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Category: India

  • I&B Secretary urges AI startups to embrace India’s linguistic diversity, develop tools to bridge language gaps

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Information & Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Thursday urged AI startups to create homegrown, scalable solutions that reflect India’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity.

    Speaking at a meeting with incubators and startups at T-Hub in Hyderabad, Jaju encouraged them to take part in the ‘Kalaa Setu’ and ‘Bhasha Setu’ challenges. These are part of the WaveX Startup Accelerator Platform launched by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

    These initiatives, Jaju said, are aimed at building a future-ready digital ecosystem. They align with the Ministry’s goal of using AI to bridge language gaps and support regional content.

    WaveX is part of the Ministry’s larger WAVES initiative. It supports innovation in media, entertainment, and language technologies, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to grow the creator economy.

    The ‘Bhasha Setu’ challenge focuses on AI tools for translation and voice-based communication to make it easier to interact in multiple languages. The ‘Kalaa Setu’ challenge supports tools that turn written content into audio, video, or graphics, helping reach more people in local languages.

    According to the I&B Ministry, shortlisted teams will present their ideas to a national jury in New Delhi. Winners will sign an MoU for full development and receive pilot support from All India Radio, Doordarshan, and the Press Information Bureau. They will also get incubation support from the WaveX Innovation Platform.

    Earlier in May 2025, at the WAVES Summit held in Mumbai, WaveX facilitated pitching opportunities for over 30 startups, enabling direct interaction with government agencies, investors, and industry leaders. The platform continues to support innovative ideas through hackathons, mentorship, and integration with national platforms.

  • Piyush Goyal urges youth to lead the journey towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday inaugurated the India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Conference 2025 in Noida, where he called upon youth to take the lead in building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision under the ‘Panch Pran’ for Amrit Kaal.

    Addressing a gathering of students and young leaders, Goyal said the next 25 years represent a defining era for India, and that the youth will be the primary drivers of the country’s transformation. He highlighted the five pledges outlined by the Prime Minister on Independence Day 2022 – developing India, shedding colonial mindsets, taking pride in heritage, fostering unity, and fulfilling collective responsibility – as guiding principles for the nation’s progress.

    Goyal emphasized the importance of inclusive and sustainable growth, calling on the youth to approach nation-building as both a duty and a privilege. He also encouraged them to consider roles in public service and politics, echoing the Prime Minister’s appeal for one lakh youth to join public life and become agents of change.

    “There is a need for capable and committed individuals to contribute to policymaking with compassion, dedication, and a spirit of service,” he said.

    Paying tribute to teachers and mentors, Goyal said their guidance plays a crucial role in shaping both individuals and the future of the country. Concluding his address, he urged the youth to become “changemakers and nation-builders,” committed to leading India toward greater heights.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Call to address widening insurance protection gap

    Source: Government of South Africa

    With the surge in natural disasters in the last decade, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago, has called on leaders in the Group of Twenty (G20) to bridge the gap in the natural catastrophe insurance protection gap.

    The gap refers to the difference between total economic losses and insured losses caused by natural catastrophe (NatCat) events.

    “Addressing the Natural Catastrophe Insurance protection gap is both urgent and consequential for both developed and emerging market economies.

    “The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing, causing significant damage to property and infrastructure, impacting lives and livelihoods, and resulting in tremendous loss of life. The risks are global, but the burden is deeply unequal,” Kganyago explained.

    The Governor was speaking during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings in Durban on Thursday. 

    He was addressing senior leaders from governments, central banks and supervisors,  the private sector, and international organisations at a side event that discussed strategies and solutions for addressing  the widening insurance protection gap.

    NatCat protection gaps present a global challenge, affecting both advanced and emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), and therefore require global responses. 

    In recent decades, damages and losses from NatCat events have surged due to the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change.

    While insurance markets play a crucial role in mitigating the financial impacts stemming from these damages, their ability to offer adequate coverage is increasingly being challenged, leading to a widening insurance protection gap against NatCat events.

    “In many emerging and developing economies, the costs of these disasters are magnified by limited financial and significant lack of insurance protection.

    “Globally, it is estimated that over half of natural disaster losses remain uninsured. In EMDEs, that figure often exceeds 70%. South Africa, for example, is estimated at 71% and India at around 91%. This leaves households, businesses and governments dangerously exposed, compounding economic shock and slowing development for years or even decades,” the Governor said.

    Emerging market and developing economies face disproportionately higher protection gaps due to low insurance penetration, affordability challenges, underdeveloped insurance markets, and insufficient access to risk models and data.

    Significant insurance protection gaps are also observed in advanced economies, including Europe. In recent years, promoting insurance protection against NatCat events has become an important priority for policymakers and the international community.

    “From a central banking perspective and financial stability perspective, this is not a peripheral issue but a core issue. Uninsured losses from natural disasters can undermine economic stability, threaten the solvency of financial institutions and disrupt credit flows.

    “Moreover, when governments must step in with emergency funds or debt finance reconstruction, it places additional strain on already limited fiscal space,” he said.

    For central banks, policymakers and supervisors, bridging this protection gap is part of building macro financial resilience, the Governor said.

    Call for improved mechanisms

    “It calls for stronger risk sharing mechanisms, improved data and modelling of climate related risks and innovative insurance solutions such as parametric instruments, catastrophe bonds and regional risk pools.

    “More importantly, it requires a coordinated and collaborative effort across governments, insurance supervisors, the private sector, international organisations, multilateral development institutions and local communities to embed financial resilience into our climate and development strategies,” Kganyago said.

    He encouraged the global leaders to recognise that resilience is not built in the aftermath of disasters but in the deliberate and proactive planning and actions before they occur.

    “Insurance is not a luxury; it is a foundational and critical tool for sustainable development. Let’s think boldly about how we can address this protection gap beyond innovative products to include appropriate policies and regulations that are inclusive, accessible and tailored to jurisdictional instances, especially considering the realities of EMDEs,” the Governor said.

    The G20 South African Presidency, in collaboration with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and the World Bank Group (WBG), hosted this side event during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings.

    The event focused on improving financial resilience and enhancing broader disaster risk mitigation strategies by identifying and addressing insurance protection gaps.

    Input paper 

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024 until 30 November 2025 under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.

    This initiative forms part of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) priority of scaling up finance for adaptation and just transitions, as discussed in an IAIS-WBG input paper, which will be published next week.

    The paper serves as a ‘guide for action’ to help jurisdictions narrow NatCat insurance protection gaps. The paper outlines practical and implementable actions that governments, supervisors, and the insurance industry can take, with a particular focus on EMDEs. 

    From 21 July 2025, the input paper can be accessed on the G20 SFWG website: https://g20sfwg.org/document-repository/.
    – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • PM Modi unveils infrastructure projects worth ₹7,200 crore in Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a series of infrastructure projects worth ₹7,200 crore in Bihar, urging the transformation of the state into a hub of growth and opportunities and an integral part of the Viksit Bharat mission.

