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Category: India

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Tags that help players identify accessibility features now available across all digital Xbox experiences

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Tags that help players identify accessibility features now available across all digital Xbox experiences

    Created in collaboration with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Electronic Arts, Google, Nintendo of America, Ubisoft and other gaming companies as part of the newly formed Accessible Games Initiative, the Accessible Games Initiative tags help the more than 429 million players with some form of disability identify the accessibility features available in a specific game, before they make a purchase.

    This transition to the new Accessible Games Initiative tags is a continuation of the work Xbox started in 2021 by releasing the Xbox Game Accessibility Feature tags.  Any Xbox Game Accessibility Feature tags that do not have equivalent Accessible Games Initiative tags will remain on our platform. This new combination of tags will make it even easier for players with disabilities to learn about available accessibility features and find their next great game. 

    We caught up with Brannon Zahand, Senior Technical Program Manager at Xbox, and Steve Saylor, content creator and gaming accessibility advocate, to discuss the work towards greater standardization of accessibility in games, what these tags mean for players today, and why this work is important.

    You can also head over to the Microsoft Game Developer Blog to check out an interview with Phil Crabtree, Technical Director & Co-founder of Kaizen Game Works, about his team’s work designing games with accessibility in mind and the importance of the Accessibility Game Initiative tags.

    Interview with Brannon Zahand, Senior Technical Program Manager at Xbox, and Steve Saylor, Content Creator and Gaming Accessibility Advocate

    Today’s a big day! What does it mean to you, on a personal level, to have the new Accessible Games Initiative tags available across all digital Xbox experiences?

    Brannon Zahand: This work has been over half a decade in the making, so finally seeing these new tags in our store experiences is incredibly exciting. And it’s been amazing to see not just the positive community sentiment, but the rapid adoption we’ve had from game developers.

    Steve Saylor: I’m very excited! As more and more accessible games are being released, being able to find them via tags that cater to my accessibility needs is fantastic. I’ll be able to find my next favourite game or find that rare gem that I would’ve missed.

    Where exactly can players find these new tags, and will the Xbox Game Accessibility Feature Tags still be available?

    Zahand: On console, these tags can be found in many places, including the Xbox Store and filters in “My Games & Apps.” They are also available in the Xbox PC app, Xbox Mobile app, as well as on Xbox.com. In total, players will find more than 4,000 tags across all these experiences, which we’re really proud of. As for the original Xbox Game Accessibility Tags, we kept the tags which didn’t have Accessible Games Initiative equivalents as we heard from the community that they still found these very helpful. Those tags are “Accessibility on launch,” “On-demand tutorials,” “Pausable,” “Adjustable input sensitivity,” and “Single stick gameplay.”

    Why are these new tags being introduced, when Xbox already had its own tagging system?

    Zahand: Obviously, we love our Xbox Game Accessibility Tags. Developers and consumers alike both told us they gained a lot of value from them. But, at Xbox, we really view accessibility through the lens of collaboration, not competition. We realized we can do more good for our community and the developers that support them if we can align with other industry leaders to create a consistent language for developers to share information about what accessibility features their games have, regardless of platform or storefront. It reduces the amount of effort developers have to make to try to support different tagging systems, and makes it easier for the community by reducing the number of tagging systems they have to learn.

    As a founding member of the Accessible Games Initiative, what was it like to work with not only the ESA, but other industry partners, on these tags?

    Zahand: It was such an amazing experience. There are so many passionate accessibility experts and advocates in our industry now, and having the opportunity to tackle such a transformative initiative with them was so rewarding. My sincere thanks go out to each and every one of them for all the effort they poured into making the Accessible Games Initiative a reality.

    The Accessible Games Initiative marks a significant step in the standardization of accessibility in video games. Why is this important?

     Zahand: For years, people spoke about accessibility using similar terms but with very different meanings and expectations. For example, a long time back, I remember seeing a game that advertised itself as having subtitles. I was excited to try it out until I realized the subtitles were white text… and a decent chunk of the game was played in a snowy environment. There were points where it was impossible to read the text. Now, I was fortunate that I didn’t need the subtitles; for me, they were a “nice to have.” But I can imagine that those who rely on subtitles, like players in from the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, were likely frustrated by this. With these new tags, individuals buying a game tagged with “Large & Clear Subtitles” can be certain that the subtitles will have an adjustable background ensuring they’ll be able to read text regardless of the  game environment in the background. And if you think about it, this makes it easier for game developers as well. It gives them a clear place to start when they think about what types of accessibility features they may want to implement and the “minimum bars” that make those features useful and enjoyable.

    Saylor: It’s important because right now accessibility information about a game is rare. We get some info here and there, but we often won’t know if a game is accessible until we buy it and play it ourselves. With these tags it’s a great step forward for the industry to at least have a baseline of information so we can make our purchasing decisions wisely.

    What do you hope these tags signal to the rest of the industry?

    Zahand: I hope these tags are a reminder to developers, publishers, and consumers alike that accessibility is a win-win. Accessible games are good for everyone. For gamers, they give those who need these features an opportunity to take part, and those who simply enjoy customizing their gaming experience more options to do so. For developers, it allows their art to be enjoyed by more people. And since the use of these tags and implementation of these features isn’t mandatory, it gives them the freedom to do what they think is best for their game and players.

    Saylor: I hope it’s a signal to the industry that accessibility is not a daunting thing. Yes, it can be a lot of work. But, instead of being a mysterious thing, developers can look at the tags and say, “Oh that’s how you do it? That can totally be done.” It’s not the whole picture but it at least sets a standard going forward.

    If I am a game developer hearing about these tags for the first time, how can I get involved?

    Zahand: For Xbox developers, I’d recommend checking out our developer documentation on both the Accessible Games Initiative tags and Xbox Accessibility Feature Tags at https://aka.ms/afts. And for those developing on other platforms, a great place to get started is the Accessible Games Initiative website at https://www.accessiblegames.com. 

    Finally, are there any games that have surprised and delighted you with their accessibility options, and how are those represented in the new AGI tags?

    Zahand: It’s amazing to see how many titles have adopted these tags since they became available. I was really happy to see that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages all implemented some great accessibility features, including features covered by both the Accessible Games Initiative tags and Xbox Accessibility Feature tags.

    Saylor: A game that surprised me the most this year was Atomfall. Not only is it a great game to play on Game Pass, but it has a large amount of accessibility that made it so much fun to play. It has multiple tags already that include Clear and Large Text, Large and Clear Subtitles, Playable with Keyboard, or Touch controls, and more. I definitely recommend giving it a try!

    Visit www.accessiblegames.com to explore the tags and learn more. 

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: China’s interest in the next Dalai Lama is also about control of Tibet’s water supply

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Harper, Lecturer in International Relations, University of East London

    As the 14th Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday with thousands of Tibetan Buddhists, there’s already tension over how the next spiritual leader will be selected. Controversially, the Chinese government has suggested it wants more power over who is chosen.

    Traditionally, Tibetan leaders and aides seek a young boy who is seen as the chosen reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. It is possible that after they do this, this time Beijing will try to appoint a rival figure.

    However, the current Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India, insists that the process of succession will be led by the Swiss-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, which manages his affairs. He said no one else had authority “to interfere in this matter” and that statement is being seen as a strong signal to China.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Throughout the 20th century, Tibetans struggled to create an independent state, as their homeland was fought over by Russia, the UK and China. In 1951, Tibetan leaders signed a treaty with China allowing a Chinese military presence on their land.

    China established the Tibetan Autonomous Region in 1965, in name this means that Tibet is an autonomous region within China, but in effect it is tightly controlled. Tibet has a government in exile, based in India, that still wants Tibet to become an independent state.

    This is a continuing source of tension between the two countries. India also claims part of Tibet as its own territory.

    Beijing sees having more power over the selection of the Dalai Lama as an opportunity to stamp more authority on Tibet. Tibet’s strategic position and its resources are extremely valuable to China, and play a part in Beijing’s wider plans for regional dominance, and in its aim of pushing back against India, its powerful rival in south Asia.

    The Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday as many Tibetans living in China fear talking about independence.

    Tibet provides China with a naturally defensive border with the rest of southern Asia, with its mountainous terrain providing a buffer against India. The brief Sino-Indian war of 1962 when the two countries battled for control of the region, still has implications for India and China today, where they continue to dispute border lands.

    As with many powerful nations, China has always been concerned about threats, or rival power bases, within its neighbourhood. This is similar to how the US has used the Monroe Doctrine to ensure its dominance over Latin America, and how Russia seeks to maintain its influence over former Soviet states.

    Beijing views western criticism of its control of Tibet as interference in its sphere of influence.



    Read more:
    India and Pakistan tension escalates with suspension of historic water treaty

    Another source of contention is that Beijing traditionally views boundaries such as the McMahon line defining the China-India border as lacking legitimacy, a border drawn up when China was at its weakest in the 19th century. Known in China as the “century of humiliation”, this was characterised by a series of unequal treaties, which saw the loss of territory to stronger European powers.

    This continues to a source of political tensions in China’s border regions including Tibet. This is a controversial part of China’s historical memory and continues to influence its ongoing relationship with the west.

