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Category: India

  • Indian scientists develop pocket-sized sensor to detect toxic sulfur dioxide at trace levels

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a breakthrough that could significantly improve air quality monitoring, scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a portable, low-cost sensor capable of detecting toxic sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas at extremely low concentrations. The innovation promises safer environments in both industrial and urban settings where exposure to harmful gases is a growing concern.

    Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant commonly emitted from vehicle exhausts and industrial processes, poses serious health risks even in minute quantities. Known to trigger respiratory irritation, asthma attacks, and long-term lung damage, SO₂ is difficult to detect before it begins to impact health. Current monitoring systems are often costly, bulky, or lack the sensitivity required to identify the gas at trace levels.

    To address these challenges, researchers at CeNS — an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — have designed a compact sensor by combining two metal oxides: nickel oxide (NiO) and neodymium nickelate (NdNiO₃). In this setup, NiO functions as the receptor that detects the gas, while NdNiO₃ acts as the transducer, amplifying the signal. This synergy enables the sensor to detect SO₂ concentrations as low as 320 parts per billion (ppb), far exceeding the sensitivity of many commercially available sensors.

    Led by Dr. S. Angappane, the research team has also developed a portable prototype device that incorporates the sensor and offers real-time air quality feedback. The device includes a color-coded alert system to indicate exposure levels: green for safe, yellow for warning, and red for danger. Its intuitive design makes it user-friendly, even for individuals without technical training.

    Designed to be compact and lightweight, the sensor system is ideal for deployment in industrial zones, densely populated urban areas, and enclosed spaces where continuous air quality monitoring is essential. The technology offers a practical and accessible solution for early detection and response to SO₂ pollution, ultimately supporting public health and environmental protection efforts.

     

  • Indian scientists develop pocket-sized sensor to detect toxic sulfur dioxide at trace levels

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a breakthrough that could significantly improve air quality monitoring, scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a portable, low-cost sensor capable of detecting toxic sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas at extremely low concentrations. The innovation promises safer environments in both industrial and urban settings where exposure to harmful gases is a growing concern.

    Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant commonly emitted from vehicle exhausts and industrial processes, poses serious health risks even in minute quantities. Known to trigger respiratory irritation, asthma attacks, and long-term lung damage, SO₂ is difficult to detect before it begins to impact health. Current monitoring systems are often costly, bulky, or lack the sensitivity required to identify the gas at trace levels.

    To address these challenges, researchers at CeNS — an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — have designed a compact sensor by combining two metal oxides: nickel oxide (NiO) and neodymium nickelate (NdNiO₃). In this setup, NiO functions as the receptor that detects the gas, while NdNiO₃ acts as the transducer, amplifying the signal. This synergy enables the sensor to detect SO₂ concentrations as low as 320 parts per billion (ppb), far exceeding the sensitivity of many commercially available sensors.

    Led by Dr. S. Angappane, the research team has also developed a portable prototype device that incorporates the sensor and offers real-time air quality feedback. The device includes a color-coded alert system to indicate exposure levels: green for safe, yellow for warning, and red for danger. Its intuitive design makes it user-friendly, even for individuals without technical training.

    Designed to be compact and lightweight, the sensor system is ideal for deployment in industrial zones, densely populated urban areas, and enclosed spaces where continuous air quality monitoring is essential. The technology offers a practical and accessible solution for early detection and response to SO₂ pollution, ultimately supporting public health and environmental protection efforts.

     

  • How tiny plastic beads are helping scientists create colour-shifting materials

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A team of researchers in Bengaluru has discovered a way to create tunable colour-shifting surfaces inspired by nature’s vibrant displays—like the feathers of a peacock or the wings of a butterfly.

    At the core of this breakthrough is a phenomenon known as structural coloration, where colours are produced not by pigments but by the physical structure of a surface that interacts with light.

    The study, carried out at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), demonstrates how light can be manipulated at the nanoscale to produce colours that do not fade over time.

    Inspired by Nature
    Unlike dyes or paints, structural colours arise when light waves are reflected, refracted or scattered by microscopic patterns. This is what gives the peacock its iridescent blues and greens that change with the angle of light.

    The scientists at CeNS have used polystyrene nanospheres, each about 400 nanometres wide, to replicate this effect. These tiny beads, far smaller than a grain of sand, naturally arrange themselves into a hexagonal pattern when placed on water, forming what is called a close-packed monolayer.

    Fine-Tuning Colours with Light and Geometry
    Once this layer is formed, the team uses a technique called reactive ion etching—similar to a nano-scale sandblasting process—to slightly reduce the size of the spheres while maintaining their orderly arrangement. This changes how light interacts with the surface.