    Addressing a large public gathering in Motihari, PM Modi said that just as several Eastern nations have emerged as key centres of global growth, Bihar too should become the driving force behind India’s development.

    “I congratulate everyone on receiving a slew of developmental projects worth ₹7,200 crore,” the Prime Minister said.

    He emphasised that the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is committed to the welfare of Bihar’s people and is focused on bringing equitable development to the state, comparable to more developed regions across India.

    “Our aim is to bring Bihar’s cities on par with other developed urban centres – equating Gaya with Gurugram, Pune with Patna, Jaipur with Jalpaiguri, and Bengaluru with Birbhum,” he said.

    PM Modi criticised the previous UPA government for giving Bihar “step-motherly treatment,” stating that it had allocated only ₹2 lakh crore to the state over a decade. In contrast, he said, the BJP-led government has significantly increased that allocation over the past 10 years. He added that those who practiced “revengeful politics” have now been shown the door.

    He also pointed out that Bihar has been a major beneficiary of the Centre’s public welfare schemes. “In Motihari alone, more than three lakh families have received pucca houses under our schemes,” the Prime Minister said.

    Earlier in the day, PM Modi was given a grand reception, with thousands of people lining the streets of Motihari, waving and chanting slogans as his convoy passed by.

    -IANS

  • US eyes ‘back to basics’ revamp of G20 when it assumes presidency next year

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States aims to pare the Group of 20 major economies back to its financial roots next year when it takes over the rotating presidency from South Africa, sources familiar with the Trump administration’s plans said.

    Washington has scaled back its participation this year, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent skipping a G20 finance chiefs’ meeting that started in Durban, South Africa, on Thursday, his second absence from an event this year.

    Experts and administration sources say the absence of top U.S. officials reflects the Trump administration’s skepticism about multilateral institutions such as the G20, which the U.S. helped found in 1999.

    U.S. President Donald Trump has upended the global economy with a wide-ranging trade war that has targeted many developing countries, including G20 members, while slashing foreign development funds to pursue an “America First” agenda.

    Three U.S. sources familiar with the matter say Washington still plans to assume the G20 presidency at the end of the year, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States.

    But it will focus on two “tracks” – the leaders’ summit and the financial track – eliminating other working groups and ministerial-level meetings, including those on energy, health, commerce and the environment, two of the sources said.

    A more streamlined G20 process would be in line with Bessent’s call in April for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to focus on their core missions of financial stability and development instead of climate finance and gender issues. The White House and Treasury had no immediate comment.

    SECOND-ROUND RESET

    Josh Lipsky, chair of international economics at the Atlantic Council in Washington, said Bessent and other senior U.S. officials want to get “back to basics,” an approach being embraced by other G20 members.

    The U.S. has already withdrawn from co-chairing a working group on sustainable finance with China and it remains unclear whether Trump will join this year’s leaders’ summit in South Africa.

    Many members agreed the G20’s portfolio had grown too large, triggering a review, said two sources familiar with the issue.

    In 2024, G20 host Brazil sought the group’s endorsement of a global minimum tax on the ultra wealthy, a step that the Biden administration rejected as an overreach.

    “There seems to be consensus at the G20 that it has expanded a lot. G20 South Africa is conducting a review of the G20 process and will provide recommendations to streamline it. That is in line with what the U.S. is looking at,” one of the sources said.

    Activists and developing countries say they will watch U.S. actions, but that paring back could help the G20 survive.

    “Our hope is that development continues to be linked,” said Eric LeCompte, executive director of the non-profit Jubilee USA Network. “Financial stability, debt issues and economic issues cannot be separated from development and global growth.”

    CRISIS ORIGINS

    The G20 was founded after the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998, before expanding to include state leaders during the global financial crisis in 2008. It has been tested by U.S.-China tensions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and divergent views on the Middle East conflicts.

    Brad Setser, a former U.S. official now at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the G20 still offered a platform for high-level bilateral meetings.

    He said Trump could welcome to the U.S. next year foreign leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and even Russian President Vladimir Putin if the Ukraine war ended, without the fanfare of a bilateral summit or state visit.

    Ben Harris, a former senior Treasury official now at the Brookings Institution, said Washington’s decision to pull back offered China and others a chance to show leadership, which might not serve U.S. interests.

    “It obviously creates a vacuum, and that vacuum will be filled.”

    (Reuters)

  • US eyes ‘back to basics’ revamp of G20 when it assumes presidency next year

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States aims to pare the Group of 20 major economies back to its financial roots next year when it takes over the rotating presidency from South Africa, sources familiar with the Trump administration’s plans said.

    Washington has scaled back its participation this year, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent skipping a G20 finance chiefs’ meeting that started in Durban, South Africa, on Thursday, his second absence from an event this year.

    Experts and administration sources say the absence of top U.S. officials reflects the Trump administration’s skepticism about multilateral institutions such as the G20, which the U.S. helped found in 1999.

    U.S. President Donald Trump has upended the global economy with a wide-ranging trade war that has targeted many developing countries, including G20 members, while slashing foreign development funds to pursue an “America First” agenda.

    Three U.S. sources familiar with the matter say Washington still plans to assume the G20 presidency at the end of the year, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States.

    But it will focus on two “tracks” – the leaders’ summit and the financial track – eliminating other working groups and ministerial-level meetings, including those on energy, health, commerce and the environment, two of the sources said.

    A more streamlined G20 process would be in line with Bessent’s call in April for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to focus on their core missions of financial stability and development instead of climate finance and gender issues. The White House and Treasury had no immediate comment.

    SECOND-ROUND RESET

    Josh Lipsky, chair of international economics at the Atlantic Council in Washington, said Bessent and other senior U.S. officials want to get “back to basics,” an approach being embraced by other G20 members.

    The U.S. has already withdrawn from co-chairing a working group on sustainable finance with China and it remains unclear whether Trump will join this year’s leaders’ summit in South Africa.

    Many members agreed the G20’s portfolio had grown too large, triggering a review, said two sources familiar with the issue.

    In 2024, G20 host Brazil sought the group’s endorsement of a global minimum tax on the ultra wealthy, a step that the Biden administration rejected as an overreach.

    “There seems to be consensus at the G20 that it has expanded a lot. G20 South Africa is conducting a review of the G20 process and will provide recommendations to streamline it. That is in line with what the U.S. is looking at,” one of the sources said.

    Activists and developing countries say they will watch U.S. actions, but that paring back could help the G20 survive.

    “Our hope is that development continues to be linked,” said Eric LeCompte, executive director of the non-profit Jubilee USA Network. “Financial stability, debt issues and economic issues cannot be separated from development and global growth.”

    CRISIS ORIGINS

    The G20 was founded after the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998, before expanding to include state leaders during the global financial crisis in 2008. It has been tested by U.S.-China tensions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and divergent views on the Middle East conflicts.

