Category Archives: business

‘GST Bachat Utsav’ from tomorrow: PM Modi announces price cuts

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**‘GST Bachat Utsav’ from Tomorrow: PM Modi Announces Price Cuts**

*By Snehil Singh | September 21, 2025, 5:20 PM*

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the launch of a “GST Bachat Utsav” starting September 22, describing it as a next-generation reform aimed at transforming the economy. The new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, effective from Monday, are designed to reduce the cost of daily essentials and stimulate consumption-driven growth across India.

“This reform is not only about reducing prices but about creating new opportunities,” PM Modi said during his nationwide address on Sunday.

**Economic Impact: GST Reforms to Benefit 99% of Goods**

According to the Prime Minister, the recent GST reforms will benefit 99% of goods, which will now fall under the 5% tax slab. Simplifying the tax structure to mainly two slabs—5% and 18%—will help make common goods more affordable for everyday consumers.

PM Modi emphasized that these changes will not only lower prices but also unlock new avenues for economic growth across multiple sectors, including industry, agriculture, and services.

**Public Focus: Double Bonanza for Poor and Neo-Middle Class**

Highlighting the social impact, the Prime Minister noted that the GST reforms prioritize public welfare, offering a “double bonanza” to the poor and the neo-middle class.

“When the purchasing power of people rises, it benefits every sector—from industry to agriculture to services. This is a reform that will touch every household,” he said.

**Political Response**

Earlier, the Congress party questioned whether PM Modi would address concerns related to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on India-Pakistan relations and issues concerning H-1B visa holders. However, PM Modi’s address primarily focused on outlining the benefits of the GST cuts and the government’s broader economic roadmap.

The GST rate reductions were initially announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this month, marking the most significant indirect tax reform since July 2017.

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With these reforms, the government aims to boost consumption, make essential goods more affordable, and spur inclusive economic growth across the country. The “GST Bachat Utsav” celebrations starting tomorrow are expected to bring immediate relief to consumers while supporting India’s growth trajectory in the coming years.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/pm-modi-announces-gst-bachat-utsav-from-tomorrow/story

GST effect! TV prices drop up to ₹85,000

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**GST Effect! TV Prices Drop by Up to ₹85,000**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025, 12:22 PM*

In a major development for consumers, television manufacturers have announced price cuts ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹85,000 across various models. This significant reduction comes in response to the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) cut on TVs, effective from September 22, 2025.

### GST Rate Reduction on TVs

The GST Council recently slashed the tax rate on television sets with screen sizes over 32 inches from 28% to 18%. This move is part of the government’s broader initiative to boost consumption by making electronic goods more affordable.

### How Manufacturers Are Responding

Leading TV brands are promptly passing these savings on to customers by lowering the Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of their products. