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The Ministry of Labour and Employment recently directed the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (<keyword id="19966712" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EPFO" source="keywords">EPFO</keyword>) to ensure the activation of UAN (<keyword id="20789489" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="universal-account-number" source="keywords">Universal Account Number</keyword>) via Aadhar-based OTP. The outreach is part of announcements made during the Union Budget 2024-25, which aim to maximize the net of beneficiaries under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme.<br /><br /> The central government has already directed concerned ministries and departments to ensure that payment of all subsidies and incentives under all welfare schemes occurs via the Aadhar Payment Bridge and that 100% biometric Aadhar authentication is achieved. Notably, Aadhaar-based verification eliminates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one's identity.<br /><br /> In the first stage, all employers must complete <keyword id="24089674" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UAN-activation" source="keywords">UAN activation</keyword> through Aadhar-based OTP for all employees who've joined the company in the current financial year by November 30, 2024. Starting with their latest recruits, employers will have to finish this process for all their employees. <br /><br /> As per the budget announcements, the government will implement 3 schemes for 'Employment Linked Incentive' as part of the Prime Minister's package. These will be based on enrollment in the EPFO and focus on recognition of first-time employees and support to employees and employers. The ELI Scheme aims to create over 2 crore jobs in the country in 2 years. This will significantly contribute to increasing employment opportunities and enhancing livelihoods.<br /> <br />UAN activation provides employees with seamless access to EPFO's comprehensive online services, enabling them to efficiently manage their Provident Fund (PF) accounts, view and download PF passbooks, submit online claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers, update personal details, and track claims in real-time. This allows employees 24/7 access to EPFO services from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for physical visits to EPFO offices.<br /><br /> For the uninitiated, UAN is a 12-digit number allotted to each member of EPFO (Employee Provident Fund Organization). Think of UAN as a single-point number that brings together multiple member IDs that have been allocated to a particular employee. In September this year, EPFO added 18.81 lakh members, registering a 9.33% YoY growth. <br /><br />

EPFO to ensure UAN activation for employees through Aadhaar-based OTP

Did you know that your high-speed <keyword id="6357247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Internet" source="Orion">internet</keyword> might be making you a bit, well… sluggish? According to new research, faster internet connections could actually be helping to drive up <keyword id="6364492" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Obesity" source="Orion">obesity</keyword> rates in Australia.<br /><br />The study examined years of data from the Household, Income, and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, tracking the expansion of high-speed internet across the country from 2006 to 2019. The result? The faster the internet, the more likely people are to gain weight.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14.0pt;margin-bottom:4.0pt;">Fast internet changing daily habits</h3>According to Dr. Klaus Ackermann from Monash Business School, the connection between fast internet and weight gain has to do with “sedentary behavior.” He explains, “Access to high-speed internet connection decreases the likelihood of individuals meeting the minimum physical activity recommendation proposed by the WHO. That is, individuals become more inactive and exhibit more sedentary behaviour.”<br /><br />Basically, with high-speed internet, we’re more likely to spend hours watching streaming shows or playing online games. And, as Dr. Ackermann says, “Sedentary behavior is induced by the need to stay connected online for longer hours, which leads to lower metabolic rates and contributes to obesity.” And that’s not all — the more we’re sitting around, the more we’re likely to snack. “This problem is elevated by the need to frequently consume snacks during computer usage, which increases the daily intake of calories that contribute to obesity,” Ackermann points out.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14.0pt;margin-bottom:4.0pt;">A growing (and costly) problem</h3>Beyond individual health, Australia’s obesity crisis is also creating a big economic issue. Obesity cost the country $11.8 billion in 2018, and that number is projected to reach an astonishing $87.7 billion by 2032.<br /><br />According to the study, a mere 1% increase in National Broadband Network adoption is linked with a jump in <keyword id="20107050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Body-Mass-Index" source="keywords">Body Mass Index</keyword> (BMI) of 1.57 kg/m² and a 6.6% increase in the prevalence of obesity. In simple terms, fast internet is allowing people to live slower lives—lives that involve a lot more sitting and a lot less moving.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14.0pt;margin-bottom:4.0pt;">Breaking the cycle</h3>So, what’s the solution? Dr. Ackermann suggests that we might need <keyword id="21876118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-health-campaigns" source="keywords">public health campaigns</keyword> to remind people of the risks that come with endless screen time. “One avenue of suggestion could be creating awareness of the potential increase in <keyword id="23729054" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sedentary-behavior" source="keywords">sedentary behavior</keyword> with internet access; this could motivate people to take breaks between screen time to reduce sedentary behavior and engage in physical activity to promote a healthier lifestyle,” he says.<br /><br />He adds that encouraging people to take breaks and do more physical activities might be key. “Such public health campaigns could encourage the need to physically engage in errands, if possible, as opposed to strictly accessing goods and services online,” Ackermann advises.<br /><br />High-speed internet may be part of modern life, but maybe it’s worth taking a step back now and then to get off the couch. As Dr. Ackermann puts it, “Public health campaigns that encourage short but vigorous physical activity… could be useful for individuals with busy lifestyles who may only have limited time.”<br /><br />The findings of this research have been published in <em>Economics &amp; Human Biology.</em><br />

The faster your internet, the more likely you are to be obese, a study has found

For most of us, heading out used to be an everyday ritual, but COVID-19 has left an unexpected impact — many people are staying home more often, and this shift might just be the “new normal.” A recent study reveals that, compared to pre-pandemic life, people are spending almost an hour less each day on activities outside the home. Additionally, people are spending about 12 fewer minutes a day on travel.<br /><br />Researchers analysed a survey of 34,000 Americans, finding that this trend toward staying home reflects a larger shift that had already begun but has accelerated significantly due to COVID-19. The study shows a lasting change: while some out-of-home activities have slightly bounced back since the peak of the pandemic in 2021, Americans are still spending about 53 minutes less outside the home than they did in 2019. In 2023, the amount of time people spend outside remains considerably lower than before the pandemic, with <keyword id="23763147" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="in-home-activities" source="keywords">in-home activities</keyword> taking up more of the day.<br /><h2>The new routine</h2>This drop in out-of-home time is partly due to more people working and shopping from home. The study found a marked decrease in out-of-home activities like work and shopping. With <keyword id="20665553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="remote-work" source="keywords">remote work</keyword> becoming more popular and online shopping more efficient than in-person errands, people are finding fewer reasons to go out. The researchers suggest that cities may need to rethink their policies around commercial and residential spaces, relaxing restrictions on converting offices into housing and creating more space for delivery services rather than traditional commuter parking.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114823699" title="Uber drops after its bookings results and forecast fail to impress" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The authors of the study see this as an opportunity for cities to embrace a new role as “centers of consumption.” Since office workers are no longer essential to urban economies, central cities may focus more on their appeal as hubs for recreation, culture, and dining — areas that can attract residents who choose to live in more urban settings. This shift could also make cities more affordable by reducing housing and transport costs.<br /><br />Technology advancements played a significant role in this new preference for staying in. During the pandemic, people adapted quickly to working, socialising, and even exercising at home. For example, sales of <keyword id="20751231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-gym" source="keywords">home gym</keyword> equipment surged, and now many people are working out at home rather than visiting gyms. Meanwhile, activities like TV watching did not rise post-pandemic as much as one might expect, with only a brief increase in screen time at the height of COVID.<br /><h2>Less commuting, fewer emissions</h2>The study also shows a continued decrease in travel time, which initially dropped due to fewer commutes. Even as the world reopens, travel hasn’t bounced back completely, indicating that people are limiting outings beyond work as well. This decrease in driving and public transport use could have <keyword id="21198065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-benefits" source="keywords">environmental benefits</keyword>, including lower emissions and fuel consumption. However, it raises questions about the potential downsides of extended time at home, such as <keyword id="20787438" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-isolation" source="keywords">social isolation</keyword>.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114822872" title="I&amp;#39;m an American who&amp;#39;s lived in South Korea for 10 years. Here are 9 things I don&amp;#39;t miss about the US." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As more people choose to stay in, the researchers suggest that cities may need to adapt by focusing less on peak travel demands and more on pedestrian and cyclist safety, as well as accessible services for lower-income residents. These adaptations could improve urban life, particularly in dense areas where the need for safer and more walkable spaces is high.<br /><br />The study’s authors point out that, although this trend toward “cocooning” at home has been growing for years, the pandemic has caused a much steeper drop than expected. Moving forward, cities and communities may need to embrace this new lifestyle by designing policies and spaces that cater to a society that prefers staying home— whether it’s about creating vibrant urban hubs or ensuring services are available to all residents. While only time will tell if this trend endures, one thing is clear: staying in has reshaped our daily lives and could change the face of our cities in the years to come.<br /><br />The findings of this research have been published in the <em>Journal of the American Planning Association </em>and can be accessed <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2024.2385327">here</a>.<br />