    Brad Setser, a former U.S. official now at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the G20 still offered a platform for high-level bilateral meetings.

    He said Trump could welcome to the U.S. next year foreign leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and even Russian President Vladimir Putin if the Ukraine war ended, without the fanfare of a bilateral summit or state visit.

    Ben Harris, a former senior Treasury official now at the Brookings Institution, said Washington’s decision to pull back offered China and others a chance to show leadership, which might not serve U.S. interests.

    “It obviously creates a vacuum, and that vacuum will be filled.”

    (Reuters)

  • Trump asks for release of grand jury documents in Epstein case

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration will ask a court to allow the release of grand jury testimony in the case of deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after some of his supporters reacted in fury to a report concluding there was no evidence to support long-running theories about his case.

    “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

    Shortly after Trump’s statement, Bondi said on X that the Justice Department was ready to ask the court on Friday to unseal the grand jury transcripts.

    “President Trump – we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts,” Bondi wrote.

    Some Trump supporters have raised questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier, after the Justice Department this month concluded that there was no evidence to support a number of long-held conspiracy theories about his clients and 2019 death in prison.

    Bondi had pledged months earlier to reveal major revelations about Epstein, including “a lot of names” and “a lot of flight logs.”

    Some Trump supporters have demanded the release of more information on Epstein, causing a rare fracture within his base of support. Trump has pushed back, calling the matter a hoax.

    Allegations that Epstein had been sexually abusing girls became public in 2006 and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died in 2019 in jail after he was arrested a second time and charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy.

    (Reuters)

  • Trump asks for release of grand jury documents in Epstein case

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration will ask a court to allow the release of grand jury testimony in the case of deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after some of his supporters reacted in fury to a report concluding there was no evidence to support long-running theories about his case.

    “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

    Shortly after Trump’s statement, Bondi said on X that the Justice Department was ready to ask the court on Friday to unseal the grand jury transcripts.

    “President Trump – we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts,” Bondi wrote.

    Some Trump supporters have raised questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier, after the Justice Department this month concluded that there was no evidence to support a number of long-held conspiracy theories about his clients and 2019 death in prison.

    Bondi had pledged months earlier to reveal major revelations about Epstein, including “a lot of names” and “a lot of flight logs.”

    Some Trump supporters have demanded the release of more information on Epstein, causing a rare fracture within his base of support. Trump has pushed back, calling the matter a hoax.

    Allegations that Epstein had been sexually abusing girls became public in 2006 and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died in 2019 in jail after he was arrested a second time and charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy.

    (Reuters)

  • India remains a compelling investment destination globally: Report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India remains a compelling investment destination worldwide owing to its stability, structural reforms, and a resilient consumer base, a leading global investment firm, KKR, has stressed.

    KKR, in its ‘2025 Mid-Year Global Macro Outlook,’ said India’s growth prospects and favourable market conditions make it an attractive opportunity for investors. “From a macro perspective, India’s relative insulation from global trade friction remains intact, supported by its predominantly domestic, consumer-driven economy,” the report stated.

    “We continue to see India as one of the most compelling strategic allocations within emerging markets today,” it added.

    The report, published by KKR’s Global Macro & Asset Allocation team, emphasised India’s unique position as a scalable opportunity amid a shift from benign globalisation to great power competition.

    KKR also sees significant potential in infrastructure and credit investments in India, as the private sector capitalises on these trends.

    “As the global trade landscape recalibrates, India is well-positioned to increase its manufacturing share, particularly as oil prices soften and ‘China+1’ strategies become more entrenched. Cyclically, we are observing early signs of a rebound following a soft patch in 2024, driven by rural income recovery, robust services exports, and, importantly, supportive policy measures,” said the KKR report.

    Production-linked incentives and eased FDI rules are central to the government’s efforts to attract broader capital inflows. Anticipated rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India and the recent fiscal year budget, which injects meaningful stimulus for low- and middle-income households, further bolster this outlook.

    “For investors, India also offers diversification benefits. Its equity market correlation with global indices has decreased — and the sheer scale of its economy is expected to unlock significant private sector opportunities over the next decade,” the report highlighted.

    The report further stated that while a modest depreciation of the rupee is anticipated, this can be hedged. The core investment thesis remains compelling: in a volatile global environment, India’s stability, ongoing reforms, and resilient consumer base create a differentiated and increasingly scalable opportunity.

    (IANS)

  • UAE and WHO Complete Major Health Assessment Phase in Yemen’s Socotra Island

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Field teams from the United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organization have successfully completed the first phase of a comprehensive health assessment on Socotra Island in Yemen, conducted in close coordination with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population.

    The multi-phase operation will comprise four scheduled field visits over a one-year period, representing the initial phase of an ambitious program designed to reduce mortality related to poor health and malnutrition by 20 percent over the next two to five years through an integrated health system strengthening approach.

    The assessment covered 38 enumeration areas across all 29 sub-districts of Socotra Island. Preliminary results show that 93 percent of targeted health facilities were surveyed, with data collected from 4,214 households. Field teams conducted over 930 caregiver interviews, took anthropometric measurements from eligible children and mothers, facilitated 12 focus group discussions with community groups, and completed all 15 planned key informant interviews with stakeholders including local authorities, donor organizations, and UN agencies.

    The project will now enter the data cleaning and analysis phase, leading to a comprehensive report revealing the current status of maternal and child health and nutrition in the community. Future stages include procurement and distribution of medical supplies, recruitment of technical experts, training programs, and community awareness campaigns.

    The initiative reflects the UAE’s data-driven humanitarian approach, implemented in partnership with international health organizations to improve public health indicators among vulnerable populations. This assessment comes at a critical time for Socotra Island, which faces significant health challenges including food insecurity and repeated outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever.

    Socotra Island is a remote Yemeni archipelago located in the Indian Ocean approximately 380 kilometers south of the Arabian Peninsula. The largest island covers about 3,600 square kilometers and is home to approximately 60,000 inhabitants. Socotra is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, with up to a third of its plant species being endemic and found nowhere else on the planet. The island was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Despite its natural significance, Socotra faces ongoing challenges from Yemen’s civil war.

  • With series on the line, India mull unleashing Bumrah in Manchester

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

     Jasprit Bumrah is a weapon India must use sparingly but with the five-test series against England on the line, the tourists are considering playing their pace spearhead in the fourth test in Manchester next week.

    The team management has decided that Bumrah, whose workload has been carefully managed since he returned from a back surgery earlier this year, will play three of the five tests in England.

    A victory in Manchester would give England an unassailable 3-1 lead. To prevent that, India are considering playing Bumrah, who skipped the second test in Birmingham, in the next match rather than preserving him for the final test at the Oval.

    “We know we have got him for one of the last two tests,” assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told reporters after a training session on Thursday.