    As light strikes this nanostructured layer, certain wavelengths are enhanced or suppressed. This means the reflected colour can be adjusted—simply by tilting the surface or changing the viewing angle, shifting it towards shades like blue.

    The result is a vibrant, durable colour that does not fade under sunlight or over time, unlike traditional chemical dyes.

    Scalable and Sustainable
    What makes this research notable is its practicality. The technique relies on self-assembly, a low-cost process where the particles naturally arrange themselves—making it scalable for large-area production without complex machinery.

    According to the researchers, this approach could find applications in wearable sensors, anti-counterfeit labels, flexible displays, and even eco-friendly paints that do not release harmful chemicals into the environment.

    The findings, recently published in the Journal of Applied Physics, highlight how understanding light’s interaction with matter at the nanoscale could lead to new materials with customisable optical properties.

    Bridging Science and Application
    By showing how tiny changes in the geometry of these nanospheres influence how light is reflected, the CeNS team has opened new possibilities for advanced optical materials.

    Such materials could eventually replace conventional pigments in various industries, helping reduce environmental impact while providing vibrant, long-lasting colours.

  • How tiny plastic beads are helping scientists create colour-shifting materials

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A team of researchers in Bengaluru has discovered a way to create tunable colour-shifting surfaces inspired by nature’s vibrant displays—like the feathers of a peacock or the wings of a butterfly.

    At the core of this breakthrough is a phenomenon known as structural coloration, where colours are produced not by pigments but by the physical structure of a surface that interacts with light.

    The study, carried out at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), demonstrates how light can be manipulated at the nanoscale to produce colours that do not fade over time.

    Inspired by Nature
    Unlike dyes or paints, structural colours arise when light waves are reflected, refracted or scattered by microscopic patterns. This is what gives the peacock its iridescent blues and greens that change with the angle of light.

    The scientists at CeNS have used polystyrene nanospheres, each about 400 nanometres wide, to replicate this effect. These tiny beads, far smaller than a grain of sand, naturally arrange themselves into a hexagonal pattern when placed on water, forming what is called a close-packed monolayer.

    Fine-Tuning Colours with Light and Geometry
    Once this layer is formed, the team uses a technique called reactive ion etching—similar to a nano-scale sandblasting process—to slightly reduce the size of the spheres while maintaining their orderly arrangement. This changes how light interacts with the surface.

    As light strikes this nanostructured layer, certain wavelengths are enhanced or suppressed. This means the reflected colour can be adjusted—simply by tilting the surface or changing the viewing angle, shifting it towards shades like blue.

    The result is a vibrant, durable colour that does not fade under sunlight or over time, unlike traditional chemical dyes.

    Scalable and Sustainable
    What makes this research notable is its practicality. The technique relies on self-assembly, a low-cost process where the particles naturally arrange themselves—making it scalable for large-area production without complex machinery.

    According to the researchers, this approach could find applications in wearable sensors, anti-counterfeit labels, flexible displays, and even eco-friendly paints that do not release harmful chemicals into the environment.

    The findings, recently published in the Journal of Applied Physics, highlight how understanding light’s interaction with matter at the nanoscale could lead to new materials with customisable optical properties.

    Bridging Science and Application
    By showing how tiny changes in the geometry of these nanospheres influence how light is reflected, the CeNS team has opened new possibilities for advanced optical materials.

    Such materials could eventually replace conventional pigments in various industries, helping reduce environmental impact while providing vibrant, long-lasting colours.

  • India’s first globally recognised equine disease-free compartment set up in Meerut

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has set up its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College in Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh. The facility was officially recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on Thursday, marking a crucial step in enabling Indian sport horses to compete internationally in compliance with global biosecurity standards.

    The EDFC, developed through the coordinated efforts of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Defence, the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, ensures strict adherence to WOAH’s guidelines for compartmentalisation. These include robust biosecurity measures, veterinary surveillance, and disease exclusion protocols.

    The facility has been certified free from major equine diseases such as Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra, said the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a statement. Additionally, India has remained free of African Horse Sickness since 2014.

    This recognition opens new avenues for Indian riders and horses to participate in international equestrian competitions and enhances India’s potential in equine trade, breeding, and sports. It also aligns with India’s broader strategy of strengthening animal health systems and promoting export readiness through science-based practices.

    The success of the EDFC complements India’s parallel efforts in the poultry sector, where the country is working to develop Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Free Compartments to facilitate safe exports of poultry products.

