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Category: India

  • We Can No Longer Afford, By Travel Or Import, To Empower Countries That Are Inimical To Our Interests And Positioned Against Us In Times Of Crisis: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Every Individual Is Empowered To Help The Nation In Security; Trade, Business, Commerce, And Industry In Particular Have A Pivotal Role, Says VP
    Nation First; Everything Has To Be Reckoned On The Fulcrum Of Deep Commitment And Dedication To Nationalism, Stresses VP
    This Country Cannot Afford Commercialisation And Commodification Of Education; These Are Areas To Give Back To Society, Not To Make Money, Highlights VP
    Operation Sindoor Was A Remarkable Retaliation, Befitting Our Ethos Of Peace And Tranquility To The Barbarity That Happened At Pahalgam, Says VP
    Vice-President Addressed The Annual Convocation Of Jaipuria Institute Of Management In New Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said, “Can we afford to empower countries that are inimical to our interests? Time has come when each one of us must deeply think about economic nationalism,” he said. He emphasized that, “We no longer can afford, by travel or import, to improve the economies of those countries because of our participation. And those countries, in times of crisis, are positioned against us.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1923650435002359975

    Addressing the Annual Convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today, Shri Dhankhar said, “Every individual is empowered to help the nation in security. Trade, business, commerce, and industry in particular can play a pivotal role in security issues. Therefore I firmly believe that we must always keep one thing in mind, and that is: Nation first. Everything has to be reckoned on the fulcrum of deep commitment, unflinching commitment, dedication to nationalism. And that mindset we must teach our toddlers right from day one.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1923643506263728383

    He also lauded the ongoing Operation Sindoor and paid tribute to India’s Armed Forces. “I must, on this occasion—since I am addressing youth of the country in particular—offer my salutations to all Armed Forces and the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the remarkable success of the ongoing Operation Sindoor.”

    Calling the operation a befitting response to the barbaric attack at Pahalgam, he added, “It was a remarkable retaliation, befitting our ethos of peace and tranquility to the barbarity that happened at Pahalgam—the deadliest attack on our civilians since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Prime Minister of this country, Shri Narendra Modi, sent a message from India’s heartland of Bihar to the entire global fraternity. Those were not empty words. The world now has realized: what is said is reality. “No one is asking for proof now. The world has seen and acknowledged. We have seen this saga—how that country is deeply engrossed in terrorism. “When coffins are taken with armed forces and military power and political power accompanying them, justice is done by Bharat to Sindoor in sublimity.”

    Shri Dhankhar affirmed that a new standard has been set in India’s counterterrorism efforts. “In the mechanics of war and the fight against terrorism, a new benchmark has been set. Indian Armed Forces targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed at Bahawalpur, deep inside Pakistan territory. Beyond the international border—headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, also Lashkar-e-Taiba base, Muridke. No one is asking for proof now. No one is asking for it. The world has seen and acknowledged.”

    He further added, “It is India’s deepest ever cross-border strike. Strike that was carefully, precisely calibrated to cause no damage except to the terrorist.”

    Shri Dhankhar recalled the U.S. operation on May 2nd, 2011. “This happened on May 2nd, 2011, when a global terrorist who planned, supervised, executed the September 11 attack inside the US in 2001. He was dealt with by the US similarly. Bharat has done it and done it to the knowledge of the global community.”

    Reflecting on India’s civilisational uniqueness, Shri Dhankhar noted, “We as a nation are unique. No nation in the world can take pride in having 5,000 years of civilisational ethos. We need to bridge, not breach, the divide between the East and the West.”

    Shri Dhankhar said, “How can we countenance or overlook narratives that are anti-national? Foreign universities coming to this country is something which requires filtration. It requires deep thinking. It is something we have to be extremely careful about.”

    On education and research, the Vice-President cautioned against commercialization. “This country cannot afford commercialisation and commodification of education. It is undeniable, it is present. Education and health as per our civilization ethos are not areas to make money. These are areas to give back to society. We have to discharge our obligation to society.”

    Calling upon industry leaders, he stressed the importance of research. “Educational institutions must be fully funded by corporates. CSR funds must take priority because investment in research is fundamental.”

    He concluded with a powerful reminder: “Gone are the days when we could wait for others to develop technology. If we do that, we are handicapped right from the beginning, we must avoid that.”

     

    Shri Sharad Jaipuria, Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Smt. Anjali Jaipuria, Spouse of Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Shri Shreevats Jaipuria, Vice Chairman, Jaipuria Institute of Management and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • Iran says nuclear talks will fail if US pushes for zero enrichment

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States “will lead nowhere” if Washington insists that Tehran drop its uranium enrichment activity to zero, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtravanchi was quoted by state media on Monday as saying.

    U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated Washington’s stance on Sunday that any new deal between the U.S. and Iran must include an agreement not to enrich uranium, a possible pathway to developing nuclear bombs. Tehran says its nuclear energy programme has entirely peaceful purposes.

    “Our position on enrichment is clear and we have repeatedly stated that it is a national achievement from which we will not back down,” Takhtravanchi said.

    During his visit to the Gulf region last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal was very close but that Iran needed to move quickly.

    During his first, 2017-21 term as president, Trump withdrew the United States from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that placed strict limits on Tehran’s enrichment activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.

    Trump, who branded the 2015 accord one-sided in Iran’s favour, also reimposed sweeping U.S. sanctions on Iran. The Islamic Republic responded by escalating enrichment.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    Kieran Gilbert, Host: Joining me live in the studio is the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell. Thanks for your time. A lot to talk about. I will ask you about that issue that the Deputy Prime Minister finished on there in terms of productivity and the superannuation, but let’s start on trade. Will you get the deal done with the EU? We’re hearing that the talks will resume soon.

    Trade Minister, Don Farrell: Yes. In fact, I’m going to be talking to my counterpart tomorrow. So, you might recall in the middle of the election, I had a conversation with Trade Minister Maroš. He’s from Slovakia. We hit it off pretty well, I think, in our first discussion. He sent me a very kind and warm message on election night when it was clear that we had won the election. I’ve subsequently had a meeting with the EU Ambassador and reaffirmed our commitment and heard from him his commitment.

    Gilbert: Sounding good?

    Trade Minister: Sounding good, yeah, yep. And as I said, I’ve got a conversation with him tomorrow. And of course, in the meantime, the Prime Minister has met President von der Leyen.

    Gilbert: The sticking point was on the geographical indicators and also on agriculture. Is that right?

    Trade Minister: Yeah.

    GILBERT: So, will there be compromise there from the EU?

    Trade Minister: Look, what – the politics have changed in two years. I think both Australia and Europe now realise that there’s a priority and an imperative to get a free trade agreement. If other countries don’t want to trade with you, well that’s fine, that’s their decision. But if there are countries such as Europe who do want to do trade with you, well then you’ve got to go that extra mile to get an agreement over the line.

    Gilbert: And the things that changed, we know, Donald Trump.

    Trade Minister: Yeah, yeah, well look, look. A whole lot of things have changed since we last had a conversation. But I think we share the same values as Europe. So, those geographical indicators are hard issues. On the one hand, the Europeans say, well look, you’re using all of our names. On the other hand, what I say to them is, look, after World War II, a whole lot of Europeans came to Australia. They bought their families, they bought their culture, more importantly, they bought their food and wine.

    Gilbert: They sure did.

    Trade Minister: Yeah. And for them, the link with Europe is not an economic link, it’s a way that they keep in contact with their European roots.

    Gilbert: Would you like to see then, that trade deal, you know, if you are successful in landing that, also expand into a security relationship? Because that’s what von der Leyen has raised with the Prime Minister overnight, that we talk not just in trade terms, but security terms, like Japan and Korea have.

    Trade Minister: Yeah, look, look. My space is trade. I’m going to be focused on the trade agenda. We’ve gone a long way down that path. We need to complete that process. What happens with defence and all of those other issues? The Prime Minister has addressed that today. He said, look, we’re happy to look at these things, but our immediate priority with the Europeans is all about trade.

