23, Jul 2026
Cedars-Sinai Supports Local Nonprofits With Dollar 20 Million in Grants
LOS ANGELES, July 23: Cedars-Sinai has awarded Dollar 20 million to local nonprofits, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing of Los Angeles communities.
During the fiscal year that ended June 30, the medical center supported organizations through 169 grants to address critical needs, including access to healthcare, housing stability, food security and other essential resources.
A $300,000 grant to the Los Angeles Food Policy Council will strengthen regional food access through CalFresh outreach and enrollment efforts. The funding will also support the infrastructure of local farmers markets and coordinated strategies to protect food-purchasing power and access to healthy, culturally relevant food for low-income residents.
The medical center has invested in regional food systems by backing local growers and issuing grants to programs such as FeedLA through the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles as well as YMCA Center for Community Well-Being locations.
A grant to ALMA Backyard Farms helped expand the urban agriculture infrastructure, workforce training opportunities and fresh food distribution in communities with limited access to healthy food and green space. This contribution includes aid toward the development of a new farm hub in Carson.
Shifts in public program protocols continue to reshape the social services landscape. Cedars-Sinai has pledged to expand its investments in community-based organizations.
The latest round of grants also included Dollar 250,000 to Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County to assist residents navigating programs like Medi-Cal, CalFresh, Covered California and Medicare.
To support healthy aging and quality of life programs, Cedars-Sinai awarded two grants to expand services for seniors and their caregivers. A grant to Comprehensive Community Health Centers will help increase behavioral health engagement and ensure those in need can receive effective medical treatment.
Watts Healthcare also received a grant to aid its Healthy Aging and Wellness Program that promotes physical, emotional and social wellbeing through preventive care, fitness and nutritional support, and mental health resources.
Cedars-Sinai funded two initiatives focused on homeless prevention and long-term support to those facing housing instability. According to the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, more than 72,000 people experience homelessness on any given night across L.A. County.
A grant to the housing advocacy organization Brilliant Corners supported the Los Angeles County Homeless Prevention Unit’s efforts to provide flexible financial assistance to at-risk young adults in danger of losing housing.
A grant to local nonprofit Housing Works will fund enhanced training, professional development and wellness support for frontline staff serving those who have faced homelessness.
A Cedars-Sinai grant to Planned Parenthood Los Angeles will support care through the organization’s network of health centers, school-based wellbeing centers and its community outreach efforts.
“Cedars-Sinai is deeply compelled to continue providing support to organizational partners in their dedication to helping communities across this region,” said Andrea Iloulian, MPP, executive director of Grantmaking at Cedars-Sinai. “These organizations are on the front lines of improving access to medical care for everyone as well as providing food and housing assistance. This will help ensure vulnerable populations have the support and supplies they need to survive and thrive.”
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- By Neel Achary
23, Jul 2026
NITI Aayog Gets New Leadership as Anurag Jain Appointed Chief Executive Officer
July 23: Senior IAS officer Anurag Jain has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog, bringing extensive administrative experience and policy expertise to the government’s premier public policy institution.
Jain’s appointment is expected to further strengthen NITI Aayog’s role in policy research, strategic planning, and facilitating collaboration between the Centre and states. The institution plays a key role in shaping development strategies, promoting innovation, and supporting evidence-based policymaking across various sectors.
A seasoned civil servant, Anurag Jain has held several important administrative responsibilities during his career, contributing to governance, infrastructure development, and public policy implementation. His experience in managing large-scale programmes and coordinating with multiple stakeholders is expected to support NITI Aayog’s future initiatives.
As CEO, Jain will oversee the organisation’s policy frameworks, research activities, and efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. His leadership comes at a time when India is focusing on economic expansion, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and long-term development goals.
The government expressed confidence that Jain’s experience and administrative capabilities will help NITI Aayog continue its mission of strengthening policy innovation and supporting India’s development priorities.
23, Jul 2026
India, Panama Set to Deepen Maritime Partnership in Shipping, Ports and Infrastructure Development
July 23: India and Panama are exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector, with a focus on shipping, port development, maritime infrastructure, and logistics connectivity. The collaboration aims to enhance trade facilitation, promote investment, and encourage the exchange of expertise between the two countries.
The partnership is expected to cover key areas including modern port management, maritime services, digital solutions for shipping operations, capacity building, and sustainable infrastructure development. With Panama’s strategic role in global maritime trade and India’s growing capabilities in the shipping and ports sector, the cooperation could further strengthen international supply chain networks.
Officials emphasized the importance of resilient and efficient maritime infrastructure in supporting global commerce. The proposed collaboration will seek to leverage technological advancements, improve operational efficiency, and promote environmentally sustainable practices across the maritime sector.
India has been actively working to expand its maritime ecosystem by upgrading ports, improving logistics connectivity, and enhancing its role in global trade networks. Greater engagement with Panama is expected to provide new opportunities for cooperation in maritime innovation, investment, and knowledge sharing.
The initiative reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in building a secure, efficient, and sustainable maritime future. Both nations are expected to continue discussions on areas of mutual interest to further strengthen cooperation in shipping and port infrastructure.
23, Jul 2026
India to Scientifically Close 147 Coal Mines Over Next 2–3 Years to Drive Sustainable Mining Transition
July 23: India has announced plans to scientifically close 147 coal mines over the next two to three years as part of its efforts to enhance sustainable mining practices, restore mined-out areas, and ensure responsible management of natural resources.
The planned closures will focus on mines that have completed their operational life or are no longer economically viable. The process will be carried out through comprehensive mine closure plans covering environmental restoration, land reclamation, safety management, and rehabilitation of affected areas.
The initiative reflects the government’s broader vision of transforming the coal sector through improved resource efficiency, stronger environmental safeguards, and adoption of modern mining practices. Authorities emphasized that scientific mine closure will help minimize ecological impact while enabling the productive reuse of reclaimed land.
As part of the transition, special attention will be given to coal-producing communities by ensuring appropriate rehabilitation measures, protecting local interests, and creating opportunities for sustainable development in mining regions.
Officials stated that the closure programme will follow established technical and environmental guidelines, with regular monitoring to ensure effective implementation. The move is expected to strengthen responsible mining practices and support India’s long-term goals of balancing energy security with environmental sustainability.
23, Jul 2026
Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: Death Toll Reaches 22
July 23: Rescue and recovery operations are continuing at the site of the tunnel collapse in Sikkim, where the death toll has risen to 22 following the recovery of additional bodies from the debris. Authorities have intensified efforts to locate the remaining missing workers, with multiple rescue agencies working round the clock despite difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions.
Specialized rescue teams are deploying heavy machinery, excavation equipment, and technical search tools to clear debris and access affected sections of the tunnel. Officials said the operation remains complex due to unstable ground conditions, but every effort is being made to safely recover those still trapped or missing.
The state administration, in coordination with disaster response agencies, has assured that all necessary resources are being mobilized to support the ongoing operation. Medical teams and emergency personnel remain on standby, while assistance is being extended to the families of the victims and missing workers.
Authorities have also announced that a detailed investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the collapse and assess compliance with safety standards at the construction site. The findings are expected to guide future measures aimed at strengthening safety protocols for infrastructure projects.
The state government has expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability, completing the rescue operation, and providing all necessary support to those affected by the tragedy.
23, Jul 2026
Crude Oil Prices Surge Over 2 pc to Dollar 96 per Barrel Amid Escalating West Asia Tensions
July 23: Global crude oil prices surged by more than 2% to approximately $96 per barrel, as escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia intensified concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies. The sharp rise in prices reflects heightened uncertainty in international oil markets, with investors closely monitoring developments in one of the world’s most strategically important oil-producing regions.
West Asia accounts for a significant share of global crude oil production and exports. Any escalation in regional tensions or disruptions to key shipping routes could affect the movement of crude oil to international markets, leading to tighter supply conditions and increased price volatility. The latest increase in crude prices underscores growing market concerns over the stability of global energy supplies amid an uncertain geopolitical landscape.
The rise in oil prices has also renewed fears of inflationary pressures across major economies. Higher crude oil prices typically translate into increased fuel, transportation, logistics, and manufacturing costs, which can raise the overall cost of goods and services. For oil-importing countries such as India, sustained increases in global crude prices may widen the import bill, exert pressure on the trade balance, and pose challenges to inflation management.
Financial markets reacted cautiously to the latest developments, with investors reassessing risks associated with higher energy costs and their potential impact on economic growth, corporate earnings, and monetary policy. Market participants remain focused on geopolitical developments, supply conditions, production decisions by major oil-producing nations, and global demand trends to assess the future trajectory of crude oil prices.
Energy analysts believe that crude oil prices are likely to remain volatile in the near term as geopolitical uncertainties continue to influence market sentiment. They note that any further escalation in regional tensions or disruptions to supply chains could lead to additional upward pressure on oil prices, while diplomatic efforts and stable supply conditions could help ease market concerns.
Governments, businesses, and policymakers across the world are expected to closely monitor developments in the global energy market and evaluate measures to mitigate the impact of elevated oil prices on economic activity, inflation, and energy security.
23, Jul 2026
India Remains Among the Fastest-Growing Major Economies Despite Global Uncertainties: RBI
Mumbai, July 23: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that India continues to be among the fastest-growing major economies in the world, supported by resilient domestic demand, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and sustained policy measures despite an uncertain global economic environment.
The central bank noted that strong consumption, steady investment activity, a resilient banking sector, and continued infrastructure development are helping sustain the country’s economic growth. While global challenges—including geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and commodity price volatility—continue to pose risks, India’s economic fundamentals remain robust.
The RBI also emphasized its commitment to maintaining price stability while supporting sustainable economic growth through appropriate monetary policy measures. It highlighted that stable inflation, financial sector resilience, and ongoing structural reforms are expected to strengthen the country’s medium-term growth outlook.