    “It’s pretty obvious that the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him.”

    “But again, we have got to look at all the factors: how many days of cricket are we going to get up there, what do we feel is our best chance of winning that game, and then how that fits in together with the Oval.”

    Arguably the best all-format bowler of his era, Bumrah registered five-wicket hauls in both the tests he played on this tour of England, though India lost both in Leeds and Lord’s.

    India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury at Lord’s, did not bat in Thursday’s practice.

    Ten Doeschate was confident Pant will reprise his usual roles in front of the stumps with the bat and behind them with the keeper’s gloves in Manchester.

    “Look, I don’t think you’re going to keep Rishabh out of the test no matter what,” former Dutch international ten Doeschate said.

    “He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third test and it’s only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”

    -REUTERS

  • With series on the line, India mull unleashing Bumrah in Manchester

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

     Jasprit Bumrah is a weapon India must use sparingly but with the five-test series against England on the line, the tourists are considering playing their pace spearhead in the fourth test in Manchester next week.

    The team management has decided that Bumrah, whose workload has been carefully managed since he returned from a back surgery earlier this year, will play three of the five tests in England.

    A victory in Manchester would give England an unassailable 3-1 lead. To prevent that, India are considering playing Bumrah, who skipped the second test in Birmingham, in the next match rather than preserving him for the final test at the Oval.

    “We know we have got him for one of the last two tests,” assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told reporters after a training session on Thursday.

    “It’s pretty obvious that the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him.”

    “But again, we have got to look at all the factors: how many days of cricket are we going to get up there, what do we feel is our best chance of winning that game, and then how that fits in together with the Oval.”

    Arguably the best all-format bowler of his era, Bumrah registered five-wicket hauls in both the tests he played on this tour of England, though India lost both in Leeds and Lord’s.

    India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury at Lord’s, did not bat in Thursday’s practice.

    Ten Doeschate was confident Pant will reprise his usual roles in front of the stumps with the bat and behind them with the keeper’s gloves in Manchester.

    “Look, I don’t think you’re going to keep Rishabh out of the test no matter what,” former Dutch international ten Doeschate said.

    “He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third test and it’s only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”

    -REUTERS

  • Sujeet Kalkal strikes gold at Budapest Wrestling Ranking Series

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal on Thursday clinched the gold medal in the 65kg men’s freestyle category at the Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial 2025 wrestling tournament in Budapest, Hungary.

    In the final of the 65kg men’s freestyle category, Sujeet delivered a clinical performance to defeat four-time European medallist Ali Rahimzade of Azerbaijan 5-1. His triumph marked India’s first gold medal in wrestling at any of the Ranking Series events this year. Earlier, Indian grapplers had returned empty-handed from the tournaments in Amman and Mongolia, according to Olympics.com.

    In the first period of the final, Sujeet conceded an activity point, but he raised the tempo in the second period to complete two takedowns. He secured another activity point en route to a commanding victory in the gold medal bout.

    Sujeet’s journey to the final was equally impressive. He began with a dominant 11-0 win over Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Islam Dudaev of Albania in the round of 16. He then overwhelmed European silver medallist Khamzat Arsamerzouev of France in the quarter-finals, before stamping his authority with a 6-1 win over Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia in the semi-finals.

    India added another medal in the men’s 57kg category, where Rahul clinched bronze with a 4-0 victory over Germany’s Niklas Stechele. Earlier, he had defeated Kim Sung-gwon of the Republic of Korea 5-3 in the quarter-finals, before narrowly losing a hard-fought semi-final 7-6 to the USA’s Luke Joseph Lilledahl.

    Meanwhile, India’s Udit and Vicky suffered defeats in the repechage rounds of the 61kg and 97kg divisions, respectively. The Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial in Budapest is the fourth and final wrestling Ranking Series tournament of the year.

    Ranking points earned at this event will help wrestlers secure better seedings for the World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to be held in Zagreb, Croatia, in September later this year.

    India fielded wrestlers in the men’s and women’s freestyle, as well as Greco-Roman, categories at the ongoing Budapest meet, which will conclude on Sunday.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Formation of new district in the State of Arunachal Pradesh – Assignment of Lead Bank Responsibility

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    RBI/2025-26/68
    FIDD.CO.LBS.BC.No.14/02.08.001/2025-26

    July 18, 2025

    The Chairman / Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
    Lead Banks Concerned

    Madam/ Dear Sir,

    Formation of new district in the State of Arunachal Pradesh – Assignment of Lead Bank Responsibility

    The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has notified formation of two new districts, viz., Keyi Panyor and Bichom in the state of Arunachal Pradesh vide Gazette Notification No. Law/Legn-5/2024 dated February 23, 2024. Accordingly, it has been decided to designate the Lead Banks of the new districts as below:

    Sr No Newly Created
    District    		 Lead Bank Responsibility
    assigned to    		 District Working Code allotted to new district
    1 Keyi Panyor State Bank of India 02S
    (to be reads as ‘numeral zero, numeral two and alphabet S’)
    2 Bichom State Bank of India 02T
    (to be read as ‘numeral zero, numeral two and alphabet T’)

    2. There is no change in the Lead Banks of the other districts in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

    Yours faithfully,

    (Nisha Nambiar)
    Chief General Manager-in-Charge

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over 20 schools in Delhi receive bomb threats emails

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) — More than 20 schools in the Indian city of Delhi received bomb threats via email on Friday morning, prompting the schools to be evacuated and thoroughly searched.

    According to the latest reports, no bombs or other explosives were found in the schools.

    Threatening emails cause panic among security services. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 18, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 180539

    Day 2 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1239 AM CDT Fri Jul 18 2025

    Valid 191200Z – 201200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY INTO
    SATURDAY NIGHT ACROSS PARTS OF EASTERN IOWA…SOUTHERN
    WISCONSIN…NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND INDIANA…CENTRAL AND
    SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN…NORTHERN AND WESTERN OHIO…PARTS OF
    NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND WESTERN NEW YORK STATE…

    …SUMMARY…
    Strong thunderstorms, including one or two organizing clusters, are
    possible across southern portions of the Great Lakes region and
    adjacent portions of the Ohio Valley Saturday into Saturday night,
    with more widely scattered strong thunderstorm development across
    the northern Rockies into adjacent high plains.

    …Discussion…
    Models indicate that at least some amplification to the mid/upper
    flow across the northern tier of the U.S. is probable during this
    period. It appears that this will include digging troughing across
    the Pacific Northwest through northern Rockies, downstream of
    increasingly prominent ridging building across the northeastern
    Pacific. Farther east, troughing is forecast to dig across and to
    the east of the Great Lakes, in advance of significant troughing
    within a separate branch of westerlies, pivoting southeast of Hudson
    Bay.

