundred and fifty hard drives that can store 512 GB. This is the maximum amount of data that will be generated per day by any Earth satellite that has ever been launched by NASA or ISRO. TheS-Band Radar of NISAR was developed by ISRO’s center in Ahmedabad, and the L-Band Radar was produced by NASA in Southern California. The labelling “L and S Band” is attributed to the microwave bandwidth regions from which the radar will collect the data.

    How will this data from NISAR change things for scientists?

    NISAR will map changes on the surface of Earth.Broadly, the applications can be seen in natural hazard monitoring, assessment of sea, ice, and glaciers, and also in crop management. The satellite will be able to see through clouds, rain, and in both day and night. The data will be able to provide insights into the time of glacial melting and provide unprecedented coverage ofAntarctica. Moreover, through NISAR, it will be possible to identify the parts of fault lines that move slowly and detect land movement essential for understanding and detecting earthquakes. Earthquakes have damaged large dams, like Koyna in 1967 and Shih-Gang in 1999, due to shaking or fault movement. NISAR satellite data can help prevent such failures by mapping ground shifts and fault risks with high precision.

    The satellite will be used for ecosystem monitoring for land and ice-covered surfaces twice every twelve days and will also include parts of Earth that were not monitored so rigorously and with such frequency in the past. From forest canopies to croplands and from ice melts to land movements, NISAR will cover everything. Such detailed monitoring with advanced radar systems will thus paint a fresh picture of the planet in front of scientists. The data collected by NISAR is open access and is expected to unravel details of land movement and of ecosystems that may provide novel insights.From scientists to policymakers, this data will revolutionize our understanding of the planet.

    Space Diplomacy and India’s new chapter in space

    The NISAR project is critical to the US and India’s pioneering year of civil space cooperation. It was only in February 2025 when PM Modi visited the US and met President Donald Trump; the leaders hailed 2025 as a pioneering year for the U.S.-India civil space cooperation. The cooperation saw a bright beginning with the AXIOM Mission where Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla traveled to space in a collaborative mission with NASA, making him only the second after Rakesh Sharma after a gap of almost four decades. It is clear that India is scripting a new chapter in space diplomacy, and it is not restricted only to the USA. ISRO has ongoing collaborative missions with other countries like France,Japan, Australia, Russia, Italy, and Europe. Given the success rate of ISRO, it has also become a key player in foreign launches with 433 foreign satellite launches from 34 countries. ISRO is pioneering space diplomacy through strategic international collaborations, fostering global cooperation and scientific advancement. By sharing expertise, resources, and satellite data, ISRO enhances global space research, promotes peaceful exploration, and positions India as a leader in space diplomacy.

    Radar, Real-Time, and Responsibility

    The NISAR mission marks a monumental leap in Earth observation, uniting ISRO and NASA in a shared vision to unravel our planet’s dynamic processes. By delivering unprecedented radar data, NISAR will empower scientists and policymakers to tackle climate change, natural disasters, and sustainable resource management with newfound precision. Beyond its scientific impact, the mission underscores India’s growing stature in space diplomacy, forging global partnerships that advance peaceful exploration and collective knowledge. As ISRO continues to collaborate with nations like the U.S., France, and Japan, NISAR stands as a beacon of innovation, cooperation, and India’s leadership in shaping the future of space exploration.

    (Pooja Mishra is a Content Researcher at DD India)

  • MIL-OSI: Willis predicts natural catastrophes will not offer insurers any respite in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Natural catastrophes continue to put a strain on global insurance markets, according to the latest Natural Catastrophe Review published today by Willis, a WTW business (NASDAQ: WTW).

    Worldwide, insured losses from natural catastrophes now consistently exceed USD 100 billion per year. It’s been six years since the insurance industry last experienced a year with low losses from natural catastrophes. Events so far in 2025 indicate that losses exceeding USD 100 billion will very likely continue for at least another year.

    The Willis Natural Catastrophe Review is a biannual publication that provides insights into recent natural catastrophes and shares expert views on the risks posed by major perils. It sets out the causes and effects of major catastrophes in 2025 to date and goes beyond the headlines to identify the underlying factors that made them possible. The Review also provides an expert outlook for the rest of the year and into 2026, exploring potential threats from hurricanes, drought, flood and other hazards.

