💸 UPI fees coming soon, check the fine print

Some UPI payments will start having fees from October 15, impacting merchants rather than individual users. The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies only to merchant payments exceeding ₹2,000. While 96% of transactions are below this limit, the remaining 4% account for 67% of the payment value. Merchants are concerned about potential future fee hikes and thin margins. This MDR fee is not a government tax, meaning the collected money won't go to the government.

🩺 Huawei drops smartwatch with inflatable blood pressure cuff

Huawei has launched its new smartwatch, the D3, which features an integrated inflatable blood pressure cuff. This device is available in the UK for £399.99 and is compatible with both iOS and Android. The D3 is a successor to the Watch D, featuring miniaturized hardware for better appeal. It supports Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring over 24 hours, providing a professional report for GPs. The watch is incredibly slim at 11.3mm and weighs only 40 grams.

📉 Sensex tanks over 1200 points on weak global cues

The Indian equity benchmark indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, saw a major selloff on Thursday. This happened due to weak global cues and a sharp increase in US yields, impacting stocks across the board. On Thursday, Nifty50 traded at 23,076.55, down 1.58%, while BSE Sensex was at 73,673.50, down 1.54%. The pressure intensified as US Treasury yields hit 19-year highs and Fed rate hike expectations rose. Going forward, market sentiment depends heavily on US-Iran developments and crude oil prices.

🔥 New BJP leader says, 'Take whatever you want'

A newly elected BJP leader, Chanki Shah, made a controversial statement regarding the current government. He expressed the sentiment, 'BJP ki govt hai, jitna lootna hai loot lo,' in a public address. This remark was made during a recent political gathering in the region. The statement implies a perceived environment of unchecked resource utilization by the ruling party. Further reactions from political opponents are expected in the coming days.

⚖️ SC cites Shiv Sena in TMC party symbol hearing

The Supreme Court noted that delays in resolving party name disputes hurt the electoral process. This happened during a hearing concerning Mamata Banerjee's petition against the ECI freezing Trinamool Congress's symbol. The freeze was issued after the party faced factions following the last assembly election and leadership changes. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal argued the ECI's order came too late for upcoming bypolls on October 6 and 9. The Court suggested daily hearings to expedite the decision, referencing the Shiv Sena's situation. 🗳️

📸 OnePlus 16 camera details drop, Hasselblad vibes remain

OnePlus has officially detailed the camera specifications for the new OnePlus 16 flagship. This device will feature a 200MP main camera, alongside other module upgrades. The key specs include a 1/1.4-inch sensor and 50MP secondary sensors, with the phone expected to launch in China next month. Although OnePlus left Hasselblad, the phone replicates a panoramic mode inspired by the former partner. The device will also pack a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip for performance.

🚨 SC gives Centre last shot on online child abuse rules

The Supreme Court gave the Central government one final chance to explain steps against online child sexual exploitation material (CSEAM). This was directed by Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran after a plea by Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA). The Court highlighted that the response from relevant ministries was overdue since August 14. The plea demands uniform SOPs for social media platforms to follow the September 2024 judgment. The next hearing for this serious matter is set for October 15. 📱

🚴 India set to host 2032 Road World Championships

The cycling's world governing body has chosen India to host the 2032 Road World Championships. The city of Pune, located in Maharashtra, beat Gronigen and Drenthe from the Netherlands for the hosting gig. This decision comes despite India having no professional cyclists or teams. Hosting is seen as part of the UCI's globalisation efforts for the sport. The event will significantly boost cycling visibility in the country. 🚴

⚠️ Iran warns war might hit Indian Ocean

Iran's adviser, Yahya Rahim Safavi, stated that the Middle East conflict could expand to the Indian Ocean. This warning was issued on Thursday, indicating a possible escalation from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. The current situation involves the Houthis controlling the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Iran locking down the Strait of Hormuz. Any spread eastward threatens commercial shipping routes crucial for India's energy imports. This development could increase security demands on the Indian Navy. 🚢

🤖 Qualcomm's new chip makes earbuds super smart

Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 Platform for AI-powered audio wearables. This platform integrates on-device AI with cloud connectivity for earbuds and headphones. It offers up to double the AI capability and reduces power consumption by up to 40% compared to the previous generation. Features include real-time translation and low-power Wi-Fi 6E for direct cloud access. Manufacturers can now build smarter devices that interact with AI without always needing a phone. 🎧

🔥 Bus with huge violation record dies in fire

A sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, tragically killing nine passengers. The bus was operating with 19 pending traffic challans totaling Rs 1.75 lakh against it. These violations included underage driving, fuel changes, and permit issues across dates this year. Despite the numerous infractions, the vehicle continued its journey from New Delhi to Uttar Pradesh. Police have registered a case and taken the driver and conductor into custody.