The COVID-19 pandemic has made people more reluctant to go out, study finds

India's services sector showed robust expansion in October, per the <keyword id="22267674" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HSBC-India-Services-PMI" source="keywords">HSBC India Services PMI</keyword> (Purchasing Managers' Index), which rose to 58.5 last month, up from September's ten-month low of 57.7. October's figures managed to exceed even the long-run PMI average of 54.1, largely on the back of a strong sales pipeline and elevated demand. <br /><br />Employment, or job creation in this sector accelerated to its fastest growth rate in 26 months. Anticipating solid, sustained demand in the near term, firms added new employees at the most rapid pace in over 2 years. October also saw <keyword id="23834175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="input-costs-rise" source="keywords">input costs rise</keyword> at their fastest pace in 3 months, indicating renewed demand and economic activity in the country. The ISM Services PMI, an indicator of the economic health of the US, also exceeded expectations, reaching 56.0 compared to the forecasted 53.8, suggesting strong growth within the services sector.<br /><br />"During October, the Indian services sector experienced strong expansions in output and consumer demand, as well as job creation, which achieved a 26-month high," said Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC.<br /><br />The sector saw increased business activity across multiple fronts, with export sales showing significant growth and companies reporting stronger demand from international markets including Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and the UK.<br /><br />However, industry experts remain cautiously optimistic about the sector's prospects. Suman Chowdhury, Chief Economist at Acuité Ratings &amp; Research, noted that while the October recovery is promising, several factors warrant careful monitoring.<br /><br />“The recovery in the PMI indices in October 2024 is promising for the second half of the fiscal after the dip in several high-frequency indicators in September 2024. Industrial and service activity has expectedly received a boost from the anticipated spike in consumption demand in Q3 FY25, driven by the festivities and the marriage season," she said. <br /><br />Chowdhury added that it will be crucial to monitor the sustainability of these PMI indices at these elevated levels, given the reported weakness in urban demand in Q2 as flagged by FMCG companies. She also noted that potential increases in wholesale and core retail inflation, combined with higher input costs and wage pressures, could delay expected interest rate cuts. RBI governor Shaktikanta Das also noted that inflation and CPI figures for October might be elevated, pushing ahead any chances of interest rate cuts in the near future. <br /><br />Acuité Ratings &amp; Research maintains its GDP growth forecast at 7.0% for FY25 while acknowledging the multiple downside risks that will require close observation in the coming months.<br />

India's Services Index jumps to 58.5 in October as employment grows the fastest in 26 months

X (formerly Twitter) is experiencing its largest user exodus since <keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword> took over in 2022. The tipping point is a perfect storm of political controversy, privacy fears, and discontent with the platform’s new policies, culminating in a dramatic shift of users to alternative platforms like <keyword id="412371" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bluesky" source="Orion">Bluesky</keyword> and <keyword id="1163500" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="threads" source="Orion">Threads</keyword>.<br /><br />Here’s a breakdown of the recent changes and why they’ve left users saying goodbye to X.<br /><h2>Political backlash</h2>The day after the U.S. presidential election on November 6, X saw over 115,000 account deactivations — the most since Musk's acquisition. Many users were disillusioned by Musk's perceived alignment with newly elected President Donald Trump. Musk's vocal support for Trump during his campaign, coupled with his attendance at Republican rallies, alienated users who once trusted X as a politically neutral platform.<br /><br />One user, Kara Wurtz, said the election was the “final straw.” After eight years on the platform, the finance director from St. Louis decided that X was no longer delivering the content she valued. “Every time I opened it, it would throw things at me that put me in a bad mood,” she said.<br /><br />The political fallout didn’t just affect individuals. Prominent organisations and brands, including <em>The Guardian</em> and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, have also bid farewell to the platform.<br /><h2>New terms of service spark outrage</h2>On November 15, X's updated terms of service came into effect, granting the platform a sweeping global licence to use user-generated content. This includes using posts, photos, and creative works to train artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models.<br /><br />The backlash was immediate:<br /><br /><ul><li>Privacy Concerns: By continuing to use X, users implicitly agree to have their data — personal photos, creative work, and more — used for AI training. Artists and creators fear their intellectual property could be exploited to develop AI tools that might one day replace human creativity.</li><li>Legal Implications: Disputes over the new terms will be handled in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, home to Judge Reed O'Connor, a Tesla investor. This has raised questions about potential bias in legal proceedings related to the platform.</li></ul>Alex Fink, CEO of the AI-powered platform Otherweb, criticised X’s lack of transparency, stating, “Unlike other platforms with vague licensing terms, X removes any ambiguity about its intentions.”<br /><br /><h2>Changes to blocking and safety settings</h2>Safety concerns have also escalated due to alterations in X’s block feature. Users now allegedly receive notifications that even those they block can still view their posts — though they can’t interact.<br /><br />This tweak is particularly alarming for users who have faced harassment on the platform. Many feel their safety is compromised, prompting them to seek refuge in safer alternatives like Bluesky, which saw a surge of 500,000 new users in just one day following the policy updates.<br /><br />Initially developed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky offers customizable feeds and decentralised control, which many find refreshing. With over 16 million users (and counting), it’s quickly becoming the top choice for X refugees. Threads, Instagram’s text-based app, also surpassed 275 million monthly active users by November, with 15 million new sign-ups last month alone. For many, these platforms represent a chance to escape X’s chaos while reclaiming control over their online experience.<br /><h2>Is Fediverse the future?</h2>Experts believe the exodus from X could mark the beginning of a new era of decentralised social networks. Bluesky, built on a protocol that enables interconnected platforms, is part of the "Fediverse," which could allow users to interact seamlessly across different apps. This shift reflects growing dissatisfaction with centralised platforms that control user data, content visibility, and privacy settings.<br /><br />While Musk touts record-breaking engagement on X, the cracks in the platform’s foundation are evident. Critics warn that X could become a training ground for Musk’s xAI venture, leveraging user interactions to fuel lucrative AI models. Whether X can weather this storm remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the days of Twitter’s broad appeal as a space for open, inclusive dialogue seem to be fading fast.<br />

Mass X-odus: What are the controversial changes on X that are driving users away?

If your broadband connectivity faltered recently, the cause may be far above the Earth. On October 19, 2024, the <keyword id="23654638" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Intelsat-33e" source="keywords">Intelsat 33e</keyword> satellite experienced a catastrophic event in <keyword id="20509348" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geostationary-orbit" source="keywords">geostationary orbit</keyword>, breaking into at least 20 pieces. This fragmentation was later confirmed to have generated over 57 pieces of <keyword id="20715750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-debris" source="keywords">space debris</keyword>. The satellite’s sudden disintegration impacted certain broadband and connectivity services in Asia, Europe and Africa.<br /><br />While the satellite wasn’t widely used for everyday home broadband, its services were vital for specific sectors. <keyword id="21479073" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Intelsat" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Intelsat" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Intelsat">Intelsat</keyword> 33e was a critical part of Intelsat’s EpicNG network, delivering high-throughput broadband for inflight Wi-Fi, maritime connectivity, and business communications. It even supported broadband for airlines in India through a partnership with Tata's Nelco.<br /><br />However, the incident that occurred on October 19 resulted in a loss of power and service to Intelsat’s customers. In a statement released by the company, Intesat said that they were assessing their fleet’s capacity as well as working with third-party providers to mitigate service interruptions. Intelsat representatives were in direct communication with all affected customers, it further said.<br /><h2>What caused the satellite to break apart?<br /></h2>Instances of deliberate satellite destructions, accidental collisions and violent solar activity have all been documented in the past. But the exact cause of the satellite's breakup is still under investigation. <br /><br />Notably, Intelsat 33e, designed and manufactured by <keyword id="23663703" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing-Space-Systems" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Boeing Space Systems" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Boeing Space Systems">Boeing Space Systems</keyword>, has had a history of propulsion problems. Soon after its launch in 2016, the satellite faced thruster issues, which reduced its operational lifespan. Such malfunctions may have contributed to the satellite’s structural failure over time.<br /><br />In fact, the Boeing-built EpicNG 702MP satellite bus has experienced failures in the past, including one in 2019. At the moment, it remains unclear whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger mechanical failure. Regardless of the root cause, the most pressing issue left by the incident is the generation of space debris, which presents risks for other operational satellites.<br /><h2>Growing pile of space junk<br /></h2>The breakup of Intelsat 33e adds to a growing concern: space debris. With over 57 pieces of the 6,600 kilogram satellite now floating in geostationary orbit, the risk to other satellites and space assets has increased. Space junk can cause significant damage to operational satellites by colliding with them at high speeds. Each collision generates even more debris, creating a dangerous cascade effect known as the Kessler syndrome, where space becomes increasingly congested and hazardous for future missions.<br /><br />While steps are being taken to track and mitigate space debris, incidents like this one highlight the growing urgency for better space traffic management and debris removal solutions. As we rely more on satellite infrastructure for global communication, the safety and sustainability of space have never been more critical.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114292761" title="The sun is at its 11-year maximum. That means another year of eruptions that can endanger satellites, ground flights, and spark stunning auroras." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Did you experience wonky broadband service recently? A broken satellite in space might have something to do with it!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Vladimir Putin asked Elon Musk to withhold Starlink from Taiwan as a favor to China, per The Wall Street Journal.</li><li>The request was made at a time when Moscow was becoming heavily reliant on trade with Beijing.</li></ul><p>Russian leader Vladimir Putin once asked Elon Musk to withhold Starlink access from Taiwan as a favor to China's Xi Jinping, The Wall Street Journal reported.</p><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/musk-putin-secret-conversations-37e1c187?st=fFgXdY&amp;reflink=article_copyURL_share">The outlet cited</a> several unnamed current and former government officials in the US, Europe, and Russia, who said Musk had kept in regular contact with Putin since late 2022.</p><p>Per The Journal, the billionaire and world leader would speak on personal matters, business, and geopolitics.