    This achievement positions India as a rising leader in implementing internationally harmonised animal health systems, supporting both safe trade and emerging sectors like equestrian sports.

  • Indian stock market settles in green amid hopes for potential India-US trade deal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After a highly volatile session, the Indian stock market ended in the green on Friday, supported by value buying in IT and banking stocks as talks progressed on an interim India-US trade deal.

    Touching an intra-day low of 83,015, the Sensex bounced back to close at 83,432.89, up 193.42 points or 0.23 per cent from the previous session’s close of 83,239.47. Similarly, the Nifty ended 0.22 per cent or 55.70 points higher at 25,461.

    “The Indian market is experiencing a pause as investors adopt a wait-and-watch strategy ahead of the impending US tariff deadline amid mixed global cues,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

    Both benchmark indices traded with high volatility as investors remained cautious ahead of the US tariff deadline and amid mixed global signals.

    Among Sensex constituents, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, HCL Technologies, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv and TCS closed in positive territory. Meanwhile, Sun Pharma, ITC, Tata Motors, Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki settled in the red.

    In the Nifty index, 31 stocks advanced while 19 declined.

    Sector-wise, Nifty IT (up 0.80 per cent), Bank Nifty (up 0.42 per cent) and Nifty Financial Services (up 0.49 per cent) posted decent gains. Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 closed flat.

    According to analysts, the markets remained volatile for yet another session but managed to end on a positive note.

    “The tone was negative in the first half; however, a decent recovery in heavyweight stocks pared all losses as the day progressed, helping the index close near the day’s high at 25,461,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP – Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

    Ongoing FII outflows reflect a risk-off sentiment, while DII inflows are providing partial support, market experts noted.

    Following the recent rally, key indices are hovering near peak valuation levels, limiting further upside, which remains highly dependent on Q1 earnings and progress on the trade deal.

    “In the mid- and small-cap space, the market has shifted to being more stock-specific following the recent recovery,” added Nair.

    –IANS

  • Amit Shah to lay foundation stone of India’s first national cooperative university in Gujarat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday will lay the foundation stone of the country’s first national-level cooperative university, Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) in Anand, Gujarat . The event marks a historic step toward institutionalising education and research in the cooperative space.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Muralidhar Mohol, as well as Gujarat’s Education and Cooperation Ministers Rishikesh Patel and Jagdish Vishwakarma, will be present at the foundation-laying ceremony.

    The establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) is being hailed as a forward-looking initiative aimed at transforming India’s cooperative landscape. Designed to meet the growing educational and training demands of the country’s expansive and varied cooperative sector, the university is expected to play a pivotal role in driving cooperation, fostering innovation, and creating employment opportunities — an integrated vision referred to as the “Triveni” of progress.

    Shah will also take part in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” tree plantation drive, a national campaign that encourages environmental consciousness and cultural values. Shah will also unveil an educational module developed by NCERT, designed to introduce school students to cooperative principles and highlight the contributions of the cooperative movement in India.

    Tribhuvan Sahkari University is envisioned as a national hub for capacity building in areas such as cooperative management, finance, law, and rural development. With a focus on skilling the workforce and improving grassroots governance, the university will offer a range of academic programs tailored to meet the sector’s evolving demands.

    Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, TSU will offer flexible and multidisciplinary academic options — including PhDs, degree programs at the managerial level, diplomas at the supervisory level, and certificate courses for operational staff. It will also establish specialised schools on campus and expand to other states, creating a nationwide academic network for cooperative education and training.

    Over the next four years, the university aims to collaborate with more than 200 existing cooperative institutions across the country. In a bid to enhance sectoral capacity, it has set an ambitious target of training around 20 lakh cooperative personnel within five years—catering to the growing needs of approximately 40 lakh workers and 80 lakh board members involved in cooperative societies spanning agriculture, dairy, fisheries, and other sectors.

    To overcome the shortage of skilled faculty in cooperative education, TSU will actively promote PhD programs in cooperative studies, helping to build a strong cadre of qualified educators. Additionally, the university will establish a dedicated Research and Development Council focused on driving innovation and developing cost-effective technological solutions tailored for rural cooperatives. This council will work in close partnership with national and international academic institutions to introduce global best practices into India’s cooperative framework.

  • Indian Army charts ambitious roadmap for modernisation, seeks industry partnership for next-gen warfare

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has unveiled a comprehensive modernisation roadmap aimed at transforming its capabilities across multiple domains, ranging from hypersonic weapons to advanced soldier systems, as it prepares for the challenges of future warfare. The announcement was made by Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General Sustenance of the Indian Army, during the “New Age Military Technologies: Industry Capabilities & Way Forward” conference organised by FICCI.

    Outlining the Army’s ambitious vision, Lt Gen Aujla called for unprecedented collaboration between the military, industry, and policymakers to accelerate self-reliance and innovation in defence technology.

    At the core of the Army’s modernisation drive is the development of ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable weapon systems, including hypersonic glide vehicles, hypersonic air-breathing engines (HEBs), and advanced fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation missiles.

    “We want to change the deterrence equation by ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable weapon systems,” Lt Gen Aujla stated, emphasising the need to transition from conventional “dump category” ammunition to smart, precision-guided munitions.

    The Army also plans to invest heavily in loitering munitions and PGMs to enhance strike capabilities while minimising collateral damage.

    In addition, the service is advancing efforts in directed energy weapons, such as high-energy lasers and microwave systems, for counter-drone operations, missile defence, and anti-satellite capabilities.

    Recognising the evolving dimensions of warfare, the Army is placing strong emphasis on cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, aiming for spectrum dominance and both offensive and defensive cyber operations. The force is seeking industry partnerships to develop next-generation cyber defence tools, autonomous EW solutions, and resilient satellite systems.

    Another critical focus area is soldier-centric modernisation. The Army plans to equip soldiers with exoskeletons, human augmentation systems, smart body armour, and augmented reality-based battlefield management systems.

    “The individual has to be an empowered individual, in terms of agility, in terms of resilience, in terms of endurance,” Lt Gen Aujla said, highlighting the integration of AI-powered helmets, smart apparel, and real-time health monitoring to enhance battlefield effectiveness.

    To support these advancements, the Army is revamping its logistics and supply chain infrastructure, integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The goal is to ensure green, sustainable logistics, cyber-resilient systems, and efficient, future-ready supply chains.

    Lt Gen Aujla stressed that the Army will continue to focus on core operational roles, while outsourcing specialised capabilities to industry partners.

    He underlined the need for synergy between three key stakeholders: the military, which must clearly define operational needs; policymakers, who must create enabling frameworks; and the industry, which must innovate and deliver tailored solutions.

    “You are the people who have to give shape to our desires, our requirements, our needs, which are absolutely operational in nature,” he told industry leaders.

    To foster this ecosystem, the Army has called on policymakers to establish defence technology acceleration funds, provide fast-tracked regulatory clearances, and simplify procurement processes. He also recommended the creation of tech hubs, innovation centres, and incubation facilities to drive defence-sector innovation.

    “Unless you prepare the environment to support the user and the industry, things won’t work out. It will be just lip service, or it will be a mere slogan that we may keep saying that atmanirbharta is coming, or the self-reliance is,” he warned.

    (ANI)

  • World food prices tick higher in June, led by meat and vegetable oils

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Global food commodity prices edged higher in June, supported by higher meat, vegetable oil and dairy prices, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday.

    The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in a basket of internationally traded food commodities, averaged 128.0 points in June, up 0.5% from May. The index stood 5.8% higher than a year ago, but remained 20.1% below its record high in March 2022.

    The cereal price index fell 1.5% to 107.4 points, now 6.8% below a year ago, as global maize prices dropped sharply for a second month. Larger harvests and more export competition from Argentina and Brazil weighed on maize, while barley and sorghum also declined.

    Wheat prices, however, rose due to weather concerns in Russia, the European Union, and the United States.

    The vegetable oil price index rose 2.3% from May to 155.7 points, now 18.2% above its June 2024 level, led by higher palm, rapeseed, and soy oil prices.

    Palm oil climbed nearly 5% from May on strong import demand, while soy oil was supported by expectations of higher demand from the biofuel sector following announcements of supportive policy measures in Brazil and the United States.

    Sugar prices dropped 5.2% from May to 103.7 points, the lowest since April 2021, reflecting improved supply prospects in Brazil, India, and Thailand.

    Meat prices rose to a record 126.0 points, now 6.7% above June 2024, with all categories rising except poultry. Bovine meat set a new peak, reflecting tighter supplies from Brazil and strong demand from the United States. Poultry prices continued to fall due to abundant Brazilian supplies.

    The dairy price index edged up 0.5% from May to 154.4 points, marking a 20.7% annual increase.

    In a separate report, the FAO forecast global cereal production in 2025 at a record 2.925 billion tonnes, 0.5% above its previous projection and 2.3% above the previous year.

    The outlook could be affected by expected hot, dry conditions in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly for maize with plantings almost complete.

    (Reuters)

  • National Consumer Helpline refunds Rs 7.14 crore to consumers in two months

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ata-start=”199″ data-end=”391″>The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has helped consumers secure refunds totalling ₹7.14 crore over the past two months, according to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

    The Department of Consumer Affairs said the amount was facilitated through the resolution of 15,426 complaints spanning 30 sectors.

    The NCH, a flagship initiative under the Department of Consumer Affairs, plays a critical role in providing pre-litigation support to consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. By addressing grievances swiftly and amicably, the helpline eases the burden on the Consumer Commissions.

    According to official data, the e-commerce sector continues to generate the highest number of complaints. Of the total grievances, 8,919 pertained to the e-commerce sector alone, leading to refunds amounting to ₹3.69 crore. The travel and tourism sector followed, with refunds worth ₹81 lakh being facilitated for consumers facing issues related to bookings and cancellations.

    Consumers from states and Union Territories across the country have used the platform, reflecting its wide reach. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of e-commerce complaints at 1,242, but grievances were registered even from smaller regions such as Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

    Officials said the steady increase in the number of grievances reflects the growing outreach of the platform through various digital modes, including calls, the NCH app, the UMANG app, SMS, WhatsApp, email, the web portal, and the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM).

    The helpline acts as a single-window system for consumers to register their grievances at the pre-litigation stage. It is accessible in 17 languages through the toll-free number 1915. In addition, complaints can be submitted online via consumerhelpline.gov.in and through WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS, the NCH app, the UMANG App, and email (nch-ca@gov.in).

    Officials have urged consumers to actively utilise these channels to secure timely and hassle-free redressal and to safeguard their rights as provided under the law.

     

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Releases Bimonthly Transparency Report: $559 Million Reimbursed to Users, $2.2M in Illicit Assets Blocked

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has released its official May–June 2025 Bimonthly Report, outlining new security initiatives, internal risk monitoring data, and major transparency updates. The report reaffirms MEXC’s commitment to safeguarding user assets and maintaining institutional-grade operational standards.

    Among the key disclosures:

    • Proof of Reserves Update — The report confirms current key wallet holdings, providing publicly verifiable data to reinforce asset safety and user trust.
    • $100M Guardian Fund — A new insurance mechanism designed to cover user losses in unforeseen incidents, such as protocol-level hacks and critical exploits, is now live.
    • Futures Insurance Fund Growth — The fund aimed at mitigating forced liquidation losses has expanded its financial coverage, reflecting MEXC’s active protection of derivatives traders.
    • Asset Recovery Protocols — New updates are introduced for refund processing related to user errors, including wrong network deposits.
    • Illicit Transaction Response — Between March and April, MEXC successfully intercepted over 2.2 million USDT in stolen or hacked funds across 41 user cases.

    MEXC is ensuring that all user assets are fully redeemable at any time by maintaining over-collateralized reserves, as evidenced by the latest data. This means that for every unit of cryptocurrency users hold on the platform, MEXC holds more than one unit in reserve, guaranteeing asset withdrawal whenever needed. The Proof of Reserves (PoR) MEXC is reporting as of June 26, 2025, shows the platform holds enough assets to cover all user deposits. Key wallet holdings as of June 26: 4,08 million BTC, 69,234 ETH, 2.32 billion USDT, 72.3 million USDC.

    The launch of the groundbreaking $100 million Guardian Fund, a dedicated security reserve designed to protect users against major threats such as large-scale hacks, targeted attacks, and serious system vulnerabilities, is a key initiative prioritizing trading security at MEXC. This includes, but is not limited to covering two major issues: compensation when MEXC’s systems are compromised and protection from losses due to critical technical problems. To promote industry transparency, MEXC is publicly disclosing all Guardian Fund wallet addresses. This allows anyone to verify the fund’s balance and transactions on the blockchain, ensuring openness and building user trust.

    Furthermore, the exchange continues its active fight against fraud. This is achieved by ongoing risk control monitoring. In its recent Bimonthly Report, MEXC disclosed that 46,311 suspicious user accounts linked to fraudulent activities were identified and restricted, involving 6,184 fraud syndicates. The largest sources of these activities were traced to CIS, India, and Indonesia. These measures keep enhancing security and building community trust.

    According to the Report, MEXC’s Futures Insurance Fund has paid out over $559 million to compensate traders as of June 30, 2025 – a substantial contribution to preserving the market stability and unprecedented user protection. The initiative is aimed at ensuring a safer trading environment and supporting traders by covering losses that might occur during forced liquidations and mitigating financial risks.

    MEXC also reported successful user asset recovery efforts, with 2,428 cases of mistaken deposits resolved by its dedicated customer support team, resulting in the recovery of 1.1 million USDT for users. Since some errors may occur accidentally on the users’ side, asset recovery support plays a vital role in ensuring peace of mind. Users can request the return of funds sent to the wrong address, involving unsupported tokens, or containing incorrect memo/tag information.

    As part of its comprehensive strategy of maintaining platform security, MEXC is constantly combating hacks and illicit transactions, as confirmed by the data published in the Report. In May-June 2025, the platform processed 709 assistance requests. MEXC efficiently resolves two main types of cases: user asset theft, where users request urgent account freezes, and law enforcement-initiated cases, where users or law enforcement agencies have launched official proceedings. During this period, MEXC handled 124 official freeze requests with official law enforcement documentation. In total, 41 cases were successfully intercepted — covering both user asset theft incidents and enforcement-driven asset freezes. During this period, MEXC handled 124 official freeze requests with official law enforcement documentation.

    Additionally, the exchange is taking action to address reports of stolen or hacked funds being deposited onto their platform and is constantly monitoring suspicious activity and freezing affected accounts.

    These ongoing initiatives reflect MEXC’s broader commitment to proactive security, regulatory cooperation, and industry-leading transparency. By combining over-collateralized reserves, responsive asset protection mechanisms, and robust compliance infrastructure, MEXC continues to build a trusted environment for global crypto traders.

    The exchange remains focused on delivering secure, resilient, and user-first trading experiences — aligned with its vision to raise industry standards and support the long-term growth of digital assets worldwide.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0aedca5d-f92e-40f9-a259-66dfe626e073

    The MIL Network –

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Trump says he is willing to let migrant laborers stay on US farms

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is willing to let migrant laborers stay in the United States if the farmers they work for will vouch for them.

    At a campaign-style speech at the Iowa state fairgrounds, Trump said he is working with the Homeland Security Department to help farmers who depend on migrant laborers for their seasonal needs. He said he will also work with the hotel industry on the issue.

    Trump has been pursuing a hard-line policy on migration and his U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been leading an effort to deport people who crossed into the United States illegally.

    This has led to some complaints from farmers that their crops are at risk due to a depleted work force.

    “If a farmer is willing to vouch for these people in some way, Kristi, I think we’re going to have to just say that’s going to be good, right?”

    “We don’t want to do it where we take all of the workers off the farms,” he added, speaking in a Midwestern state where farming is a dominant industry.

    (Reuters)

  • Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becomes Indian Navy’s first woman fighter pilot

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a landmark moment for gender equality in the armed forces, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia became the first woman fighter pilot of the Indian Navy. She was awarded the prestigious ‘Wings of Gold’ alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull during the graduation ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course held at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

    The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), who conferred the honours. The Indian Navy described the milestone as “A new chapter in Naval aviation,” celebrating Poonia’s entry into the elite Fighter stream—a domain previously dominated by men.

    “Streaming of SLt Aastha Poonia into the Fighter Stream highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment towards gender inclusivity in Naval Aviation and promoting Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity,” said the Defence Ministry in a statement.

    The achievement comes amid increasing representation of women in the Indian Armed Forces. During recent press briefings on Operation Sindoor, officers like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stood as powerful symbols of women’s growing role in India’s defence landscape.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Widespread rainfall predicted across India; peak intensity likely in northwest region on July 6–7

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted heavy rainfall activity over northwest and central India over the next seven days, with peak intensity expected in the northwest region on July 6 and 7. Eastern India is also likely to witness significant rainfall until July 7.

    Isolated places in eastern Madhya Pradesh are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall (more than 21 cm) today, while the ghat areas of central Maharashtra are likely to witness similar intensity on July 6 and 7. Himachal Pradesh may also see extremely heavy showers on July 6.

    Several other regions will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period. These include Jammu, Jharkhand, and western Uttar Pradesh on July 6; Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from July 5 to 8; Punjab and Haryana on July 6 and 7; and East Rajasthan from July 4 to 6 and again on July 9 and 10.

    Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive heavy rainfall today and tomorrow, with another wet spell from July 8 to 10.

    Other areas including Chhattisgarh, Konkan and Goa, central Maharashtra, and the Gujarat region are likely to see heavy rainfall from July 4 to 8, while Vidarbha may receive showers from July 6 to 8.

    Gangetic West Bengal is expected to receive heavy rainfall on July 5 and 6, and parts of Karnataka, Saurashtra & Kutch, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya are also likely to be affected on select days.

    Weather forecast for Delhi-NCR

    In Delhi-NCR, weather conditions are expected to remain relatively moderate but unsettled.