    Gilbert: When the PM went to the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, why was it important in your view to be there? Is it something that, you know, a Prime Minister necessarily has to be at, the inauguration of a new Pope?

    Trade Minister: Look, I think it was very important that the Prime Minister was there. As you know, he sent me to the funeral a couple of weeks ago. That was obviously, you know, a very solemn event. This was a very joyous event for Australia’s 5 million Catholics, of which the Prime Minister and myself are both adherents to the Catholic faith. I think it was very important that Australia be represented there and represented at the highest level.

    Gilbert: Do you think it’s also important in a more secular world that the leadership does show respect to people of faith? Is this something, you know, in simple terms, that people of other faiths will respect?

    Trade Minister: Well, look, I think that’s part of it. But this new pope, Pope Leo XIV, has come out very strongly on the issue of peace. That’s very important for Australia. We’ve been calling for peace in Ukraine. We want the Russians to withdraw from Ukraine. And we also want peace in the Middle East. So, I think we’re on board with the agenda for this new Pope to start talking about a more peaceful world. That’s good for Australia and it’s good for the world.

    Gilbert: Ok. On some other issues, my colleague Andrew Clennell reported yesterday that state MPs and officials won’t be hit by the government’s super tax on funds upwards of $3 million. Is that viable? You’ve been around politics a long time. Do you think you can still sell that as a policy when people start to realise that some premiers and officials won’t have to pay it?

    Trade Minister: Well, look, this tax applies to very, very few people. Less than 0.5 per cent of the population are going to be affected. And of course, it only applies to people on very, very high balances. There are some constitutional issues that relate to how superannuation is dealt with by state governments. But rest assured that the people who are going to be making this decision will themselves be covered by this tax, if they get to that high level of superannuation.

    Gilbert: The $3 million fund, I mean, as you touched on, we did go to the election recently, but do you think people, when the details start to emerge about taxing unrealised gains and so on, that that’s going to be a bit complex to try and navigate for the government?

    Trade Minister: Look, I hope not. We nailed our colours to the mast in respect to this tax. We tried to get it through the last Parliament, it wasn’t successful. We took it to the last election. So, nobody was in any doubt about what our policy was in respect of this tax. And we’ve received an overwhelming endorsement from the Australian people. So, I think in terms of honesty, if we didn’t proceed with this, then I think people would say, well, what’s going on? You said you were going to do this. We’ve built the savings from this new super tax into our future budgets. So, I think now, we’ve got the endorsement for the Australian people. It’s a very, very minor tax in the scheme of things, and I think the Australian people would now expect us to proceed with it.

    Gilbert: And do you think the Treasurer can make it work just with all of those other complications?

    Trade Minister: Well, he’s a very, very good Treasurer and I think-

    Gilbert: There are those that say it’s just too complex in terms of tax structures and people’s superannuation. You might have an impact on productivity because people will pull out of the workforce before they hit that threshold.

    Trade Minister: I think people are barking up the wrong tree. I doubt whether the relatively small impact of this tax is going to result in any of those sorts of things. But we’ve got a very good salesman in Jim Chalmers and of course, now he’s being assisted by Daniel Mulino, who’s a very good friend of mine. He’s got a, I think it’s a Master of Economics from Yale, very smart fellow, and I think that combination will be very successful.

    Gilbert: I know you’ve got to go. Just quickly, what else is on your agenda? You’ve got that, the talks tomorrow with the EU.

    Trade Minister: Yes, yes, and India.

    Gilbert: What’s at the top of your agenda here?

    Trade Minister: We were very close to a free trade agreement with India before the election was called. I’m now confident that we’ll get another agreement with them. And of course, in a few weeks’ time, the United Arab Emirates Free Trade Agreement comes into operation. The United Arab Emirates is like the Woollies warehouse of the Middle East. If you can get your product in there. And all of our products are going into the UAE tariff free. It’s a really good, really good agreement.

    Gilbert: 93 seats for Labor, you must have said some pretty strong prayers when you were over in the Vatican. They seem like they’ve worked.

    Trade Minister: I did. Look, we were the last people, I think, to touch the Pope’s coffin before we went out for the Mass. And I did say a little prayer for the Prime Minister and the Labor Party.

    Gilbert: Certainly strengthened your favour. Don Farrell, thanks for your time. Appreciate it.

    Trade Minister: Thanks, Kieran.

    MIL OSI News –

  • India’s manufacturing sector gaining appeal among global investors: S&P Global report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has made notable progress in improving its competitiveness and making its manufacturing sector more appealing to global investors, according to a report by S&P Global released on Monday.

    Although manufacturing value added accounts for a modest 17.2 percent of the country’s real gross domestic product (GDP), the government has introduced targeted policy measures aimed at building domestic manufacturing capacity and strengthening India’s position in global supply chains.

    In the long term, India stands to benefit from rising global trade protectionism, which could accelerate supply chain diversification, the report noted.

    India is well-positioned to seize emerging opportunities as global trade and cooperation continue to evolve. Over the past three decades, the country has grown significantly in size, scale, and international influence, and it is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by fiscal year 2030–31.

    As global economies adapt to changing trade dynamics and tariff-related challenges, India can leverage this momentum to accelerate its manufacturing growth and deepen integration into global supply chains, said the report titled “India Forward: Transformative Perspectives.”

    The report also highlights India’s efforts to promote alternative energy sources in pursuit of a cleaner, self-reliant transportation future.

    The adoption of biofuels is a key part of this strategy. Biofuels offer a “triple-win” solution by addressing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and creating income opportunities for the agricultural sector.

    India is also expected to follow a path where energy security aligns with revenue security. Recent regulatory changes have opened new opportunities for enhancing crude oil exploration and development as part of the country’s goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency.

    While India has a moderate reliance on external trade for growth, which provides some insulation from global shifts in trade and tariff policies, it is not entirely immune to rising protectionist trends, the report added.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 May 2025 Departmental update World No Tobacco Day 2025 Awards – meet the winners

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Each year, WHO honours individuals and organizations from each of the six WHO regions for their outstanding contributions to tobacco control. These accolades include the WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Awards, the World No Tobacco Day Awards, and, in 2025, one WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Certificate.

    The recipients of the 2025 awards are:

    WHO Director-General Special awards:

    • Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President, Republic of Maldives
    • The Ministry of Health and Wellness, Republic of Mauritius

    WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition certificate:

    • Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC)

    African Region

    • Programme National de Lutte contre le Tabagisme, l’Alcoolisme, la Toxicomanie et les autres Addictions (PNLTA), Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
    • Dr Brou Dieudonne Koffi, Secretary, Organization of the Network of NGOs Engaged in Tobacco Control (ROCTACI), Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
    • Labram Massawudu Musah, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Republic of Ghana
    • Elvina Majiwa, Student, United States International University-Africa, Republic of Kenya
    • Charity Aienobe-Asekharen, Health Promotion, Education and Community Development Initiative (HPECDI), Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Region of the Americas

    • Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), Federative Republic of Brazil
    • Lisa Lu, CEO, International Youth Tobacco Control, United States of America

    Shared award:

    • Ministry of Finance, Federative Republic of Brazil
    • Ministry of Health, Federative Republic of Brazil

    Shared award:

    • Denis Choinière, Retired Director, Tobacco Products Regulatory Office, Health Canada
    • Clifton Curtis (in memoriam), Environmental Lawyer, United States of America

    Shared award:

    • Colectivo Todas y Todos por la Vida, Republic of Ecuador
    • Acción Jurídica Popular, Republic of Ecuador

    Shared award:

    • Asociación de Periodismo con Lupa, Republic of Peru
    • Cooperativa de Trabajo Sudestada, Eastern Republic of Uruguay
    • Proyecto sobre Organización, Desarrollo, Educación e Investigación (PODER), United Mexican States