The central bank reaffirmed that it will continue to closely monitor global and domestic developments and take necessary policy actions to safeguard macroeconomic stability.
23, Jul 2026
Indian Markets Slip at Open Amid Oil Price Surge and West Asia Geopolitical Uncertainty
Mumbai, July 23: Indian benchmark equity indices opened lower as investor sentiment weakened due to rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Sensex and Nifty 50 declined in early trading, with broad-based selling observed across several sectors.
Higher crude oil prices raised concerns about increased import costs, inflationary pressures, and their potential impact on corporate earnings. Market participants also remained cautious amid uncertainty surrounding developments in West Asia, prompting a risk-off sentiment in global and domestic markets.
Despite the weak opening, analysts noted that investors will continue to monitor global geopolitical developments, crude oil price movements, foreign institutional investor (FII) activity, and upcoming economic data for further market direction.
Market experts advise investors to remain focused on long-term fundamentals while exercising caution amid heightened global uncertainty.
23, Jul 2026
SK Telecom Leads Global Technical Standardization for Physical AI
SEOUL, Korea, July 23 — SK Telecom (SKT) announced that a new standardization work item on robot data production and utilization systems was adopted at the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) international standardization meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland from July 14 to 22.
The adopted work item, “Signalling Requirements and Architecture for Robot Data Factory (RDF),” is SKT’s proposal to systematically produce and utilize data required for AI training of intelligent robots such as humanoids.
ITU-T is the telecommunication standardization sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the UN, and develops international standards in the information and communications field. ITU has around 1,000 institutions, companies, and research organizations from some 190 member countries participating.
Robot motion data is akin to “practice problems” used to train robot AI. For robots to become smarter, they need “many” “good problems.” However, the way this data is created and exchanged differs by robot model and onboard software, making it difficult to achieve compatibility between different systems.
With the recent growth of the robot industry, demand has been increasing for large-scale, high-quality motion data needed for robot AI to learn how to grasp and move objects and use tools. However, because institutions and companies have collected and managed data in different ways, it has been difficult to secure sufficient scale and consistent quality.
Accordingly, SKT proposed a new standardization work item to ITU-T Study Group 11 (SG11) to define the roles of the key functions comprising RDF, its interworking structure, and data exchange methods. Following review and discussion by ITU-T members, the proposal was adopted as a new standardization work item at the July meeting
This work item divides the RDF structure into five layers: Service, Robot Model·Data, Infrastructure, Device, and Management.
SKT plans to establish the role of each layer and the interworking specifications between layers, enabling functions to be easily connected, replaced, and expanded across different robots and platforms.
SKT has been working to build and advance a digital twin platform for manufacturing AI. Building on this, the company is expanding into a robot learning platform that generates robot task data for use in AI training. SKT explained that the adoption of this work item was made possible by the digital twin, AI, and data capabilities it has accumulated over time.
Through this standardization work item, SKT plans to strengthen the utility of its digital twin-based robot learning platform, which is being prepared for launch in the second half of the year. Furthermore, building on this international standardization discussion, SKT aims to expand cooperation with domestic and international robotics and AI companies and research institutions, contributing to the revitalization of the robot data ecosystem.
“With the adoption of this new standardization work item, SKT has established a foundation for leading international standards discussions, leveraging the digital twin and AI capabilities it has accumulated in the Physical AI field,” said Choi Dong-hee, Head of AI Strategy Planning Office at SKT. “Going forward, building on our technological competitiveness spanning robot learning platforms and AI models, we will continue to spearhead international standardization in robotics.”
23, Jul 2026
Seoul Comes to Cyberabad: Inorbit Mall Brings Korea’s Biggest Cultural Celebration This July
Hyderabad, July 23: Inorbit Mall Cyberabad invites shoppers to experience the vibrant spirit of South Korea with Seoulscape, a three-day cultural festival taking over the mall‘s Central Atrium from 24 to 26 July 2026.
Designed as an immersive celebration of Korean culture, Seoulscape brings the country’s iconic food, beauty, music and creativity under one roof. Visitors can savour authentic Korean favourites including ramen, bingsu, kimbap and more at specially curated food stalls, while discovering popular K-beauty brands showcasing sheet masks, skincare essentials and beauty products loved across the globe.
Adding to the experience, the festival will host a series of interactive workshops where visitors can create their own Korean-inspired keepsakes through activities such as Korean Fan painting and Korean Umbrelle Painting. Throughout the weekend, live Korean music and dance performances will bring the Central Atrium to life, complemented by immersive Korean-themed décor that recreates the energy and charm of Seoul.
Adding to the excitement is Shop & Win, running alongside the month’s celebrations. Customers who spend ₹3,000 or more at the mall can participate for a chance to win exciting prizes from leading brands. Weekly winners will be announced over a five-week period, culminating on 2 August 2026, and one lucky participant will also drive away with the campaign’s bumper prize.
Make Inorbit Malls your go-to place this July!