    Demand for natural resources

    Tibet’s importance to Beijing also comes from its vast water resources. Access to more water is seen as increasingly important for China’s wider push towards self-sufficiency which has become imperative in the face of climate change. This also provides China with a significant geopolitical tool.

    For instance, the Mekong River rises in Tibet and flows through China and along the borders of Myanamar and Laos and onward into Thailand and Cambodia. It is the third longest river in Asia, and is crucial for many of the economies of south-east Asia. It is estimated to sustain 60 million people.

    China’s attempts to control water supplies, particularly through the building of huge dams in Tibet, has added to regional tensions. Around 50% of the flow to the Mekong was cut off for part of 2021, after a Chinese mega dam was built. This caused a lot of resentment from other countries which depended on the water.

    Moves by other nations to control access to regional water supplies in recent years show how water is now becoming a negotiating tool. India attempted to cut off Pakistan’s water supply in 2025 as part of the conflict between the two. Control of Tibet allows China to pursue a similar strategy, which grants Beijing leverage in its dealings with New Delhi, and other governments.


    Shutterstock.

    Another natural resource is also a vital part of China’s planning. Tibet’s significant lithium deposits are crucial for Chinese supply chains, particularly for their use in the electric vehicle industry. Beijing is attempting to reduce its reliance on western firms and supplies, in the face of the present trade tensions between the US and China, and Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods.

    Tibet’s value to China is a reflection of wider changes in a world where water is increasingly playing an important role in geopolitics. With its valuable natural resources, China’s desire to control Tibet is not likely to decrease.

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

    – ref. China’s interest in the next Dalai Lama is also about control of Tibet’s water supply – https://theconversation.com/chinas-interest-in-the-next-dalai-lama-is-also-about-control-of-tibets-water-supply-255843

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • PM Modi holds talks with Namibian President, discusses trade, defence and digital cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the State House in Windhoek on Wednesday during his state visit. The Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by Nandi-Ndaitwah and accorded a ceremonial reception on arrival.

    This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Namibia in 27 years and is also the first bilateral state visit hosted by Nandi-Ndaitwah since she assumed office in March this year.

    Congratulating Nandi-Ndaitwah on her election, the PM recalled the deep historical ties between the two countries and conveyed condolences on the passing of Namibia’s Founding Father and first President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, earlier this year.

    During their talks, the two leaders discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including defence, maritime security, digital technology and UPI, agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals, energy, and critical minerals. They welcomed the steady growth in trade and called for expediting discussions on an India-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement to unlock greater economic potential.

    The Prime Minister assured India’s commitment to scaling up development cooperation with Namibia through capacity building and partnerships in establishing manufacturing facilities. He offered India’s support for Quick Impact development projects in areas such as agriculture, IT, cyber security, healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and child welfare. Sharing India’s experience in using drones for agriculture, the PM suggested the technology could add value for Namibian farmers.

    PM Modi also thanked Namibia for its role in India’s cheetah conservation project and invited the country to join the International Big Cat Alliance.

    Both leaders discussed global issues of mutual concern, including strengthening the fight against terrorism. The PM thanked Namibia for its support following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and stressed the need to amplify the voice of the Global South.

    Two MoUs were also exchanged in health and entrepreneurship during the meeting.

    Namibia announced its decision to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance, becoming the first country to sign a licensing agreement to adopt India’s UPI technology.

    Nandi-Ndaitwah later hosted a banquet in honour of PM Modi, who invited her to visit India at a mutually convenient date.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: India: Prime Minister meets with the President of Namibia

    Source: APO


    .

    On the occasion of his State Visit to Namibia, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met today with the President of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the State House in Windhoek. On arrival at the State House, Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Nandi-Ndaitwah and accorded a ceremonial reception. This visit from India to Namibia at the level of Prime Minister took place after 27 years. This was also the first bilateral State Visit that President Nandi-Ndaitwah hosted after taking over office in March this year.

    ​Prime Minister congratulated President Nandi-Ndaitwah on being elected the Head of State of Namibia. The two leaders recalled the proud history that underpins bilateral ties. Prime Minister conveyed condolences on the passing away this year of the Founding Father of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma. The two leaders held discussions on further strengthening bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence, maritime security, digital technology & UPI, agriculture, health and pharma, energy and critical minerals.

    Expressing satisfaction with the growth in bilateral trade, the leaders noted that full potential on this account was still to be tapped. In this regard, they called for discussions on India-SACU PTA to be expedited. Prime Minister noted that India would be scaling up development cooperation efforts through capacity building programs for Namibian experts and exploring partnerships in setting up manufacturing facilities in Namibia. Prime Minister offered India’s support for Quick Impact development projects in the areas of agriculture, Information Technology, cyber security, healthcare, education, women empowerment and child welfare. Prime Minister shared the experience of India in using drones for agricultural purposes, a project which could bring value to Namibia.

    ​Prime Minister thanked President Nandi-Ndaitwah for Namibia’s support in the Cheetah conservation project in India. He also invited Namibia to join the International Big Cat Alliance.

    ​The two leaders discussed global issues of mutual interests. Prime Minister thanked Namibia for its strong support and solidarity extended to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. They agreed to strengthen the global fight against terrorism. They also committed to work together to amplify the voice of the Global South.

    Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of two MoUs in the fields of health and entrepreneurship. In addition, it was announced that Namibia has joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance, and it is the first country to enter into a licensing agreement to adopt UPI technology.

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister. Prime Minister invited her to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: India: Prime Minister conferred with Namibia’s highest civilian award

    Source: APO


    .

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is paying a State Visit to Namibia. On the occasion, the President of Namibia, H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred on Prime Minister the highest civilian award of Namibia – Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. He is the first Indian leader to be given this award.

    ​Accepting the award, Prime Minister dedicated the honor to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the historic and enduring ties between India and Namibia. Prime Minister expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Nandi-Ndaitwah and the people of Namibia for the accolade.

    The conferment of the award on Prime Minister is a milestone in the bilateral ties between India and Namibia and stands as a font of inspiration for the younger generations in both countries to take this special bilateral partnership to greater heights.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: India: Prime Minister pays homage to the Founding Father and First President of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma, at Heroes Acre memorial

    Source: APO


    .

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid homage to the Founding Father and the First President of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma at the Heroes Acre memorial.

    Prime Minister remembered Dr. Sam Nujoma as a visionary leader who devoted his life to the struggle for Namibia’s independence. As the first President of free Namibia, Dr. Nujoma made inspiring contribution to the country’s nation making. His legacy continues to inspire people across the world.

    Dr. Sam Nujoma was a great friend of India. His august presence during the establishment of the first ever-diplomatic mission of Namibia [SWAPO at that time] in 1986 in New Delhi will always be cherished and fondly remembered by the people of India.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Membership Updates for July 2025

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Membership Updates for July 2025

    IADC welcomes 8 new Members:

    • ASIATIC ENERGY – Mahesana, Gujarat, India

    • BASRA VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER – Al Hussien District, Basra, Iraq 

    • BETATEC HOP PRODUCTS – Malvern, Worcestershire, UK 

    • BRUNO SILVA CARNEIRO MAPURUNGA – Mojave, California, US

    • DUKE MARINE TECHNICAL SERVICES USA INC – Katy, Texas, US

    • FARSUND DRILLING SOLUTION AS – Farsund, Agder, Norway 

    • INTERNATIONAL UPSTREAM ENERGY CONSULTANTS LLC FC – Pecos, Texas, US

    • STEPWISE AS – Stavanger, Norway

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Richard R. Barker Concludes Service as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

     Spokane, Washington – On July 7, 2025, Richard R. Barker stepped down as the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. Barker will be returning to private practice in Spokane after a distinguished career in public service.

    Acting United States Attorney Barker has over a decade of experience as a career prosecutor, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney since 2014.  During his career, Barker has held the positions of First Assistant United States Attorney, Tribal Liaison, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Coordinator, Digital Asset Coordinator, and Public Affairs Officer.  From 2014 – 2019, Barker served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the nation’s capital, where he served as a dedicated homicide prosecutor.  In early 2019, Barker joined the Eastern District of Washington, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) in the Spokane office.

    Acting United States Attorney Barker has dedicated his career to serving victims of violent crime, while handling numerous homicide and violent crime cases. Late last year, Barker was lead counsel with AUSA Michael J. Ellis in the trial of Zachery Holt and Dezmonique Tenzsley for the double murder of two Tribal members and the attempted murder of a federal officer on the Colville Indian Reservation. In 2023, Barker successfully prosecuted Ronald Craig Ilg, who attempted to hire hitmen on the dark web to harm his wife and a former work colleague.  Earlier this year, Barker was lead counsel with AUSA Nowles Heinrich and Echo Fatsis in the successful trial of Luis Esquival Balonos, who was convicted on multiple drug trafficking charges stemming from more than one hundred pounds of illegal drugs being distributed on and around the Colville Indian Reservation and into Montana. Barker, who carried an active caseload while leading the office, was the first Eastern Washington U.S. Attorney in nearly two decades to try a case to a verdict while serving in the U.S. Attorney role.