    Eastern Mediterranean Region

    • Dr Seyed Morteza Khatami, Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Islamic Republic of Iran
    • Mr Lhassane Hallou, Director of Studies and International Cooperation, Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes, Kingdom of Morocco
    • Hamad Medical Corporation Tobacco Control Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre, State of Qatar

    European Region

    • Dr Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health, Republic of Armenia
    • Dr Franz Pietsch, Head of Directorate, Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Republic of Austria
    • Mr Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, Kingdom of Belgium
    • Professor Constantine Vardavas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
    • Dr Shukhrat Shukurov, Chief Specialist, Institute of Health and Strategic Development, Republic of Uzbekistan

    South-East Asia Region

    • National Board of Revenue, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
    •  State Tobacco Control Cell, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, Republic of India
    •  Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal
    •  Mr Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, Chairman of Bangkok Tobacco Products Control Committee, Kingdom of Thailand

    Western Pacific Region

    • Professor Emily Banks AM, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, Senior Principal Research Fellow, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Australia
    • Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health, Cook Islands
    • Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Republic of the Philippines
    • Ms Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Health, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

    Shared award:

    • YB Datuk Seri Dr Haji Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Minister of Health, Malaysia
    • Dr Noraryana Binti Hassan, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
    • Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, Malaysia

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • FTA likely to double India’s apparel, textile exports to UK: Report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s apparel and home textiles exports to the UK are expected to double from the current levels in the next 5-6 years, with the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) scheduled to become operational in calendar year 2026, according to an ICRA report.

    Currently, Indian textile exports to the UK face 8-12 per cent duties, but with 99 per cent of goods, including textiles, gaining zero-duty access under the FTA, India will achieve parity with competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan, the report states.

    China leads UK textile imports with a 25 per cent market share, closely followed by Bangladesh, which has a 22 per cent share. Turkey and Pakistan, with 8 per cent and 6.8 per cent share respectively, are the other major exporters. The FTA will enable India’s textile exports to become more competitive in the UK, leading to an increase in market share.

    India is currently the 12th largest trading partner of the UK and ranks fifth in apparel and home textiles imports, with $1.4 billion worth of exports in 2024, which constitutes a 6.6 per cent share of the UK’s textile imports.

    While the US and EU remain dominant markets with a 61 per cent share in 2024, the UK’s share is expected to rise to 11-12 per cent by 2027, reflecting an 11 per cent compound annual rate of growth (CAGR).

    The bilateral trade deal, finalised on May 6, after three years of negotiations, will provide concessional or zero-duty access on select goods, boosting trade volumes and earnings.

    India’s Textile and Apparel exports have continued their upward trajectory, recording a growth of 7.45 per cent in April 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year. This positive trend was primarily driven by the strong performance of the apparel segment, which registered a robust 14.43 per cent growth year-on-year, an analysis of the data released by the Ministry of Commerce showed.

    “The current growth of 14.43 per cent in apparel exports seems to be mainly driven by increased shipments to the United States, following the announcement of reciprocal tariff measures by the US administration,” Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) chairman Rakesh Mehra said.

    (IANS)

  • Trump to speak to Putin on end to war in Ukraine as Europeans demand ceasefire

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about peace in Ukraine as European leaders demanded that the Kremlin accept an immediate ceasefire to halt the region’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.

    Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the gravest confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

    Trump, who says he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has repeatedly called for an end to the “bloodbath” of Ukraine, which his administration casts as a proxy war between the United States and Russia.

    Under pressure from Trump, delegates from the warring countries met last week in Istanbul for the first time since March 2022, after Putin proposed direct talks and Europeans and Ukraine demanded an immediate ceasefire.

    “The subjects of the call will be stopping the ‘bloodbath’ that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website.

    “Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end.”

    Trump, who said that progress on peace was unlikely until he and Putin get together, said he would speak to Putin at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT) on Monday. The Kremlin said preparations for a call were underway.

    Trump, whose administration has made clear that Russia could face additional sanctions if it does not take peace talks seriously, said he would also speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and various members of NATO.

    Putin, whose forces control a fifth of Ukraine and are advancing, has stood firm on his conditions for ending the war, despite public and private pressure from Trump and repeated warnings from European powers.

    On Sunday, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war.

    Ukraine’s intelligence service said it also believed Moscow intended to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile on Sunday, though there was no confirmation from Russia.

    In June 2024, Putin said Ukraine must officially drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of the four Ukrainian regions Russia claims.

    On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine with leaders of the United States, Italy, France and Germany, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

    “Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X after Sunday’s call.

    Putin is wary of a ceasefire and says fighting cannot be paused until a number of crucial conditions are worked out or clarified.

    European leaders say Putin is not serious about peace, though they fear Trump and he may force a punitive peace deal that will leave Ukraine essentially shorn of a fifth of its territory and lacking a strong security guarantee against possible future attack from Russia.

    Former U.S. President Joe Biden, Western European leaders and Ukraine cast the invasion as an imperial-style land grab and repeatedly vowed to defeat Russian forces which they say could one day attack NATO, a claim denied by Moscow.

    Putin casts the war as a watershed moment in Moscow’s relations with the West, which he says humiliated Russia after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union by enlarging NATO and encroaching on what he considers Moscow’s sphere of influence, including Ukraine.

    (Reuters)

  • ICRA revises outlook for Indian telecom tower industry to ‘Stable’ on improved liquidity and timely collections

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Credit rating agency ICRA has revised the outlook for the Indian telecom tower industry to ‘Stable’ from ‘Negative’, following consistent, timely payments from telecom service providers and the clearance’ of past dues.

    The industry had previously been under pressure due to delayed payments, which resulted in elongated receivable cycles and liquidity challenges for tower companies. However, ICRA noted a significant improvement in the payment cycle, with receivable days now reduced to around 45–60 days—well below its threshold of 80 days for a negative outlook.

    “The improvement in collections has eased the liquidity stress in the sector, reduced reliance on external debt, and is expected to improve return metrics going forward,” the agency stated.

    ICRA projects a 4–6 percent growth in operating income for the sector in FY2026, with operating margins (excluding energy revenues) expected to remain healthy at 70–75 percent.

    In addition, cash balances in the sector are estimated to rise to between Rs 5,500 crore and Rs 6,000 crore—more than double the previous range of Rs 2,200 crore to Rs 3,000 crore—due to improved working capital management and reduced provisioning.

    “An improvement in the credit profile of key telecom service providers, who are the primary clients of tower companies, has played a major role in easing the working capital cycle,” said Ankit Jain, Vice President and Sector Head – Corporate Ratings at ICRA.

    He added that a large portion of past dues has now been cleared, allowing companies to reverse provisions made in FY2023. This has further enhanced cash flows and overall liquidity. Going forward, ICRA expects collection cycles to remain within 60 days, maintaining a healthy receivables position.

    This improvement is also expected to lower the industry’s dependence on borrowings. ICRA estimates net external debt to operating profit (OPBDITA) to moderate to approximately 3.4 times by FY2026.

    With improved credit profiles and recent fundraising efforts by some telecom service providers, many are likely to resume capital expenditure (capex) initiatives. This is in line with the continued surge in demand for data services in India, which is driving consistent network expansion and upgrades by telecom operators.

    The report concludes that these positive developments mark a turning point for the industry, bringing greater financial stability and supporting future growth.

    IANS

  • Rupee strengthens, gold rallies amid global uncertainty

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian rupee opened 12 paise stronger at 85.44 against the US dollar on Monday, supported by favorable global cues and market optimism. The rupee had closed at 85.52 per dollar on Friday.

    At the same time, gold prices surged nearly 1 percent in the morning session on the domestic futures market, driven by a weakening US dollar and renewed concerns over the possible return of Donald Trump-era trade tariffs.

    On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), the Gold June 5 contract was trading 0.95 percent higher at ₹93,317 per 10 grams. The US dollar index dropped by about 0.3 percent, making gold more affordable in other currencies and boosting global demand.

    Rahul Kalantri, Vice President of Commodities at Mehta Equities, noted that gold has support at $3,195–$3,175 and resistance at $3,245–$3,260. For silver, the support levels are $32.10–$31.80, while resistance lies at $32.65–$32.85.

