Category: India

MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Completes Production Run to Meet Surging National Customer and Consumer Demand
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
- American Rebel Light Beer Expanded Presence in Nashville, Motorsports (NHRA) & Music Events—Fueling Surging Demand for America’s Patriotic Beer
NASHVILLE, TN, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), proudly reports that American Rebel Premium Light Lager Beer (“Rebel Light”) American Rebel Light Beer, America’s Patriotic Beer, continues to see surging consumer and customer demand driven by its strategic presence at major events and iconic establishments in Nashville, motorsports partnerships, and music sponsorships. This rising demand has led to the completion of another production run, with additional runs planned throughout the year to support expanding retail placements, distributor partnerships, and new market entries.

“American Rebel Holdings and American Rebel Light Beer remain committed to supporting military events, motorsports, and music festivals—bringing Americans together under one shared belief: Good beer, great moments, and unwavering patriotism.” Andy Ross, CEO – American Rebel Holdings. “We are experiencing unstoppable momentum. Motorsports, music, and Nashville’s patriotic culture are fueling our expansion. With more production runs planned, retail growth accelerating, and new distributors coming on board, American Rebel Light Beer is quickly becoming a dominant force in the market. Our continued partnership with AlcSource and City Brewing ensures we can scale at speed and meet the growing demand nationwide.”

Strategic Positioned for Continued Growth & Market Expansion
- Production Scaling Success – American Rebel Light Beer recently completed another production run to meet increasing consumer and retail demand. The company is well-positioned to scale rapidly thanks to its key partnerships with AlcSource and City Brewing, with the ability for production capacity of up to 2M+ annual cases.
American Rebel Light Beer is brewed in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, using 100% natural ingredients for a refreshing, better-for-you domestic light lager with 100 calories, 3.2 carbs, and 4.3% ABV per 12oz serving.
- Recent Retail Expansion Announcement – American Rebel Light Beer to expand into 62 Total Wine & More locations across seven states, further cementing its presence in the U.S. market. This strategic retail placement reinforces the brand’s rapid growth, fueled by increasing consumer demand, patriotic branding, and key distributor partnerships. As America’s Patriotic Beer, American Rebel Light Beer continues its mission to bring high-quality domestic light lager to new audiences through music, motorsports, and retail expansion.
For the full press release, visit: American Rebel Light Beer Expands into Total Wine & More.

Todd Porter, President of American Rebel Beverages, emphasized the beer’s meteoric rise. “I believe that American Rebel Beer will be the fastest-growing beer in U.S. history. I’ve been in the beverage industry for much of my professional life, and I’ve never seen consumers so aligned with a beverage brand. American Rebel Light Beer delivers a refreshing, all-natural taste that stands out in the domestic light beer market. With no corn, rice, or added sweeteners, it’s a clean, crisp lager that resonates with consumers looking for a high-quality, better-for-you beer option.”
- Nashville Momentum – American Rebel Light Beer continues to thrive in high-profile venues, offering millions of visitors and locals a true American beer experience.
  CEO Andy Ross often refers to Nashville as the heartbeat of America, embodying the nation’s spirit of resilience and tradition. The American Rebel Light Beer’s epic launch at Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk (https://www.kidrockshonkytonkandsteakhouse.com/) on Broadway packed the American Rebel Light Beer Suite, as fans enjoyed music by legendary Broadway icon John Stone (https://johnstonecountry.com), with a special appearance by Ross himself.
  
  Since its launch, American Rebel Light Beer has secured premier Nashville accounts and is now an official sponsor of the summer-long Loser’s (Midtown) Parking Lot Concert Series, further solidifying its presence in Music City’s vibrant scene and ensuring that visitors experience the beer as part of their Nashville experience.
For information on Loser’s Parking Lot Concert Series visit Loser’s Original
- Motorsports Impact – Key partnerships with TSR Nitro Racing and the NHRA have connected the brand with influential distributors and retail accounts at the track, proving that beer and motorsports are a proven winning combination.
  CEO Andy Ross, presented by American Rebel Beer will be performing this weekend on Saturday June 6th at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN.
  
  Andy Ross is scheduled to perform at the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at North Dinwiddle, VA on June 20 – 22. In addition to being the title sponsor American Rebel Light Beer will also be the primary sponsor for the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster and the Matt Hagan Funny Car.
- Event & Music Partnerships – Sponsorship of Loser’s Midtown Parking Lot Concert Series, CMA Fest, and other major events further solidifies American Rebel’s presence in entertainment-driven consumer markets.
  Special Announcement: American Rebel Light Beer Joins Week of the Eagles Celebration Honoring the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, KY
  
  American Rebel Light Beer, America’s Patriotic Beer, is proud to be a key sponsor of the Week of the Eagles celebration at Fort Campbell, honoring the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army. This special event brings together the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, veterans, and patriotic Americans to pay tribute to the legacy, sacrifice, and strength of our nation’s military.
  
  On Saturday June 14^th, 2025, American Rebel CEO Andy Ross, a passionate advocate for American values and patriotism, will headline the Week of the Eagles Concert, delivering a performance that embodies the spirit of freedom and patriotic rock and roll. His presence reinforces American Rebel’s deep commitment to honoring the men and women who serve and celebrating the traditions that make our country great.
  
  The event is free and open to the public, welcoming soldiers, veterans, and civilians to honor the legacy of the 101st Airborne Division and the 250^th Birthday of the U.S. Army.
About American Rebel Light Beer

American Rebel Light is more than just a beer—it’s a celebration of freedom, passion, and quality. Brewed with care and precision, our light beer delivers a refreshing taste that’s perfect for every occasion.

Since its launch in September 2024, American Rebel Light Beer has rolled out in Tennessee, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida and Indiana and is adding new distributors and territories regularly. For more information about the launch events and the availability of American Rebel Beer, please visit americanrebelbeer.com or follow us on our social media platforms.

Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a domestic premium light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

For more information about American Rebel Light Beer follow us on social media @AmericanRebelBeer

For more information, visit americanrebelbeer.com

About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer.. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

Watch the American Rebel Story as told by our CEO Andy Ross visit The American Rebel Story

Media Inquiries:
Matt Sheldon
Matt@Precisionpr.co
917-280-7329

American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
info@americanrebel.com
ir@americanrebel.com

American Rebel Beverages, LLC
Todd Porter, President
tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of our continued sponsorship of high profile events, continued scheduled placements in Total Wine & More locations, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Attachment
- American Rebel Holdings, Inc
The MIL Network –
June 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Champions Shift of $4 Trillion in Domestic Savings into Africa’s Infrastructure Transformation
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 5, 2025/APO Group/ —
- Clarion call for scaling electricity generation and transmission to drive structural economic transformation
- Installed power capacity per capita stagnated in Africa vs. doubling in India since 2008
- Africa’s railway expansion is gaining speed with 7,000 km of new track investments poised to double growth in the next decade
- Africa’s rising supply of strategic resources such as iron ore requires a unified continental approach to integrate production, processing and demand centres for steel
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org ), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today publishes the most comprehensive and up-to-date picture of Africa’s investable capital landscape—revealing over $4 trillion of domestic savings in banking assets, institutional funds and reserves.

Download report: https://apo-opa.co/4kWVdwh

The research in the 2025 edition of the State of Africa’s Infrastructure (SAI) Report underscores AFC’s conviction in the capacity for African-led investment as the foundation for scaling provision of power, transportation and industrialisation across the continent.

Specifically, the SAI Report provides a conservative estimate of over $1.1 trillion in long-term institutional capital from pensions, insurance, sovereign wealth funds, and public development banks, along with $2.5 trillion in commercial banking assets and over $470 billion in central bank reserves.

Despite the scale of these resources, most investments are allocated to low-risk and short-term instruments rather than being channelled into the real economy. AFC’s report calls for targeted policy reforms, financial innovation, increased use of risk-mitigation tools, and the creation of financial structures—such as pooled funds or investment platforms—to reposition African institutions at the heart of the continent’s infrastructure transformation.

Thinking Bigger

As part of the process of identifying investment opportunities, the SAI Report seeks to shift Africa’s energy narrative—from small-scale access to large-scale, interconnected power systems capable of driving industrialisation, digital sovereignty, and climate resilience.

Under-investment in African energy is stark. In 2024, Africa added just 6.5 GW of grid-connected capacity from all sources—compared to over 18 GW from renewables alone in India. Installed power generation per person has stagnated in Africa while more than doubling in India since 2008, highlighting the widening gap in energy access and industrial potential.

The report further advocates for regional grid integration and private sector participation in electricity transmission, noting that Africa—in contrast to other developing regions—has yet to see a single independent transmission project. AFC identifies Angola, DRC, Tanzania, and Mauritania as key interconnector markets that could enable countries with excess generation capacity to supply power to those facing deficits—linking multiple power pools and balancing electricity flows across borders.

Rail Renaissance

In contrast to the under-investment in energy, the SAI Report spotlights the emergence of a new rail infrastructure cycle, signaling renewed momentum across Africa’s transport landscape. From east to west and southern Africa, a growing pipeline of railway projects—public and private—is reversing decades of neglect and disrepair.

Under-construction and planned lines total over 7,000 km, potentially doubling the pace of rail expansion in the decade ahead.

To showcase this renaissance, AFC has launched the first-ever Digital Map of African Railways (https://apo-opa.co/3ZhLHLT)—a dynamic, interactive platform that provides real-time insights into the continent’s rail corridors. The tool aims to enhance project visibility, foster investor interest, and support coordination along key transport and trade corridors.

Industrial Value Chains

The report further identifies steel, fertilizers and oil refining as Africa’s three most important strategic industrial inputs—currently dominated by some $300bn of annual imports but ripe for domestic value addition.

As a result of local production shortfalls, Africa currently consumes just 24 kg of steel per capita, compared to a global average of 219 kg, and 23 kg of fertilizer per hectare, versus 140 globally. Notably, the ore-to-steel supply chain represents a major untapped industrial opportunity—but realising its potential will require connecting expanding iron ore supply centres in West Africa with processing hubs and growing consumption markets across the continent.

AFC calls for coordinated investment in energy, transport, and logistics to unlock competitiveness in these sectors and anchor regional production hubs.

Commenting on the findings, Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, said: “This report provides a practical roadmap for how Africa can channel its significant financial strength into the infrastructure needed to drive industrial transformation—from scaling electricity supply to revitalising rail and building up strategic industries like steel and fertilisers. The tools exist. The capital is available. What’s needed now is coordinated action to unlock it.”

MIL OSI Africa –
June 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How your electric bill may be paying for big data centers’ energy use

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ari Peskoe, Lecturer on Law, Harvard University

Your power bill may be hiding something. photoschmidt/iStock/Getty Images Plus

In the race to develop artificial intelligence, large technology companies such as Google and Meta are trying to secure massive amounts of electricity to power new data centers. Electric utilities see the prospect of earning large profits by providing electricity to these power-hungry facilities and are competing for their business by offering discounts not available to average consumers.

In our paper Extracting Profits from the Public, we explain how utilities are forcing regular ratepayers to pay for the discounts enjoyed by some of the nation’s largest companies and identify ways policymakers can limit the costs to the public.

Shifting costs

In much of the U.S., utilities are monopolists. Within their service territories, they are the only companies allowed to deliver electricity to consumers. To fund their operations, utilities split the costs of maintaining and expanding their systems among all ratepayers – homeowners, businesses, warehouses, factories and anyone else who uses electricity.

Historically, a utility expanded its system to meet growing demand for electricity from new factories, businesses and homes. To pay for its expansion − new power plants, new transmission lines and other equipment − the utility would propose to raise electricity rates by different amounts for various types of consumers.