    Throughout his career, Acting United States Attorney Barker also handled several significant drug trafficking prosecutions.  In 2023, Barker, with co-counsel AUSA Stephanie Van Marter, prosecuted the “Fetty Bros” Drug Trafficking Organization, which was distributing hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills and other drugs into Eastern Washington and using extreme violence to insulate their organization. In his efforts to further address the fentanyl crisis, Barker worked with now former U.S. Attorney Waldref and the City of Spokane to create a Special U.S. Assistant Attorney position focused on prosecuting those responsible for illegal narcotics impacting the Spokane area.

    As First Assistant United States Attorney, Barker supervised the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s litigating units, which include the Criminal, Civil, and Appellate Divisions. As the Chief Deputy to the U.S. Attorney, Barker helped establish the District’s dedicated Appellate Division and worked closely with the Office’s administrative team to obtain additional DOJ resources for increasing public safety throughout Eastern Washington.

    Throughout his service, Former Acting U.S. Attorney Barker built strong relationships with Washington’s Native American communities and worked tirelessly to honor federal treaty rights with Tribal Nations in Eastern Washington and address the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous people. In early 2024, Barker played a key role in hiring the district’s first MMIP AUSA, who is fully dedicated to prosecuting cases of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People.  For Barker’s dedication to working with Native American communities and improving public safety, he received a Department of Justice Director’s Award in 2024.

    “Serving as a federal prosecutor has been the highlight of my career,” said Barker. “It has been an honor to represent the United States and seek justice for victims and their families. Spokane has truly become home for me and my family, and I look forward to remaining active in the legal community as I return to private practice right here in Eastern Washington.”

    Former U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref stated, “Acting U.S. Attorney Barker is an exceptional leader, a talented trial attorney, and a fearless advocate for justice. His service to the Department of Justice and dedication to protecting the communities of Eastern Washington is second to none. He led the District with distinction, focusing every day on doing the right thing for victims and the community and maintaining an unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.”

    Outside the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Barker will continue to serve as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law, where he has taught courses in Trial Advocacy and Conflicts of Law. Barker also serves as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    Stephanie Van Marter will be assuming the role of Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “I’m honored to pass the torch to Acting U.S. Attorney Van Marter,” said Barker. “Steph has dedicated her career to the Department of Justice, and she will lead this office with the same honor, integrity, and commitment to justice as those who have served before her.” A formal announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding Ms. Van Marter’s new role will be issued in the coming days.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • PM Modi pays tribute to Namibia’s Founding Father Dr. Sam Nujoma at Heroes Acre Memorial

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to Namibia’s Founding Father and first President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, at the Heroes Acre memorial during his state visit to the country.

    Remembering Dr. Nujoma as a visionary leader, the Prime Minister said he devoted his entire life to Namibia’s struggle for independence and laid a strong foundation for the nation as its first President. “His inspiring contribution to nation-building continues to motivate people across the world,” PM Modi noted.

    Dr. Nujoma shared a close bond with India. His presence during the establishment of Namibia’s first-ever diplomatic mission — the SWAPO office — in New Delhi in 1986 is fondly remembered as a symbol of enduring friendship between the two nations.

  • Heavy rains lash Delhi-NCR, IMD issues red alert amid traffic chaos

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A sudden spell of heavy rain battered Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and a red alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

    The IMD, in its latest advisory, warned that the weather system moving eastward is expected to bring moderate rainfall across most parts of the region, with isolated pockets likely to witness heavy downpours over the next few hours.

    Light to moderate rain had already begun in several eastern parts of Delhi by evening, and conditions were rapidly intensifying.

    Authorities have flagged a high risk of localized flooding on roads, particularly in low-lying areas across Delhi-NCR. Several underpasses in vulnerable zones may face temporary closures due to rising water levels, while traffic movement across key stretches is expected to slow down significantly.

    The IMD cautioned that heavy rain could lead to occasional reductions in visibility, especially for motorists navigating slippery and waterlogged roads, raising the risk of accidents and extended traffic snarls. Daily life and outdoor business operations are also likely to be impacted.

    In addition to urban disruptions, the downpour could potentially damage plantations, horticultural assets, and standing crops. Temporary structures and weak constructions, particularly in informal settlements, may suffer partial damage due to strong winds and water seepage.

    The IMD has urged residents to follow all advisories issued by civic authorities and to avoid non-essential travel. People are advised to stay indoors, keep doors and windows securely shut, and avoid taking shelter under trees during the storm due to the risk of lightning.

    Meanwhile, the IMD also issued an orange alert for the national capital, forecasting moderate rainfall accompanied by light thunderstorms and lightning across Delhi and adjoining areas. The day’s maximum temperature was expected to settle around 35°C, with the minimum hovering near 24°C.

    —IANS

  • PM Modi awarded Namibia’s highest civilian honour during state visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was conferred with Namibia’s highest civilian honour, ‘The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis’, during his one-day state visit to the African nation.

    The award was presented by the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, at a special ceremony, marking a new milestone in the ties between the two nations.

    Accepting the award, the PM dedicated it to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the historic and enduring partnership between India and Namibia. “I accept this honour with deep gratitude, and I dedicate it to the people of India and the timeless bond our two countries share,” the Prime Minister said, expressing his heartfelt thanks to Nandi-Ndaitwah and the people of Namibia.

    PM Modi is the first Indian leader to receive this honour.

    Established in 1995, the award recognises distinguished service and leadership. It is named after the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a unique desert plant found only in Namibia that symbolises resilience, longevity and the enduring spirit of its people.

    This is PM Modi’s 27th international honour, the fourth during his ongoing five-nation tour and the second in less than 24 hours.

  • MIL-OSI: PureWager Group, LLC Announces Strategic Partnership with BoscaSports to Revolutionize Gaming in U.S. and International Markets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHERIDAN, Wyo., July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PureWager Group, LLC, a leader in gaming technology and recent recipient of an exclusive online gaming license with the Odawa Indian Tribe, today announced a strategic partnership with BoscaSports, a global innovator in digital betting displays and platform solutions. This collaboration will deploy state-of-the-art sportsbook, iGaming, and retail kiosk technologies across U.S. tribal markets and international jurisdictions (future announcements coming soon).

    Backed by 22X Ventures, PureWager’s investment partner, the alliance merges BoscaSports’ proven retail and racing expertise with PureWager’s gaming technology platform to create a seamless, omnichannel experience for operators and bettors worldwide.

    A Partnership Built for Growth  

    The partnership will focus on three key areas:

    1. U.S. Markets: Integration of BoscaSports’ retail solutions with PureWager’s digital platform, enhancing in-venue and online experiences for tribal and commercial operators.

    2. International Expansion: Joint deployment of sportsbook and iGaming solutions in selected international markets through local partners.

    3. Global Innovation: Co-development of AI-driven betting tools, automated multilingual content, and hybrid retail-digital ecosystems for emerging markets.

    “This partnership is a game-changer for the tribal gaming industry and beyond,” said Elliott Banks, Co-Founder of PureWager. “BoscaSports’ retail technology and our digital platform create a turnkey solution that empowers operators to engage customers everywhere—from casinos to mobile devices.”

    Why It Matters

    – Partnerships-Meet-Scale: Combines PureWager’s exclusive licenses and market access agreements with BoscaSports’ 7,000+ global deployments.

    – End-to-End Solutions: Delivers integrated retail solutions, mobile betting, and live-odds displays under one platform.

    – Economic Impact: Drives job creation and revenue-sharing opportunities for tribal and non-tribal communities, and international partners.

    Looking Ahead  

    The partnership’s first phase will launch in late 2025, with PureWager-powered BoscaSports kiosks debuting in Odawa tribal venues and select non-US retail locations.

    About BoscaSports  

    BoscaSports is a Dublin-based provider of dynamic betting displays and platform solutions, serving 7,000+ deployments around the globe, including Goodwood Racing (Trinidad & Tobago) and UK Tote. Learn more: www.boscasports.com.

    About PureWager Group

    PureWager Group is a global gaming technology company reimagining the sports betting experience through real-time interaction, personalized engagement, and responsible innovation. Co-founded by Wayne Stevenson and Elliott Banks, the company is preparing for a national rollout of its proprietary platform in regulated and sovereign markets across the United States.

    About 22X Ventures

    22X Ventures is a private equity firm investing in transformative companies that align with its mission to create sustainable value across industries and communities. The firm focuses on growth-stage companies with high disruption potential and clear market advantages. Learn more www.22xventures.com.

    Media Contact:

    Minh Le
    Public Relations Manager
    22X Ventures & PureWager Group
    Email: info@22capitalpartners.com
    Phone: 703-629-1131

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: IMCA Member Survey 2025 – the results are in!

    Source: International Marine Contractors Association – IMCA

    Headline: IMCA Member Survey 2025 – the results are in!

    IMCA is committed to continuously improving the value we provide to our Members.

    This is why we launched our IMCA Member Survey in March to hear your views about IMCA, and the value you get from IMCA membership.

    This feedback is essential to help us shape our future initiatives, to refine the benefits of IMCA membership, and ensure IMCA continues to deliver the value that you need.

    So, thank-you to everyone who filled in the survey. Your input has given us a wealth of data and insights covering every aspect of our work.

    While we continue to analyse the results, we want to share a few of the headline findings, and to let you know about some new initiatives we are introducing in response to your feedback.

