🏛️ Tax policy needs independent research, says FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called for independent tax policy research to enter public discussion. She stated this while speaking at the Eighth International Tax Conference in Bengaluru. The Minister highlighted that the government rationalized TDS and TCS provisions and reduced criminal consequences. She also mentioned that India renegotiated tax treaties with Mauritius, Singapore, and Cyprus. This move aimed to restore India's right to tax capital gains at source.

😬 AI images spark political beef between Congress and BJP

AI-generated images have escalated into a political meme war in India. Handles from both the Congress and BJP started using these AI images to mock and target rivals. Some of these generated images became quite extreme, notably including sexually degrading content aimed at Sonia Gandhi. This trend quickly brought social media back to a more aggressive, 1980s-style political combat. The situation shows how AI tools are being weaponized in contemporary Indian politics. 😬

📚 Activist Khairun Nessa Choudhury's journey shines 🌟

Assamese political activist Khairun Nessa Choudhury shared insights from her life, which included early marriage and activism. She was born on January 29, 1933, in Rangauti, Hailakandi district of Assam. Her life saw her becoming a poet, author, and social worker, culminating in her being a self-made woman. She fiercely fought for her education, ultimately completing her graduation from Darrang College, Tezpur. She went on to found organizations like Nari Shilpa Samiti to uplift women in Assam.

🚀 Assam's Dipjyoti Patgiri joins NASA research

Dipjyoti Patgiri from Pathsala, Assam, has been selected for a Postdoctoral Researcher role at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in the United States. He built his expertise in science and space research while studying at IIT Roorkee. He is scheduled to travel to the U.S. soon to start his work at the NASA centre. This achievement has been warmly welcomed by his family and the residents of Pathsala and Bajali. His selection is becoming a point of pride for students and researchers in the region. 🚀

💸 UPI Free Access Seems to be Over

Free UPI transactions have reportedly been discontinued by the service providers. This change affects users across India who rely on the digital payment system daily. The update came into effect on July 1, 2024, impacting various payment gateways. The move is reportedly due to rising operational costs associated with maintaining the infrastructure. Users are advised to check their bank apps for updated transaction fees. 💸

🏅 Natthakan Chantham on Cricket Icons

Natthakan Chantham discussed the inspirations behind her journey in the Olympics. She highlighted Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill as major influences on her path. These cricketing stars motivate her through their dedication and skill, which she admires greatly. Chantham finds their competitive spirit incredibly inspiring for her own pursuits. She plans to continue pushing her limits in her upcoming Olympic training sessions. 🏅

🚨 Man arrested for strangling wife in Delhi

A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly strangling his wife to death following a marital dispute in central Delhi. The accused, Chandrapal Bhati, was apprehended in Bulandshahar after the incident occurred in Baljeet Nagar, Anand Parbat. The death was reported on September 14, and an FIR was registered on September 15 based on initial findings. A 10-year-old daughter later told police about the events leading up to the discovery. Further investigation is currently ongoing by the police teams. 😥

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Partners Can Make Medical Calls In Emergencies

The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that queer partners are legally permitted to make medical decisions for their partners in emergency situations. This authorization depends entirely on the patient having previously granted consent for such arrangements. The court hearing involved legal precedents and guidelines regarding patient autonomy. This clarification aims to provide legal clarity for diverse relationship structures in medical emergencies. Moving forward, healthcare providers must adhere to these guidelines when facing critical situations.

🤖 Zuckerberg sounds alarms over AI safety

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed significant concerns regarding the safety of Artificial Intelligence development. He voiced these fears during a recent discussion about the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The discussion took place amid anticipation surrounding the upcoming Federal Reserve policy decisions. Zuckerberg highlighted that the ethical implications of advanced AI are becoming major market movers. The tech industry is now intensely focused on establishing robust safety protocols for future AI deployment. 🤖

💰 TikTok Billionaire Tops Adani in Asia Wealth Race

A TikTok billionaire has surpassed Adani to claim the title of Asia's wealthiest individual. This major financial shift involves the TikTok owner and the Adani Group in the Asian market. The wealth ranking update took place recently, noting specific financial figures for both figures. This change reflects evolving global investment trends across the Asian continent. Further developments in the regional wealth hierarchy are expected soon.

💳 UPI fee hike raises big questions for India's digital payments

India introduced a 0.4% fee on certain UPI payments exceeding 2,000 rupees made to businesses, starting October 15. The National Payments Corporation of India announced this change, stating it will help keep the digital payments system viable long-term. While person-to-person transfers and small merchant QR code payments remain free, larger transactions will now incur charges. Experts worry this fee could increase business expenses and push some merchants back to cash for big buys. This shift comes after UPI processed a record 24.51 billion transactions in August.