    In lower levels, the better defined remnants of an ongoing cold
    frontal intrusion to the lee of the Rockies, perhaps aided by
    stronger differential surface heating during the day Saturday, may
    shift east of the middle Mississippi through the lower Ohio Valley.
    At the same time, a reinforcing intrusion of cooler and drier air is
    forecast to advance across and south of the Upper Midwest and Great
    Lakes, probably in the wake of a weak eastward migrating surface
    low.

    …Midwest through Great Lakes/Ohio Valley…
    Model depictions concerning synoptic and sub-synoptic features,
    including potential convective evolution remain rather varied. In
    general, it appears that low-level moistening ahead of the
    reinforcing cold front will contribute to moderate destabilization
    as far north as the southern Great Lakes during the day Saturday.
    On the southern fringe of the stronger westerlies, 30-50 kt flow in
    the 850-500 mb layer across southern Wisconsin and Lower Michigan
    into the lower Great Lakes will contribute to potential for
    organized convective development. This may include a couple of
    supercells and perhaps an upscale growing cluster. Although
    mid-level lapse rates may be modest, this may be accompanied by some
    risk for hail, in addition to strong to severe surface gusts and
    perhaps a tornado or two.

    Southwestward toward the middle Mississippi into Ohio Valleys,
    deep-layer mean wind fields are likely to be weaker, but shear
    beneath west-northwesterly mid-level flow may still support
    potential for organized thunderstorm development, in the presence of
    a seasonably moist boundary-layer becoming characterized by sizable
    CAPE with daytime heating. Forcing for this activity remains
    unclear, and probably will hinge on convectively generated or
    augmented perturbations migrating around the northern periphery of
    mid/upper ridging encompassing much of the central and southern tier
    of the U.S. to the east of the Rockies.

    …Lee of the northern Rockies…
    Downstream of the digging mid/upper troughing across the Northwest,
    moisture return to deepening lee surface troughing is forecast to
    contribute to at least a narrow corridor of moderate to large
    mixed-layer CAPE, in the presence of steep lower/mid-tropospheric
    lapse rates. Veering of winds with height probably will contribute
    to sufficient shear for organized thunderstorm development,
    including supercells, as widely scattered to scattered thunderstorms
    develop off the higher terrain into the high plains late Saturday
    afternoon and evening. It is possible that severe weather
    probabilities could still be increased in later outlooks for this
    period.

    ..Kerr.. 07/18/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Amit Shah congratulates Ahmedabad for topping cleanest big cities list in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday congratulated the people of Ahmedabad after the city was ranked the cleanest metropolis in the million-plus population category in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.

    In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “A moment of pride for Ahmedabadis as the city is ranked at the top among the cleanest big cities in India in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. This honor stands as a testimony to the success of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision behind Swachhta Abhiyan, pursuing the principle of cleanliness as the key to public health, and mirrors the shared commitment of the people to the cause.”

    “Let this achievement be the cornerstone for achieving new heights in this arena by advancing the culture of cleanliness to new frontiers. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Ahmedabad and all the sanitation workers for their immense contributions,” he added.

    Bhopal and Lucknow followed Ahmedabad in the rankings, while Indore, maintaining its clean city record for eight consecutive years, was elevated to the newly created Super Swachh League.

    Expressing her happiness, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain told IANS, “I am truly delighted. Ahmedabad, being declared the cleanest big city, is a result of the relentless efforts of the entire administration and the active participation of our citizens. I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their visionary leadership and constant encouragement.”

    She added, “We worked tirelessly using the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R). We also implemented a waste-to-energy plant, which played a major role in our success. I hope that every city in Gujarat rises to the top in the coming years.”

    The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

    Launched in 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Swachh Survekshan has grown exponentially over the years. From just 73 cities in its inaugural edition, the 2024–25 survey covered an impressive 4,589 cities between April 2024 and March 2025.

    This year, awards were presented across four key segments: Super Swachh League Cities, Top Three Clean Cities in Five Population Categories, Special Categories (including Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Mahakumbh), and State-Level Awards recognizing the most promising clean cities.

    For the first time, cities were classified into five population-based categories, including a newly introduced segment for very small cities with populations under 10 lakh.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Amit Shah congratulates Ahmedabad for topping cleanest big cities list in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday congratulated the people of Ahmedabad after the city was ranked the cleanest metropolis in the million-plus population category in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.

    In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “A moment of pride for Ahmedabadis as the city is ranked at the top among the cleanest big cities in India in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. This honor stands as a testimony to the success of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision behind Swachhta Abhiyan, pursuing the principle of cleanliness as the key to public health, and mirrors the shared commitment of the people to the cause.”

    “Let this achievement be the cornerstone for achieving new heights in this arena by advancing the culture of cleanliness to new frontiers. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Ahmedabad and all the sanitation workers for their immense contributions,” he added.

    Bhopal and Lucknow followed Ahmedabad in the rankings, while Indore, maintaining its clean city record for eight consecutive years, was elevated to the newly created Super Swachh League.

    Expressing her happiness, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain told IANS, “I am truly delighted. Ahmedabad, being declared the cleanest big city, is a result of the relentless efforts of the entire administration and the active participation of our citizens. I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their visionary leadership and constant encouragement.”

    She added, “We worked tirelessly using the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R). We also implemented a waste-to-energy plant, which played a major role in our success. I hope that every city in Gujarat rises to the top in the coming years.”

    The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

    Launched in 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Swachh Survekshan has grown exponentially over the years. From just 73 cities in its inaugural edition, the 2024–25 survey covered an impressive 4,589 cities between April 2024 and March 2025.

    This year, awards were presented across four key segments: Super Swachh League Cities, Top Three Clean Cities in Five Population Categories, Special Categories (including Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Mahakumbh), and State-Level Awards recognizing the most promising clean cities.

    For the first time, cities were classified into five population-based categories, including a newly introduced segment for very small cities with populations under 10 lakh.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the 7-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction held on July 18, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 7-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,00,000
    Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 2,07,584
    Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 2,00,027
    Cut off Rate (%) 5.49
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 5.49
    Partial Acceptance Percentage of offers received at cut off rate 95.94

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/737

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the 7-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction held on July 18, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 7-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,00,000
    Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 2,07,584
    Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 2,00,027
    Cut off Rate (%) 5.49
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 5.49
    Partial Acceptance Percentage of offers received at cut off rate 95.94

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/737

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of Underwriting Auction conducted on July 18, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    In the underwriting auction conducted on July 18, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:

    Nomenclature of the Security Notified Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Additional Competitive Underwriting Amount Accepted
    (₹ crore)    		 Total Amount underwritten
    (₹ crore)    		 ACU Commission Cut-off rate
    (Paise per ₹100)
    New GS 2030 15,000 7,518 7,482 15,000 0.09
    7.09% GS 2054 12,000 6,006 5,994 12,000 0.23
    Auction for the sale of securities will be held on July 18, 2025.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/736

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Sensex, Nifty open lower amid FII selling pressure

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian equity indices opened lower on Friday, with heavyweights such as Axis Bank and Bharti Airtel among the top losers on the BSE benchmark.