    “Gold prices climbed above $3,220 per ounce on Monday, rebounding from last week’s steepest decline in six months,” Kalantri said. “The recovery was fueled by safe-haven demand following Moody’s downgrade of the US sovereign credit rating, citing fiscal imbalances and rising debt costs.”

    Despite temporary relief from the US-China tariff truce, weak US economic indicators and subdued inflation have led investors to anticipate additional interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. This sentiment has further bolstered bullion prices.

    “In Indian rupee terms, gold has support at ₹91,850–₹91,480 and resistance at ₹92,850–₹93,490,” Kalantri added. “Silver is supported at ₹94,480–₹94,850 per kg and faces resistance at ₹95,950–₹96,650.”

    Gold prices have remained rangebound over the past two sessions, largely due to the lack of fresh triggers. The easing of geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan and the temporary US-China truce have contributed to this stability.

    However, domestic demand ahead of India’s upcoming wedding season is expected to provide strong support, keeping prices elevated, said Aksha Kamboj, Vice President of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).

    —IANS

  • Microsoft wants AI ‘agents’ to work together and remember things

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Microsoft envisions a future where any company’s artificial intelligence agents can work together with agents from other firms and have better memories of their interactions, its chief technologist said on Sunday ahead of the company’s annual software developer conference.

    Microsoft is holding its Build conference in Seattle on May 19, where analysts expect the company to unveil its latest tools for developers building AI systems.

    Speaking at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, ahead of the conference, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott told reporters and analysts the company is focused on helping spur the adoption of standards across the technology industry that will let agents from different makers collaborate. Agents are AI systems that can accomplish specific tasks, such as fixing a software bug, on their own.

    Scott said that Microsoft is backing a technology called Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source protocol introduced by Google-backed Anthropic. Scott said MCP has the potential to create an “agentic web” similar to the way hypertext protocols that helped spread the internet in the 1990s.

    “It means that your imagination gets to drive what the agentic web becomes, not just a handful of companies that happen to see some of these problems first,” Scott said.

    Scott also said that Microsoft is trying to help AI agents have better memories of things that users have asked them to do, noting that, so far, “most of what we’re building feels very transactional.”

    But making an AI agent’s memory better costs a lot of money because it requires more computing power. Microsoft is focusing on a new approach called structured retrieval augmentation, where an agent extracts short bits of each turn in a conversation with a user, creating a roadmap to what was discussed.

    “This is a core part of how you train a biological brain – you don’t brute force everything in your head every time you need to solve a particular problem,” Scott said.

    (Reuters)

  • Nvidia plans to sell tech to speed AI chip communication

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    vidia announced on Monday that it will begin offering its advanced chip interconnect technology, NVLink Fusion, to other companies. This technology is designed to enhance chip-to-chip communication, a critical component in building and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

    The new version of NVLink, called NVLink Fusion, enables multiple chips to work together efficiently in custom-built AI hardware systems. Companies such as Marvell Technology and MediaTek have already committed to integrating NVLink Fusion into their custom chip development efforts.

    Originally developed years ago, Nvidia’s NVLink facilitates high-speed data exchange between chips. It is currently used in Nvidia’s powerful GB200 system, which combines two Blackwell GPUs with a Grace CPU.

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang introduced the new technology during his keynote address at the Taipei Music Center, the venue for Computex, one of the world’s largest technology trade shows, taking place from May 20 to 23.

    During the event, Huang also revealed plans for a new Nvidia headquarters in Taiwan, to be located in the northern suburbs of Taipei.

    In his speech, Huang reflected on Nvidia’s evolution. “There was a time when 90% of my presentations focused on graphics chips,” he noted. Today, however, Nvidia has expanded well beyond its roots in gaming hardware to become a dominant force in AI chip development, especially since the surge in demand driven by tools like ChatGPT, launched in 2022.

    As previously reported by Reuters, Nvidia has also been working on designing CPUs compatible with Microsoft’s Windows operating system, using architecture licensed from Arm Holdings (O9Ty.F).

    Last year’s Computex saw an enthusiastic reception for Huang, dubbed “Jensanity” by local media, reflecting his rockstar status in the tech community.

    At Nvidia’s annual developer conference in March, Huang detailed the company’s vision for transitioning from building large-scale AI models to supporting AI-driven applications. He introduced several next-generation AI chips, including the Blackwell Ultra, which is expected to launch later this year.

    Looking ahead, Nvidia’s roadmap includes the Rubin chip series, which will be followed by the Feynman processors, set to arrive in 2028.

    Nvidia also announced a desktop version of its AI system, called DGX Spark, aimed at AI researchers. On Monday, Huang stated that the system is in full production and will be available within a few weeks.

    Computex, which is expected to feature 1,400 exhibitors, marks the first major gathering of computer and chip industry leaders in Asia since the United States considered sweeping tariffs to encourage domestic production.

    REUTERS

  • Russia launches war’s largest drone attack ahead of Putin-Trump call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia launched on Sunday its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, destroying homes and killing at least one woman a day before U.S. President Donald Trump is due to discuss a proposed ceasefire with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

    Ukraine’s intelligence service said it also believed Moscow intended to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile later on Sunday as an attempt to intimidate the West. There was no immediate response from Moscow to the accusation.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, straining to restore ties with Washington after a disastrous February White House visit, met Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday on the sidelines of Pope Leo’s inauguration.

    Zelenskiy said the meeting was “good” and released pictures of Ukrainian and U.S. officials sitting outside at a round table and smiling. Ukrainian media said the meeting lasted 40 minutes.

    “I reaffirmed that Ukraine is ready to be engaged in real diplomacy and underscored the importance of a full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible,” said Zelenskiy, who also met the new pope.

    Ukraine and Russia held their first face-to-face talks in more than three years on Friday, under pressure from Trump to agree to a ceasefire in a war he has pledged to bring to a quick end. The foes agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners each but failed to agree a truce, after Moscow presented conditions that a member of Ukraine’s delegation called “non-starters”.

    The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland planned to speak to Trump before the U.S. and Russian presidents speak on Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. The four European leaders jointly visited Kyiv last week and have been calling for Trump to back new sanctions on Russia.

    Asked if it was time to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that was up to Trump.

    “I think we will see what happens when both sides get to the table,” he told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” programme.

    “President Trump has made it very clear, that if President Putin does not negotiate in good faith, that the United States will not hesitate to up the Russia sanctions along with our European partners.”

    After a night of air alerts, Ukraine’s air force said that as of 8 a.m. on Sunday Russia had launched 273 drones at Ukrainian cities, more than the previous record Moscow had set in February on the war’s third anniversary.

    ‘I COULD HEAR THE DRONE’

    In the ruins of her family home in the Obukhiv region west of Kyiv, Natalia Piven, 44, recounted how she squeezed into a cellar with her son after an air raid warning, just in time to survive a first wave of drones.

    They then ran out to a bomb shelter at a kindergarten, before another wave of drones bore down on the village. Their house was completely destroyed. A 28-year-old woman who lived next door was killed. Ukrainian authorities said three other people were injured, including a four-year-old child.

    “I cannot get over it. I simply cannot. I could clearly hear the drone flying right towards my house,” Piven told Reuters.

    Trump has shifted U.S. rhetoric from supporting Ukraine towards accepting some of Moscow’s narrative about the war that Putin launched in 2022. But Kyiv and its European allies are working hard to persuade Trump that it is Moscow that is holding up a truce now.

    Zelenskiy has said he would accept Trump’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire of at least 30 days with no conditions. Moscow says it would consider a ceasefire but only if conditions are met, including a halt in arms supplies to Kyiv.

    It also says any peace talks must address the “root causes” of the conflict, including its demands that Ukraine cede territory, be disarmed and accept neutral status. Kyiv says that would amount to capitulation and leave it defenceless.