    Other key trends to note:

    • Exceptional natural catastrophes: So far, major events in 2025 include the Los Angeles wildfires (globally, the worst wildfire event ever with respect to insured losses), the worst wildfires in Japan and South Korea in at least a generation, the third-most active year on record for tornadoes in the United States, the first landfalling cyclone near Brisbane, Australia in 50 years, and the highest wind speed ever recorded over Ireland.
    • Natural catastrophes under climate change: The severity and scale of recent catastrophes underlines the need to confront a new era of climate extremes. Risk managers must reassess the risk, integrate climate forecasts into their plans, and ensure insurance and risk frameworks are optimized for today’s evolving threats. Data-driven strategies are needed to narrow protection gaps and to stay resilient in a rapidly changing world.
    • Leveraging scientific advances to mitigate future risks: The Review presents a forward view on natural catastrophe risk for the remainder of 2025 and early 2026. It also provides concrete advice on how to make the most of seasonal weather forecasts and identifies geographic regions that may be exposed to elevated catastrophe risk during the next three to six months.

    Peter Carter, Head of Climate Practice, Willis, said: “2024 continued a 6-year streak of natural catastrophe losses in excess of USD 100 billion.  The wildfires in Los Angeles early in 2025 will drive estimated losses of USD 40 billion alone so the streak looks set to continue. With global efforts likely failing to keep the temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, our focus must now turn to adapting and building resilience in the face of this new reality.”

    Cameron Rye, Director, Natural Catastrophe Analytics, Willis said: “The Los Angeles wildfires of January 2025 resulted in insured losses more than USD $40 billion, equivalent to nearly one-third of global insured losses the previous year. The scale and timing of the event placed immediate pressure on insurers’ catastrophe loss budgets at the beginning of the year and prompted a renewed focus on how wildfire risk is modelled, particularly in high-exposure areas like the urban-wildland interface. With an above-average number of storms predicted for the North Atlantic hurricane season, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the costliest years on record for (re)insurers.”

    The full Natural Catastrophe Review can be accessed here.

    About WTW

    At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

    Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at wtwco.com.

    Media Contacts

    Lauren David
    Lauren.David@wtwco.com
    +44 7385947619

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Dead to Rights’ exposes Japanese cover-up of Nanjing Massacre

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

    Director Shen Ao’s new film “Dead to Rights” tells the true story of brave civilians who risked their lives to safeguard crucial photographic evidence of Japan’s wartime atrocities during the Nanjing Massacre, defying systematic cover-up efforts and staged propaganda by Japanese forces.

    A still from “Dead to Rights.” [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] 

    “On the battlefield where smoke rises from gunfire, we see weapons and bullets. But on the invisible front, another war rages over public opinion, propaganda and culture,” Shen said. “On this battlefield, each photo is like a bullet. Opposing forces clash, each advancing their own narratives, until the world finally sees the truth and distinguishes good from evil.”

    Starring Liu Haoran, Wang Chuanjun, Gao Ye and Wang Xiao, the film is based on documented accounts of Japanese military atrocities during the Nanjing Massacre. The story follows civilians who take shelter in a photo studio and are forced to develop Japanese military film for survival. When they discover photographs from the massacre and the army moves to suppress the evidence, they must fight to survive while smuggling them out.

    The narrative is based on the true story of 15-year-old Luo Jin, who in 1938 was forced to develop Japanese military photographs in Nanjing. After discovering images of atrocities, he secretly compiled a set of damning prints into an album and hid it in a temple. His friend Wu Xuan preserved the album, which served as evidence at the trial of war criminal Hisao Tani, one of the primary perpetrators of the Nanjing Massacre.

    Shen Ao, director of “Dead to Rights,” at the film’s Beijing premiere, July 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] 

    The true story inspired the 1987 film “Massacre in Nanjing,” which later motivated director Shen to create a new cinematic interpretation of these historic atrocities.

    Shen, a photography enthusiast who has collected vintage film cameras, learned traditional photo-developing skills in university — a foundation that informed his filmmaking. Intrigued by the photo studio’s role in documenting the war crimes, he and his crew spent three years conducting extensive research. They studied archival photos, documents and eyewitness records, including Japanese soldiers’ wartime images and American missionary John Gillespie Magee’s documentation.

    “Photographs, by their very nature, are meant to preserve life’s beautiful moments,” the director said. “Yet after the Japanese army occupied Nanjing, these same images were weaponized — twisted into tools of propaganda and trophies of conquest.”

    A poster for “Dead to Rights.” [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] 

    The film also depicts the Japanese military’s “goodwill photos,” staged images designed to present a sanitized version of the occupation. The occupiers’ grotesque merriment in these photographs stands in chilling contrast to the helplessness and despair of Nanjing’s civilians.