Public utility commissions are state agencies charged with ensuring that the public gets a fair deal. These commissions monitor how much money the utility spends to provide electric service and how its costs are shared among various types of ratepayers, including residential, commercial and industrial consumers. Ultimately, the public utility commission is supposed to approve any rate increases based on its assessment of what’s fair to consumers.

Splitting the utility’s costs among all consumers made perfect sense when population growth and economic development across the economy stimulated the need for new infrastructure. But today, in many utility service territories, most of the projected growth in electricity demand is due to new data centers.

Here’s the problem for consumers: To meet data center demand, utilities are building new power plants and power lines that are needed only because of data center growth. If state regulators allow utilities to follow the standard approach of splitting the costs of new infrastructure among all consumers, the public will end up paying to supply data centers with all that power.

An artist’s rendering of a proposed Meta data center in Richland Parish, La.
Meta via Facebook

A big price tag

One particularly acute example is in Louisiana. A Meta data center under development in the northeastern corner of the state is projected to use, by our calculations, twice as much energy as the city of New Orleans.

Entergy, the regional monopoly utility, is proposing to build more than US$3 billion worth of new gas-fired power plants and delivery infrastructure to meet the data center’s energy demand. Rather than billing Meta directly for these costs, Entergy is proposing to include the costs in rates paid by all customers.

Entergy claims its contract with Meta will cover some portion of the $3 billion price tag and that will mitigate any increases in consumers’ bills. But Entergy has asked state regulators to keep key terms of the contract secret, and only a redacted version of its application is available online.

The public has no idea how much it might pay if the commission approves the contract. And if the Meta data center ends up using much less power than the company anticipates, the public does not know whether it would be on the hook to pay higher electricity rates for longer periods to guarantee Entergy a profit.

The electronics in data centers consume large amounts of electricity.
RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Secret agreements

Our research, reviewing nearly 50 public utility commission proceedings about data centers’ power needs across 10 states, uncovered dozens of secretive contracts between utilities and data centers. Unlike Louisiana, most states require utilities to submit to the public utility commission their one-off deals with data centers, but they allow utilities to conceal the pricing terms from the public.

In normal rate-review cases, numerous parties advocate for their interests in a public proceeding, including members of the public, industry groups and the utility itself. But as our paper finds, utility commission reviews of data center contracts are based on confidential utility filings that are inaccessible to the general public. Few, if any, outsiders participate, and as a result the commission often hears only the utility’s version of the deal.

Because the pricing terms are secret, it is impossible to know whether the deal that a utility is offering to a data center is too low to cover the utility’s costs of providing power to the data center, which would mean that the public is subsidizing the deal. History shows, however, that utilities have a long history of exploiting their monopolies to shift costs to the public, including through secret contracts.

Electric utilities also charge customers for the costs of building and maintaining transmission networks.
Jay L. Clendenin/Getty Images

Other public costs

Our paper also explores other ways that the public pays for data center energy costs. For instance, many high-voltage interstate transmission projects, which connect large power plants to local delivery systems, are developed through regional planning processes run by numerous utilities. These alliances have complex rules for splitting the costs of new transmission lines and equipment among their utility members.

Once a utility is charged its share, it spreads the costs of new transmission projects among its local ratepayers. Because some regions are building new transmission capacity to accommodate data centers, our analysis finds that the public has been forced to pay billions of dollars for data center growth.

Data center energy costs can also be shifted when data centers connect directly to existing power plants. Under what are called “co-location” deals, the power plant stops selling energy to the wider public and just sells to the data center. With less supply in the overall market, prices go up and the public faces higher bills as a result.

Many state legislatures are noticing these problems and working to figure out how to address them. Several recent bills would set new terms and conditions for future data center deals that could help protect the public from data center energy costs.

Ari Peskoe is the Director of the Electricity Law Initiative at the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program (EELP). EELP receives funding from philanthropic foundations that support the clean energy transition.

Eliza Martin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How your electric bill may be paying for big data centers’ energy use – https://theconversation.com/how-your-electric-bill-may-be-paying-for-big-data-centers-energy-use-257794

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 6, 2025
The Q4 Growth Numbers Have A Pleasant Message for India

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

More good news for India’s economy. Following the news of India becoming the fourth-largest economy, at more than $4 trillion, the numbers for the fourth quarter of FY25 are out. At 7.4 per cent, the growth numbers have exceeded the market expectations, leaving many pleasantly surprised.

We finished the third quarter at 6.4 per cent, the second quarter at 5.6 per cent, and the first quarter at 6.5 per cent. Interestingly, in FY24, the GDP grew at 9.5 per cent in Q3 and 8.4 per cent in Q4. So, what happened?

We must factor in the external factors at play here. In FY25, the first quarter, between April and June, was lost to the national elections. Business activity was largely muted, cash flows were restricted, and new orders were delayed. Nothing unusual, for elections of this magnitude and importance do leave the businesses on the precautionary backfoot.

The second quarter, between July and September, was about getting used to a new avatar of the Narendra Modi Government. People were sceptical, given an unusual alliance in the Centre. However, it was soon visible to everyone that things were not going to change. The Lok Sabha numbers had not dented PM Modi’s socio-economic pursuits, and the show was to go on, uninterrupted.

Whatever little doubts that remained were decimated on the morning of October 8, 2024. The flip in numbers, within twenty minutes, around 10:00 AM, sealed the political fate of the Congress. The Bharatiya Janata Party had triumphed expectations and predictions, and became the first party to register a third consecutive win (with complete five-year terms). The Haryana victory set up the third quarter for an economic resurgence.

By the beginning of the fourth quarter, the BJP was in the driver’s seat. Maharashtra had been won with a thumping majority, and the party was eyeing Delhi next. The Budget came with the good news of a tax cut, enabling zero income tax for citizens with Rs. 12.75 Lakh annual income (standard deduction included).

The larger message behind the fourth quarter numbers must be acknowledged. Political stability is directly proportional to growth numbers. While elections are an unavoidable occurrence in the trajectory of our democracy, the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’, must be discussed with greater vigour. The continuity offered by the Narendra Modi government, in its third term, has also given the economy a critical thrust.

From here, it’s a journey of a few years until we become the third-largest economy on the planet, trailing China and the United States of America. The evolution of our economy will add to our geopolitical heft, inevitably. As the largest free market in the world, with over a billion people, consumerism and the growing middle class offers enough nudge for the MSMEs and other aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace manufacturing.

The tax cuts will also kick in next year, ushering in at least Rs. 1 Lakh Crore more into the economy. This will soon reflect in automobile sales numbers, tourism revenue, and other indirect taxes, as the spending goes up. The mere fact that the Modi Government was able to introduce these tax cuts is a testament to their stupendous fiscal management in the last eleven years.

The other message is that of self-reliance. While the pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, and the global supply chains crisis have put the manufacturing ambition into a hyperdrive mode, we can do more. India Stack and UPI are a stunning example of how self-reliance can propel success in other sectors, like the service economy. Close to 1,868 Crore UPI transactions in May 2025 further showcase the resolve of the Indian market.

However, it’s now time to go big on hardware. The ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor’ proves how warfare is evolving, and why we should not rely on external players, especially China, for critical components. This is where our focus must be. The services industry has sustained the aspiring Indian middle class for almost three decades. It’s now time for manufacturing to take over.

As we grow to become a ten trillion dollar economy by 2035, the nature of employment will evolve as well. Artificial Intelligence applications, offered at throwaway prices, are making several jobs redundant. The cycle of time moves, as it did when computers replaced typewriters, but no reason for India to be disheartened. Our economy evolved well with computers, it’ll do so with AI and hardware as well.

The 7.4 per cent growth number has a message for India: keep the hustle going. Do not be afraid to evolve with the times, and while the ten trillion mark is a decade away, start preparing for it today. On the policy front, we must begin pondering ideas that allow us to minimise disruption (One Nation, One Election). On the innovation front, let’s get people to start aspiring for jobs that involve not sitting before a computer, but manufacturing one.

This is India’s decade. The rise is inevitable and indispensable for the world.

(Tushar Gupta is a Delhi-based journalist and a political commentator)

June 6, 2025
Election Commission digitizes post-election reporting with upgraded Index Card System

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

In a significant step toward enhancing electoral transparency and efficiency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented a streamlined, technology-driven system for generating Index Cards and a wide array of post-election statistical reports. The initiative, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, aims to replace traditional manual reporting methods with an automated framework to ensure faster and more accurate data dissemination.

The Index Card, though non-statutory, plays a vital role in post-election documentation. Introduced as a suo motu initiative by the ECI, it serves as a comprehensive data source that supports deep electoral research and fosters democratic discourse. It provides constituency-level data across multiple dimensions, including candidate information, vote counts, party performance, gender-based voting patterns, and regional voting variations.

This robust reporting tool forms the basis for generating nearly 35 statistical reports for Lok Sabha elections and 14 for State Assembly elections. These reports encompass detailed insights such as voter turnout, number of polling stations, elector demographics, participation of women voters, and performance metrics of national and regional parties, including Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs). The reports, designed for academic and research use, are based on secondary data from the Index Cards, while primary and final data remains secured in statutory forms held by the Returning Officers.

Previously, data was gathered manually at the constituency level using physical Index Cards, which were later digitized—a time-consuming, multi-step process that often led to delays in making election data publicly accessible.

With the latest upgrade, automation and data integration have replaced manual processes, allowing the ECI to generate accurate reports more efficiently.

June 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Amristar, a city sacred to the Sikhs, should become a “war-free zone”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Archdiocese of Amristar

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – Amritsar, the holy city of Sikhism, on the border between India and Pakistan and home to the famous Golden Temple, should be declared a “war-free zone” and be granted international protection following the example of the Vatican. This is Indian parliamentarian and Sikh Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa demanded of the Indian government. He called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work with international bodies to initiate the appropriate recognition process for a city that presents itself as a symbolic place of peace for humanity.The matter, according to an open letter, has “deep spiritual and national significance,” because “the holy city of Amristar is not just a geographical location, but the spiritual heart of the Sikh faith and a beacon of love and peace for humanity.” “Its sacred aura transcends religious boundaries, offering comfort, unity, and compassion in a world increasingly torn by conflict and division,” he continued.”For Sikhism, Amritsar has the same spiritual significance as Mecca has for Muslims and the Vatican has for Christians. Therefore, I humbly request that Amritsar’s global spiritual significance be officially recognized and that appropriate international security mechanisms, similar to those that protect the Vatican, be adopted,” he said.Randhawa noted that “recent geopolitical tensions, particularly on the India-Pakistan front, have rekindled legitimate concerns about Amritsar’s potential vulnerability in the event of a military conflict.” “The appeal,” the letter continues, “is not a request for political sovereignty (such as that enjoyed by the Vatican City), but rather a request for international spiritual recognition and permanent security protection. At a time marked by increasing global tensions and militarization, it is imperative that Amritsar be protected from the threat of war and violence, now and forever,” the MP said. The politician recalled the universal teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy text of Sikhism), which are based on peace, humility, and brotherhood and represent “a powerful moral force against the rising tide of militarism in the world.” “While many global powers are increasingly inclined toward conflict, the Sikh ethos of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ (‘the well-being of all’) stands as one of humanity’s last hopes for coexistence and peace,” he noted. The concerns expressed by the Sikh community and civil society throughout India require a broader perspective, the MP continued, beyond regional circles and within an international framework, “to ensure the security and sanctity of this revered city under all circumstances.” Requesting the support of other parliamentarians of all religions, Randhawa urged the Indian Prime Minister “to take the necessary diplomatic and legislative steps to declare Amritsar a ‘war-free zone’ and a place recognized and respected by all, as it carries a message of peace and harmony for all humanity.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 5/6/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

June 6, 2025
Transformative urban development initiatives empower India’s middle class

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Over the past decade, several ambitious government initiatives have significantly reshaped urban living in India, bringing improved housing, transport, and connectivity to millions. These programmes have not only enhanced infrastructure but have also strengthened the sense of security and pride among middle-class and low-income families.