    At 9:25 am, the Sensex was down 171 points or 0.21% at 82,087, while the Nifty slipped 35 points or 0.14% to 25,075.

    In the Sensex pack, M&M, Tata Steel, Power Grid, L&T, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Tata Motors, BEL, NTPC, TCS, Trent, and Maruti Suzuki emerged as top gainers. On the other hand, Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Eternal (Zomato), HUL, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Titan, and Bajaj Finserv were among the major losers.

    On the sectoral front, auto, IT, PSU banks, metal, realty, media, energy, infrastructure, PSE, and commodities witnessed gains, while financial services, FMCG, and private banks traded in the red.

    “In July so far, India has underperformed most global markets, with the Nifty slipping by 1.6%. A key contributor to the decline has been consistent selling by FIIs. There’s a clear pattern in FII activity this year,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    “They were net sellers in the first three months, turned buyers for the next three, and now in the seventh month, the trend has again shifted toward selling — unless some positive triggers reverse the current downtrend,” he added.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers for the second consecutive session on July 17, offloading equities worth ₹3,694 crore. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued their buying streak for the ninth straight session, purchasing equities worth ₹2,820 crore.

    Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, noted that the Nifty ended lower for the fifth time in seven sessions on Thursday, but still held above the rising trendline drawn from the May 9 lows.

    “Technically, Thursday’s daily candle formed a bearish engulfing pattern, which aligns with our earlier view — that a close above 25,245 and then 25,340 was necessary for bulls to regain control. Hence, 25,000 remains a crucial support level, while 25,340 acts as key resistance,” he said.

    In Asia, markets were mostly trading in the green, with Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Jakarta posting gains, while Tokyo and Seoul traded lower. US markets closed higher on Thursday, buoyed by positive investor sentiment.

    -IANS

  • Indian Navy to commission indigenous diving support vessel ‘Nistar’ today at Visakhapatnam

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a boost to India’s maritime capabilities and self-reliance in defence production, the Indian Navy will today commission its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nistar at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the commissioning ceremony, marking the formal induction of the state-of-the-art vessel into the Eastern Naval Command.

    Designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, Nistar represents a major milestone in the nation’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. More than 120 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the construction of the vessel, helping achieve an impressive indigenous content of over 80 percent.

    With a length of approximately 120 meters and a displacement exceeding 10,000 tons, Nistar is equipped with cutting-edge technology to support deep-sea diving and submarine rescue missions. It features a Dynamic Positioning System for precise maneuverability, advanced Air and Saturation Diving Systems, underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and Side Scan SONAR systems.

    Significantly, Nistar will serve as the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), marking a major enhancement in India’s submarine rescue capabilities.

    Onboard medical facilities further strengthen the ship’s versatility, with an operation theatre, intensive care unit, eight-bedded hospital, and hyperbaric medical infrastructure designed to support critical rescue and diving operations. The vessel also boasts an endurance of over 60 days at sea, helicopter staging capability, and a 15-ton subsea crane.

    The new vessel carries forward the legacy of its predecessor – ex-Nistar, a submarine rescue vessel acquired from the erstwhile USSR in 1969, which served the Navy until the early 1990s. The new Nistar inherits her motto: Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam – “Deliverance with Precision and Bravery.”

  • Lula says he won’t take orders from foreigner Trump, calls tariffs blackmail

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday said he would not take orders over tariffs from a foreigner, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, and later called the United States’ threatened duty “unacceptable blackmail.”

    The comments, made during two separate events, mark a continuation of a spat between the two leaders that escalated when the U.S. announced a 50% tariff on Brazil last week.

    Trump attributed the tariff, set to start in August, to Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro and to trade practices against U.S. companies that he said are unfair. The tariff announcement came days after Lula called Trump an “emperor” the world does not want.

    Lula and members of his cabinet have rejected the reasoning behind the tariffs and insisted on Brazil’s sovereignty, while calling for trade negotiations with the United States.

    “No foreigner is going to give orders to this president,” Lula said in a speech, using the slang word ‘gringo’, which in Brazil is a common term for foreigners without the pejorative sense it carries in other parts of Latin America.

    He added that Brazil would go ahead with regulation and taxation of U.S. tech firms, telling a gathering of leftist student activists in the state of Goias that tech firms are conduits of violence and fake news disguised as freedom of expression.

    Later on Thursday, during an evening TV and radio address to the nation, Lula said the defense of Brazil’s sovereignty extends to protecting itself against the actions of foreign digital platforms.

    During the near five-minute address, Lula said Brazil has been negotiating with the U.S. over tariffs, and repeated that the Latin America country had sent a proposal in May.

    “We expected a response, and what we received was unacceptable blackmail, in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions and false information about trade between Brazil and the United States,” Lula said.

    Brasilia has been holding discussions with industry groups and companies that will be affected by the U.S. tariff, while also readying potential retaliatory measures if talks fall through.

    Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told CNN Brasil separately on Thursday that Lula was open to talks with Trump, who had not yet met each other.

    “If the circumstances are given, they will speak,” he added.

    Lula, who is in his third non-consecutive term as president of Latin America’s largest economy, saw his approval ratings start to rebound after the trade spat with Trump last week.

    (Reuters)

  • India achieves successful trial of Akash Prime at high-altitude

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India achieved a major milestone on Wednesday by successfully intercepting and destroying two high-speed aerial unmanned targets using the Akash Prime air defence system in the high-altitude region of Ladakh, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement.

    The upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System has been specifically customised to operate at altitudes above 4,500 metres. It includes several enhancements, most notably an indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved target acquisition and engagement.

    According to the Ministry, the Akash Prime system has been developed through collaboration between the Indian Army’s Air Defence units, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), defence public sector undertakings like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with other industry partners.

    The successful trial was conducted as part of the “First of Production Model” firing tests, intended to validate the system’s performance before its induction into service. The Ministry said the trial would pave the way for timely deployment and bolster India’s air defence capabilities in challenging high-altitude frontiers.

    The test follows the strong operational performance of India’s air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, where Akash systems effectively neutralised aerial threats involving hostile drones and fighter aircraft.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Army, DRDO, and the industry partners on the achievement. He described the success as a major boost to India’s air defence capabilities, particularly in meeting operational demands in high-altitude regions.

    Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also extended his congratulations, stating that the Akash Prime missile had successfully fulfilled critical air defence requirements for high-altitude deployments.

  • India successfully tests Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles in Odisha

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Thursday successfully test-fired two key strategic ballistic missiles – the short-range Prithvi-II and Agni-I – from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, the Ministry of Defence announced.

    According to the Ministry, the launches were conducted by the Strategic Forces Command as part of routine training and validation exercises. Both missiles met all mission objectives and technical parameters, reaffirming their accuracy and operational readiness.