    “These ‘goodwill photos’ represent a propaganda battle,” the director said. “While we have many films depicting combat, I can’t recall any that focus on this information warfare aspect. I want to present a fresh cinematic perspective. Beyond the military actions, the Japanese army also created carefully orchestrated public relations materials in Nanjing to mislead local civilians and international observers. What struck me most was how many of these photos featured children, vulnerable subjects who were easily exploited for such propaganda purposes.”

    The film has earned an 8.5/10 rating on review site Douban, with audiences responding emotionally to its realistic portrayal of Nanjing’s wartime tragedy. 

    The release coincides with the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese people’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Shen said the film serves to promote “correct historical understanding, opposition to historical nihilism, and strict fidelity to factual records.”

    The cast and crew of “Dead to Rights” pose for a photo at the film’s premiere, themed “every Chinese person will not forget,” in Beijing, July 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group]

    “I hope the characters in this film can represent Chinese people from all walks of life during this war,” he noted. “Countless ordinary individuals never had their names recorded in history textbooks. This film aims to honor them. This wasn’t merely a military victory but a triumph of the people. Only through the united will of hundreds of millions of Chinese could this victory be achieved.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Myanmar athletes gearing up for dragon boat debut at Chengdu World Games

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

    A cold Monday morning drizzle in the rainy season lingered over Inya Lake as paddles cut through the still water. With ten days remaining until the 2025 Chengdu World Games, Myanmar’s dragon boat team was training relentlessly.

    At the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation compound in Yangon, the sound of synchronized strokes echoed. Coaches call instructions from the banks while athletes push through drills, focusing on rhythm, power and perfect team coordination.

    Members of Myanmar’s national dragon boat team attend a training session for the Chengdu 2025 World Games, in Yangon, Myanmar, July 28, 2025.(Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

    Pyae Sone Aung, 22, rested his paddle after a sprint set. “I am very happy and satisfied as I will compete in the World Games in China. As there are many good teams, we are preparing our best.”

    “I do train my best as my coaches ask,” he said. “I am from Maubin township in Ayeyarwady. I got interested in the sports as my uncle and aunty are national athletes,” he said proudly.

    “As our sport is a team sport, we have to overcome the challenges faced during training with team spirit,” he said. “I want to promote the development of dragon boat racing in Myanmar with medals.”

    “China has a lot of modern infrastructure. There are many things to be learned in China. We are training our best,” Pyae Sone Aung said.

    Nway Ei Phyu, 21, adjusted her grip as her paddle splashed from the last drill. “I am very excited as a new generation athlete. This will be my second time in an international event,” she said, breathing hard.

    “The first time I participated in an international event was in Thailand,” she said. “I have prepared my best. Our biggest competitors are China, Thailand and Indonesia,” she said, adding that it would be her first visit to China.

    Veteran paddler Hla Hla Htwe, 32, has been with the rowing team for over 11 years. She has participated in many international events since joining Myanmar’s national team at 18. “My aunties were also national athletes,” she said.

    “As it’s the first time at the World Games, we must train very hard,” she added. “Our coaches support and encourage us every day. As a team sport, unity is everything. If we are not united, other teams will easily beat us.”

    The World Games will include six different dragon boat racing disciplines, with races covering 200, 500 and 2,000 meters, and crews of either eight or 10 athletes.

    Dragon boat racing has been an invitational sport in the World Games three times, and is to be included fully for the first time at the Chengdu Games.

    Originating in China, dragon boat racing uses unique boats that are decorated with dragon-like features. Paddlers sit facing forwards on both sides, each having one paddle.

    On the bank of Inya Lake, coach U Thein Win, 55, said, “We have competed in two qualifiers for the World Games. We qualified with third place and became one of 12 teams.”

    “We have been training since the qualifiers,” he said. “As it is a world event, there are powerful teams in Southeast Asia and strong crews from Europe,” he continued.

    “The competition is very strong. All teams want their best results. We also want our best results,” he said.

    He wiped his brow, recalling his own career. “It is the highest event so far for the dragon boat athletes. I was a rower from 1989 to 2003 and have been working as a coach since 2006,” he said.

    “In my joint training visit to China, I saw how China’s team train three times a day. We train twice a day,” he said. “We share similar food to China, and their culture feels familiar to us,” he reflected.