    •  Some Members told us that they found it hard to make the most of their IMCA Membership, either because they weren’t sure how, or because they didn’t have the time. Members also told us that they struggled to attend IMCA’s in-person events. We have launched a new series of online IMCA Member briefings to help Members understand and access the benefits of IMCA Membership, and we will explore other ways of making our events more accessible in 2026.
    • Just one-third of IMCA Members are aware of IMCA’s advocacy work on behalf of the marine contracting sector – with the International Maritime Organization, with the European Union, and with national governments and regulators. We will step up our communication of this work, and will launch a new Advocacy Hub on the IMCA website to share news and resources from our campaigns.
    • Members gave us excellent feedback on new services that IMCA could introduce to serve its Members, and key industry issues that IMCA should focus on over the next two to three years. These areas included training and continuing professional development, attracting the next generation of talent to join our industry, guidance on meeting new environmental regulations, and supporting Members as they implement AI and new technology in their operations. We will feed these insights into the development of IMCA’s new strategy, which will be launched at the end of this year.

    We will publish a more detailed report on the results of the Member Survey, and the actions we are taking in response, as part of our Annual Impact Report, which will be published this Autumn. 

    IMCA Member survey headline results

    Who did we hear from?

    We received survey responses from 525 people working for 272 Member businesses and organisations. The responses from different regions, different types of Member (contractor, supplier, etc), and from different divisions (marine, diving, etc) was in proportion with IMCA’s global membership, making this a strong, representative sample.

    • This is good, but we want to do even better in 2026. We aim to engage with every one of our 800+ Member companies next year – through our annual IMCA Member Survey, through more frequent and targeted ‘pulse’ surveys, by making our events more accessible, and by expanding our network of regional experts and Member engagement directors.

    More than 85% of respondents said they were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their company’s IMCA Membership.

    We asked Members to say, on a scale of one to 10, how likely they would be to recommend IMCA membership to a colleague. The results gave us an average score of 8.5 out of 10, and a ‘net promoter score’ of 46.1

    • These are very strong results, and demonstrate the value of IMCA Membership across our different divisions and areas of work. However, we are not complacent, and using the insights contained in this Member survey we aim to improve on these numbers in 2026.

    Diving Equipment Manufacturer, Middle East & India

    IMCA is influential because it plays a central role in shaping industry standards, promoting safety, and guiding best practices across the global marine contracting and diving community. Its guidelines are widely respected and adopted, giving contractors and operators a common framework to work within. IMCA’s influence extends beyond documentation – it creates a platform for collaboration, drives regulatory conversations, and brings stakeholders together to elevate operational quality and safety. For many of us in the industry, IMCA is a benchmark for compliance, credibility, and continuous improvement.

    Which Member benefits do IMCA Members value the most?

    Benefit of IMCA Membership

    Average score (/10)

    Access to IMCA’s technical guidance, information notes, and codes of practice

    9.0

    Safety flashes and statistics

    9.0

    Briefings on legal, policy, and regulatory topics

    8.3

    The opportunity to attend IMCA events and technical seminars

    8.0

    IMCA’s advocacy with energy companies, governments, regulators, and the International Maritime Organization

    8.0

    The opportunity to support IMCA’s work, including through IMCA Committees and Working Groups

    8.0

    Networking and business development

    7.8

    Dynamic Positioning practitioner assessment and diving supervisor CPD (continuous professional development)

    7.5

    Running the eCMID vessel auditing system

    7.0

    The publication and sale of logbooks for key offshore personnel

    6.8

    The certification of diving-related supervisory roles

    6.5

    We asked Members to rate the importance of IMCA Member benefits by giving each benefit a score of between one and 10. We were pleased to see that Members valued our core services – our industry-leading technical library, our focus on driving improvements in safety at work, our program of technical seminars and regional events, and our advocacy work on legal, policy, and regulatory issues – most highly. None of this work would be possible without the support, time, and expertise of our Members, whether through volunteering on IMCA Committees or Working Groups, or submitting data and incidents to us to support the safety of the offshore sector as a whole.

    “IMCA has a proven pedigree in representing all areas of the offshore Energy contractor base to establish harmonised working practices and the sharing of information.” – Contractor, Europe

    Where can we do better?

    While 71% of Members said they felt involved with IMCA, 19% did not. Barriers to greater engagement were lack of time, the location of IMCA events, and because Members did not know how to get involved.

    To help address these challenges, we have launched a new series of online IMCA Member briefings to help Members understand and access the benefits of IMCA Membership, and we will explore other ways of making our events more accessible in 2026.

    “A vital association which helps to maintain specific safe working standards with a considerable variety of documentation support” – Diving Company, South America

    While one-third of Members were aware of IMCA’s advocacy work on behalf of the marine contracting sector – with the International Maritime Organization, with the European Union, and with national governments and regulators – 41% were either mostly or completely unaware.

    • We will step up our communication of this work, and will launch a new Advocacy Hub on the IMCA website to share news and resources from our campaigns.

    “IMCA sets Industry best practices for its members and the marine industry as a whole, which is also seen as best practice by global regulators.” – ROV supplier, Europe 

    For further information on the IMCA Member Survey please contact IMCA’s Membership Services Group at membership@imca-int.com.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: Fortinet Report: OT Cybersecurity Risk Elevates within Executive Leadership Ranks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced the findings from its global 2025 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report. The results represent the current state of operational technology (OT) cybersecurity and highlight opportunities for continued improvement for organizations to secure an ever-expanding IT/OT threat landscape. In addition to trends and insights impacting OT organizations, the report offers best practices to help IT and OT security teams better secure their cyber-physical systems. 

    “The seventh installment of the Fortinet State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report shows that organizations are taking OT security more seriously. We see this trend reflected in a notable increase in the assignment of responsibility for OT risk to the C-suite, alongside an uptick in organizations self-reporting increased rates of OT security maturity,” said Nirav Shah, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions, at Fortinet. “Alongside these trends, we’re seeing a decrease in the impact of intrusions in organizations that prioritize OT security. Everyone from the C-suite on down needs to commit to protecting sensitive OT systems and allocating the necessary resources to secure their critical operations.”

    Key findings from the global survey include:

    • Responsibility for OT security continues to elevate within executive ranks: There has been a significant increase in the global trend of corporations planning to integrate cybersecurity under the CISO or other executives. As accountability continues to shift into executive leadership, OT security is elevated to a high-profile issue at the board level. The top internal leaders who influence OT cybersecurity decisions are now most likely to be the CISO or CSO by an increasingly wide margin. Now more than half (52%) of organizations report that the CISO/CSO is responsible for OT, up from 16% in 2022. For all C-suite roles, this has spiked to 95%. Additionally, the number of organizations intending to move OT cybersecurity under CISO in the next 12 months has increased from 60% to 80% in 2025.
    • OT cybersecurity maturity is affecting the impact of intrusions: Self-reported OT security maturity has made notable progress this year. At the basic Level 1, 26% of organizations report establishing visibility and implementing segmentation, up from 20% in the previous year. The largest number of organizations state their security maturity is at the Level 2 access and profiling phase. The report also found a correlation between maturity and attacks. Those organizations that report being more mature (higher of Levels 0–4) are seeing fewer attacks or indicate that they are better able to handle lower-sophistication tactics, such as phishing. It’s worth noting that some tactics, such as advanced persistent threats (APT) and OT malware, are difficult to detect, and less mature organizations may not have the security solutions in place to determine they exist. Overall, although nearly half of organizations experienced impacts, the impact of intrusions on organizations is declining, with a noteworthy reduction in operational outages that impacted revenue, which dropped from 52% to 42%.
    • Adopting cybersecurity best practices is having a positive impact: In addition to the Levels of maturity affecting the impact of intrusions, it appears that adopting best practices such as implementing basic cyber hygiene and better training and awareness are having a real impact, including a significant drop in business email compromise. Other best practices include incorporating threat intelligence, which spiked (49%) since 2024. Additionally, the report saw a significant decrease in the number of OT device vendors, which is a sign of maturity and operational efficiency. More organizations (78%) are now using only one to four OT vendors, which indicates that many of these organizations are consolidating vendors as part of their best practices. Cybersecurity vendor consolidation is also a sign of maturity and corresponds to Fortinet customer experiences with the Fortinet OT Security Platform. Unified networking and security at remote OT sites enhanced visibility and reduced cyber risks, leading to a 93% reduction in cyber incidents vs. a flat network. The simplified Fortinet solutions also led to a 7x improvement in performance through reductions in triage and setup.1

    Best Practices
    Fortinet’s global 2025 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report provides actionable insights for organizations to strengthen their security posture. Organizations can address OT security challenges by adopting the following best practices:

    • Establish visibility and compensating controls for OT assets: Organizations need the ability to see and understand everything that’s on their OT networks. Once visibility is established, organizations then need to protect critical devices and ones that may be vulnerable, which requires protective compensating controls that are designed for sensitive OT devices. Capabilities such as protocol-aware network policies, system-to-system interaction analysis, and endpoint monitoring can detect and prevent compromise of vulnerable assets.
    • Deploy segmentation: Reducing intrusions requires a hardened OT environment with strong network policy controls at all access points. This kind of defensible OT architecture starts with creating network zones or segments. Standards such as ISA/IEC 62443 specifically call for segmentation to enforce controls between OT and IT networks and between OT systems. Teams should also evaluate the overall complexity of managing a solution and consider the benefits of an integrated or platform-based approach with centralized management capabilities.
    • Integrate OT into security operations (SecOps) and incident response planning: Organizations should be maturing toward IT/OT SecOps. To get there, OT needs to be a specific consideration for SecOps and incident response plans, largely because of some of the distinctions between OT and IT environments, from unique device types to the broader consequences of an OT breach impacting critical operations. One key step in this direction is to have playbooks that include your organization’s OT environment. This kind of advanced preparation will foster better collaboration across IT, OT, and production teams to adequately assess cyber and production risks. It can also ensure that the CISO has proper awareness, prioritization, budget, and personnel allocations.
    • Consider a platform approach to your overall security architecture: To address rapidly evolving OT threats and an expanding attack surface, many organizations have assembled a broad array of security solutions from different vendors. This has yielded an overly complex security architecture that inhibits visibility while placing an increased burden on limited security team resources. A platform-based approach to security can help organizations consolidate vendors and simplify their architecture. A robust security platform with specific capabilities for both IT networks and OT environments can provide solution integration for improved security efficacy while enabling centralized management for enhanced efficiency. Integration can also provide a foundation for automated responses to threats.
    • Embrace OT-specific threat intelligence and security services: OT security depends on timely awareness and precise analytical insights about imminent risks. A platform-based security architecture should also apply AI-powered threat intelligence for near-real-time protection against the latest threats, attack variants, and exposures. Organizations should ensure their threat intelligence and content sources include robust, OT-specific information in their feeds and services.

    Report Overview

    • The Fortinet 2025 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report is based on data from a global survey of more than 550 OT professionals, conducted by a third-party research company.
    • Survey respondents were from different locations around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mainland China, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
    • Respondents represent a range of industries that are heavy users of OT, including: manufacturing, transportation/logistics, healthcare/pharma, oil, gas, and refining, energy/utilities, chemical/petrochemical, and water/wastewater.
    • Most of those surveyed, regardless of title, are deeply involved in cybersecurity purchasing decisions. Many respondents are responsible for operations technology at their organization and/or have reporting responsibility for manufacturing or plant operations.

    Additional Resources

    1 Fortinet, Fortinet OT Security Platform Customer Success Stories, November 5, 2024.

    About Fortinet
    Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere our customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including Computer Emergency Response Teams (“CERTS”), government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

    Copyright © 2025 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAgent, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAgent, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiCNP, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortiDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiDLP, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiEndpoint FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPAM, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiScanner, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSEC, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSRA, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM, FortiXDR and Lacework FortiCNAPP. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

    The MIL Network –

  • Lord’s Test: Jofra Archer makes hotly-anticipated return to England team for 3rd Test against India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    England’s Jofra Archer has been named in the team to face India in the third test of the series at Lord’s, England’s cricket board (ECB) announced on Wednesday, as the fast bowler prepares for his first test in more than four years.

    Archer will replace fellow seamer Josh Tongue, the only change England have made, for the third test that starts on Thursday. Tongue picked up only four wickets and conceded more than 200 runs in the two innings.

    Archer has not played in the longest format since England faced India in Ahmedabad in February 2021. The 30-year-old has taken 42 wickets in 13 tests and although he was added to the squad for the second test, he was not included in the team.

    However, England coach Brendon McCullum said Archer was in the frame for the third test after putting his fitness woes behind him.

    A series of physical problems kept delaying his return to red-ball cricket, including elbow injuries, back issues and a thumb injury.

    “Really exciting, it’s great for English fans, but also for Jof. It’s been a long time coming for him. I think the way in which he’s handled the injury setbacks over that period has been very commendable,” England skipper Ben Stokes told reporters.

    “And then the way in which he’s got himself back onto the field and playing cricket over a long period of time now. It was exciting to have him back in the squad and in contention for last week, but now we can say he’s in the playing 11.

    “Jof’s going to be pretty proud of himself that he’s managed to get himself back here after two pretty big injury scares.”

    Stokes had also said they would consider fresh legs with such a quick turnaround time between the second and third test, especially after England’s bowlers bowled 234 overs in the second test that India won by 336 runs.

    England struggled to take wickets against India, who scored more than 1,000 runs in a test match for the first time in history in the second match and the hosts will hope Archer’s pace can be a lethal weapon at Lord’s.

    England will also be wary of India’s record at Lord’s, where they have more wins (three) than any other venue in England.

    The series is tied at 1-1 after England won the first test at Headingley before India won a test for the first time at Edgbaston on Sunday.

    ENGLAND TEAM

    Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI: Banzai Appoints Dean Ditto as Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) (“Banzai” or the “Company”), a leading marketing technology company that provides essential marketing and sales solutions, today announced the appointment of Dean Ditto, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective July 14, 2025. Mr. Ditto replaces Interim Chief Financial Officer, Alvin Yip, who will continue with the Company in the role of Chief Accounting Officer.

    Dean Ditto has over 30 years’ experience as a strategic financial leader with a track record of implementing critical business initiatives that drive profitable growth at both public and private companies. Prior to joining Banzai, Mr. Ditto was Chief Financial Officer of Akerna Corp. a SaaS technology company where he led a corporate restructuring plan that produced cost savings of $6 million annually. Previously, he was CFO of Mydecine Innovations Group, Inc., a biotech and life sciences company, where he raised $40 million through public and private offerings to support drug and IP development and operations. As CFO of Sigue Corporation, a closely-held Fintech provider, Mr. Ditto worked to improve the business planning, budgeting and financial analysis processes. He has also served in financial leadership roles at OSI Systems, Dental Lab Holdings, KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Countrywide Home Loans, Giant Bicycle USA, and Ford Motor Company. Mr. Ditto holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Management from Albion College, and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

    “On behalf of our board and management team, I would like to welcome Dean to the position. We are privileged to have someone of his caliber and financial skill set serve as our CFO,” said Joe Davy, Founder and CEO of Banzai. “I would like to thank Alvin for his contribution in leading us to this inflection point, and welcome Dean’s capabilities in scaling public technology companies. His achievements as well as expertise in financial management of listed companies will make a significant addition to the strategic operation and development of Banzai going forward.”

    Mr. Ditto added, “I am excited to be appointed as CFO as we prepare Banzai for the future in a rapidly evolving market. I look forward to working with Joe, the executive team, and the finance team as we continue to execute on our strategic and financial priorities focused on value-added growth and our commitments to all shareholders.”

    About Banzai

    Banzai is a marketing technology company that provides AI-enabled marketing and sales solutions for businesses of all sizes. On a mission to help their customers grow, Banzai enables companies of all sizes to target, engage, and measure both new and existing customers more effectively. Banzai has over 90,000 customers including RBC, Dell Technologies, New York Life, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thinkific, and ActiveCampaign. Learn more at www.banzai.io. For investors, please visit https://ir.banzai.io.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “target,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “propose,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar variations and expressions. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Examples of forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding Banzai International, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”): future financial, business and operating performance and goals; annualized recurring revenue and customer retention; ongoing, future or ability to maintain or improve its financial position, cash flows, and liquidity and its expected financial needs; potential financing and ability to obtain financing; acquisition strategy and proposed acquisitions and, if completed, their potential success and financial contributions; strategy and strategic goals, including being able to capitalize on opportunities; expectations relating to the Company’s industry, outlook and market trends; total addressable market and serviceable addressable market and related projections; plans, strategies and expectations for retaining existing or acquiring new customers, increasing revenue and executing growth initiatives; and product areas of focus and additional products that may be sold in the future. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and development of the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, investors should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the markets in which the Company operates, customer demand, the financial markets, economic, business and regulatory and other factors, such as the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy. More detailed information about risk factors can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors,” and in other reports filed by the Company, including reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

    Investor Relations
    Chris Tyson
    Executive Vice President
    MZ Group – MZ North America
    949-491-8235
    BNZI@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    Media
    Nancy Norton
    Chief Legal Officer, Banzai
    media@banzai.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Nine killed in western India bridge collapse

    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 9 (Xinhua) — At least nine people were killed and more than six injured on Wednesday when several vehicles fell into a river after a bridge collapsed in India’s western Gujarat state, local police said.

    A section of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge collapsed on Wednesday morning, disrupting road connectivity between Anand and Vadodara.

    Police said nine bodies had been recovered from the river. The injured were taken to a local hospital. –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 –

  • SEBI bars Jane Street over alleged Bank Nifty manipulation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Jane Street has been barred from the Indian securities market by its markets regulator, which has said the U.S. firm used its trading strategies to “manipulate” a key stock market index, leading to losses for millions of retail investors, allegations Jane Street has rejected.

    WHAT EXACTLY IS SEBI ACCUSING JANE STREET OF DOING?

    The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in its interim order said Jane Street accumulated large volumes of constituent stocks of the Bank Nifty index, which comprises the 12 top Indian bank stocks, in the cash and futures markets, thus pushing up the index prices.

    Simultaneously, Jane Street took short positions in the derivatives segment by buying cheap “put” options and selling expensive “call” options linked to the Bank Nifty, the regulator said.

    The SEBI order said that during the second half of most days in which Jane Street’s positions were studied, the U.S. firm reversed the first leg of its trade, selling the constituents in the cash and futures markets, thereby pushing down the price of the index and its constituents.