</p><p>The allegations present awkward implications for the US, with Musk's SpaceX holding <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-military-contracts-dod-space-force-2020-10">defense and space contracts</a> with the Pentagon and NASA. An analysis published on Monday by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/elon-musk-federal-agencies-contracts.html">The New York Times</a> reported that the company has $3.6 billion in contracts with the Defense Department — primarily for launching American satellites into orbit — and $11.8 billion with NASA.</p><p>The Journal reported that in late 2023, Musk received his first request from the Kremlin to refrain from activating Starlink over Taiwan. The outlet cited a former Russian intelligence officer, whom it did not name.</p><p>The report also said that the request was made for Beijing's sake, as Moscow <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-china-trade-moscow-beijing-imports-bank-transactions-payments-2024-10">increasingly relied on trade from China.</a></p><p>Based on The Journal's findings, it's unclear exactly how many times Putin or his administration asked Musk for the favor.</p><p>The Chinese embassy in Washington told The Journal that it was not aware of the specifics of this arrangement, and did not respond to a separate request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.</p><p><span>Taiwan does not have official Starlink access because its laws require satellite services to be provided through a joint venture with a local operator that maintains majority ownership. The New York Times reported that SpaceX was unwilling to accept such an arrangement, and the self-governed island is thus </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taiwan-working-starlink-program-china-invasion-fears-ukraine-2023-1">creating its own low-earth orbit satellite network.</a></p><p>Musk's reported conversations with Putin coincide with his apparent shift in rhetoric toward Ukraine in late 2022. Until that point, the billionaire had vocally supported Kyiv, providing it with 15,000 Starlink terminals.</p><p>By October of that year, he began seeking funding from the Pentagon to continue the free services, <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1581345747777179651?lang=ena">tweeting</a> that they were taking a financial toll.</p><p>Musk also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1576969255031296000?">tweeted</a> a poll that month about a peace plan reflecting some of Russia's war demands at the time, including Russia's formal obtaining of Crimea and a guarantee of Ukraine's neutrality.</p><p>The billionaire's post drew the fury of pro-Ukrainian accounts, but he added that he only suggested those measures to avoid further death in Ukraine and the risk of nuclear war.</p><p>"Obviously, we are pro-Ukraine," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1577077410863775744">he tweeted,</a> saying that SpaceX had spent about $80 million on free Starlink for Ukraine.</p><p>Two weeks later, Ian Bremmer, a political scientist who founded Eurasia Group, wrote in an email to his subscribers that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spoke-vladimir-putin-before-ukraine-peace-plan-report-2022-10">Musk had spoken with Putin</a> before tweeting this controversial peace plan.</p><p>Per Bremmer, Putin had told Musk that if he could not accomplish his goals in Ukraine, he would turn to "major escalation."</p><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-vladimir-putin-kremlin-deny-talk-russia-invasion-ukraine-2022-10">Musk and the Kremlin</a> said Bremmer's report was untrue. "I have spoken to Putin only once and that was about 18 months ago," Musk tweeted. "The subject matter was space."</p><p>By Musk's account, this conversation with Putin would have taken place in April 2021, before the Russian invasion began.</p><p>In a statement to The Journal, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesperson, referred to that call as the only time that Putin's office was in contact with Musk.</p><p>Putin and Musk had discussed "space as well as current future technologies," Peskov said.</p><p>The Kremlin's office did not respond to a separate request for comment sent outside regular business hours by BI. Musk, SpaceX, the Pentagon, and NASA also did not respond to similar comment requests.</p><p>It's unclear if Musk's reported conversations with Putin will impact his public relationship with former President Donald Trump, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-america-super-pac-trump-turn-out-voters-2024-10">whom the SpaceX CEO has publicly endorsed.</a></p><p>In a statement to BI, Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, said Musk is a "once-in-a-generation industry leader and our broken federal bureaucracy could certainly benefit from his ideas and efficiency."</p><p>"As for Putin, there's only one candidate in the race that he did not invade another country under, and it's President Trump," Leavitt said. "President Trump has long said that he will re-establish his peace through strength foreign policy to deter Russia's aggression and end the war in Ukraine."</p><p>As election day draws near, Musk has actively campaigned for the Republican candidate and contributed at least <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-trump-superpac-donations-politics-2024-10">$75 million to a super PAC supporting the latter.</a></p><p>Trump has frequently said that, if he is reelected, he would <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-touts-russia-army-history-justify-deal-putin-over-ukraine-2024-9">push Ukraine and Russia to strike a deal to end the war swiftly</a>.</p>