    (Reuters)

  • Indian stock market opens flat amid mixed global cues

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian benchmark indices opened flat on Monday amid mixed global cues, as selling was seen in the IT sector in the early trade.

    At around 9.32 am, Sensex was trading 3.88 points or 0.00 per cent up at 82,326.71 while the Nifty climbed 14.70 point or 0.06 per cent at 25,034.50.

    Nifty Bank was up 134.25 points or 0.24 per cent at 55,489.15. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 57,203.80 after rising 143.30 points or 0.25 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 17,701.75 after climbing 141.35 points or 0.80 per cent.

    According to analysts, “they now have only the October 2024 peak ahead at 25,235, which is in close vicinity, before 26,277, the lofty peak of September stares at us. This warns us to be guarded against sudden withdrawal in risk appetite and buying interest as we push ahead”.

    “With this in the backdrop we will begin the week expecting continuation of an uptrend, with an intraday downside marker at 24,950. However, brace for declines, should the upswings there of fail to clear 25,235 or if there is an outright breakdown past 24,870/807 region,” said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist of Geojit Investments Limited.

    The prime mover of the ongoing rally in the Indian market is the sustained FII inflows of around Rs 23,800 crore so far this month.

    “Of course, the decline in global trade tensions, the rally in global markets led by the US and the India-Pak ceasefire have created the setting for this rally,” said experts.

    Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, Infosys, TCS, IndusInd Bank, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, M&M, Eternal, Reliance and L&T were the top losers. Whereas, NTPC, Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finserv, PowerGrid, SBI and HDFC Bank were the top gainers.

    In the Asian markets, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Bangkok and Seoul were trading in red, whereas, only Jakarta was trading in green.

    In the last trading session on Friday, Dow Jones in the US closed at 42,654.74, up 331.99 points, or 0.78 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a gain of 41.45 points, or 0.70 per cent, at 5,958.38 and the Nasdaq closed at 19,211.10, up 98.78 points, or 0.52 per cent.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 8,831.05 crore on May 16, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased equities worth Rs 5,187.09 crore.

    (IANS)

  • Trump ‘saddened’ about Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bone, his office said in a statement on Sunday (May 18)

    Biden, 82, was diagnosed on Friday after having experienced urinary symptoms, and he and his family are reviewing treatment options with doctors, according to the statement.

    “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” wrote Donald Trump in a post in Truth Social.

    President Donald Trump has repeatedly berated Biden since he took office in January.

    Biden, who served as president from 2021 to 2025, abruptly ended his bid for reelection last July, weeks after a halting performance during a debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump prompted panic among his fellow Democrats. Vice President Kamala Harris took over as the party’s nominee but lost in November to Trump.

    Biden’s physical health and mental acuity drew intense media scrutiny even before the debate. At the time of his election, Biden was the oldest person to win the presidency.

    Trump, 78, broke that record when he defeated Harris last year.

    (Reuters)

  • Solapur fire: PM Modi announces relief for victims’ families

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Solapur fire incident, in which at least eight people died. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh to be given to the next of kin of each deceased.

    “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” the PMO said in a post on X.

    The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, with a total of 11 fire engines dispatched to contain the blaze.

    “Fire brigade personnel have also been injured in this rescue operation. It took 17 hours to control the fire,” said Fire Officer Rakesh Salunke.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on May 19, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 5,170
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 5,170
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/360

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister to visit Australia and South Asia

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India from later this week.

     

    Mr Peters is travelling first to Adelaide to undertake six-monthly Australia-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Consultations with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong.

     

    “New Zealand’s partnership with Australia is our closest and most important,” Mr Peters says. 

    “We consider it vital to get across the Tasman as soon as possible after Australia’s general election to make plans for the period ahead. Our cooperation with Australia has never been more important as we navigate an ever more challenging, uncertain and disordered regional and global landscape.”

     

    Mr Peters then travels to South Asia, with programmes in Sri Lanka, Nepal and India.

     

    “We are committed to bringing greater focus and energy to New Zealand’s relationships with South Asia. 

    “New Zealand must work alongside partners to contribute to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.

     

    In Colombo, Mr Peters will undertake the first visit by a New Zealand Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka since 2013, meeting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

     

    “New Zealand and Sri Lanka have invested considerably in boosting our bilateral relationship over the past five years, including by opening High Commissions in Colombo and Wellington. This visit will provide political momentum and leadership to that process.”  

     

    In Kathmandu, Mr Peters will undertake the first ever visit to Nepal by a New Zealand Foreign Minister, meeting President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma and Foreign Minister Rana Deuba.

     

    “This visit will reflect on the special relationship between New Zealand and Nepal, coinciding with the anniversary of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary’s ascent of Mount Everest. It also reciprocates a visit to Wellington by Nepal’s Foreign Minister last year.”

     

    Mr Peters will then travel to New Delhi to meet External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

     

    “Over the past 18 months, New Zealand and India have worked hard to build a stronger, broader-based relationship for mutual benefit. This visit will take stock of our progress.”

     

    Mr Peters departs New Zealand on 23 May and returns on 31 May.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Taiwan is not ruling out ‘political warfare’ by China, coast guard says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Taiwan’s coast guard said on Monday China could try to disrupt public morale on the island ahead of President Lai Ching-te’s one-year anniversary this week, after images surfaced on social media of a person planting a Chinese flag on a Taiwan beach.

    China calls Lai, who completes a year in office on Tuesday, a “separatist”, and has rebuffed his offers for talks.

    Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims over the democratic and entirely separately governed island, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

    Last week, Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said Beijing could hold more military drills to “stir up trouble” around the anniversary.

    On Sunday, images posted on Chinese social media showed a man who claimed to have sailed across the Taiwan Strait on a small boat landing on a remote beach and planting a Chinese flag, before returning to China. The video was later deleted.

    On Friday, Taiwan’s coast guard said it had arrested two Chinese nationals after they sailed into Taiwan illegally on a rubber boat and landed on a beach on the island’s northwest coast.

    Asked about the two incidents, Hsieh Ching-chin, deputy head of Taiwan’s coast guard, said China has been taking the opportunity for a while now to carry out drills and use other pressure tactics.

    “It cannot be ruled out that on the anniversary of President Lai’s inauguration, the Chinese communists will again use similar tactics and videos to engage in political warfare to disrupt the morale of our people,” he told reporters.

    Hsieh said the video of the flag planting was indeed taken on the beach in Taiwan’s Taoyuan, but whether by someone who crossed over from China, or was helped by someone in Taiwan to film it, was still being investigated.

    (Reuters)

  • Starmer discusses Russian war against Ukraine with US, Italy, France and Germany

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine with leaders of the U.S., Italy, France and Germany, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

    Looking ahead to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday, the leaders discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire in the war that Russia launched against its smaller neighbour more than three years ago.

    They also discussed the use of sanctions if Russia fails to engage seriously in ceasefire and peace talks, the spokesperson added.

    The talks followed intense diplomacy by the leaders that started with their May 10 trip to Kyiv when the major European powers threw their weight behind an unconditional 30-day Ukraine ceasefire.

    “Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X after the Sunday call.

    UK’s Foreign Minister David Lammy on Saturday accused Moscow of obfuscating after talks between Ukraine and Russia on a possible ceasefire ended in less than two hours and Trump said “nothing could happen” until he had met directly with Putin.

    Russia – which is slowly but steadily advancing on the battlefield and is worried that Ukraine will use such a pause to regroup and re-arm – has said it needs to nail down the terms of a ceasefire before signing up to one.

    (Reuters)

  • EAM Jaishankar to embark on six-day visit to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany from May 19

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will embark on an official six-day visit to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany from May 19 to 24, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday.

    The visit is part of India’s continued diplomatic outreach to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance cooperation with key European nations. The agenda will focus on a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, regional and global developments, and coordination on multilateral platforms.

    According to a statement issued by the MEA, Dr. Jaishankar will engage in high-level meetings with the leadership of all three countries. He will also hold talks with his counterparts to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss matters of mutual interest at both regional and global levels.