    Myanmar’s dragon boat delegation, which includes six male athletes, six female athletes, a team leader, a manager and two coaches, departs for China on August 6. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing to host 2026 World Aquatics Short-Course Swimming Championships

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

    Beijing has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 World Aquatics Short-Course Swimming Championships following a decision by the World Aquatics Bureau.

    The announcement was made during the World Aquatics General Congress in Singapore, held alongside the ongoing World Aquatics Championships.

    Swimmers start at the men’s 200m individual medley final at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25M) in Budapest, Hungary, Dec. 10, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

    More than 1,000 elite swimmers from over 200 countries and regions are expected to compete in the Chinese capital over six days in late 2026.

    Beijing, known for its extensive experience in hosting major international sporting events, was selected after a competitive bidding process, World Aquatics said.

    “Beijing has demonstrated time and again its capacity to deliver world-class events across all aquatic disciplines,” said World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam. “We are confident that this tradition of excellence will continue in 2026.”

    Beijing has previously hosted 38 World Aquatics events and is also set to stage the full-scale World Aquatics Championships in 2029, which will include open water swimming and high diving in addition to the five core disciplines.

    This will be the third time China has hosted the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), following Shanghai in 2006 and Hangzhou in 2018.

    Chinese Swimming Association president Zhou Jihong welcomed the decision. “We are thrilled and deeply honored to host this prestigious championship in Beijing, a city with a strong Olympic legacy and enduring passion for aquatic sports,” said Zhou. “This is an important opportunity to showcase the talents of the world’s best swimmers, and we will work tirelessly to ensure a world-class experience for athletes, officials, and fans alike.”

    Among those anticipating the event is Chinese Olympic champion and men’s 100m freestyle long-course world record holder Pan Zhanle.

    “I can’t wait to compete in front of a home crowd,” said Pan. “The short-course championships bring a unique intensity and excitement. I hope to make history in Beijing and inspire the next generation of swimmers.”

    With the successful bid, China further strengthens its role as a major contributor to the global aquatics community, having hosted more than 100 World Aquatics events to date, the federation said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCIO organizes media trip to Shanxi and Hunan

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

    SCIO organizes media trip to Shanxi and Hunan

    China SCIO | July 29, 2025

    The State Council Information Office (SCIO) organized a media trip from July 22-26 to China’s Shanxi and Hunan provinces, inviting journalists to visit memorial facilities and historical sites of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The group included foreign correspondents from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia, and they conducted interviews with veterans of the war as well as families of fallen heroes.

    Reporters visit the Eighth Route Army Taihang Memorial Hall in Changzhi, Shanxi province, July 23, 2025. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • EU proposes curbs on Israel research funding over Gaza crisis

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Union’s executive body recommended on Monday curbing Israeli access to its flagship research funding programme after calls from EU countries to increase pressure on Israel to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

    Multiple EU countries said last week that Israel was not living up to its commitments under an agreement with the European Union on increasing aid supplies to Gaza and asked the European Commission to put concrete options on the table.

    The proposal to partially suspend Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe programme needs approval from a qualified majority of EU countries to take effect – at least 15 of the EU’s 27 members, representing at least 65% of its population.

    The European Commission said in a statement that the proposal comes as a reaction to a review of Israel’s compliance with the human rights clause of an agreement governing its relations with the EU.

    The bloc’s diplomatic service said in June that there were indications that Israel had breached its obligations under the terms of the pact.

    “While Israel has announced a daily humanitarian pause in Gaza fighting and has met some of its commitments under the common understanding on humanitarian aid and access, the situation remains severe,” the Commission said on Monday.

    The U.N.’s World Food Programme has said that almost 470,000 people in Gaza are enduring famine-like conditions, with 90,000 women and children in need of specialist nutrition treatments.

    The Israeli government has rejected international criticism of its policies in the enclave.

    Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post on social media platform X on Monday that the Commission’s move was “mistaken, regrettable, and unjustified” and that it hoped EU member countries would not adopt the proposal.

    Israel has been participating in the EU’s research programs since 1996, taking part in thousands of joint projects over the past decades.

    The Commission said the proposal would impact the participation of Israeli entities in the bloc’s European Innovation Council Accelerator “which targets start-ups and small businesses with disruptive innovations and emerging technologies that have potential dual-use applications, such as in cybersecurity, drones, and artificial intelligence”.

    It did not say how much funding would be affected by the proposed freeze.