Putin once asked Elon Musk to not activate Starlink over Taiwan as a favor to Xi Jinping: report

<ul><li><keyword id="19896911" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Reliance-Jio" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Jio" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Jio">Reliance Jio</keyword> and <keyword id="19896909" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Airtel" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Airtel">Airtel</keyword> have reported an increase in subscribers in June 2024.</li><li><keyword id="20116054" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Vi" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Vi">Vi</keyword> has once again reported a decline in subscribers, along with state-owned BSNL.</li><li>The overall <keyword id="20376437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="subscriber-base" source="keywords">subscriber base</keyword> in India has recorded an increase.</li></ul>India's leading <keyword id="20055601" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="telecom-operators" source="keywords">telecom operators</keyword>, Reliance Jio and Airtel have recorded an increase in their subscribers in May 2024, while Vi has once again recorded a decline in its user base.<br /><br />The overall net additions to the Indian telecom user base in June 2024 were 1.57 million, down from 2 million recorded in May 2024. This takes the total subscriber base from 1.169 billion in May 2024 to 1.171 billion in June 2024.<br /><br />The effect of the recent price hike by the telecom operators should be visible in July's report as the price hike was announced towards the end of June and came into effect from July.<br /><br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111331794" title="Reliance Jio and Airtel price hike – new plans and how you can save money" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Reliance Jio adds nearly 2 million new subscribers</h2>Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio added 1.91 million subscribers in June 2024, continuing to dominate the telecom segment.<br /><br />With this, Jio's subscriber base has increased from 474.62 million in May 2024 to 476.53 million in June 2024.<br /><br />Out of the 476.53 million subscribers, the company’s <keyword id="22859675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="active-subscriber-base" source="keywords">active subscriber base</keyword> stood at 440.94 million, which is 92.53%.<br /><br /><h2>Airtel adds 1.25 million subscribers</h2>Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel has once again added 1.25 million subscribers, just like May 2024. With this, the company's subscriber base has increased from 387.77 million in May 2024 to 389.02 million in June 2024.<br /><br />Airtel continues to enjoy a high active subscriber base. The company's active subscribers stand at 384.83 million users out of its 389.02 million users, which is 98.92% of its total user base.<br /><br /><h2>Vi continues to bleed subscribers</h2>Vi, which is yet to launch 5G services in the country has once again reported a decline in subscribers. The company lost nearly a million users in June 2024 with a decline of 860,889 users.<br /><br />The company’s subscriber base decreased from 218.16 million in May 2024 to 217.30 million users in June 2024.<br /><br />Out of the 217.30 million users, the company’s active user base stands at 188.26 million users, which is 86.64%.<br /><br /><h2>State-run BSNL loses subscribers</h2>State-run telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) reported a loss of 0.75 million subscribers in June 2024. With this, the telco's user base has decreased from 86.33 million in May 2024 to 85.58 million in June 2024.<br /><br /><h2><keyword id="22859674" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MNP-requests" source="keywords">MNP requests</keyword> continue to grow</h2>Mobile number portability (MNP), which allows users to shift from one telecom operator to another, recorded 11.84 million requests during May 2024. With this, the total number of MNP requests received since the introduction of this in November 2010 has reached 997.44 million.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/jio-vs-airtel-vs-vi-prepaid-plans-comparison-plan-benefits-and-price-comparison-after-tariff-hike/articleshow/111512587.cms">Jio vs Airtel vs Vi recharge plans comparison – plan benefits and price comparison after tariff hike</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/the-iphone-pro-models-will-be-made-in-india-for-the-first-time-this-year/articleshow/112653019.cms">The iPhone Pro models will be made in India for the first time this year</a><br /><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-records-7-2-growth-in-the-first-half-of-2024-vivo-leads-the-market-in-q2/articleshow/112629172.cms"><strong>Indian smartphone market records 7.2% growth in the first half of 2024, Vivo leads the market in Q2</strong></a><br />

You Searched For "service activity" and got 8 results

EPFO to ensure UAN activation for employees through Aadhaar-based OTP

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Mass X-odus: What are the controversial changes on X that are driving users away?

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Did you experience wonky broadband service recently? A broken satellite in space might have something to do with it!

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Putin once asked Elon Musk to not activate Starlink over Taiwan as a favor to Xi Jinping: report

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Reliance Jio and Airtel gained over 3 million subscribers in June, Vi lost nearly a million

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