    The discussions are expected to address current geopolitical developments, global economic challenges, and shared priorities in international forums. The visit aims to further bolster India’s ties with Europe amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.

  • Japan halts some poultry imports from Brazil after bird flu outbreak

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Japan has suspended imports of poultry meat from the southern Brazilian city of Montenegro and live poultry from the wider state of Rio Grande do Sul following a bird flu outbreak, an official at Japan’s agriculture ministry said on Monday.

    The ban took effect on Friday after Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm. The announcement triggered protocols for a country-wide trade ban from top buyer China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers.

    Japan relies heavily on chicken imports from Brazil, and the spread of bird flu in Brazil could affect the meat market in Japan, where food prices are already on the rise.

    According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan’s self-sufficiency rate for poultry meat, including processed products, is around 65%.

    In the 2024 fiscal year, which ended on March 31, Japan imported about 429,000 metric tons of chicken meat from Brazil, accounting for nearly 70% of poultry meat imports, excluding processed items.

    “We will closely monitor the impact on domestic distribution and market conditions,” a ministry official said.

    (Reuters)

  • No mercy for Sinner as Alcaraz storms to Italian Open title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Carlos Alcaraz had little trouble dismantling Jannik Sinner in the Italian Open final, sealing a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory to snap the world number one’s 26-match winning streak and break the hearts of the home crowd on Sunday.

    Alcaraz edged a tense opening set in a tiebreak after he and Sinner traded blows from the baseline on a warm evening in front of a packed Centre Court crowd.

    However, from the second set onwards, Alcaraz silenced the home crowd as he completely outplayed Sinner, cruising to victory in their first-ever clash in a Masters 1000 final.

    “I’m proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally. Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point until the last one,” Alcaraz said in an on-court interview.

    “I’m just really happy to get my first Rome (title), hopefully it’s not going to be the last one.”

    For Sinner, it was particularly disappointing that he could not make it a double celebration for Italy after compatriot Jasmine Paolini won the women’s title a day earlier.

    Sinner was playing his first tournament since winning the Australian Open in January and was hoping to become the first Italian man to triumph in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976, but he had to settle for second best.

    Sinner, who was making his comeback this week after serving a three-month doping ban, thanked his family for their support.

    “After three months coming here making this result means a lot to me, a lot to my team also. We worked a lot to be here. Happy also with my family and everything,” he said.

    “A special thank you to my brother, who, rather than being here, is in Imola to watch Formula 1,” he concluded to the laughter of the crowd.

    The Spaniard Alcaraz has now beaten Sinner in their last four meetings, firing a warning shot to his rivals ahead of the upcoming French Open where he is set to defend his title.

    “Beating Jannik, winning Rome. Both things mix together and give (me) great confidence going to Paris,” Alcaraz said.

    (Reuters) 

  • India win 7th SAFF U-19 Championship in thrilling final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat Bangladesh 4-3 and successfully retain their SAFF U19 Championship title, after a gripping final ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.

    The final had everything—early drama, missed chances, a spirited fightback, and a heart-stopping finish. India got off to a flying start, taking the lead in just the second minute through captain Singamayum Shami. Awarded a free-kick from over 30 yards out, Shami spotted the Bangladesh goalkeeper slightly off his line and unleashed a curling strike that flew into the net despite a fingertip touch from Md Ismail Hossain Mahin.

    Riding the momentum, India dominated the opening exchanges with sharp passing and incisive wing play. In the 16th minute, Omang Dodum came close to doubling the lead after slicing through the defence, but Mahin pulled off a crucial save to deny him.

    Bangladesh, initially rattled, gradually settled into the match. They tightened their lines, disrupted India’s rhythm, and began pressing forward. By halftime, they were threatening more consistently—especially from set-pieces.

    Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute. A chaotic corner sparked a scramble in the Indian box, and Md Joy Ahamed reacted quickest, slamming the ball past Suraj Singh Aheibam to level the score. It was the first goal India had conceded in the tournament.

    Both teams pushed for a winner in the final half-hour, but the contest turned scrappy and physical. With neither side able to find the decisive goal, the championship was decided by penalties.

    The shootout was tense. Rohen Singh’s tame second attempt gave Bangladesh the advantage as Mahin saved comfortably. The stadium fell into a hushed silence. But India refused to buckle. When Bangladesh captain Nazmul Huda Faysal sent his effort over the bar, the momentum swung back India’s way.

    India converted their remaining spot-kicks with confidence, and Suraj Singh Aheibam made a crucial save, diving low to his left to deny Salahuddin Sahed.

    It all came down to captain Shami, who had already led by example with a sensational early goal. Calm and composed, he stepped up and slotted the final penalty home, sealing victory and sending the crowd into raptures.

    With this win, India not only held onto their crown but also reinforced their dominance at the regional level, showing grit, composure, and character in a high-pressure final.

    IANS

  • PM Modi expresses grief over deaths in Solapur fire incident, announces ex-gratia relief

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Solapur fire incident, in which at least eight people died. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh to be given to the next of kin of each deceased.

    “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” the PMO said in a post on X.

    The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, with a total of 11 fire engines dispatched to contain the blaze.

    “Fire brigade personnel have also been injured in this rescue operation. It took 17 hours to control the fire,” said Fire Officer Rakesh Salunke.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have developed a method for determining biocarbon in jet fuel samples using accelerator mass spectrometry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The NSU-NNC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center conducted the first analysis of biocarbon content in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) samples. Four samples of different origin were analyzed during the laboratory study. The results showed that the accelerator mass spectrometry method can become a routine method for analyzing biocarbon in SAF aviation fuel.

    — We were approached by specialists from the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (Moscow) to analyze the biocarbon content in kerosene samples using accelerator mass spectrometry. This analysis is necessary for the certification of the aviation fuel they are developing and its further use within the framework of modern requirements. This development is of particular relevance, which will only increase over time: in order to reduce the carbon footprint, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launched the CORSIA program in 2016, which obliges airlines to compensate for the growth of emissions. The goal of this program is to prevent the growth of carbon dioxide emissions relative to the 2020 level. Russia also plans to participate in this international program. From 2025, flights from the EU must use 2% SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) — fuel with a biogenic component. By 2050, this share will reach 63%, — said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, Director of the NSU-NNC UMS Collective Use Center.

    SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a product of processing biomass, which includes vegetable oils, animal fat, lignocellulosic wood waste, and microalgae. Processing, depending on the type of feedstock, may include catalytic hydrogenation, hydrocracking, hydrodeoxygenation, isomerization, gasification, and the Fischer-Tropsch process. The resulting processing product is then added to kerosene obtained from fossil hydrocarbon sources.

    Russia is one of the largest producers of jet fuel — 12.8 million tons of this type of fuel were produced in 2021 — and also has huge raw material potential for SAF production. In 2020, the production of vegetable oils amounted to 7.3 million tons. The production of “sustainable aviation fuel” requires certification and control over compliance with the requirements for the minimum content of the “biocarbon” share, so a routine method for its analysis is needed. This analysis can be performed by measuring the concentration of radiocarbon, for example, indirectly by the radioactivity of the material, or by the direct method of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Both methods for determining radiocarbon have been developed in Russia, but accelerator mass spectrometry is represented only in the Novosibirsk UMS Center of Collective Use of NSU-NNC.

    Search for biogenic carbon

    — “Biogenic” carbon differs from fossil carbon in its isotopic composition — primarily in the concentration of the radioactive isotope C-14 (radiocarbon) relative to the main stable isotope C-12. In modern biological objects, the proportion of radiocarbon, although extremely small — about 10 to the minus tenth power % — is still at a level detectable by modern technology; however, due to the beta decay of the C-14 nucleus, over time the amount of radiocarbon in fossil raw materials becomes orders of magnitude smaller and quantitative determination becomes impossible.