    This, in turn, led to a rise in value for the “put” options and a drop in value for “call” options, earning Jane Street large profits, which outweighed any losses that were incurred during the first leg of the trade.

    SEBI said this trading pattern created “a false or misleading appearance of market activity” and attracted “unsuspecting” investors to trade at levels that were “artificial and temporary”.

    WHAT IS JANE STREET SAYING ABOUT ITS INDIA TRADING STRATEGY?

    Jane Street, in an internal email to its employees, said the activities in question were what is known as an “arbitrage trade”, which is commonly used by large trading firms in financial markets.

    In an arbitrage trade, firms simultaneously buy and sell the same asset in different markets and pocket the profits from the difference in prices.

    In its internal memo, Jane Street argued there was a large gap between the price of the Bank Nifty index in the options markets and the price implied by the level at which the stocks were trading. This divergence, it said, was clearly observed and Jane Street traded in a direction consistent with closing that gap.

    Arbitrage trading is legal in India.

    WHAT FACTORS WERE CRUCIAL TO JANE STREET’S INDIA STRATEGY?

    According to details in the SEBI order, the first is size.

    In the first leg of the trade, where Jane Street was buying shares of constituents of the Bank Nifty Index, it was doing so in volumes large enough to move the index.

    Its trades made up 15%-25% of the entire market’s traded value in the constituents of the banking index, SEBI said.

    The second is the distortions between the cash and derivative markets in India.

    India’s derivatives-to-cash market ratio in terms of volume is the highest in the world, SEBI said. In 2024, this ratio was 400 times.

    In its order, SEBI highlighted Jane Street’s trading activities on January 17, 2024 – one of the trading days under investigation – saying the U.S. firm traded roughly $1.2 trillion (103 trillion rupees) worth of cash-settled options on the Nifty Bank index.

    That amount equates to roughly 353 times the trading volumes of the bank stocks in the index.

    WHO ARE THE LOSERS IN INDIA’S DERIVATIVES MARKET?

    Proprietary trading giants such as Jane Street have made hefty profits from India’s derivatives market, which accounts for roughly 61% of equity options contracts that are currently traded worldwide, according to data from the Futures Industry Association.

    In the 12 months to March 2024, proprietary traders and foreign investors made gross profits of 330 billion rupees and 280 billion rupees, respectively, a SEBI study in September 2024 showed.

    During that same period, retail traders lost 524 billion rupees.

    On Monday, SEBI said retail investor losses on derivative trades widened by 41% to 1.06 trillion rupees in the subsequent year. It did not blame proprietary traders for the widening losses of retail investors and nor did it provide fresh data on gains made by proprietary traders.

    WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR JANE STREET AND SEBI?

    SEBI has seized $567 million of Jane Street’s funds, equivalent to the amount of what it calls “unlawful gains”.

    The U.S. firm can deposit that amount and regain access to the Indian markets. It also has 21 days to file its reply or any objections to the order, and can also challenge the order judicially via the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

    SEBI, meanwhile, is working on a final order and also expanding its investigation into Jane Street’s trade on indexes other than the Bank Nifty.

    -Reuters

  • Are flash floods directly linked to climate change?

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The catastrophic flash floods in Texas a couple of days earlier, triggered by extremely heavy rainfall, which caused over 100 deaths and widespread destruction, have once again raised a pressing question- are flash floods directly linked to climate change? Successive research by environmental agencies corroborates this, saying climate change is a significant factor in the increased risk, frequency and intensity of floods in several parts of the world.

    Research suggests human-caused climate change is driving more and more extreme weather conditions, which include extremely heavy and sometimes untimely rains, which directly contribute to flooding, especially when proper city planning is not in place.

    Studies say warmer temperatures cause a more moisture-laden atmosphere, which turns into more intense rainfall with increased frequency. The recent Texas floods were found to have been made significantly worse by climate change, as atmospheric conditions favoured slow-moving thunderstorms, which caused heavy rains in the same area for hours. Warmer global temperatures have increased the atmosphere’s capacity to hold moisture, resulting in heavier and more concentrated rainfall events that can overwhelm drainage systems and waterways.

    In layman’s terms, climate change leads to higher global temperatures and warmer air holds more moisture. Climate-related researches say with every one-degree Celsius rise in temperature, the atmosphere’s capacity to hold more water vapour rises by about 7%.

    It can be understood from the fact that the recent very heavy rainstorms in Texas delivered about 20% more rainfall than they did in the late 1950s, a time when global temperatures were considerably lower, according to the National Climate Assessment. As climate change continues to warm the planet, extreme rainfall events in Texas are projected to become even more frequent in the coming decade, as highlighted in a 2024 report by the state’s climatologist. The worry is that it’s not just Texas, but across the US, the heaviest storms are predicted to produce more rain as the Earth continues to warm.

    Such storms can trigger deadly flooding far inland, which was on full display in 2024 when Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding across Appalachia. Similarly, in 2021, flash floods caused by Hurricane Ida claimed dozens of lives in the Northeastern US. According to the National Climate Assessment, more than one-third of the estimated 230 billion dollar in inland flood damage in the US between 1988 and 2021 would not have occurred without climate change.

    Storms increase the likelihood of intense and short-duration rainfall in several parts of the globe, which is becoming a major trigger for flash floods. Moreover, climate change also gives rise to sea levels and constantly rising sea levels invariably exacerbate coastal flooding, which seriously threatens human populations and physical assets-infrastructure in the coastal regions.

    In fact, across the US, Europe and other parts of the globe, similar patterns are observed with coastal and inland states facing flood risks due to tropical storms, hurricanes and prolonged rainfall events. In the US, riverine floods are also a concern, especially along major waterways like the Mississippi. In many areas, deforestation, wetland loss and poorly planned development have also disrupted natural drainage systems, reducing the landscape’s ability to buffer heavy rains.

    Like the United States, Europe is also grappling with more frequent and severe flooding. In 2021 and successive years, devastating floods in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and others highlighted the region’s exposure to extreme weather.

    Climate change is intensifying heavy rainfall events across the continent, particularly in Central and Western Europe. Uncontrolled urban expansion, river channelization and reduced natural water retention due to agricultural and industrial development have made many European regions more prone to flooding. In mountainous areas, rapid snowmelt and glacial lake outbursts, both linked to rising temperatures, also contribute to sudden floods.

    Studies have shown that climate change has increased the likelihood and intensity of heavy rainfall events in both the US and Europe. For example, in Europe, research indicates that human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood of the intense rainfall that caused recent floods in Central Europe. Similarly, in the US, climate change has been linked to more extreme rainstorms and increased flood risk.

    Despite the growing risks, many communities around the country are still not planning for more intense rainstorms as they build roads, floodways, and storm infrastructure. Local governments around the country rely on historical rainfall records from concerned agencies.

    Another factor that may be contributing to the severe floods, however, is human activity and land-use change. Most of the recent floods in Central Europe are river floods, which makes the links between the flooding and climate change less straightforward.

    Central Europe’s devastating floods were made worse by climate change, which scientists say offers glimpses of a bleak future for the world’s fastest-warming continent. In fact, Europe is the fastest-warming continent. The last five years were on average around 2.3°C warmer than the second half of the 19th century, according to the Copernicus Climate Service.

    Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach. In the short term, improving early warning systems, emergency response mechanisms and public awareness can help save lives. Upgrading drainage infrastructure, reinforcing levees and dams and integrating green infrastructure like rain gardens, permeable pavements and restored wetlands are essential for long-term flood resilience. Urban planning must prioritize flood risk zones, restrict construction in vulnerable areas and promote sustainable land use.

    And at a broader scale, reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains critical to mitigating the root cause of climate-driven floods. International cooperation, climate adaptation funding and policy reforms are necessary to prepare communities for the escalating risks posed by a warming world. Without decisive action, not only the US and Europe, but the majority of countries across the globe are likely to see floods becoming an even more destructive and persistent threat in the decades ahead. Without more ambitious climate action, global warming is expected to reach around 3°C by the end of the century, which would be much more disastrous to the humanity.

  • EU working closely to get trade deal with US, ready for all scenarios, von der Leyen says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Union is working closely with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to reach a trade deal, but Brussels is getting ready for all scenarios, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

    “We stick to our principles, we defend our interests, we continue to work in good faith, and we get ready for all scenarios,” von der Leyen told the European Parliament.

    Trump signed an executive order on Monday extending the date on which so-called “reciprocal” tariffs will take effect to August 1.

    The previous deadline had been Wednesday.

    In a wave of letters, Trump has begun informing a range of trading partners from Japan to Myanmar of sharply higher tariffs on goods they sell into the United States.

    But EU sources told Reuters the European Union would not be among the recipients of a similar letter.

    (Reuters)

  • Arizona fossils reveal an ecosystem in flux early in the age of dinosaurs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Scientists have unearthed in Arizona fossils from an assemblage of animals, including North America’s oldest-known flying reptile, that reveal a time of transition when venerable lineages that were destined soon to vanish lived alongside newcomers early in the age of dinosaurs.