Since its launch in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has emerged as a beacon of hope for many seeking affordable housing. With a central assistance commitment of ₹1.97 lakh crore, of which ₹1.69 lakh crore has been disbursed so far, the scheme has witnessed remarkable progress.

Between 2014 and May 2025, more than 1.16 crore houses were sanctioned, construction has commenced on over 1.12 crore units, and more than 92.72 lakh homes have been completed or handed over to beneficiaries. Beyond the statistics, these homes represent stability, dignity, and empowerment for families across urban India, marking a significant stride in the nation’s urban welfare agenda.

Urban transport has also received an unprecedented boost with the rapid expansion of metro rail networks. India’s metro system, now operational in 29 cities, has expanded to 1,013 kilometres by May 2025, a striking increase from just 248 kilometres in 2014. The approval of 34 new metro projects covering 992 kilometres further underscores the Government’s commitment to enhancing urban mobility. Daily ridership has soared from 28 lakh passengers in 2013 to over 1.12 crore today.

The pace of commissioning metro lines has increased ninefold, with an average of six kilometres of new track becoming operational each month, compared to less than one kilometre monthly before 2014. The annual budget allocation for metro rail projects has also surged more than six times, reflecting the prioritisation of urban transport in the national development agenda.

The Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, introduced in 2016, has revolutionised regional air travel by making it affordable and accessible to the common citizen. With 88 airports, including two water aerodromes and thirteen heliports, connected through 625 routes, UDAN has facilitated over 1.49 crore passengers to fly at economical rates. The scheme has played a pivotal role in boosting tourism, enhancing healthcare access, and fostering trade in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. India’s airport network has more than doubled, growing from 74 airports in 2014 to 160 in 2025, supported by ₹4,023.37 crore in Viability Gap Funding to sustain connectivity in underserved regions.

Ensuring transparency and consumer protection in the housing sector has been a key priority with the enactment of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) in 2016. The legislation mandates every state and union territory to establish regulatory authorities that maintain public portals detailing registered real estate projects. As of March 2025, these authorities have addressed over 1.4 lakh consumer complaints, thereby enhancing accountability and rebuilding trust in the real estate market.

June 6, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Poornawadi Nagarik Sahakari Bank Maryadit Beed, Maharashtra

Source: Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has, by an order dated June 3, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on Poornawadi Nagarik Sahakari Bank Maryadit Beed, Maharashtra (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Management of Advances – UCBs’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by the RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, additional submissions made by it and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

The bank had:

sanctioned certain gold loans in excess of prescribed ceiling of Loan to Value (LTV) ratio; and
failed to upload the KYC records of certain customers onto Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR) within the prescribed time.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2025-2026/485

MIL OSI Economics –

June 6, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Adilabad District Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., Telangana

Source: Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated June 4, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on The Adilabad District Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., Telangana (the bank) for contravention of provisions of Section 20 read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the BR Act.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of contravention of statutory provisions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said provisions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

The bank had sanctioned loans to its directors.

This action is based on deficiencies in statutory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2025-2026/486

MIL OSI Economics –

June 6, 2025

Tax relief, pension security mark a decade of middle-class focus

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Over the past eleven years, India’s middle class has found itself at the centre of the government’s reform agenda. From tax relief measures to simplified compliance norms and pension schemes aimed at long-term security, successive budgets have reflected a steady policy commitment towards easing the financial burden on the salaried segment.

Framed as more than a collection of administrative reforms, the government’s approach has been marked by continuity and responsiveness. Whether in streamlining tax returns, enabling affordable housing, or expanding access to essential services such as healthcare and urban transport, the focus has been on removing procedural barriers and making systems work better for ordinary citizens.

Revised Income Tax Thresholds

A major highlight in the Union Budget 2025–26 was the announcement of a higher income tax exemption limit. Individuals earning up to ₹12 lakh annually will now be exempt from paying income tax, barring certain categories such as capital gains. With the standard deduction raised to ₹75,000, taxpayers with incomes up to ₹12.75 lakh effectively fall outside the tax net.

The move is expected to benefit crores of salaried taxpayers and comes despite a projected revenue loss of close to ₹1 lakh crore. Officials indicated that the measure was guided by a recognition of middle-class pressures and a long-standing demand for greater tax relief.

Simplified Compliance and Rising Voluntary Filings

Over the years, income tax compliance has been progressively simplified. From the introduction of standard deductions to the rollout of a new tax regime in 2020, efforts have focused on reducing documentation and making systems more user-friendly.

Pre-filled income tax return forms—now populated with data such as salary income, interest, and dividends—have played a key role in reducing procedural complexity. As a result, the number of individual return filers has more than doubled in the past decade, rising from 3.91 crore in FY 2013–14 to 9.19 crore in FY 2024–25.

Faceless Assessment and Digital Governance

Introduced in 2019, the faceless e-assessment framework has fundamentally altered the way scrutiny proceedings are conducted. By eliminating physical interface between taxpayers and assessment officers, the system is intended to enhance transparency and reduce discretion.

Under the framework, cases selected for scrutiny are allocated randomly through a centralised system operated by the National e-Assessment Centre in New Delhi. Taxpayers receive notices under Section 143(2) and are required to respond digitally within 15 days. The move from territorial to dynamic jurisdiction has been widely viewed as a structural reform in tax administration.

Policy Continuity and Recognition

Observers note that the measures implemented over the last decade reflect a consistent policy stance rather than isolated interventions. The middle class—often referred to as the backbone of consumption-driven growth—has been acknowledged not just as a tax base, but as a constituency requiring long-term support and recognition.

June 6, 2025
Home-cooked veg, non-veg thalis get cheaper in May as food inflation cools: Crisil

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The cost of home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis declined by 6 per cent each (year-on-year) in May due to a sharp drop in prices of key vegetables led by a high-base effect, a Crisil report showed on Thursday.

On a monthly basis, the cost of a vegetarian thali remained stable, while a non-vegetarian thali reduced by 2 per cent last month.

Tomato prices fell 29 per cent to Rs 23 per kg from Rs 33 per kg in May as concerns over yield lifted prices last year. Prices of onion and potato declined 15 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively, on-year, according to the ‘Roti Rice Rate’ (RRR) report.

Potato prices had shot up last year due to crop damage following blight infestations and unseasonal rainfall in West Bengal, while onion prices had increased due to lower rabi acreage and yield, as water availability in key growing states – Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka – was low.

The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east, and west India. The monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure.

The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil and cooking gas) driving the change in the cost of the thali.

“Thali costs diverged marginally on-month in May 2025, with vegetarian thali holding steady and non-vegetarian thali becoming 2 per cent cheaper. While tomato and potato turned dearer, prices of onion declined, keeping the vegetarian thali cost stable sequentially,” said Pushan Sharma, Director-Research, Crisil Intelligence.

The cost of non-vegetarian thali, however, eased due to a decline in broiler prices. An estimated 4 per cent on-month decline in broiler prices contributed towards the decline in the non-vegetarian thali cost.

“Going ahead, we anticipate an uptick in vegetable prices owing to seasonal variations and a slight easing in prices of wheat and pulses amid strong domestic output,” said Sharma.

(IANS)

June 6, 2025

MIL-OSI: Diginex Limited Signs MOU to Acquire Resulticks for US$2bn, transforming AI and Data Management Capabilities

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LONDON, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diginex Limited (“Diginex” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: DGNX), a leading provider of Sustainability RegTech solutions, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) for a cash and share acquisition of Resulticks, a globally recognized leader in real-time, AI-driven customer engagement and data management solutions. This strategic move will significantly enhance Diginex’s capabilities in advanced data management and artificial intelligence, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in data-driven client solutions.

The MOU values Resulticks at $2 billion which will be paid for in three tranches:

(1) $1.4 billion in Diginex ordinary shares valued at $72 per share and subject to a 12-18 month lock-up, which shares will be issued at closing of the transaction;

(2) $100 million in cash that is payable within 90 business days of the closing of the transaction; and

(3) an earnout of up to $500 million payable in Diginex ordinary shares valued at $72 per share and paid in 3 independent tranches subject to Resulticks attaining at least 75% of the below audited EBITDA threshold figures:

	Earnout Amount	Accounting Period	EBITDA Threshold
a.	$166,666,666	FY2026	$100,000,000
b.	$166,666,667	FY2027	$200,000,000
c.	$166,666,667	FY2028	$325,000,000

* Resulticks shall receive a pro rated portion of the Earnout Amount provided Resulticks achieves between 75% and 100% of the EBITDA Threshold.

Resulticks, headquartered in Singapore with operations across the United States, India, Singapore, and the Middle East, is renowned for its omnichannel client engagement automation platform. The platform leverages AI and big data analytics to deliver personalized customer experiences, enabling businesses to orchestrate seamless engagement across digital and physical touchpoints. We believe that by integrating Resulticks’ cutting-edge technology, Diginex will enhance its ability to provide comprehensive data-driven sustainability solutions, thereby empowering organizations to meet evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations with greater precision and efficiency.

We expect the Resulticks platform will enable Diginex to deliver hyper-personalized insights to stakeholders in real time, while also expanding into new verticals where advanced data orchestration and enrichment can unlock value across compliance, supply chain intelligence, and risk analytics solutions. As the application layer of tech becomes increasingly commoditized, data and AI are emerging as the true engines of differentiation, those who own, enrich, and activate data at speed will define the next generation of market leaders. This is where Diginex wishes to position itself with Resulticks and future acquisitions.

“We are thrilled to announce this business combination with Resulticks, a company that shares our values and commitment to harnessing advanced technology for transformative impact,” said Miles Pelham, Chairman & Founder of Diginex. “This acquisition will strengthen our balance sheet and profitability, as well as significantly deepening our expertise in AI and data management, enabling us to deliver unparalleled insights and solutions to our clients. By combining Resulticks’ real-time data capabilities with our blockchain and machine learning-driven sustainability platforms, we are poised to redefine how organizations navigate sustainability and compliance challenges.”

“This partnership represents a fusion of two purpose-driven platforms,” said Redickaa Subrammanian, Co-Founder and CEO of Resulticks. “Through Genie, our agentic framework, we’re helping Diginex unlock real-time ESG intelligence and optimize engagement at every stage of the customer lifecycle. At the same time, we’re bringing their sustainability solutions to our global customer base. Together, we’re unlocking activation, attribution, and ROI visibility — helping brands operate smarter and sustain long-term growth in a data-driven world.”

“AI doesn’t just optimize ESG. It transforms it into a customer engagement engine,” said Daxsan RB, Co-Founder and CIO of Resulticks. “ESG is no longer just about compliance; it’s a competitive lever to deepen customer relationships. By turning ESG data into actionable insights, brands can deliver hyper-personalized engagement — like carbon footprint transparency for eco-conscious buyers — while real-time analytics build trust through verifiable sustainability claims. Leaders who integrate these tools first will define the next era of brand loyalty. This isn’t just reporting, it’s revenue.”

This acquisition builds on Diginex’s recent momentum into AI and data management, including its memorandum of understanding to acquire Matter DK ApS, previously announced on May 27, 2025, which we expect will expanded Diginex’s sustainability data and analytics offerings for the investment industry. We believe that together, these strategic moves position Diginex as a global leader in delivering innovative, data-driven solutions for client and sustainability engagement.

About Diginex
Diginex Limited (Nasdaq: DGNX; ISIN KYG286871044), headquartered in London, is a sustainable RegTech business that empowers businesses and governments to streamline ESG, climate, and supply chain data collection and reporting. The Company utilizes blockchain, AI, machine learning and data analysis technology to lead change and increase transparency in corporate regulatory reporting and sustainable finance. Diginex’s products and services solutions enable companies to collect, evaluate and share sustainability data through easy-to-use software.