    Accelerator mass spectrometry provides the ability to reliably measure the concentration of radiocarbon in any samples at a level above 10 to the -14th power %, which is 0.01% of the current level in the biosphere. Therefore, by conducting UMS analysis of any materials, including kerosene, food additives, drugs, etc., it is possible to determine with high accuracy the proportion of carbon of modern biological origin, – explained Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    The NSU-NNC UMS Collective Use Center received 4 samples from RGUNG as introductory or test experiments, including two reference (standard) samples, which were kerosene obtained exclusively from biological raw materials and kerosene from fossil oil, as well as two samples of kerosene obtained by mixing the first two in proportions unknown to Novosibirsk scientists. Innovative sample preparation aimed at overcoming the “sulfur barrier” was used in the analysis of the samples. As Ekaterina Parkhomchuk explained, the complexity of fuel analysis lies in the high content of sulfur and nitrogen, which cause rapid corrosion of measuring instruments. A unique graphitizer has been developed at Novosibirsk State University, which allows working even with high-sulfur oils. This gives Russia a technological advantage over foreign analogues.

    — UMS analysis requires the production of a graphite cathode from the material being studied. This is done by burning the sample, extracting the target carbon dioxide from the resulting complex gas mixture and catalytically carbonizing it into elemental graphite. The difficulty of analyzing most hydrocarbon fuels is that the material may contain impurity elements such as sulfur and nitrogen, which quickly disable traditionally used “graphitizers”, such as those offered by the Swiss company Ionplus. Several years ago, NSU developed and assembled a graphitization stand that allows for the preparation of graphitized samples for UMS cathodes with sufficient purity even from high-sulfur oils, which distinguishes it from foreign analogues. It was used for the work described, — said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    The studies were conducted under special conditions, observing all standardized requirements for laboratories that conduct radiocarbon studies not only of ancient samples, but also of samples containing excessive amounts of radiocarbon. These measures are designed to ensure radiation and biological safety, as well as to prevent cross-contamination of samples and false test results. Sample preparation of biological and C-14-labeled samples is carried out in different laboratories. Personnel working in one laboratory do not have access to the other. Employees of both laboratories maintain isolation from each other, do not cross paths in offices, lunch rooms, and recreation areas. Also, both laboratories use separate chemicals, materials, and utensils.

    — Three graphite cathodes were made from each sample and UMS analysis was performed on all samples. It turned out that one reference sample did not contain C-14, i.e. it belonged to fossil raw materials (most likely oil), and the concentration of radiocarbon in the second reference sample slightly exceeded the modern level of C-14. This indicates that the time of origin of the plant raw materials from which the biogenic fuel was obtained corresponds to the period 2000-2010, when the concentration of radiocarbon in the atmosphere was still higher than usual as a result of nuclear tests conducted in the 50-70s of the last century. In other words, both samples really belonged to two different sources of production — fossil (oil, gas or coal) and modern (biomass). And the other two samples showed results different from the first two — one contained about 6% biogenic carbon, and the second — about 13%. Our experimental results coincided with the calculated ratios, according to which the RGUNG specialists prepared mixed samples, which confirms the validity of using the UMS method to determine biocarbon, – summed up Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    Promising technology

    The technology of joint processing of lignocellulosic raw materials PCH-SAF, developed at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University), is based on the processes of fast pyrolysis, delayed coking and hydrocracking of traditional oil and plant raw materials. Waste is used as the initial biomass – sawdust of coniferous and deciduous trees, sunflower husks, etc.

    — This technology consists of the joint processing of plant and oil raw materials. There are three stages of obtaining the component: fast pyrolysis of biomass, coking and hydrocracking. By means of fast pyrolysis, we liquefy the initial biomass and obtain the so-called bio-oil at the output. At the coking stage, co-processing of oil residues, for example, tar, with bio-oil occurs. At the hydrocracking stage, the raw material is a mixture of vacuum gas oil with the gas oil fraction of the coking process, containing bio-oil components, — explained Mikhail Ershov, professor of the Department of Oil Refining Technology.

    One of the advantages of the technology developed at RGUNG is the use of the existing infrastructure of oil refineries. It is assumed that when it is implemented on an industrial scale, there will be no need to replace the catalyst at the hydrocracking unit, and if necessary, only the process conditions may need to be adjusted. The process is currently at the laboratory stage, a laboratory sample has been developed and is being tested. This work is being carried out within the framework of the RSF grant No. 22-79-10280 “Study of new methods for obtaining renewable aviation fuel from lignocellulosic biomass using a complex of thermal and thermocatalytic processes.”

    Prospects for cooperation

    Mikhail Ershov clarified that kerosene obtained using PCH-SAF technology must meet the requirements of GOST 10227, which applies to fuels for jet engines, and be no different from petroleum kerosene.

    — In the context of the global transition to renewable energy sources, green fuel and reducing the carbon footprint, we must follow these trends. Compliance with ICAO emissions requirements will contribute to the growth of imports of renewable components, and therefore dependence on supplier countries (China, India). The PCH-SAF technology we propose, due to the existing infrastructure, will allow for a short transition to the production of aviation biofuel with a reduced carbon footprint without significant capital investments. In case of successful testing and confirmation of a reduction in the carbon footprint, it is necessary to approve such fuel with the participation of leading organizations FAU “25th State Research Institute of Chemmotology of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation”, FAU “TsIAM named after P.I. Baranov”, FSUE GosNII GA for use in civil and military aircraft, — he said.

    Mikhail Ershov noted that currently there is no domestic method for measuring biogenic components in petroleum products, in particular, aviation fuel. However, with an increase in the share of biogenic raw materials involved, there will be a need to confirm the biogenicity of fuels. Therefore, RGUNG specialists plan to develop a standard method for determining biocarbon using UMS together with NSU scientists.

    Ekaterina Parkhomchuk believes that the UMS method has proven its accuracy, sensitivity and reliability, and can become a key tool for the transition of aviation to “green” rails. And the introduction of the technology developed by RGUNG specialists into industry will open the way for Russia to leadership in the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

    — Currently, standard methods for analyzing materials for biogenic origin have been developed in different countries, and radiocarbon analysis is considered the “gold standard” among all possible methods. The method of accelerator mass spectrometry, unique in sensitivity, accuracy, and productivity, and the sample preparation methods we have developed are considered very promising for this new area of economic activity, — Ekaterina Parkhomchuk summarized.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Former US President Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office said in a statement on Sunday.

    Biden, 82, was diagnosed on Friday after experiencing urinary symptoms, and he and his family are reviewing treatment options with doctors, according to the statement.

    “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office said.

    Cancers that have spread, or metastasized, are considered Stage 4, the most advanced. Most prostate cancers are detected at an earlier stage.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the 236,659 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2021, 70% were diagnosed before the cancer had spread beyond the prostate. About 8% of new prostate cancer diagnoses that year involved advanced-stage disease.

    Biden‘s physical health and mental acuity drew scrutiny during his 2021-2025 presidency. He abruptly ended his bid for reelection last July, weeks after a halting performance during a debate against Republican Donald Trump prompted panic among his fellow Democrats.

    President Trump, who has repeatedly berated Biden since taking office in January, expressed sympathy on Sunday for Biden and his wife, Jill, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

    “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden‘s recent medical diagnosis,” he wrote, referring to first lady Melania Trump. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

    Biden‘s office said the cancer scored a nine out of 10 on the Gleason score grading system, which is used to help determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

    Dr. Herbert Lepor, an urologist at NYU Langone, said a score of nine is “very high risk,” but added that many men can live “five to 10 years and beyond” even with metastatic prostate cancer.

    “Over the last decade, there have been many advances in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer,” he said.

    Dr. Chris George, the medical director of the cancer program for the Northwestern Health Network, said prostate cancer is no longer curable once it spreads to the bones but that there are treatments that can control it.

    BIDEN, TRUMP OLDEST TO WIN PRESIDENCY

    Biden was the oldest person to win the U.S. presidency at the time of his election in 2020. Trump, 78, broke that record when he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris last year.