    (Reuters)

     

  • Global hunger falls but conflict and climate threaten progress, UN says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The number of hungry people around the world fell for a third straight year in 2024, retreating from a COVID-era spike, even as conflict and climate shocks deepened malnutrition across much of Africa and western Asia, a U.N. report said on Monday.

    Around 673 million people, or 8.2% of the world’s population, experienced hunger in 2024, down from 8.5% in 2023, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, jointly prepared by five U.N. agencies.

    They said the report focussed on chronic, long-term problems and did not fully reflect the impact of acute crises brought on by specific events and wars, including Gaza.

    Maximo Torero, the chief economist for the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization, said improved access to food in South America and India had driven the overall decline but cautioned that conflict and other factors in places such as Africa and the Middle East risked undoing those gains.

    “If conflict continues to grow, of course, if vulnerabilities continue to grow, and the debt stress continues to increase, the numbers will increase again,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of a U.N. food summit in Ethiopia.

    “Conflict continues to drive hunger from Gaza to Sudan and beyond,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in remarks delivered by video link to the summit. “Hunger further feeds future instability and undermines peace.”

    In 2024, the most significant progress was registered in South America and Southern Asia, the U.N. report said.

    In South America, the hunger rate fell to 3.8% in 2024 from 4.2% in 2023. In Southern Asia, it fell to 11% from 12.2%.

    Progress in South America was underpinned by better agricultural productivity and social programmes like school meals, Torero said. In Southern Asia, it was mostly due to new data from India showing more people with access to healthy diets.

    The overall 2024 hunger numbers were still higher than the 7.5% recorded in 2019 before the COVID pandemic.

    The picture is very different in Africa, where productivity gains are not keeping up with high population growth and the impacts of conflict, extreme weather and inflation.

    In 2024, more than one in five people on the continent, 307 million, were chronically undernourished, meaning hunger is more prevalent than it was 20 years ago.

    Africa is projected to account for nearly 60% of the world’s hungry people by 2030, the report said.

    The gap between global food price inflation and overall inflation peaked in January 2023, driving up the cost of diets and hitting low-income nations hardest, the report said.

    Overall adult obesity rose to nearly 16% in 2022, from 12% in 2012, it added.

    The number of people unable to afford a healthy diet dropped globally in the past five years to 2.6 billion in 2024 from 2.76 billion in 2019, the report said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Global Africa Commission Proposed as the fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) Opens in Grenada

    Source: APO – Report:

    • US $290M in deals signed, advancing infrastructure, tourism and trade across the Caribbean on Day 1
    • CARICOM leaders to recommend region’s highest honour for Oramah’s role in transforming ties
    • US $250M Resilience Fund, CAPSS rollout, and feasibility of Caribbean EXIM Bank among key initiatives championed

    The fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) opened today in St. George’s under the theme “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”

    In a passionate keynote address, Prof. Benedict Oramah, outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, declared the region’s readiness to shift from slogans to systems, unveiling a slate of tangible milestones that signal the deepening of Africa-Caribbean economic and cultural integration.

    “In under four years, we’ve ratified the Partnership Agreement in 11 CARICOM countries, providing the Bank a solid legal foundation to operate, support, and invest in their economies,” said Oramah. This, he acknowledged, represents a “sovereign declaration, that the CARICOM States see in Africa, not just its past, but also its future.”

    These bold initiatives, shared by President Oramah during his address, demonstrate Afreximbank’s commitment to transforming Afri-Caribbean cooperation from aspiration into action:

    • Caribbean EXIM Bank: Feasibility studies are underway for a regional EXIM Bank co-created with the CARICOM Secretariat to unlock industrial development and trade.
    • $250M Growth, Resilience, and Sustainability Fund (GRSF): A new blended finance mechanism to support climate adaptation and development. Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) will manage the fund, while concessional financing will be raised jointly with the CARICOM Development Fund.
    • CAPSS Launch (Caribbean Payment & Settlement System): Modelled after Africa’s Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), this digital platform will allow real-time payments across the Caribbean in local currencies, eliminating costly conversions and enabling the upcoming CAPSS Card.
    • Creative & Cultural Investment: $24 million has been committed for a film production and training hub in the OECS through CANEX, while other investments have enabled designers and chefs from Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Barbados to feature globally.
    • Artificial Intelligence Hub: A new AI and generative tech centre is being launched in partnership with the P.J. Patterson Institute at the University of the West Indies to place Afro-Caribbean talent at the centre of global innovation.