The award-winning diginexESG platform supports 17 global frameworks, including GRI (the “Global Reporting Initiative”), SASB (the “Sustainability Accounting Standards Board”), and TCFD (the “Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures”). Clients benefit from end-to-end support, ranging from materiality assessments and data management to stakeholder engagement, report generation and an ESG Ratings Support Service.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website:

https://www.diginex.com/.

About Resulticks
Resulticks is a leading provider of AI-powered, omnichannel customer engagement and data management solutions. Its platform enables businesses to deliver personalized experiences through real-time data analytics and automation, serving clients across industries in North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Resulticks is headquartered in Singapore, with additional offices in Seattle, New York City India, and Dubai.

For more information, please visit the Resulticks website:

https://www.resulticks.com/resulticks-story.html

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

Disclaimer
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor does it constitute a binding commitment to complete the contemplated transaction. The completion of the transaction is subject to the execution of definitive agreements, satisfactory due diligence, and other customary closing conditions.

Diginex
Investor Relations
Email: ir@diginex.com

IR Contact – Europe
Anna Höffken
Phone: +49.40.609186.0
Email: diginex@kirchhoff.de

IR Contact – US
Jackson Lin
Lambert by LLYC
Phone: +1 (646) 717-4593
Email: jian.lin@llyc.global

IR Contact – Asia
Shelly Cheng
Strategic Financial Relations Ltd.
Phone: +852 2864 4857
Email: sprg_diginex@sprg.com.hk

The MIL Network –

June 5, 2025

Sanjay Jha-led delegation briefs EAM Jaishankar on Operation Sindoor outreach

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday to brief him on the support received during their five-nation diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor.

As part of the visit, the delegation travelled to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, where they presented dossiers detailing Pakistan’s alleged role in cross-border terrorism, specifically highlighting the Pahalgam terror attack. They also explained India’s military response under Operation Sindoor and its updated security doctrine, which draws no distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors.

After the meeting, JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha told IANS, “There was a very positive atmosphere in Indonesia. We received support, and their statement was in favour of India. Malaysia, however, appeared a little neutral. We noticed every country had its own approach. In many places, we got a positive response; in some, it was neutral, and in a few, there were questions. But this was the aim of our tour – to understand and share perspectives.”

“We shared with them our firm stand against terrorism,” he added.

Responding to opposition criticism over alleged losses during Operation Sindoor, he added, “The strongest message we sent globally was that India stands united. When I introduced the delegation members as being from Kerala, Assam, Bengal, Gujarat, and from different parties, it sent a strong signal that the entire nation and political spectrum was speaking in one voice. If one or two voices dissent, they should reflect on whether they are aligned with the country or somewhere else.”

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi said the meeting with the External Affairs Minister was “productive and engaging.” She noted that each delegation member provided a detailed account of their visit and that Jaishankar actively sought insights and clarifications.

Addressing concerns over the timing of the diplomatic mission, Sarangi said, “The delegation completed its work with seriousness and gave its briefing. Even today, during the meeting with the EAM, leaders like Salman Khurshid and CPI(M)’s John Brittas were present, and there was great camaraderie and unity. That’s what stood out the most.”

Apart from Jha and Sarangi, the delegation included BJP MPs Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah; Trinamool Congress’ Abhishek Banerjee; CPI(M)’s John Brittas; Congress leader Salman Khurshid; and former diplomat Mohan Kumar.

(With inputs from IANS)

June 5, 2025
New Zealand parliament confirms unprecedented lengthy suspension of Indigenous lawmakers

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

New Zealand’s parliament agreed on historically lengthy suspensions for three Indigenous lawmakers who last year performed a haka, a traditional Maori dance, disrupting the reading of a controversial bill.

A parliamentary privileges committee in May recommended the suspension of the three Te Pati Maori parliamentarians for acting in “a manner that could have the effect of intimidating a member of the house.”

The three performed the haka last November ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that would have reinterpreted a 185-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Maori that still guides the country’s policy and legislation.

The government voted through the suspensions, which will see Te Pati Maori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi stood down from parliament for 21 days, and representative Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for seven days.

While the members are suspended, they will not be paid or be able to vote on legislation.

Suspending lawmakers is rare in New Zealand’s parliament with only three members suspended in the past 10 years, according to New Zealand parliamentary services. Before Thursday, the longest suspension was for three days, according to New Zealand representatives who spoke earlier in the day.

Maipi-Clarke told parliament ahead of the vote that the suspension was an effort to stop Maori from making themselves heard in parliament.

“Are our voices too loud for this house? Is that the reason why we are being silenced? Are our voices shaking the core foundation of this house? The house we had no voice in building… We will never be silenced and we will never be lost,” she said.

Judith Collins, who heads the privileges committee and serves as attorney-general, had previously told parliament that the haka forced the speaker to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes and that no permission had been sought to perform it.

“It’s not about the haka … it is about following the rules of parliament that we are all obliged to follow and that we all pledged to follow,” Collins said.

The opposition Labour party called for a compromise and proposed censure instead of suspension.

Labour considers the suspension to be “inconsistent with the fundamental nature of this democracy,” Labour parliamentarian Duncan Webb said on Thursday.

“This decision is wildly out of step with any other decision of the privileges committee,” said Webb.

The haka was traditionally a way for Maori to welcome visiting tribes or to invigorate warriors ahead of battle. It is now performed at important events as well as ahead of matches by New Zealand’s rugby teams.

(Reuters)

June 5, 2025
Millions of pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for Hajj’s most sacred ritual as India reports safe arrival of all citizens

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Millions of Muslims from around the world assembled on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca today for the performance of Wuquf-e-Arafat, the central and most critical ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage that marks the spiritual pinnacle of the sacred journey.

Observed on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, Arafat Day represents the culmination of the pilgrimage experience, with participants gathering from noon to sunset at the site where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. The ritual holds such paramount importance in Islamic tradition that missing it invalidates the entire pilgrimage.

Indian pilgrims joined the massive international gathering today, with Consul General of India in Jeddah Shri Fahed Suri confirming from Arafat that all Indian citizens have safely arrived at the sacred site and are currently engaged in prayers and supplications. The Indian Hajj Mission coordinated closely with Saudi authorities to ensure smooth pilgrim movement from their initial transfer to Arafat through their planned onward journey to Muzdalifah and Mina.

Speaking from the Plain of Arafat, Consul General Suri emphasized the spiritual significance of the gathering, describing the five sacred days spent across Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah as representing deep spiritual reflection and devotion that forms the core of the Hajj experience. He expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and associated service providers, for facilitating what he described as a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.

The observance extends beyond those physically present at Arafat, with Muslims worldwide marking the day through special prayers and devotional practices. Many non-pilgrims choose to fast on Arafat Day, following the Prophet Mohammed’s encouragement for this practice. According to Islamic belief, fasting on this sacred day carries exceptional spiritual merit, with the potential to expiate sins from both the previous and coming year.

The day serves as a profound moment of spiritual renewal for pilgrims who engage in intensive prayer, supplication, and reflection while standing on the historic plain. The comprehensive logistical coordination between Indian authorities and their Saudi counterparts reflects the international cooperation required to manage the complex movement of millions of pilgrims across the sacred sites during the intensive five-day period.

June 5, 2025
India to host 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will host the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi on June 6, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release on Wednesday.

The dialogue will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, with discussions covering trade, connectivity, technology, and development partnerships. The ministers will also exchange views on regional security and other pressing regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Ahead of the ministerial dialogue, the visiting Foreign Ministers will participate in the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting on June 5, jointly organised by the MEA and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Highlighting the significance of the relationship, the MEA noted that India and Central Asian countries, as part of each other’s extended neighbourhood, share deep-rooted historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties spanning millennia.

The relationship has grown in recent years through initiatives such as the India-Central Asia Summit, held virtually for the first time in January 2022, and the Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue. The 3rd edition of the Dialogue was also hosted by India in New Delhi in December 2021.

June 5, 2025
Trump suspends entry of international students studying at Harvard

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday suspended for an initial six months the entry into the United States of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University, amid an escalating dispute with the Ivy League school.

Trump’s proclamation cited national security concerns as a justification for barring international students from entering the United States to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university.

Harvard in a statement called Trump’s proclamation “yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights.”

“Harvard will continue to protect its international students,” it added.

The suspension can be extended beyond six months. Trump’s proclamation also directs the U.S. State Department to consider revoking academic or exchange visas of any current Harvard students who meet his proclamation’s criteria.

The directive on Wednesday came a week after a federal judge in Boston announced she would issue a broad injunction blocking the administration from revoking Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, who make up about a quarter of its student body.

The administration has launched a multifront attack on the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding and proposing to end its tax-exempt status, prompting a series of legal challenges.

Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to its demands to control the school’s governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students.

Harvard sued after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on May 22 announced her department was immediately revoking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which allows it to enroll foreign students.

Her action was almost immediately temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs. On the eve of a hearing before her last week, the department changed course and said it would instead challenge Harvard’s certification through a lengthier administrative process.

Nonetheless, Burroughs said she planned to issue a longer-term preliminary injunction at Harvard’s urging, saying one was necessary to give some protection to Harvard’s international students.

In an internal cable seen by Reuters that was issued a day after that court hearing, the State Department ordered all its consular missions overseas to begin additional vetting of visa applicants looking to travel to Harvard for any purpose.

Wednesday’s two-page directive said Harvard had “demonstrated a history of concerning foreign ties and radicalism,” and had “extensive entanglements with foreign adversaries,” including China.

The FBI had “long warned that foreign adversaries take advantage of easy access to American higher education to steal information, exploit research and development and spread false information,” the proclamation said.

It said Harvard had seen a “drastic rise in crime in recent years while failing to discipline at least some categories of conduct violations on campus,” and had failed to provide sufficient information to the Homeland Security Department about foreign students’ “known illegal or dangerous activities.”

(Reuters)

June 5, 2025
Rafale fuselage production shifts to India with Tata-Dassault deal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) on Thursday signed four production transfer agreements to manufacture the fuselage of the Rafale fighter aircraft in India. This marks a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains.

Tata Advanced Systems will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad to manufacture key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section.

The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in FY2028, with the facility set to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month.

“For the first time, Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India. Thanks to the expansion of our local partners, including TASL—one of the major players in the Indian aerospace industry—this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale program and, with our support, will meet our quality and competitiveness requirements,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

The signing of these contracts reflects Dassault Aviation’s strong commitment to India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar’ initiatives.

This partnership aims to strengthen India’s position as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain while supporting its goal of greater economic self-reliance.

“This partnership marks a significant step in India’s aerospace journey. The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation,” said Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

“It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms,” Singh added.

IANS

June 5, 2025
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces addition of 280 electric buses, targets fully electric fleet by 2027

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marking World Environment Day on Thursday, announced the addition of 280 electric buses to the city’s public transport fleet.

“We have decided to add 280 electric buses to Delhi’s fleet. By 2027, the entire fleet of buses operated by the Delhi government will be electric,” Gupta said.

“We are also introducing a new EV policy,” she added.

Highlighting the safety and comfort features of the new buses, Gupta said,
“These buses are a tremendous asset for Delhi. They are highly comfortable, equipped with cameras and a panic button. The buses also have a low floor and are air-conditioned.”

She also criticized past governments for overlooking environmental concerns.

“Delhi was deprived of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign under the last government. Our target is to plant 70 lakh trees this year,” she said.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav praised the Centre’s efforts to combat vehicular pollution, pointing to the adoption of smart EVs and hydrogen-powered buses.