    “These tests validate key capabilities of India’s nuclear-capable delivery systems and demonstrate the robustness of its indigenous missile arsenal,” the Ministry said in a statement.

    The Prithvi-II and Agni-I are part of India’s domestically developed strategic missile systems and play a crucial role in maintaining the country’s defence preparedness.

    The successful trials come just a day after the Indian Army conducted a high-altitude test of the indigenous Akash Prime air defence system in Ladakh, at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet.

    Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash Prime system scored direct hits on two high-speed aerial targets during the trial, showcasing its precision in extreme terrain and atmospheric conditions.

    The test was observed by senior officials from the Army’s Air Defence wing and DRDO. Defence officials confirmed that Akash Prime will be deployed in the Army’s third and fourth Akash Regiments, further enhancing India’s air defence capabilities.

    The Akash air defence system has previously demonstrated its operational value, notably during Operation Sindoor, where it successfully intercepted aerial threats involving Chinese fighter aircraft and Turkish drones used by Pakistani forces.

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 17, 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) 6,09,521.02 5.30 4.75-6.35
         I. Call Money 18,360.64 5.35 4.75-5.40
         II. Triparty Repo 4,06,012.65 5.28 5.24-5.32
         III. Market Repo 1,82,713.18 5.34 5.00-6.00
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,434.55 5.48 5.42-6.35
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 205.10 5.33 4.95-5.50
         II. Term Money@@ 751.50 – 5.20-5.68
         III. Triparty Repo 1,079.00 5.30 5.30-5.30
         IV. Market Repo 189.34 5.50 5.50-5.50
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 17/07/2025 1 Fri, 18/07/2025 808.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 17/07/2025 1 Fri, 18/07/2025 1,06,279.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,05,471.00  
    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 Tue, 15/07/2025 3 Fri, 18/07/2025 57,450.00 5.49
      Fri, 11/07/2025 7 Fri, 18/07/2025 1,51,633.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       5,857.45  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,03,225.55  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -3,08,696.55  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 17, 2025 9,69,527.82  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 25, 2025 9,63,288.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 17, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 27, 2025 5,79,904.00  

    @ 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.

    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/735

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • PM Modi to visit Bihar, West Bengal today, unveil development projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bihar and West Bengal today (Friday), where he will launch a range of developmental projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore. After giving a major thrust to infrastructure development in both states, PM Modi will also address public gatherings in Motihari in Bihar and Durgapur in West Bengal.

    The projects, amounting to over Rs 7,200 crore for Bihar and over Rs 5,000 crore for Bengal, aim to elevate the region’s connectivity and overall infrastructural growth, while boosting employment, rural livelihoods and digital innovation.

    In Motihari, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects across rail, road, IT, fisheries and rural development sectors. He will flag off four Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Patna, Motihari, Darbhanga and Malda Town to major northern cities including Delhi and Lucknow.

    Key railway projects in Bihar include the inauguration of automatic signalling on the Samastipur-Bachhwara line and the doubling of Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur sections worth Rs 580 crore.

    The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for rail infrastructure projects including a Vande Bharat maintenance facility at Patliputra and doubling of the Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj line, amounting to Rs 4,080 crore.

    In road infrastructure, PM Modi will launch the four-laning of the Ara bypass and Parariya-Mohania section of NH-319 with a combined investment of Rs 820 crore, improving access to the Delhi-Kolkata Golden Quadrilateral.

    To foster Bihar’s digital economy, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility in Darbhanga and an incubation centre in Patna, boosting start-ups and IT/ITES exports.

    Under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, he will launch new fisheries infrastructure including hatcheries, aquaculture units and fish feed mills.

    PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal, worth around Rs 1,950 crore to give a boost to Oil and Gas infrastructure in the region. It will provide PNG connections to households, commercial establishments and industrial customers and provide CNG at the retail outlets.

    PM Modi will also dedicate to the nation the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 Km) of Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI China: Jackson Wang on ‘MagicMan 2’: A decade of stardom, a journey to self

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

    .

    Chinese superstar Jackson Wang is offering fans an unprecedented look into his personal journey with his newest album, “MagicMan 2,” which features raw and unfiltered reflections on his life, revealing a deeply human side of the artist.

    Jackson Wang and a China.org.cn reporter sit down for an interview in Shanghai, June 28, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, Wang peeled back the layers of his meticulously crafted persona, explaining how the album — a follow-up to his first physical solo release “MagicMan” (2022) — was born from a year of introspection, diary entries and hard-won self-acceptance.

    “For 10 years, just being on the road always with back-to-back schedules, I felt like I didn’t even have time to really think,” said Wang, who debuted at age 19 as a member of K-pop boy band GOT7. “I missed out a lot in my 20s.”

    Wang said he realized he needed to slow down and understand his life’s purpose. He described questioning whether he was living authentically or simply conforming to public expectations — a crisis that drove his latest artistic work.

    The 11-track album, due for release on July 18, is divided into four sections: “Manic Highs,” “Losing Control,” “Realizations” and “Acceptance.” The songs chronicle Wang’s experience with fame’s highs and lows, using lyrics taken from personal journals he kept during a year-long break.

    A promotional image shows Jackson Wang and his fictional MagicMan alter ego. The image serves as the single cover art for Wang’s “Hate to Love.” [Photo courtesy of Team Wang Records]

    Four singles have been released already ahead of the album’s full debut. The lead single “High Alone” hit No. 1 on Apple Music in 22 countries and regions. Follow-up track “GBAD” has over 32.5 million YouTube views, while “Buck,” featuring Indian actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, has attracted more than 8.7 million views. The fourth single, “Hate to Love,” reached No. 34 on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart and has over 16.3 million YouTube views.

    Despite their commercial success, the tracks explore darker themes including fame’s pressures, betrayal and personal struggles. “High Alone” deals with betrayal and emotional exhaustion, with its music video showing Wang’s alter ego, MagicMan, trapped in a water tank, watched by callous onlookers. In “Hate to Love,” Wang sings: “Wish I could still trust you, trust you. It’s funny how people can be selfish. I give it all, give it all, give it all. But you still want more.”

    Yet “MagicMan 2” isn’t just about pain — it’s about perspective. At 31, Wang reflects on life’s complexities with hard-earned wisdom. “The main point of this album is talking about what’s good without the bad, and what’s bad without the good, right?” Wang said. “You need to feel what’s bad to know that something is actually good.”

    The vinyl version of “MagicMan 2” is set for release on July 18, 2025. [Image courtesy of Team Wang Records]

    Speaking to a China.org.cn reporter before attending the BazaarGala red carpet in Shanghai, a self-assured and energized Wang said the album documents past struggles rather than current ones. He described music as healing him from severe depression. “Whatever I wrote about, that’s in the past. I’ve recovered. I moved on with it. But my album is about capturing all those highlights of what happened — the journey of dealing with emotions in life.”