    Some prominent Democrats have recently acknowledged that it was an error to advance Biden as the 2024 nominee, given widespread concerns among voters about his age. Long before the debate last summer, Reuters/Ipsos polls showed a majority of Americans, including most Democrats, believed Biden was too old to serve a second term.

    “It was a mistake for Democrats to not listen to the voters earlier,” Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning, before Biden‘s diagnosis was announced.

    Biden has kept a low profile since leaving office, making only a handful of public appearances, including an April speech in which he defended the Social Security Administration against Trump’s planned cuts.

    He has also defended his legacy in interviews and rejected reporting in two new books that he suffered from cognitive decline during his last year in office.

    “They are wrong,” he said earlier this month on ABC’s “The View,” referring to the books’ authors.

    Biden‘s diagnosis triggered an outpouring of supportive statements on Sunday from Democrats and Republicans alike.

    “Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership,” Harris said in a statement.

    Biden lost a son, Beau Biden, in 2015 due to brain cancer.

    In 2022, Biden revived an Obama-era program known as Cancer Moonshot, seeking to reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on May 16, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,686.90 5.73 5.00-6.80
         I. Call Money 1,699.15 5.56 5.25-5.90
         II. Triparty Repo 3,253.75 5.74 5.00-6.24
         III. Market Repo 41.00 5.25 5.25-5.25
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,693.00 5.88 5.85-6.80
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 14,937.28 5.84 4.90-5.90
         II. Term Money@@ 502.00 – 5.75-6.10
         III. Triparty Repo 3,95,938.75 5.64 5.01-5.80
         IV. Market Repo 1,91,341.70 5.65 3.00-6.13
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 16/05/2025 3 Mon, 19/05/2025 5,293.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 16/05/2025 1 Sat, 17/05/2025 340.00 6.25
      Fri, 16/05/2025 2 Sun, 18/05/2025 0.00 6.25
      Fri, 16/05/2025 3 Mon, 19/05/2025 0.00 6.25
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 16/05/2025 1 Sat, 17/05/2025 2,69,415.00 5.75
      Fri, 16/05/2025 2 Sun, 18/05/2025 0.00 5.75
      Fri, 16/05/2025 3 Mon, 19/05/2025 20,494.00 5.75
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,84,276.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Thu, 17/04/2025 43 Fri, 30/05/2025 25,731.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,735.56  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     34,466.56  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,49,809.44  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on May 16, 2025 9,35,154.12  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending May 16, 2025 9,41,653.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ May 16, 2025 5,293.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 02, 2025 2,34,873.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    ^ As per the Press Release No. 2025-2026/91 dated April 11, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/359

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chiara Holgate, Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century, Australian National University

    Artic_photo/Shutterstock

    Swathes of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are in the grip of drought as they experience some of the lowest rainfall totals on record.

    Farmers are spending eye-watering amounts of money buying feed, or selling stock to stay afloat.

    Some towns are already on water restrictions. Those not connected to the mains water system are in a perilous situation. In the Adelaide Hills, water is being trucked in to fill empty rainwater tanks and dams.

    The story playing out across southern Australia could be a glimpse of what’s to come. Our recent research suggests southern Australia may experience longer and more intense droughts in the future, as the climate changes.

    Parts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are experiencing serious rainfall deficiencies.
    Australian Bureau of Meteorology

    How bad is this drought?

    Parts of southern Australia have been experiencing drier than normal conditions for well over a year.

    Conditions on the ground are worsening as the drought continues.

    In Adelaide, the desalination plant has ramped up to maintain water supply. Similarly, Victoria’s desal plant has fired up for the first time since 2022 as dam levels fall.

    Farmers are facing some of the driest conditions in decades, and financial pressures are mounting.

    Nature, too, is struggling. Waterways, wetlands and deep pools have dried up, leading to fears for endangered fish, insects and many other species.

    Where has the rain gone?

    In a drought-prone country such as Australia, there’s an age-old question: why do the rains sometimes disappear?

    Our recent research shows Australian scientists are getting closer to answering this question.

    We now know Australian droughts develop when weather systems that lift and carry moisture from the ocean – to fall as heavy rain on land – disappear. When these weather systems return, the droughts break.

    These kinds of weather systems have been notably absent from southern Australia in recent months. Instead, slow-moving high-pressure systems, which typically bring warm and dry conditions, have been the standout feature across southern Australia.

    For Australia, the driest inhabited continent, heavy rains are what keep drought at bay. Last spring and summer, drought conditions were building in parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales. But then Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought heavy rains, dumping up to four times as much rain as these areas usually get in February and March.

    Similarly, heavy rains at the end of last year helped parts of northern and central WA avoid drought conditions.

    Unfortunately, western Victoria and southern SA have had no such luck.

    Drought is more likely to break if weather systems and climate drivers are favorable, such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in its negative phase, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) in its wet phase, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in its La Niña phase, the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) in its negative phase and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) active. Background climate change can affect all of these drivers.
    Holgate et al 2025 Communications Earth & Environment, CC BY-NC-ND

    How long will the drought last?

    If farmers, water authorities and policymakers knew how much longer this drought would last, they could make clear plans. Keep or sell livestock? Impose water restrictions or wait?

    Unfortunately, drought timing is very hard to predict. As our research shows, the climate processes that bring weather systems laden with heavy rain are complex.

    But we do know heavy and persistent rain is needed to break the drought. And the current forecast shows there’s a decent chance of that as we head towards spring. Though forecasts can change, and those with skin in the game will have their eyes glued to next month’s update to the Bureau of Meteorology’s rainfall outlook.

    It also helps that we’re heading into what’s usually the rainier time of year. This means the odds of receiving decent rain are higher at this time of year than if we were heading into summer.

    Climate and water long-range forecast, issued 15 May 2025 (Bureau of Meteorology)

    Dry and drier

    Over the past few decades, southern Australia has become drier. Drying has been most pronounced during the cooler months, between April and October. Some parts of southern Australia have also become more drought-prone, with the number of months spent in drought increasing over this time.

    Maps of the current dry conditions across southern Australia closely follow the regions projected to experience longer and more frequent drought conditions in future.

    It’s too early to draw a clear line between climate change and this particular drought. But the weight of evidence shows southern droughts are likely to strike more often in the future. The Tinderbox Drought from 2017–19, for instance, was the first Australian drought to show a possible worsening from climate change.

    The good news? We now know more about how Australian droughts work. This means we can now be more confident in the direction of Australia’s water future than in past decades.

    We must urgently use this new knowledge to develop innovative solutions that will allow Australia to thrive in a climate of increasingly variable water availability. Solutions will involve setting sustainable limits on water use, introducing water recycling and improving efficiency, among other measures.

    Though solutions may look different in different parts of Australia, one thing rings true everywhere: we all need to make every drop count.

    Chiara Holgate receives funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century.

    Ailie Gallant receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

    – ref. Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end? – https://theconversation.com/why-is-southern-australia-in-drought-and-when-will-it-end-256443

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 17 killed in fire in Hyderabad, India

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    NEW DELHI, May 18 (Xinhua) — At least 17 people were killed and many others injured in a massive fire at a building in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Sunday, officials said.

    The fire broke out in the morning in a residential building in Gulzar House, located near the famous Charminar area.

    “The fire broke out around 6am and by 6.16am the firefighters were on the spot. They tried to rescue people trapped inside but the fire engulfed the entire building,” local government minister Ponnam Prabhakar told the media.

    Officials said most of the victims died in their sleep and firefighting efforts were underway.

    A preliminary investigation by police revealed that a short circuit could have caused the fire.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths in the fire and announced monetary compensation to the victims. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Italy’s Stano breaks 35-km race walk world record

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Stano, who won gold in men’s 20-km race walk at the Tokyo Olympics and finished fourth at the Paris Games, shaved 57 seconds off the previous record set by Canada’s Evan Dunfee less than two months ago.
    The 33-year-old also won gold in 35-km race walk at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and helped Italy win gold at the 2023 European Race Walking Team Championships.