    The remains of the pterosaur, roughly the size of a small seagull, and the other creatures were discovered in Petrified Forest National Park, a place famous for producing fossils of plants and animals from the Triassic Period including huge tree trunks. The newly found fossils are 209 million years old and include at least 16 vertebrate species, seven of them previously unknown.

    The Triassic came on the heels of Earth’s biggest mass extinction 252 million years ago, and then ended with another mass extinction 201 million years ago that wiped out many of the major competitors to the dinosaurs, which achieved unquestioned supremacy in the subsequent Jurassic period. Both calamities apparently were caused by extreme volcanism.

    The fossils, entombed in rock rich with volcanic ash, provide a snapshot of a thriving tropical ecosystem crisscrossed by rivers on the southern edge of a large desert.

    Along with the pterosaur were other new arrivals on the scene including primitive frogs, lizard-like reptiles and one of the earliest-known turtles – all of them resembling their relatives alive today. This ecosystem’s largest meat-eaters and plant-eaters were part of reptile lineages that were flourishing at the time but died out relatively soon after.

    While the Triassic ushered in the age of dinosaurs, no dinosaurs were found in this ecosystem, illustrating how they had not yet become dominant.

    “Although dinosaurs are found in contemporaneous rocks from Arizona and New Mexico, they were not part of this ecosystem that we are studying,” said paleontologist Ben Kligman of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, who led the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    “This is peculiar, and may have to do with dinosaurs preferring to live in other types of environments,” Kligman added.

    This ecosystem was situated just above the equator in the middle of the bygone supercontinent called Pangaea, which later broke apart and gave rise to today’s continents.

    Pterosaurs, cousins of the dinosaurs, were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, followed much later by birds and bats. Pterosaurs are thought to have appeared roughly 230 million years ago, around the same time as the earliest dinosaurs, though their oldest-known fossils date to around 215 million years ago in Europe.

    The newly identified pterosaur, named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, is thought to have hunted fish populating the local rivers. Its partial skeleton includes part of a tooth-studded lower jaw, some additional isolated teeth and the bones of its elongated fingers, which helped form its wing apparatus.

    Its wingspan was about three feet (one meter) and its skull was about four inches (10 cm) long. It had curved fangs at the front of its mouth for grabbing fish as it flew over rivers and blade-like teeth in the back of the jaw for slicing prey. The researchers said Eotephradactylus would have had a tail, as all the early pterosaurs did.

    Eotephradactylus means “ash-winged dawn goddess,” recognizing the nature of the rock in which it was found and the position of the species near the beginning of the pterosaur lineage. Mcintireae recognizes Suzanne McIntire, the former Smithsonian fossil preparator who unearthed it.

    The turtle was a land-living species while the lizard-like reptile was related to New Zealand’s modern-day Tuatara. Also found were fossils of some other reptiles including armored plant-eaters, a large fish-eating amphibian and various fish including freshwater sharks.

    The ecosystem’s biggest predators were croc relatives perhaps 20 feet (six meters) long, bigger than the carnivorous dinosaurs inhabiting that part of the world at the time. On land was a four-legged meat-eating reptile from a group called rauisuchians. In the rivers dwelled a semi-aquatic carnivore from a group called phytosaurs, built much like a crocodile but with certain differences, such as nostrils at the top of the head rather than the end of the snout.

    Rauisuchians, phytosaurs and some other lineages represented in the fossils disappeared in the end-Triassic extinction event. Frogs and turtles are still around today, while pterosaurs dominated the skies until the asteroid impact 66 million years ago that ended the age of dinosaurs.

    “The site captures the transition to more modern terrestrial vertebrate communities,” Kligman said.

    (Reuters)

  • Jofra Archer returns to England team for third test vs India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    England’s Jofra Archer has been named in the team to face India in the third test of the series at Lord’s, England’s cricket board (ECB) announced on Wednesday, as the fast bowler prepares for his first test in more than four years.

    Archer will replace fellow seamer Josh Tongue, the only change England have made, for the third test that starts on Thursday. Tongue picked up only four wickets and conceded more than 200 runs in the two innings.

    Archer, 30, has not played in the longest format since England faced India in Ahmedabad in February 2021.

    The series is tied at 1-1 after England won the first test at Headingley before India won a test for the first time at Edgbaston on Sunday.

    ENGLAND TEAM

    Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.

    (Reuters)

     

  • At least nine dead after bridge collapses in Gujarat’s Vadodara; PM Modi announces ex-gratia relief

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    t least nine people were killed and five others injured when a 43-year-old bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara district early Wednesday morning, officials said.

    The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when the Gambhira bridge, spanning the Mahisagar River near Mujpur village, gave way. The bridge was a crucial link between the Vadodara and Anand districts and served as an important route connecting Central Gujarat to Saurashtra.

    Expressing sorrow over the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh in ex-gratia compensation for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

    “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister’s Office posted on X.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed grief and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. He announced an additional compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

    “Technical experts have been instructed to visit the site and conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the collapse,” the Chief Minister said.

    According to officials, a large slab between two piers collapsed as several vehicles, including two trucks, a pickup van, an Eeco van, and an auto-rickshaw, were crossing. The vehicles plunged into the river below.

    Rescue operations were launched immediately by teams from the Vadodara Fire Department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local authorities. Cranes, divers, and heavy machinery were deployed to locate missing persons and recover the wreckage.

  • Trump criticizes Putin after approving more weapons for Ukraine, Kremlin says it is ‘calm’

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had approved sending U.S. defensive weapons to Ukraine and was considering additional sanctions on Moscow, underscoring his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the growing death toll in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

    Trump, who pledged as a presidential candidate to end the war within a day, has not been able to follow through on that promise and efforts by his administration to broker peace have come up short.

    Trump directed his ire at Putin on Tuesday during a meeting with cabinet officials at the White House.

    “I’m not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now,” Trump said, noting that Russian and Ukrainian soldiers were dying in the thousands.

    “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin … He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said

    Trump said he was considering whether to support a bill in the Senate that would impose steep sanctions on Russia over the war.

    “I’m looking at it very strongly,” he said.

    The bill, whose lead sponsors are Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, would also punish other countries that trade with Moscow, imposing 500% tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports.

    DEFENSIVE WEAPONS AGAINST RUSSIAN ADVANCES

    Trump said on Monday that the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine, primarily defensive ones, to help it defend itself against Russian advances. On Tuesday he said he had approved such a move.

    “We’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that,” he said.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he had ordered an expansion of contacts with the United States to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies, primarily air defence.

    “We currently have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and positions,” he said.

    “These are critical deliveries that mean saving lives and protecting Ukrainian cities and villages. I expect results from these contacts very soon. And this week, we are preparing formats for meetings of our military and political teams.”

    Zelenskiy has repeatedly urged Ukraine’s Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow to force the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire as a step towards reaching an end to the war, now 40 months old.

    A decision by the Pentagon to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv last week that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia’s intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    Trump, who was seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was asked on Tuesday who had ordered that pause.

    “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Trump responded.

    The Kremlin, asked on Wednesday about U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Moscow was “calm” regarding the criticism, and that it would continue to try to fix a “broken” U.S.-Russia relationship.

    Trump has in recent days accused Putin of not taking U.S. efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine seriously, and suggested that the U.S. will continue supporting Kyiv.

    (Reuters)

  • Extremely proud of our diaspora: PM Modi in Namibia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed deep pride in the Indian diaspora in Namibia, commending their role in preserving Indian culture and fostering stronger ties between India and the southern African nation.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “The Indian community in Namibia is extremely optimistic about closer India-Namibia friendship and this reflected in the special welcome in Windhoek. I am extremely proud of our diaspora, particularly the manner in which they have retained a connect with their culture and traditions.”

    PM Modi arrived in Namibia earlier today on the final leg of his five-nation tour. He received a traditional welcome at Hosea Kutako International Airport, where he was greeted by Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi.

    Local musicians and dancers performed at the airport to mark the occasion. In a gesture that drew warm applause, Prime Minister Modi joined the performers and played the Namibian drums, highlighting his appreciation for local customs and traditions.

    This marks Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Namibia and only the third visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in the last 27 years.

    Soon after his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X, “Landed in Windhoek a short while ago. Namibia is a valued and trusted African partner with whom we seek to boost bilateral cooperation.”

    During the visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Both leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in key areas such as energy, healthcare, education, digital technology, and development partnership.

    The visit will also include an address to a Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament, marking an important milestone in India-Namibia relations.

    According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Namibia share historic ties dating back to India’s early support for Namibia’s independence movement. In 1946, India raised the issue of Namibian independence at the United Nations.

    Ahead of his visit, PM Modi described Namibia as “a trusted partner” with whom India shares a “common history of struggle against colonialism.”

    “I look forward to meeting President H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and charting a new roadmap for cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, our regions and the wider Global South,” the Prime Minister said, adding that addressing the Namibian Parliament would be a privilege as both nations celebrate “our enduring solidarity and shared commitment for freedom and development.”

    The Prime Minister had earlier expressed confidence that his visits to the five countries would further strengthen India’s ties across the Global South, deepen cooperation on both sides of the Atlantic, and expand engagement within multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and CARICOM.

