business New Zealand's Parliament officially passed the bill to implement its free trade agreement with India. This move involves both nations, with the agreement signed on April 27. The legislation passed with 93 votes in favour and 29 against. The deal eliminates or significantly reduces tariffs on 95% of New Zealand's exports to India. Wellington has also committed to investing $20 billion in India over the next 15 years. 🥝
business Kerala's CM V.D. Satheesan indicated the UDF government is close to deciding on the ED's demand for prosecution in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case. The ED issued a 25-page report demanding that Pinarayi Vijayan, T. Veena, and P. A. Mohamed Riyas be booked for accepting bribes. This follows an ED raid in May 2026 where they reportedly confiscated a diary detailing illicit transactions. The government is currently scrutinizing the legality of the ED's case and available law enforcement options. Riyas suggested the UDF is questioning the ED's actions against CPI(M) rivals.
business Opposition MPs voiced strong concerns regarding the government's plan to charge merchants for UPI payments exceeding ₹2,000. The issue was raised during a meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by members like N.K. Premchandran. Starting October 15, the government will introduce a 0.4% fee on such high-value merchant transfers. This move ends the near six years of entirely free UPI transactions for merchants. The Finance Ministry assured that everyday person-to-person payments will remain free for users. 💸
india A Delhi Police Constable, Deepak Bangar, has been suspended following a serious breach of duty. He was part of the Rooftop Sniper team assigned to protect foreign delegates during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The incident occurred after Bangar posted Instagram Reels displaying firearms and sensitive security details. This action violated strict protocol while he was on official protection duty. Authorities are currently investigating the severity of this security lapse. 👮
india Fasting Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange is reportedly dehydrated and at risk of electrolyte imbalance. He was examined by doctors in Patoda, Maharashtra's Beed district on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Doctors noted no urine output since morning, and his blood sugar was also low. The activist, on his 19th day of hunger strike, mentioned severe stomach and foot sensations. He is slated to reach Azad Maidan in Mumbai on September 19, covering over 400 km.
business Oracle sent out another round of mass layoffs this year using an email identical to one sent in March. The company announced these job cuts to staff in various locations, including India, on Monday. While the total affected numbers are not yet known, the cuts are part of a larger organizational change. Employees were told their role was eliminated, and today was their last working day, with severance details following later. Oracle leadership has not commented on the cuts, which are tied to a $2.8 billion restructuring estimate. 😔
sports Formula 1 has decided to boost the sprint races from six to ten for the 2027 World Championship. These new sprint events will be held in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi for the first time. The 2027 season kicks off on March 12-14 in Bahrain, with the British Grand Prix on July 2-4. The calendar also brings back Portugal and Turkey, adding more intensity to the season. This expansion reflects the global appeal and continued growth of the sport. 🏎️
health Surging outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease show that cancer and low immunity double the 30-day mortality rate. This severe clinical threat was observed in a cohort of 344 hospitalized adults across various centers. Patients with malignancies made up 45.1% of all confirmed cases as of the latest data release. Immunocompromised patients actually had lower initial failure odds due to better early testing. However, once severe disease hit, their 30-day mortality risk nearly tripled.
tech UPI rules are changing starting from October 15, 2026, introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain transactions. Eligible merchants in various locations will now pay a standard MDR of 0.4% for UPI payments over Rs 2,000. Person-to-person transfers remain free, while P2M payments above Rs 2,000 are subject to this charge. Essential services like fuel have a flat Rs 5 MDR, but small vendors under Rs 1 lakh/month stay zero-MDR. Ultimately, the merchant bears this cost, not the end consumer.
tech A refurbished HP EliteBook 830 G8 PRO is available for sale at $389.99, marked down from its regular price of $549.99. This laptop features an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and supports up to 32GB of RAM. It boasts a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen and a 360° convertible design for versatility. The machine includes HP Wolf Security and is built with a portable CNC-machined aluminum chassis. This deal is perfect for anyone needing powerful, professional hardware without breaking the bank.
top Minister Nara Lokesh inaugurated two government schools renovated under the P4 model on Wednesday. The schools, RSR High School in Stonehousepet and Devireddy Sarada High School in Mulapet, are located in SPSR Nellore district. The renovations cost ₹8 crore, funded by VPR Foundation, and ₹13.40 crore from DSR Group's CSR funds, respectively. This initiative is part of his tour of the district, where he met various local leaders. Following the inauguration, Lokesh also attended a rally and a TDP cadre meeting before leaving for Kovur.
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