    Delhi is likely to witness partly cloudy skies with very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms today. Maximum temperatures will range from 36 to 38°C.

    On July 5, light to moderate rain is expected, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 37°C during the day and 26 to 28°C at night.

    July 6 and 7 will see generally cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures are likely to dip to 32–35°C, and minimum temperatures may fall to 24–28°C, remaining below normal for this time of year.

  • National Consumer Helpline facilitates ₹7.14 crore refunds in two months

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) on Friday enabled refunds worth ₹7.14 crore to consumers across the country in the past two months. The Department of Consumer Affairs said the amount was facilitated through the resolution of 15,426 complaints spanning 30 sectors.

    The NCH, a flagship initiative under the Department of Consumer Affairs, plays a critical role in providing pre-litigation support to consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. By addressing grievances swiftly and amicably, the helpline eases the burden on the Consumer Commissions.

    According to official data, the e-commerce sector continues to generate the highest number of complaints. Of the total grievances, 8,919 pertained to the e-commerce sector alone, leading to refunds amounting to ₹3.69 crore. The travel and tourism sector followed, with refunds worth ₹81 lakh being facilitated for consumers facing issues related to bookings and cancellations.

    Consumers from states and Union Territories across the country have used the platform, reflecting its wide reach. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of e-commerce complaints at 1,242, but grievances were registered even from smaller regions such as Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

    Officials said the steady increase in the number of grievances reflects the growing outreach of the platform through various digital modes, including calls, the NCH app, the UMANG app, SMS, WhatsApp, email, the web portal, and the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM).

    The helpline acts as a single-window system for consumers to register their grievances at the pre-litigation stage. It is accessible in 17 languages through the toll-free number 1915. In addition, complaints can be submitted online via consumerhelpline.gov.in and through WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS, the NCH app, the UMANG App, and email (nch-ca@gov.in).

    Officials have urged consumers to actively utilise these channels to secure timely and hassle-free redressal and to safeguard their rights as provided under the law.

    Several recent cases highlight the helpline’s effectiveness.

    In West Bengal, a consumer in Kolkata received a refund of ₹8.24 lakh for a cancelled flight ticket after approaching the NCH. Another consumer from Burdwan District secured a refund of ₹1,854 for an undelivered grocery order from an e-commerce platform.

    In Rajasthan, a consumer from Nagpur District was refunded ₹5,799 for a washing machine that could not be returned due to repeated delays.

    In Chhattisgarh, a consumer from Korba District received a refund of ₹1,214 for a toy order that was not delivered, following intervention by the helpline.

    A consumer in Mumbai, Maharashtra, received a refund for missing grocery items within three hours of filing a complaint.

    In Telangana, a consumer from Medak District, who received a three-star refrigerator instead of the ordered five-star model, was refunded ₹17,490 after the helpline’s intervention.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Home Affairs outlines key achievements at Budget Vote presentation

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Minister Leon Schreiber has outlined the key achievements recorded in the Department of Home Affairs at Thursday’s Budget Vote presentation.

    “It has been a year of remarkable progress for the Home Affairs ecosystem. I am here to confidently report to the House that the progress we have made over the last 12 months, by working as one team with one dream, has exceeded the expectations of cynics and optimists alike,” Schreiber said.

    The department has cleared a backlog of over 306 000 visa applications dating back more than a decade.

    “We produced and delivered just under 3.6 million Smart IDs, surpassing the previous annual record by nearly half a million. 

    “We deployed advanced drone and body camera technology at the border for the first time, leading to an increase of up to 215% in the detection and prevention of attempted illegal border crossings.

    “We launched Operation New Broom as part of intensified operations to restore the rule of law, leading to over 46 000 deportations — the highest figure in more than five years and more than countries like France and Germany combined,” the Minister said.

    Schreiber said the department launched the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme to boost tourism from the major source markets of China and India where South Africa has underperformed for years.

    “We enabled over 1.4 million naturalised citizens and permanent residents to obtain secure Smart IDs for the first time. We activated the Immigration Advisory Board for the first time in a decade by appointing a diverse group of seasoned experts to help shape better policies,” Schreiber said.

    Schreiber said the department dismissed 37 crooked officials and launched the dedicated Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum that brings together law enforcement, the Special Investigating Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure corrupt officials and fraudsters are put behind bars.  

    “Our anti-corruption work has led to the conviction of eight offenders, with sentences ranging from four to 18 years in prison.

    “We built a working prototype of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system that will digitalise the visa processes from beginning to end, eliminating corruption and inefficiency,” the Minister said.