    The ACTIF2025 also serves as President Oramah’s final address at the Forum, as he prepares to hand over leadership to Dr. George Elombi, Afreximbank’s long-serving Executive Vice President nominated as incoming President by shareholders at the Bank’s 32nd Annual Meeting in Abuja in June 2025.

    “At this critical moment in our collective history, I have no shred of doubt that he is the right person to lead us in the next phase of the Bank’s journey. I am convinced that he will give the Bank’s work in this region a renewed impetus,” he stated.

    Looking beyond the Forum, President Oramah urged the establishment of a sovereign Global Africa Commission to drive forward the long-term integration of Africa and the Caribbean. He proposed that the Commission be jointly supported by Afreximbank, the CARICOM Secretariat, and the African Union, and tasked with advancing the trade, cultural, education, and creative agenda of the growing pan-African alliance.

    “What we have done so far is prove the concept, we now need to institutionalise it,” Oramah said. “We should consider creating a Commission that becomes fully responsible for delivering on the Africa-Caribbean and broader Global Africa initiative… This move will give more focus to the initiative, reduce the administrative burden on Afreximbank and create an environment for innovation.”

    In closing, President Oramah declared “In America, America is first. In Europe, Europe is first. In China, China is first. We are the only ones who put ourselves last,” noting that it is time that Africa changes this posture.

    Meanwhile, Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada praised the vision and leadership of President Benedict Oramah, describing his presidency as a turning point in the Africa-Caribbean relations.

    Recognising the strategy, integrity and relentless drive employed, PM Mitchell, stated that President Oramah carved out a space for ‘our regions to trade, collaborate, and thrive’. “In the annals of history, you will go down as a pioneer for African people everywhere,” the Caribbean leader declared.

    Prime Minister Mitchell announced a recommendation by the region’s leaders to confer the region’s highest honour to President Oramah; the Order of the Caribbean Community.

    Building on Oramah’s keynote call to institutionalise the Global Africa Initiative through the creation of a permanent Commission, Prime Minister Mitchell voiced full support.

    His message was punctuated by a deeply personal interaction with a young volunteer who asked why Grenada chose to host ACTIF2025; a question he said cut to the heart of the Forum’s purpose.

    “It’s about money. It’s about trade. It’s about investment…  our very survival, prosperity and dignity depends on the economic decisions we make today,” he stated.  “To that young man, I say: our political will to support Global Africa is unwavering. We are not starting from scratch. We are starting from strength. And we will not leave ACTIF2025 with another communiqué, we will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.”

    In a sobering, yet empowering close, he added “no one is going to save Global Africa but Global Africa itself.”

    More than a dozen sitting and former Heads of State, and Government representatives from Africa and the Caribbean are attending ACTIF2025. Among them are:

    • Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados
    • Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica
    • Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis
    • Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia
    • H.E. Kassim Majaliwa, Prime Minister of Tanzania (representing President Samia Suluhu)
    • H.E. Prudence Sebahizi, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rwanda (representing President Paul Kagame)
    • The Most Hon. PJ Patterson, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica
    • H.E Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
    • H.E Mahamadou Issoufou, Former President, Republic of Niger

    Meanwhile, five transformative deals totaling over US$290 million were signed on Day 1 of ACTIF2025, showcasing Afreximbank’s deepening investment in trade-enabling infrastructure and economic development across the Caribbean. Among the signings was a US$50 million Heads of Terms with the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis for an Education Construction and Rehabilitation Climate-Linked Facility, and a US$40 million public-private partnership with Gemini Integrated Commodities Trading Company Ltd. to develop a modern commercial port in Saint Kitts. In The Bahamas, two landmark transactions were formalised: a US$100 million Receivables Discounting Facility for the Bahamas Striping Group of Companies to rehabilitate over 200 miles of road infrastructure, and a US$40 million facility with Cat Island Infrastructure Company Ltd. for critical roadworks. Rounding out the signings was a US$61.25 million agreement with Speedbird House Ltd. to finance a 150-room Homewood Suites by Hilton in Bridgetown, Barbados—under Afreximbank’s tourism-linked financing initiative, CONTOUR.

    ACTIF2025 continues through 30 July, with panel discussions, business matchmaking sessions, cultural showcases, and deal signings that reflect the Forum’s commitment to moving from rhetoric to results. More than 1,700 people registered to attend ACTIF2025, reflecting the highest level of interest recorded across all four editions. 

    – on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact:
    Vincent Musumba
    Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
    Email: press@afreximbank.com

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    About Afreximbank:
    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

    For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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