“The central government is continuously working to reduce vehicular pollution. This new campaign for smart EVs and hydrogen buses is a huge step in this direction”, he said.

Yadav also reflected on the national tree-planting campaign.

“Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, around 109 crore people planted nearly 140 crore trees yesterday. This year, PM Modi planted a Banyan sapling. Last year, he planted a Peepal sapling. His gift of electric buses to Delhi will surely help purify the air.”

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister flagged off 200 electric buses as part of the Delhi government’s sustainable transport initiative.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, CM Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, and Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa were present at the event.

(With inputs from ANI)

June 5, 2025
Sensex Climbs Over 400 Points, Nifty Above 24,750 Ahead of RBI Meet

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Indian stock market closed in the green on Thursday ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s key monetary policy committee (MPC) decision on the repo rate.

At the end of trading, the Sensex was up 443.79 points (0.55 per cent) at 81,442.04, and the Nifty gained 130.70 points (0.53 per cent) to close at 24,750.90.

On Friday, the MPC’s decisions will be announced by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. According to experts, the Central Bank is likely to cut the repo rate by 0.25 per cent.

Meanwhile, the rally extended to mid-cap and small-cap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 378.35 points (0.65 per cent) at 58,303, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 175.50 points (0.96 per cent) to 18,432.60.

On a sectoral basis, IT, financial services, pharma, FMCG, metals, realty and energy ended in the green, while auto, PSU banks, media and private banks finished in the red.

According to Sundar Kewat from Ashika Institutional Equity, the Nifty traded in a volatile range as participants remained cautious ahead of the RBI’s monetary policy decision.

“Easing US treasury yields and a weakening US dollar provided some support to Indian equities, although global sentiment remains cautious amid persistent US-China trade tensions,” he added.

According to analysts, a “golden crossover” is visible on the daily chart, indicating the potential for a strong uptrend in the short term.

“Support continues to hold at 24,500; unless the Nifty breaks below this level, a serious correction is unlikely. On the contrary, a steady or even sharp recovery appears possible in the near term,” said Rupak De from LKP Securities.

The Indian rupee appreciated, driven by a rebound in risk sentiment and foreign fund inflows. The currency also benefited from the general strength observed across other regional currencies.

“Looking ahead, market participants are pricing in another interest rate cut from the RBI, buoyed by stable inflation figures. The rupee’s future trajectory will largely depend on the RBI’s upcoming policy stance and any liquidity measures it introduces,” said Dilip Parmar from HDFC Securities.

(IANS)

June 5, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Measles outbreaks continue with risk of holidays causing surge
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Measles outbreaks continue with risk of holidays causing surge

Latest UKHSA data shows outbreaks continuing, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 so far in May.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today publishes its monthly update on measles cases in England, which shows outbreaks continuing, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 so far in May. Cases have predominantly been in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under, with on-going outbreaks in a number of regions and London reporting almost half of all cases in the past 4 weeks.

There has also been a global increase in measles cases including Europe over the last year and the Agency is concerned, that with travelling for holidays or to visit family this summer, there is a risk this could lead to another surge of measles cases in England.

The latest measles epidemiology report on the UKHSA Data Dashboard today reports:

since 1 January there have been 420 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England

109 measles cases were confirmed in April and to date 86 in May (number of laboratory confirmed measles cases by month of symptom onset, data reporting lags impact on most recent 4 weeks and therefore the figures are likely to be an underestimate)

the majority (276/420, 66%) of these cases were in children aged 10 years and under, but there are also cases being reported in young people and adults

London has seen the highest number of cases overall this year (162/420, 39%) and in the last 4 weeks (35/75, 47%)

a number of other regions are also reporting outbreaks – with 25% (19/75) of cases in the North West, and 11% (8/75) in the West Midlands in the last 4 weeks

Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, at least 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.

However, measles remains endemic in many countries around the world, and with declines in MMR vaccine uptake observed over the last decade, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also seen large measles outbreaks in Europe and other countries.

An analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reported 127, 350 measles cases in the European Region for 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997.

This year outbreaks have been seen in several other European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Germany, and WHO recently reported that Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide.

In England, the decline of the uptake of childhood vaccinations including MMR in the past decade (well below the WHO 95% target) means that many thousands of children are left unprotected with the risk of outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools.

London has the lowest MMR uptake rates compared with other English regions (MMR2 uptake at 5 years is just 73.3% in London compared to English average of 83.9%).

From Autumn 2023 to summer 2024, England experienced the biggest outbreak of measles since 2012, particularly affecting young children. Since the peak last year cases have declined but local outbreaks continue.

Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. The UKHSA is concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks.

It is important that anyone travelling for summer holidays or to visit family, especially parents of young children, check that all members of their family have received both their MMR vaccines.

Getting vaccinated means you are also helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine, including infants under 1 year and people with weakened immune systems, who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency:

It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family. Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.

Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child and it’s not something you want to experience when away on holiday.

The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems can’t have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.

It is never too late to catch up, if you’re not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don’t put it off and regret it later.

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:

Tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations were delivered following NHS action last year to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella, and the recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected.

Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems. MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme – and I would encourage all parents to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child’s vaccination.

The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around 3 years and 4 months old.

Around 99% of those who have 2 doses will be protected against measles and rubella. Although mumps protection is slightly lower, cases in vaccinated people are much less severe.

Anyone, whatever age, who has not had 2 doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment. It is never too late to catch-up.

It’s particularly important to check you’ve had both doses if you are:

about to start college or university

travelling overseas

planning a pregnancy

a frontline health or social care worker

if you work with young children or care for people as part of your work

For more information on measles, mumps and rubella see the UKHSA resource: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mmr-for-all-general-leaflet

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Published 5 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 5, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: Result of Buyback of Government of India Dated Securities

Source: Reserve Bank of India

I. Summary Results

Aggregate amount (Face Value) notified	₹25,000.000 crore
Total amount offered (Face Value) by participants	₹27,256.022 crore
Total amount accepted (Face Value)	₹23,855.992 crore

II. Details of Each Security

Security	7.27% GS 2026	6.99% GS 2026	6.97% GS 2026	7.33% GS 2026	8.24% GS 2027
No. of offers received	26	5	36	8	13
Total amount (Face Value) offered (₹ Crore)	11,605.783	655.000	10,055.298	1,956.208	2,983.733
No of offers accepted	23	5	31	4	10
Total amount (Face Value) accepted (₹ Crore)	11,365.783	655.000	8,175.298	1,106.208	2,553.703
Cut off price (₹)	101.35	101.14	101.56	102.21	104.07
Weighted Avg Price (₹)	101.27	101.09	101.50	102.21	104.06

Ajit Prasad
Deputy General Manager
(Communications)

Press Release: 2025-2026/482

MIL OSI Global Banks –

June 5, 2025

MIL-OSI: MEXC IgniteX Partners with Superteam to Launch Revolutionary “IgniteX Solana Talent Lab” at Solana Summit APAC

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC IgniteX, the $30 million global CSR initiative and innovation arm of MEXC Ventures, successfully announced its groundbreaking strategic partnership with Superteam, the premier talent collective driving growth across the Solana ecosystem. The collaboration was officially unveiled at the Solana Summit APAC (June 5-7, 2025) in Vietnam, where IgniteX introduced the “IgniteX Solana Talent Lab” – a comprehensive initiative designed to accelerate blockchain education and foster the next generation of Solana developers across APAC markets.

Transforming Blockchain Education Through Strategic Partnership

The IgniteX Solana Talent Lab represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration that combines MEXC IgniteX’s industry expertise and resources with Superteam’s extensive network of talented developers, creators, and operators across the Solana ecosystem. This multi-faceted program addresses the critical need for structured blockchain education while creating tangible pathways for students to enter and thrive in the Web3 industry.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Superteam to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of blockchain innovators,” said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC. “This collaboration goes beyond traditional educational support – we’re building a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures talent from learning to professional deployment in the Solana space.”

Program Framework

The IgniteX Solana Talent Lab is designed as an initiative that accelerates blockchain education while supporting builders, developers, and students across APAC markets to make meaningful contributions to the Solana ecosystem. The program provides real pathways into the ecosystem for builders around the world through a combination of educational resources, mentorship opportunities, project support, and career development initiatives. By connecting talented individuals with industry experts, funding opportunities, and practical experience, the IgniteX Solana Talent Lab creates a structured pathway from learning to professional deployment within the rapidly growing Solana ecosystem, fostering the next generation of blockchain innovators and contributors.

Summit Launch Features

The launch at Solana Summit APAC will focus on the following features:
IgniteX Solana Scholars Launch Announcement:
An announcement through speech on stage featuring executives from MEXC IgniteX, Superteam leadership, and Solana ecosystem representatives, highlighting the program’s vision and commitment to blockchain education advancement.

Strategic Networking Summit:
Networking opportunities connecting MEXC representatives, Solana team members, Student Ambassadors, and broader ecosystem participants to facilitate relationship building and explore future collaboration opportunities.

Future Expansion and Impact

The IgniteX Solana Talent Lab is designed for scalable growth, with plans to expand across multiple regions and educational institutions throughout 2025 and beyond. The collaboration aims to graduate hundreds of skilled blockchain developers annually while contributing to the overall growth and decentralization of the Solana ecosystem.

About MEXC Ventures
MEXC Ventures is a comprehensive fund dedicated to driving innovation in the cryptocurrency sector through investments in L1/L2 ecosystems, strategic investments, M&A, and incubation. Upholding the principle of “Empowering Growth Through Synergy,” MEXC Ventures is committed to supporting innovative ideas and active builders.

MEXC Ventures is an investor and supporter of TON and Aptos, and looks forward to staying at the forefront of TON and Aptos innovations while actively engaging with builders to drive ecosystem growth.

About Superteam
Superteam is a cooperative of creatives, operators, and investors helping the most promising projects in the Solana ecosystem launch and grow. Focused on the “Ascending World” — India, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa — Superteam serves as a core engine of grassroots growth in Web3, connecting talented individuals with opportunities to contribute to innovative Solana projects while building sustainable careers in the decentralized economy.

Source

Contact:
Lucia Hu
lucia.hu@mexc.com

Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b17fc00c-f54f-4b12-ba01-1c0e076c920b

The MIL Network –

June 5, 2025
OpenAI finds more Chinese groups using ChatGPT for malicious purposes

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

OpenAI is seeing an increasing number of Chinese groups using its artificial intelligence technology for covert operations, which the ChatGPT maker described in a report released Thursday.

While the scope and tactics employed by these groups have expanded, the operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences, the San Francisco-based startup said.

Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, there have been concerns about the potential consequences of generative AI technology, which can quickly and easily produce human-like text, imagery and audio.

OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity it detects on its platform, such as creating and debugging malware, or generating fake content for websites and social media platforms.

In one example, OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content related to the closure of USAID.

Some content also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, generating X posts, such as “Tariffs make imported goods outrageously expensive, yet the government splurges on overseas aid. Who’s supposed to keep eating?”.

In another example, China-linked threat actors used AI to support various phases of their cyber operations, including open-source research, script modification, troubleshooting system configurations, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation.

A third example OpenAI found was a China-origin influence operation that generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive topics within U.S. political discourse, including text and AI-generated profile images.

OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world’s most valuable private companies after announcing a $40 billion funding round valuing the company at $300 billion.

(Reuters)

June 5, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Mobile statistics

Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

Headline: IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Mobile statistics

IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Mobile statistics
IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Non-mobile statistics

Quarterly figures

According to Kaspersky Security Network, in the first quarter of 2025:

A total of 12 million attacks on mobile devices involving malware, adware, or unwanted apps were blocked.
Trojans, the most common mobile threat, accounted for 39.56% of total detected threats.
More than 180,000 malicious and potentially unwanted installation packages were detected, which included:
- 49,273 packages related to mobile bankers
- 1520 mobile ransomware Trojans.