    -IANS

  • Vadodara bridge collapse: at least nine dead; PM Modi announces ex-gratia relief

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least nine people have died and five others were injured after a bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed early this morning, Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims’ families.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.” He also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

    The 43-year-old Gambhira bridge, which spanned the Mahisagar River near Mujpur village in Padra taluka, collapsed around 7:30 a.m. The bridge was a crucial link between the Vadodara and Anand districts and served as an important route connecting Central Gujarat to Saurashtra.

    According to officials, multiple vehicles- including two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw -were crossing the bridge when a large slab between two piers gave way, plunging the vehicles into the river below.

    Teams from the Vadodara Fire Department, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local authorities launched immediate rescue and recovery operations using cranes, divers, and heavy machinery to locate missing persons and retrieve damaged vehicles.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. “Technical experts have been instructed to visit the site and conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the collapse,” the Chief Minister said.

    Officials stated that routine maintenance work was carried out as needed. However, the sudden collapse of the four-decade-old structure has raised questions over structural safety and maintenance standards.

    The 900-metre-long bridge, supported by 23 piers, was an essential route for daily commuters and transportation of goods. Its collapse has severely disrupted connectivity between Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, and parts of Saurashtra, leading to traffic diversions and inconvenience for commuters.

    Rescue and recovery efforts are continuing as authorities work to locate any remaining missing persons and restore traffic movement in the area.

     

  • Indian Navy inducts ‘Nistar’, first indigenous diving support vessel

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Navy on Tuesday marked the induction of its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), Nistar. The vessel was formally handed over by Hindustan Shipyard Limited during a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam.

    Built in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Nistar is a highly specialized warship equipped to conduct Deep Sea Diving and Rescue Operations—an advanced capability possessed by only a select few navies globally.

    The name Nistar, derived from Sanskrit, means liberation, rescue, or salvation. The ship stretches 118 meters in length and displaces nearly 10,000 tons. Designed with cutting-edge diving equipment, Nistar can perform deep sea saturation diving operations up to a depth of 300 meters. Additionally, it features a side diving stage that supports diving missions up to 75 meters deep.

    One of the ship’s critical roles will be to act as the “Mother Ship” for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), which is responsible for rescuing and evacuating personnel in case of a submarine emergency. The vessel is also equipped with advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), allowing diver monitoring and salvage operations up to 1000 meters below sea level.

    With approximately 75% indigenous content, the successful delivery of Nistar marks a notable achievement in the Indian Navy’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

  • Wildfire loses intensity in southern France, firefighters continue battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A wildfire that reached the northwestern outskirts of France’s second city of Marseille lost intensity overnight, but firefighters were still battling the flames on Wednesday.

    Residents who had been told on Tuesday to stay in their homes for their own safety were once again allowed out.

    “With the fire in northern Marseille now clearly under control, we can announce this morning that the 16th arrondissement is no longer on lockdown,” Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said in a post on social media platform X.

    “I call on all Marseille residents to exercise the utmost caution in the area, as emergency services are hard at work,” he said.

    Martine Vassal, head of the area council, said firefighters had worked through the night to control the fire, which she said remained a cause for concern.

    “It is not finished. Weather conditions are worrying for us,” Vassal told broadcaster BFM.

    Local officials said the airport for France’s second-largest city could close for commercial flights to prioritise air resources if the fire flared up again.

    It was too soon for the hundreds of residents who had fled from the wildfire to return, officials said.

    Hundreds of firefighters, aided by helicopters and aircraft, have been fighting the flames, which have been fanned by winds of up to 70 kph (43 mph) that brought plumes of smoke over the southern coastal city. Officials said the blaze was caused by a car that caught on fire.

    The fire had burnt through 700 hectares (2.7 square miles) but no fatalities had been reported, regional prefect Georges-Francois Leclerc said late on Tuesday.

    Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told reporters late on Tuesday that the fire had been fast-moving, affecting 60 houses and burning down 10.

    The fire in Marseille and a separate one near Narbonne, another southern French city, were the first major fires of the summer, Sophie Primas, the government’s spokesperson, said in an interview with RTL on Wednesday, adding that wildfire season had come early this year.

    Climate change has made wildfires more destructive in Mediterranean countries in recent years.

    This week and last week, fires have also raged in northeastern Spain, on the Greek island of Crete, and in Athens.

    Philippe, a victim of the fires whose surname was not given, told BFM that he had slept poorly after evacuating and hoped to return to his home at noon on Wednesday.

    “There is nothing we can do,” he said. “It is very very, very hard.”

    (Reuters)

  • Flash floods in New Mexico resort town kills three, traps dozens in homes and vehicles

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Torrential rains triggered flash floods in New Mexico that killed at least three people on Tuesday, including two young children, and trapped dozens in homes and vehicles in the resort village of Ruidoso, a state emergency official and a village statement said.

    The children, aged four and seven years old, and a man were swept downstream and later found dead, the mountain resort village said late Tuesday on its website, adding that rescue operations were underway.

    Dramatic video footage on social media and various news outlets showed an entire house, ripped from its foundations, careening downstream through the brown, muddy waters of the flood-engorged Rio Ruidoso, side-swiping trees as it went.

    “I’ve seen the video. We don’t know if anyone was in the house,” said Danielle Silva, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

    Emergency teams organised by local law enforcement and the National Guard conducted at least 85 swift-water rescues in and around Ruidoso, many of them people stranded in cars and homes by elevated flood waters, Silva said.

    Silva said the river had quickly risen by a provisional record of 20.24 feet (6.2 metres) at the peak of the flood, and as waters began to recede in the evening, authorities began searching for survivors in the debris.

    The latest floods come just four days after a deadly flash flood triggered by heavy rains along the Guadalupe River killed at least 109 people and left scores missing after ravaging a swath of Texas Hill Country.

    In New Mexico, Silva said the severity of the debris flow was heightened by a flame-scarred landscape stripped of vegetation in a wildfire which was then followed by flooding that eroded the soil.

    Ruidoso, a popular summer retreat as well as ski resort nestled in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of south-central New Mexico, is located about 115 miles (185 km) south of Albuquerque, the state’s largest city.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Empowering the Frontlines: Skill Fest 2025 Celebrates Samsung India’s Commitment to Service Excellence

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung India’s relentless pursuit of customer delight isn’t just built on innovation. It thrives on the strength of its people. In a powerful display of that commitment, Skill Fest 2025, a national-level skill enhancement initiative, has emerged as a one-of-a-kind platform that empowers Samsung’s Service Engineers and Customer Care Officers to excel, evolve, and lead with purpose.
     
    With over 3,500 nominations received from across the country, Skill Fest 2025 stands as a testament to the passion, capability, and diversity of Samsung’s frontline teams. From the hands that repair our devices to the voices that assure our customers, Skill Fest is designed to celebrate and elevate the very people who make Samsung India’s service experience seamless, responsive, and human.
     
    More Than a Competition—A Journey of Growth
    At its core, Skill Fest is more than a competition. It’s a nationwide learning journey that sharpens technical acumen, deepens customer understanding, and sparks creativity. Engineers and CCOs bring their best to the table not just in diagnostics and repair, but also in real-time customer handling, creative problem-solving, and process innovation.
     
    Participants demonstrate their prowess through:

    Innovative Jig Ideas for service efficiency
    Short Reels and repair tips to share best practices
    Real-time customer interaction assessments
    Personality and grooming benchmarks that reflect professionalism
    Core knowledge of smart connectivity, system tools, and service processes

     
    These touchpoints reflect Samsung’s people-first service DNA: skill, empathy, innovation, and ownership.
     
    A Rigorous, Three-Level Platform
    Skill Fest 2025 follows a robust three-tier structure that challenges and nurtures talent at every step:
     

    Level 1: MCQ-based Online Screening Test — Assessing theoretical knowledge of products, systems, and service basics.
    Level 2: Practical & Customer Handling Assessments — Evaluating hands-on repair skills, real-time problem-solving, and soft skills such as grooming and interaction.
    Level 3: Final Round of Regional Skill Fest at Samsung’s Service Academies — A high-stakes showcase of excellence, where top performers present their abilities to a panel of expert judges.

     
    Every level is carefully weighted to ensure fairness and precision in evaluation, while bonus points are awarded for originality, creativity, and initiative, further reinforcing Samsung’s commitment to holistic talent development.
     
    Samsung’s Service Engineers and Customer Care Officers at Skill fest 2025
     
    Inspiring a Culture of Ownership and Excellence
    Skill Fest is part of Samsung’s broader culture of care, where employees are trusted, respected, and enabled to grow. It aligns with the brand’s philosophy that a great service professional not only repairs a device, but also restores trust, comfort, and satisfaction.
     
    By investing in such comprehensive platforms, Samsung India ensures that its people, from audio-visual and digital appliance experts to mobile care officers, are equipped with the tools, recognition, and motivation they need to thrive. And when they thrive, the ultimate winner is the consumer.
     
    A Celebration of Passion, Innovation and Service
    The final leg of Skill Fest 2025 will unfold at Samsung’s Regional Service Academies, where shortlisted stars will battle it out in a celebration of talent and resolve. Winners will be honored not just for their skill, but for the heart and hustle they bring to the job every day.
     
    As India’s most loved technology brand, Samsung believes every service experience is a moment of truth—and Skill Fest 2025 proves that empowered employees create unforgettable ones.

    MIL OSI Economics –