    Among the album’s most personal moments is a song titled “Sophie Ricky,” which addresses Wang’s family. During his period of reflection, Wang said he gained clarity about his parents’ sacrifices. “We’re born into this world thinking that our parents will figure everything out,” he said. “It took time for us as we mature to realize, our parents were just like us.”

    He described parenthood as a universal cycle: “It feels like, to me, we’re on the same street, but they’re just further ahead. Eventually, in the future, it’s the same thing that might happen — my kids are gonna tell me too.”

    The album reveals a more vulnerable side of the global star, moving away from the polished image that has defined his career.

    Though Wang performed to enthusiastic crowds at the Head in the Clouds Festival 2025 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in early June, he expressed uncertainty about upcoming concerts. “I would do a concert, but we’ll see. If the album’s doing good, then obviously I’ll have a concert. But people need to come and watch, right? If there’s no one coming to watch, then I can just perform at home.”

    Jackson Wang greets China.org.cn audiences during an interview in Shanghai, June 28, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Wang said “MagicMan 2” represents more than just an album. “A lot of stuff, no matter if it’s good or bad, that happened to a person, it made who you are today,” he said. “Everyone needs to go through their version of MagicMan to get through life. That is what I want to tell my audience. That’s it.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: As Republicans Gut Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood, Sen. Markey, Rep. Fletcher Host Spotlight Hearing on Republican Attacks on Birth Control Access

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Watch: Senator Markey hosts spotlight hearing on birth control access in the Post-Roe Era

    Washington (July 17, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee’s Subcommittee on Primary Health & Retirement Security, and Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) held a hearing yesterday titled “A Right at Risk: Protecting the Right to Contraception and Reproductive Freedom in the Post-Roe Era” to spotlight how Republican attacks on birth control access threaten reproductive freedom nationwide. Earlier this month, Republicans cut millions in Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in their so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Trump signed into law.

    “As Republicans pursue their agenda of unprecedented cuts to our health programs, banning funding for Planned Parenthood and ripping health care away from millions of Americans, the threat to the right to contraception is no longer hypothetical—it is real, and it is here,” said Senator Markey. “We must meet this moment with the urgency it deserves. We must pass the Right to Contraception Act and guarantee that reproductive freedom does not depend on where you live or who is in power in your statehouse. We cannot allow MAGA extremists to roll back decades of progress. And we will not stop until the right to contraception and reproductive freedom is protected—for everyone, everywhere.”

    “As Republicans wage unprecedented and unconstitutional attacks on Americans’ health care, it is important for us to hear from those on the frontlines of the fight for reproductive freedom,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Millions of Americans rely on contraception of all kinds to plan their families and their lives, and ninety percent of Americans support access to all forms of birth control. I am grateful to Senator Markey for joining me in hosting today’s hearing to bring this important issue to light. As a representative from a state intent on taking away our right and our access to quality, affordable reproductive health care, I will continue to do everything I can to protect the health, privacy, dignity, and autonomy of women and families across our country.”

    Senator Markey and Representative Fletcher were joined by several reproductive rights experts and advocates who delivered testimony on how Republican attacks on birth control access harm communities across the country.

    “Across the country—and in my home state of Indiana—birth control is being targeted through misinformation and ideology that are completely disconnected from science and clinical reality. These attacks are not about patient safety or public health. They are about control and because of the broad popularity of contraception, they are designed to be less noticeable,” said Dr. Tracey Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine. Read Dr. Tracey Wilkinson’s testimony here.

    “Access to contraception is essential to sexual and reproductive healthcare and gender equity. Contraception is not merely a matter of personal choice; it is healthcare, and access to this healthcare has a large and positive impact on maternal and infant health outcomes, economic stability, and prosperous, safe communities. Nonetheless, the advances we have made in a ‘purple’ state like Virginia are clearly precarious,” said Tarina Keene, executive director of REPRO Rising Virginia. “And—if a state like Virginia can’t rely on its own government to protect and advance its right to contraception, then surely other state governments, ones that are more openly attacking reproductive rights, cannot be expected to do the same.” Read Tarina Keene’s testimony here.

    “Jane’s Due Process has helped young Texans access reproductive healthcare for almost 25 years. Texas has required parental involvement for access to prescriptive birth control for young people under 18 since 1998, and in 2022, a federal judge determined that Title X federal family planning providers could no longer provide prescriptive birth control to Texas teens without parental consent despite decades of protected federal provision. We hear every day from young people negatively impacted by these barriers. We believe that everyone, including young people, deserve the right to self-determination, and full access to the complete spectrum of family planning options, including birth control, is a big part of ensuring that right. We need to protect and expand young people’s access to contraception so that they can make the decisions for their own futures that are right for them,” said Lucie Arvallo, Executive Director, Jane’s Due Process. Read Lucie Arvallo’s testimony here.

    “Contraception is a key component of reproductive health care. The decision about whether, when, or how to become a parent is one of the most important life decisions we make. For the past sixty years, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has touched the lives of more than a million people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, including for birth control services. We are an integral part of the health care system and proudly provide the highest quality, nonjudgmental care to all who walk through our doors. Patients count on us. The reality is that in rural states like ours, you’d be hard pressed to find someone whose life hasn’t been touched by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England,” said Nicole Clegg, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. “That’s why the attacks targeting Planned Parenthood are so dangerous. The harm caused when we are forced to leave a community is well documented. People’s health is jeopardized. They go without care. Cancers are left undetected. Unintended pregnancy rates rise, and pregnancy outcomes worsen. Birth control is essential health care. No one wants politicians and judges involved in their medical decisions. People want to be able to see their trusted provider, get medically accurate information, and have peace of mind. Thank you to our champions in Congress for shining a light on the devastating outcomes of the attacks on birth control and the providers who make access possible.” Read Nicole Clegg’s testimony here.

    “Contraception is essential health care — and a vital tool that allows people to decide if, when, and how to grow their families,” said Taylor St. Germain, Deputy Director of Reproductive Equity Now. “When it came to Roe, we waited too long to act, and that delay cost us dearly. We can’t make that same mistake again. I’m grateful to Senator Markey and Representative Fletcher for bringing us together for this critical, timely hearing to protect our care and defend our right to contraception at the federal level before it’s too late.” Read Taylor St. Germain’s testimony here.

    In February 2025, Senator Markey reintroduced the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would create a statutory right to obtain and use contraceptives and ensure health care providers have a right to provide contraceptives, contraception, and share information about this essential care.

    In September 2024, Senator Markey joined Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in support of the Right to IVF Act, legislation that would establish a nationwide right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology, as well as lower the costs of IVF treatment for the millions of families who need it to have their children. In October 2023, Senator Markey, alongside with other Democratic Senators urged the Biden administration to require insurers to fully cover over-the-counter birth control, with no out-of-pocket costs or prescription barrier.

    MIL OSI USA News –