Quarterly highlights

Attacks on Android devices involving malware, adware, or potentially unwanted apps in the first quarter of 2025 increased to 12,184,351.

Attacks on users of Kaspersky mobile solutions, Q3 2023 – Q1 2025 (download)

This growth was largely due to the activity of Mamont banking Trojans and Fakemoney scam apps, along with the discovery of fake popular brand smartphones that came preloaded with the Triada backdoor, capable of dynamically downloading any modules from a server. Triada’s modules possess a variety of features. They can substitute URLs in the browser, block connections to specific servers, or steal login credentials for social media and instant messaging services like TikTok, WhatsApp, Line, or Telegram. A module that steals crypto from wallets is worth separate mention. We tracked down several of the scammers’ wallets, the balances suggesting that a total of at least $270,000 had been stolen. The stolen amount in TRON cryptocurrency alone was $182,000.

A profitability chart for the threat actor’s TRON wallets (download)

The first quarter saw the discovery of a new banker that attacks users in Turkey: Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Bankurt.c. It masquerades as an app for viewing pirated movies.

The Trojan uses DeviceAdmin permissions to gain a foothold in the system, obtains access to Accessibility features, and then helps its operators to control the device remotely via VNC and steal text messages.

Mobile threat statistics

The number of detected Android malware and unwanted app samples increased compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, totaling 180,405.

Detected malicious and potentially unwanted installation packages, Q1 2024 – Q1 2025 (download)

Looking at the distribution of detected installation packages by type, we see that the typical frontrunners, RiskTool and adware, dropped to the third and fourth spots, respectively, in the first quarter. Banking Trojans (27.31%) and spy Trojans (24.49%) ranked as the most common threats.

Distribution of detected mobile apps by type, Q4 2024* – Q1 2025 (download)

* Data for the previous quarter may differ slightly from previously published data due to certain verdicts being retrospectively revised.

The revision was prompted by a sharp increase in Mamont banker installation packages in the first quarter. Agent.akg, which steals text messages, accounted for the largest number of spy Trojan installation packages.

Share* of users attacked by the given type of malicious or potentially unwanted apps out of all targeted users of Kaspersky mobile products, Q4 2024 – Q1 2025 (download)

* The total may exceed 100% if the same users experienced multiple attack types.

The first quarter saw a sharp rise in the number of users attacked by Trojans. This was driven by a large number of detected devices preloaded with the Triada Trojan and the increased activity of Fakemoney scam apps, which tricked users into sharing their personal data by promising easy money. The increase in the number of users who encountered banking Trojans was, again, due to the activity of the Mamont family.

TOP 20 most frequently detected types of mobile malware

Note that the malware rankings below exclude riskware and potentially unwanted apps, such as adware and RiskTool.

Verdict	*% Q4 2024**	*% Q1 2025**	Difference in p.p.	Change in ranking
Trojan.AndroidOS.Fakemoney.v	30.33	26.41	–3.92	0
DangerousObject.Multi.Generic.	13.26	19.30	+6.04	0
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.db	0.08	15.99	+15.91
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.da	1.56	11.21	+9.65	+14
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.bc	10.79	7.61	–3.17	–2
Backdoor.AndroidOS.Triada.z	0.00	4.71	+4.71
Trojan.AndroidOS.Triada.hf	0.00	3.81	+3.81
Trojan.AndroidOS.Triada.fe	0.00	3.48	+3.47
Trojan.AndroidOS.Triada.gn	2.56	2.68	+0.13	+3
Trojan-Clicker.AndroidOS.Agent.bh	0.51	2.58	+2.07	+27
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.ef	0.00	2.44	+2.44
Trojan-Downloader.AndroidOS.Dwphon.a	3.40	2.19	–1.21	–2
Trojan.AndroidOS.Fakemoney.u	0.02	1.88	+1.86
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.rj	3.63	1.86	–1.77	–7
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.ek	0.00	1.83	+1.83
Trojan.AndroidOS.Triada.ga	4.84	1.74	–3.10	–11
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.eb	0.00	1.59	+1.59
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.cb	1.09	1.56	+0.47	+4
Trojan.AndroidOS.Triada.gs	3.63	1.47	–2.16	–13
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.dn	0.00	1.46	+1.46

* Unique users who encountered this malware as a percentage of all attacked users of Kaspersky mobile solutions.

Nearly the entire list was occupied by the aforementioned Fakemoney apps and various Mamont banking Trojan variants, along with preloaded Backdoor.AndroidOS.Triada.z, and Trojan.AndroidOS.Triada.hf malicious apps. Additionally, remaining among the most prevalent Android malware were modified messengers with the embedded Triada Trojan (Triada.fe, Triada.gn, Triada.ga, Triada.gs) and the preloaded Dwphon Trojan. What is interesting is the inclusion of the Trojan-Clicker.AndroidOS.Agent.bh sample on the list. This is a fake ad blocker that, conversely, inflates ad views.

Region-specific malware

This section describes malware families that mostly focused on specific countries.

Verdict	Country*	%**
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Coper.a	Turkey	96.85
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Rewardsteal.ks	India	94.36
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Coper.c	Turkey	94.29
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Rewardsteal.jp	India	93.78
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.BrowBot.w	Turkey	92.81
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Rewardsteal.ib	India	92.79
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Rewardsteal.lv	India	92.34
Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.SmForw.ko	India	90.71
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.UdangaSteal.k	India	90.12
Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Hqwar.bf	Turkey	88.34
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.rg	India	86.97
Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Agent.sm	Turkey	82.54

* The country where the malware was most active.
** Unique users who encountered this Trojan variant in the indicated country as a percentage of all Kaspersky mobile security solution users attacked by the same variant.

The first quarter saw a somewhat smaller number of “selective” malicious apps than before. As usual, Turkey experienced a prevalence of banking Trojans: Coper, equipped with RAT capabilities enabling attackers to steal money through remote device management; BrowBot, which pilfers text messages; and the banking Trojan droppers Hqwar and Agent.sm. In India, users faced Rewardsteal banking Trojans which stole bank details by pretending to offer money. Additionally, the UdangaSteal Trojan, previously prevalent in Indonesia, and the SmForw.ko Trojan, which forwards incoming text messages to another number, also spread to India.

Mobile banking Trojans

Number of installation packages for mobile banking Trojans detected by Kaspersky, Q1 2024 – Q1 2025 (download)

The increase in the number of installation packages for banking Trojans was primarily driven by Mamont. Its creators apparently follow a MaaS model, enabling any scammer to get a custom variant generated for a fee. As a result, a large number of unrelated cybercriminals are spreading distinct versions of Mamont.

When it comes to the percentage of users targeted, various versions of Mamont are also mainly at the top.

Top 10 mobile bankers

Verdict	*% Q4 2024**	*% Q1 2025**	Difference in p.p.	Change in ranking
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.db	0.41	38.07	+37.67	+18
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.da	7.71	26.68	+18.98	+1
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.bc	53.25	18.12	–35.13	–2
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.ef	0.00	5.80	+5.80
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Agent.rj	17.93	4.43	–13.50	–3
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.ek	0.00	4.37	+4.37
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.eb	0.00	3.80	+3.80
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.cb	5.39	3.71	–1.67	–4
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Mamont.dn	0.00	3.48	+3.48
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Creduz.q	0.00	1.43	+1.43

MIL OSI Global Banks –

June 5, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Non-mobile statistics

Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

Headline: IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Non-mobile statistics

IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Non-mobile statistics
IT threat evolution in Q1 2025. Mobile statistics

The statistics in this report are based on detection verdicts returned by Kaspersky products unless otherwise stated. The information was provided by Kaspersky users who consented to sharing statistical data.

The quarter in numbers

In Q1 2025:

Kaspersky products blocked more than 629 million attacks that originated with various online resources.
Web Anti-Virus detected 88 million unique links.
File Anti-Virus blocked more than 21 million malicious and potentially unwanted objects.
Nearly 12,000 new ransomware variants were detected.
More than 85,000 users experienced ransomware attacks.
RansomHub was involved in attacks on 11% of all ransomware victims whose data was published on data leak sites (DLSs). Slightly under 11% encountered the Akira and Clop ransomware.
Almost 315,000 users faced miners.

Ransomware

The quarter’s trends and highlights

Law enforcement success

Phobos Aetor, a joint international effort by law enforcement agencies from the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France and several other countries, resulted in the arrest of four suspected members of 8Base. They are accused of carrying out more than 1000 cyberattacks around the world with the help of the Phobos ransomware. The suspects were arrested in Thailand and charged with extorting more than $16 million dollars in Bitcoin. According to law enforcement officials, the multinational operation resulted in the seizure of more than 40 assets, including computers, phones, and cryptocurrency wallets. Additionally, law enforcement took down 27 servers linked to the cybercrime gang.

An ongoing effort to combat LockBit led to the extradition of a suspected ransomware developer to the United States. Arrested in Israel last August, the suspect is accused of receiving more than $230,000 in cryptocurrency for his work with the group between June 2022 and February 2024.

Vulnerabilities and attacks, BYOVD, and EDR bypassing

The first quarter saw a series of vulnerabilities detected in Paragon Partition Manager. They were assigned the identifiers CVE-2025-0288, CVE-2025-0287, CVE-2025-0286, CVE-2025-0285, and CVE-2025-0289. According to researchers, ransomware gangs had been exploiting the vulnerabilities to gain Windows SYSTEM privileges during BYOVD (bring your own vulnerable driver) attacks.

Akira exploited a vulnerability in a webcam to try and bypass endpoint detection and response (EDR) and encrypt files on the organization’s network over the SMB protocol. The attackers found that their Windows ransomware was being detected and blocked by the security solution. To bypass it, they found a vulnerable network webcam in the targeted organization that was running a Linux-based operating system and was not protected by EDR. The attackers were able to evade detection by compromising the webcam, mounting network drives of other machines, and running the Linux version of their ransomware on the camera.

HellCat leveraged compromised Jira credentials to attack a series of companies, including Ascom, Jaguar Land Rover, and Affinitiv. According to researchers, the threat actors obtain credentials by infecting employees’ computers with Trojan stealers like Lumma.

Other developments

An unidentified source posted Matrix chat logs belonging to the Black Basta gang. The logs feature information about the gang’s attack techniques and vulnerabilities that it exploited. In addition, the logs contain details about the group’s internal structure and its members, as well as more than 367 unique ZoomInfo links that the attackers used to gather data on potential victims.

BlackLock was compromised due to a vulnerability in the threat actor’s data leak site (DLS). Researchers who discovered the vulnerability gained access to confidential information about the group and its activities, including configuration files, login credentials, and the history of commands run on the server. DragonForce, a rival ransomware outfit, exploited the same security flaw to deface the DLS. They changed the site’s appearance, and made BlackLock’s internal chat logs and certain configuration files publicly available.

The most prolific groups

This section highlights the most prolific ransomware groups by number of victims that each added to their DLS during the reporting period. RansomHub, which stood out in 2024, remained the leader by number of new victims with 11.03%. Akira (10.89%) and Clop (10.69%) followed close behind.

The number of the group’s victims according to its DLS as a percentage of all groups’ victims published on all the DLSs reviewed during the reporting period (download)

Number of new modifications

In the first quarter, Kaspersky solutions detected three new ransomware families and 11,733 new variants – almost four times more than in the fourth quarter of 2024. This is due to the large number of samples that our solutions categorized as belonging to the Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen family.

New ransomware variants, Q1 2024 – Q1 2025 (download)

Number of users attacked by ransomware Trojans

The number of unique KSN users protected is 85,474.