    Schreiber said the reforms that his department will deliver in the next 12 months will begin to redefine the quality of services that South Africans expect from their government.

    “The endpoint of these reforms is to enable both South Africans and legitimate visitors to apply and obtain enabling documents online, including in digital format, from the comfort of their own homes,” Schreiber said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Israeli military prepares plan to ensure Iran cannot threaten Israel, defence minister says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Israeli military is preparing an enforcement plan to “ensure that Iran cannot return to threaten Israel”, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told senior military officials.

    He said the military must be prepared, both in intelligence and operations, to ensure Israel has air superiority and to prevent Tehran from reestablishing its previous capabilities.

    He made his remarks following a 12-day air war between the longtime enemies in June, during which Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the aim was to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.

    Iran denies seeking nuclear arms and that its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.

    Israel and Iran agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended hostilities on June 24.

    (Reuters)

  • SAIL opens representative office in Dubai to strengthen global presence

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a move to strengthen its international presence, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), one of India’s largest steel producers, inaugurated its Representative Office in Dubai on Wednesday.

    The office was officially inaugurated by Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy in the presence of Consul General of India to Dubai Satish Kumar Sivan, SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash, NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of Steel Ministry V.K. Tripathi, and other senior officials from SAIL, Steel Ministry, NMDC, and MECON.

    Located in a key commercial hub, the Dubai office is set to serve as a gateway for SAIL to enhance its steel exports, strengthen industry linkages, and bolster trade relations between India and the UAE, the Ministry of Steel said in a statement. The move leverages Dubai’s strategic position in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and its business-friendly ecosystem.

    The initiative aligns with India’s broader vision of increasing its global steel footprint and reaching the national target of 300 million tonnes of steel production by 2030. The new office is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming SAIL into a globally competitive steelmaker and advancing India’s stature in the international steel market.

  • President Murmu unveils Durand Cup trophies

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu on Friday unveiled the trophies of Durand Cup Tournament 2025 at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

    The 2025 edition of the Durand Cup will be held from July 23 to August 23 across six venues in West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.

    Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament features matchups between Services teams and some of India’s top football clubs. In recent editions, the Durand Cup has also witnessed international participation, with Army teams from neighbouring countries joining the competition.

    Speaking at the event, the President emphasized the unifying power of sports, highlighting how they promote discipline, determination, and team spirit.

    “Sports have the unique power to connect people, regions, and countries. In India, they serve as a powerful tool for national integration,” she said, noting the collective pride felt when the Indian tricolour is raised at international events.

    Highlighting the enduring popularity of football, President Murmu said the sport is more than a game – it is a passion that inspires millions. “Football is about strategy, endurance, and teamwork. Events like the Durand Cup nurture this spirit and provide a vital platform for emerging talent,” she added.

    She also lauded the role of the Armed Forces in sustaining and promoting the legacy of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, which continues to play a key role in developing the sport in India.

  • Archaeologists in Peru unveil 3,500-year-old city that linked coast and Andes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru that likely served as a trading hub linking Pacific coast cultures with those in the Andes and Amazon, flourishing around the same time as early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia.

    Drone footage released by researchers shows the city center is marked by a circular structure on a hillside terrace, with remains of stone and mud buildings constructed some 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level.

    The urban center, named Peñico, is located in the northern Barranca province and was founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC. It is close to where the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas, developed 5,000 years ago.

    Caral, comprised of 32 monumental structures, is considered a contemporary of civilizations in Egypt, India, Sumeria and China. However, unlike them, it developed in complete isolation, according to researchers.

    Ruth Shady, the archaeologist who led the research into Peñico, said the newly unveiled city is key because experts believe it emerged after the Caral civilization was devastated by climate change.

    “They were situated in a strategic location for trade, for exchange with societies from the coast, the highlands and the jungle,” Shady said.

    Archaeologist Marco Machacuay, a researcher with the Ministry of Culture, said at a news conference that Peñico’s importance lies in it being the continuation of the Caral society.

    After eight years of studies, researchers have identified up to 18 structures in Penico, including ceremonial temples and residential complexes.

    The walls of a central plaza stand out for their sculptural reliefs and depictions of the pututu, a conch shell trumpet whose sound carries over long distances.

    In other buildings, researchers found clay sculptures of human and animal figures, ceremonial objects and necklaces made from beads and seashells, they added.

    Peru is a center of ancient cultures and home to archaeological sites such as the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Cusco and the mysterious Nazca lines located in the desert region along the country’s central coast.

    (Reuters)