Number of unique users attacked by ransomware Trojans, Q1 2025 (download)

Attack geography

Top 10 countries and territories attacked by ransomware Trojans

	Country/territory*	%**
1	Oman	0.661
2	Libya	0.643
3	South Korea	0.631
4	China	0.626
5	Bangladesh	0.472
6	Iraq	0.452
7	Rwanda	0.443
8	Pakistan	0.441
9	Tajikistan	0.439
10	Sri Lanka	0.419

* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 50,000) Kaspersky product users.
** Unique users whose computers were attacked by ransomware Trojans as a percentage of all unique Kaspersky product users in the country/territory

TOP 10 most common ransomware Trojan families

	Name	Verdict*	%**
1	(generic verdict)	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen	25.10
2	WannaCry	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Wanna	8.19
3	(generic verdict)	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Encoder	6.70
4	(generic verdict)	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypren	6.65
5	(generic verdict)	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Agent	3.95
6	Cryakl/CryLock	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Cryakl	3.16
7	LockBit	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Lockbit	3.15
8	(generic verdict)	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Phny	2.90
9	PolyRansom/VirLock	Virus.Win32.PolyRansom / Trojan-Ransom.Win32.PolyRansom	2.73
10	(generic verdict)	Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Crypmod	2.66

* Unique Kaspersky product users attacked by the specific ransomware Trojan family as a percentage of all unique users attacked by this type of threat.

Miners

Number of new modifications

In the first quarter of 2025, Kaspersky solutions detected 5,467 new miner variants.

New miner variants, Q1 2025 (download)

Number of users attacked by miners

Miners were fairly active in the first quarter. During the reporting period, we detected miner attacks on the computers of 315,701 unique Kaspersky product users worldwide.

Number of unique users attacked by miners, Q1 2025 (download)

Attack geography

Top 10 countries and territories attacked by miners

	Country/territory*	%**
1	Senegal	2.59
2	Kazakhstan	1.36
3	Panama	1.28
4	Belarus	1.22
5	Ethiopia	1.09
6	Tajikistan	1.07
7	Moldova	0.90
8	Dominican Republic	0.86
9	Kyrgyzstan	0.84
10	Tanzania	0.82

* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 50,000) Kaspersky product users.
** Unique users whose computers were attacked by miners as a percentage of all unique Kaspersky product users in the country/territory.

Attacks on macOS

The first quarter saw the discovery of a new Trojan loader for macOS. This is a Go-based variant of ReaderUpdate, which has previously appeared in Python, Crystal, Rust, and Nim versions. These loaders are typically used to download intrusive adware, but there is nothing stopping them from delivering any kind of Trojan.

During the reporting period researchers identified new loaders from the Ferret malware family which were being distributed by attackers through fake online job interview invitations. These Trojans are believed to be part of an ongoing campaign that began in December 2022. The original members of the Ferret family date back to late 2024. Past versions of the loader delivered both a backdoor and a crypto stealer.

Throughout the first quarter, various modifications of the Amos stealer were the most aggressively distributed Trojans. Amos is designed to steal user passwords, cryptocurrency wallet data, browser cookies, and documents. In this campaign, threat actors frequently modify their Trojan obfuscation techniques to evade detection, generating thousands of obfuscated files to overwhelm security solutions.

TOP 20 threats to macOS

(download)

* Unique users who encountered this malware as a percentage of all attacked users of Kaspersky security solutions for macOS.
* Data for the previous quarter may differ slightly from previously published data due to certain verdicts being retrospectively revised.

As usual, a significant share of the most common threats to macOS consists of potentially unwanted applications: adware, spyware tracking user activity, fake cleaners, and reverse proxies like NetTool. Amos Trojans, which we mentioned earlier, also gained popularity in the first quarter. Trojan.OSX.Agent.gen, which holds the third spot in the rankings, is a generic verdict that detects a wide variety of malware.

Geography of threats to macOS

Country/territory	Q4 2024*	Q1 2025*
Spain	1.16%	1.02%
France	1.52%	0.96%
Hong Kong	1.21%	0.83%
Singapore	0.32%	0.75%
Mexico	0.85%	0.74%
Germany	0.96%	0.74%
Mainland China	0.73%	0.68%
Brazil	0.66%	0.61%
Russian Federation	0.50%	0.53%
India	0.84%	0.51%

* Unique users who encountered threats to macOS as a percentage of all unique Kaspersky product users in the country/territory.

IoT threat statistics

This section presents statistics on attacks targeting Kaspersky IoT honeypots. The geographic data on attack sources is based on the IP addresses of attacking devices.

In the first quarter of 2025, the share of devices that attacked Kaspersky honeypots via the Telnet protocol increased again, following a decline at the end of 2024.

Distribution of attacked services by number of unique IP addresses of attacking devices (download)

The distribution of attacks across Telnet and SSH remained virtually unchanged compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Distribution of attackers’ sessions in Kaspersky honeypots (download)

TOP 10 threats delivered to IoT devices:

Share of each threat uploaded to an infected device as a result of a successful attack in the total number of uploaded threats (download)

A significant portion of the most widespread IoT threats continues to be made up of various Mirai DDoS botnet variants. BitCoinMiner also saw active distribution in the first quarter, accounting for 7.32% of detections. The number of attacks by the NyaDrop botnet (19.31%) decreased compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Geography of attacks on IoT honeypots

When looking at SSH attacks by country/territory, mainland China’s share has declined, while attacks coming from Brazil have seen a noticeable increase. There was also a slight uptick in attacks coming from the United States, Indonesia, Australia, and Vietnam.

Country/territory	Q4 2024	Q1 2025
Mainland China	32.99%	20.52%
India	19.13%	19.16%
Russian Federation	9.46%	9.16%
Brazil	2.18%	8.48%
United States	4.90%	5.52%
Indonesia	1.37%	3.99%
Hong Kong	2.81%	3.46%
Australia	1.31%	2.75%
France	3.53%	2.54%
Vietnam	1.41%	2.27%

The share of Telnet attacks originating from China and India dropped, while Brazil, Nigeria, and Indonesia took a noticeably larger share.

Country/territory	Q4 2024	Q1 2025
China	44.67%	39.82%
India	33.79%	30.07%
Brazil	2.62%	12.03%
Russian Federation	6.52%	5.14%
Pakistan	5.77%	3.99%
Nigeria	0.50%	3.01%
Indonesia	0.58%	2.25%
United States	0.42%	0.68%
Ukraine	0.79%	0.67%
Sweden	0.42%	0.33%

Attacks via web resources

The statistics in this section are based on detection verdicts by Web Anti-Virus, which protects users when suspicious objects are downloaded from malicious or infected web pages. Cybercriminals create malicious pages on purpose. Websites that host user-created content, such as forums, as well as compromised legitimate sites, can become infected.

Countries and territories that serve as sources of web-based attacks: the TOP 10

This section contains a geographical distribution of sources of online attacks blocked by Kaspersky products: web pages that redirect to exploits, sites that host exploits and other malware, botnet C&C centers, and so on. Any unique host could be the source of one or more web-based attacks.
To determine the geographical source of web-based attacks, domain names were matched against their actual IP addresses, and then the geographical location of a specific IP address (GeoIP) was established.

In the first quarter of 2025, Kaspersky solutions blocked 629,211,451 attacks launched from online resources across the globe. Web Anti-Virus detected 88,389,361 unique URLs.

Geographical distribution of sources of web-based attacks by country/territory, Q1 2025 (download)

Countries and territories where users faced the greatest risk of online infection

To assess the risk of online infection faced by PC users in various countries and territories, for each country or territory, we calculated the percentage of Kaspersky users on whose computers Web Anti-Virus was triggered during the reporting period. The resulting data reflects the aggressiveness of the environment in which computers operate in different countries and territories.

These rankings only include attacks by malicious objects that belong in the Malware category. Our calculations do not include Web Anti-Virus detections of potentially dangerous or unwanted programs, such as RiskTool or adware.

	Country/territory*	%**
1	North Macedonia	10.17
2	Albania	9.96
3	Algeria	9.92
4	Bangladesh	9.92
5	Tunisia	9.80
6	Slovakia	9.77
7	Greece	9.66
8	Serbia	9.44
9	Tajikistan	9.28
10	Turkey	9.10
11	Peru	8.78
12	Portugal	8.70
13	Nepal	8.38
14	Philippines	8.33
15	Romania	8.26
16	Sri Lanka	8.20
17	Bulgaria	8.19
18	Madagascar	8.14
19	Hungary	8.12
20	Egypt	8.12

* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 10,000) Kaspersky product users.
** Unique users targeted by web-based Malware attacks as a percentage of all unique Kaspersky product users in the country/territory.

On average during the quarter, 6.46% of users’ computers worldwide were subjected to at least one web-based Malware attack.

Local threats

Statistics on local infections of user computers are an important indicator. They include objects that penetrated the target computer by infecting files or removable media, or initially made their way onto the computer in non-transparent form. Examples of the latter are programs in complex installers and encrypted files.

Data in this section is based on analyzing statistics produced by anti-virus scans of files on the hard drive at the moment they were created or accessed, and the results of scanning removable storage media. The statistics are based on detection verdicts from the OAS (on-access scan) and ODS (on-demand scan) modules of File Anti-Virus. The data includes detections of malicious programs located on user computers or removable media connected to the computers, such as flash drives, camera memory cards, phones, or external hard drives.

In the first quarter of 2025, our File Anti-Virus detected 21,533,464 malicious and potentially unwanted objects.

Countries and territories where users faced the highest risk of local infection

For each country and territory, we calculated the percentage of Kaspersky product users on whose computers File Anti-Virus was triggered during the reporting period. These statistics reflect the level of personal computer infection in various countries and territories across the globe.

The rankings only include attacks by malicious objects that belong in the Malware category. Our calculations do not include File Anti-Virus detections of potentially dangerous or unwanted programs, such as RiskTool or adware.

	Country/territory*	%**
1	Turkmenistan	47.41
2	Tajikistan	37.23
3	Afghanistan	36.92
4	Yemen	35.80
5	Cuba	32.08
6	Uzbekistan	31.31
7	Gabon	27.55
8	Syria	26.50
9	Vietnam	25.88
10	Belarus	25.68
11	Algeria	25.02
12	Bangladesh	24.86
13	Iraq	24.77
14	Cameroon	24.28
15	Burundi	24.28
16	Tanzania	24.23
17	Niger	24.01
18	Madagascar	23.74
19	Kyrgyzstan	23.73
20	Nicaragua	23.72

* Excluded are countries and territories with relatively few (under 10,000) Kaspersky product users.
** Unique users on whose computers local Malware threats were blocked, as a percentage of all unique users of Kaspersky products in the country/territory.

On average worldwide, local Malware threats were recorded on 13.62% of users’ computers at least once during the quarter.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

June 5, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Harris Releases Statement Following the Appropriations Committee Release of the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill. The bill will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow, June 5th at 10:30 a.m. The markup will be live-streamed and can be found on the Committee’s website.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris said, “The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill reflects a clear, conservative commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring that America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities remain a top priority. This legislation also prioritizes agricultural research, rural broadband expansion, and protects our food and drug supply, all while reducing the wasteful spending of the Biden Administration era. Just as importantly, by supporting fresh, affordable, American-grown food, this bill helps Make America Healthy Again. America’s farmers feed the world, and this bill ensures they have the investment, support, and resources they deserve — while reducing the burgeoning federal deficit.”

Chairman Tom Cole said, “The prosperity of our future golden age depends on the strength and perseverance of our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This FY26 bill delivers targeted investments to protect U.S. agriculture and family farms, bolster agricultural research, and safeguard access to nutrition and health programs. From livestock and crops to pharmaceuticals and broadband, the legislation strengthens the agriculture economy and infrastructure across the nation. Just as our producers responsibly tend to the land, Chairman Harris has stewarded this legislation to protect core duties while upholding fiscal responsibility.”

The Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $25.523 billion, which is $1.163 billion (4.2%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level.

The bill prioritizes agencies and programs that protect our nation’s food and drug supply; support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; and ensure low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs. The bill is fiscally responsible and refocuses programs on their core mission while putting the health, safety, and prosperity of American producers and consumers first.

Key Takeaways

Champions U.S. farmers, agriculture, and rural communities by:
- Continuing critical investments in agriculture research, rural broadband, and animal and plant health programs.
- Providing funds to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices.
- Ensuring low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs.
- Reining in harmful regulations proposed during the Biden Administration that dictate how poultry and livestock producers raise and market their animals.
- Increasing resources for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to fund frontline meat and poultry inspectors and bolster support for state inspection programs.
- Providing a rider to block any revised energy standards for newly constructed homes financed by USDA that would increase costs for rural, lower-income households that was proposed during the Biden Administration.
Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:
- Allocating the President’s requested total funding of $6.8 billion for the FDA to keep food, drugs, and devices safe and for initiatives to Make America Healthy Again.
- Delivering $1.15 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is a priority in the President’s budget to protect American agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.
- Codifying President Trump’s executive orders by prohibiting funding for DEI activities and ending federal censorship of free speech.
- Retaining the gene editing provision, which prohibits the “editing” of heritable genes or altering of genes that can be passed on to offspring.
- Maintaining “Buy American” provisions that maximize the federal government’s use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
- Closing the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products, including Delta-8 and hemp flower, being sold online and in gas stations across the country.
Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:
- Addressing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the tracking system of foreign-owned land and adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions, including purchases made by China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
- Directing USDA to provide transparency into research funding spent collaborating with foreign governments including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
- Continuing a program to increase inspection of foreign drug manufacturing facilities in China and India.
- Providing adequate funding for land-grant universities to conduct agricultural research to ensure American producers can compete with China.
Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:
- Capturing DOGE savings by reducing salaries and expenses where appropriate to account for staffing reductions and reducing grant programs that housed canceled grants.
- Eliminating funding for the Biden-era Rural Partners Network initiative.
- Including no funds for climate hubs or climate corps.
- Eliminating funds for the Office of Urban Agriculture.
A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

MIL OSI USA News –
June 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man who threatened to stab father in rap video guilty of murder

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been convicted of murdering a father in front of his young child in a barbershop in Leyton.

Josh McKay, 33, was stabbed in the neck by Renai Belle in a targeted attack and died from his injuries at the scene. During the Metropolitan Police investigation, officers discovered a rap video showing Belle threaten Josh before the attack.

On Wednesday, 4 June at the Old Bailey, Belle, 30 (20.02.95), of Swaythling Close, Edmonton was convicted of Josh’s murder and possession of a knife. A man and woman were also convicted of separate offences.

Detective Inspector Chris Griffith, from Specialist Crime North, who led the investigation, said: “This was a savage and pre-planned attack, committed in broad daylight and with scant regard for passers-by. What took place left the local community reeling, and two young children without their father.

“My heart goes out to Josh’s family and friends. He was a loving parent, whose life was ended in the most horrendous way.

“I hope that today’s result provides Josh’s family with some closure, and allows the community to feel safer knowing that Belle is no longer free to commit such heinous crimes.”

The court heard that Josh was at a barbershop on Lea Bridge Road with his son on Saturday, 6 July. Around 15:00hrs, as shown on CCTV seized by the investigation team, Belle entered the shop wearing a balaclava where he stabbed Josh in the neck in a pre-meditated attack following a long-standing dispute. Belle was then chased away by Josh.

Members of the public rushed to Josh’s aid and attempted to provide medical treatment until the arrival of officers and paramedics. Despite their best efforts, Josh died from his injuries.

A determined investigation began immediately in which officers painstakingly combed through more than 100 hours of CCTV footage to track Belle’s movements and understand what took place.

Officers discovered that Belle was the passenger in a car being driven by his partner, Tenika Parker. Having seen Josh enter the barbershop, the pair drove to the address of man called Daniel Copper. In doorbell footage later seized, Cooper was seen providing Belle with the balaclava and knife that would be used minutes later to murder Josh. Belle was then driven back to the barbers nearby before stabbing Josh. He was helped to escape by Parker in the waiting car.

A manhunt led to the arrest of Belle at an address in Pincott Road, SW19 on Monday 8 July, 2024.

As part of officers’ determination to further establish a watertight case against Belle, officers carried out further enquiries. They discovered a rap video on YouTube showing Belle threaten Josh in advance of the attack, further proof that it was pre-planned.

Parker was initially arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Sunday, 7 July in India Dock Road, Poplar. She was stopped by police while driving the car that had been identified as involved in the murder. During a search of Parker’s vehicle, officers found distinct black sliders Belle was seen wearing in CCTV footage, as well as traces of blood that officers sent for forensic testing. This provided a DNA match to Josh. Parker was rearrested on Wednesday, 2 October, and charged with perverting the course of justice after CCTV footage showed her attempting to clean her car after the attack to remove any evidence.

Cooper was arrested after handing himself in to police on Thursday, 11 July. During a search at Cooper’s property, officers discovered two knives matching the branding of the weapon that was left at the scene of Josh’s murder. Forensic testing on the balaclava and knife discarded by Belle at the scene of Josh’s murder found DNA that matched with Cooper.

Tenika Parker, 39 (21.02.86), of Canterbury Road, Leytonstone and Daniel Cooper, 22 (20.02.03) of Gosport Road, Leytonstone stood trial alongside Belle. Parker was convicted of possession of a knife and perverting the course of justice. Cooper had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife but was acquitted of other offences.

Cooper will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 6 June.

Belle and Parker will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 30 July.

MIL Security OSI –

June 5, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Minister McKenzie pays tribute to Rashid Lombard

Source: South Africa News Agency

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has described the late Rashid Lombard as a storyteller who was unafraid to document South African history.

The acclaimed photographer, cultural activist, and jazz promoter passed away peacefully on Wednesday at the age of 74, surrounded by his loved ones.

“Rashid Lombard was more than a photographer. He was a storyteller and freedom fighter who used his camera as a weapon for justice. He captured truth when others looked away, showing the world our pain, pride, struggle, and strength. Rashid gave us history and memories that speak louder than words. Today, we honour a true artist who told our story with heart, honesty, and deep respect. South Africa has lost a giant,” the Minister said in his tribute to Lombard.

This as he joined President Cyril Ramaphosa in conveying his condolences. President Ramaphosa said the country had lost a cultural icon who not only documented the history of the struggle for freedom but made history in his own right.

Rashid who will be laid to rest according to Muslim rites on Thursday morning, was born on 10 April 1951 in North End, Gqeberha.

He relocated with his family to Cape Town in 1962. He initially trained as an architectural draftsman and later pursued a career in industrial photography, beginning his professional path at the construction firm Murray & Roberts.

“As a young boy in the Eastern Cape, he lived in a community where people of all races coexisted. Black, White, Coloured, Indian and Chinese families shared neighbourhoods, exchanged stories and formed bonds that apartheid later sought to destroy. It was a glimpse of what a united South Africa could be.

“The arrival of apartheid brought violence and forced removals. Families were relocated based solely on the colour of their skin, and many of Lombard’s childhood friends disappeared, never to be seen again.

“This trauma deeply affected him and heightened his awareness of injustice. These early experiences, along with the Black Consciousness Movement, inspired his lifelong commitment to justice and equality,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said.
He chose to fight not with weapons but with his camera. During South Africa’s struggle for liberation, he worked as a freelance photographer and television sound recordist.

His lens witnessed history, capturing the pain, courage and hope of a people longing for freedom.

He documented key moments such as the growing democracy movement in the 1980s, Nelson Mandela’s release in 1990, and the first democratic election in 1994. His images reached global audiences through major outlets like Agence France-Presse, the BBC and NBC, offering the world a powerful view of South Africa’s journey.

“As democracy took hold, Lombard turned his energy to jazz, another lifelong passion. He held leadership roles at Fine Music Radio and P4 Smooth Jazz Radio before founding espAfrika in 1997. Through this company, he launched the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2000, directing it until 2014.

“The festival grew into one of Africa’s largest and most respected cultural events, showcasing local talent alongside international stars and putting Cape Town firmly on the global jazz map.

“Even after retiring, he remained committed to preserving South Africa’s cultural heritage. He undertook the important task of digitising his extensive photographic archive, a project begun by his late wife, Colleen. Working with the National Archives and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, he ensured the collection would be accessible as a national treasure. His family continues this vital work today,” the Ministry said.

In 2010, he published “Jazz Rocks”, a photographic tribute curated by the late George Hallett. The book captures the spirit, energy and connection of jazz through Rashid’s distinctive lens.

In 2014, Lombard was honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver. This prestigious award recognised his exceptional impact on the arts, cultural preservation and the global celebration of South African jazz. –SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

June 5, 2025
India Services PMI Remains Strong at 58.8 in May, Driven by Robust Demand

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India’s services sector maintained its high pace of growth in May, driven by strong demand for exports, which also saw firms increase staff hiring to an all-time high during the month, according to the latest HSBC survey.

The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers’ Business Activity Index (PMI) registered 58.8 in May. This was broadly in line with April’s reading of 58.7 and therefore signalled another sharp rate of expansion. The survey states that growth was reportedly underpinned by healthy demand conditions, new client wins and greater staffing capacity.

Notably, companies observed a near-record improvement in international demand for their services during May. Over the course of the survey’s 19-and-a-half-year history, faster increases in new export orders were only recorded in May and June 2024. When citing sources of growth, firms mentioned Asia, Europe and North America in particular, the survey said.

Similar to the trend for output, new orders rose at a sharp pace that was largely aligned with those registered from February to April. To accommodate ongoing expansions in new business, service providers continued to recruit additional staff, the survey added.

Price gauges showed an intensification of input cost and output charge inflation, with the rates of increase edging above their historical averages in each case.

Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC, said: “India registered a services PMI of 58.8 in May 2025, broadly in line with the steady readings from recent months. Strong international demand continued to fuel services activity, as evidenced by the new export business index’s uptick from April.”

“To keep up with swelling demand, India’s service providers heavily increased staff recruitment. Indeed, the employment index rose to the highest reading ever recorded by this survey. Meanwhile, price pressures continued to intensify, with both input prices and prices charged rising last month,” Bhandari added.

(IANS)

June 5, 2025

Category: India

Shifting costs

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Secret agreements

Other public costs

Measles outbreaks continue with risk of holidays causing surge

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Quarterly figures

Quarterly highlights

Mobile threat statistics

TOP 20 most frequently detected types of mobile malware

Region-specific malware

Mobile banking Trojans

Top 10 mobile bankers

The quarter in numbers

Ransomware

The quarter’s trends and highlights

Law enforcement success

Vulnerabilities and attacks, BYOVD, and EDR bypassing

Other developments

The most prolific groups

Number of new modifications

Number of users attacked by ransomware Trojans

Attack geography

Top 10 countries and territories attacked by ransomware Trojans

TOP 10 most common ransomware Trojan families

Miners

Number of new modifications

Number of users attacked by miners

Attack geography

Top 10 countries and territories attacked by miners

Attacks on macOS

TOP 20 threats to macOS

Geography of threats to macOS

TOP 10 countries and territories by share of attacked users

IoT threat statistics

TOP 10 threats delivered to IoT devices:

Geography of attacks on IoT honeypots

Attacks via web resources

Countries and territories that serve as sources of web-based attacks: the TOP 10

Countries and territories where users faced the greatest risk of online infection

Local threats

Countries and territories where users faced the highest risk of local infection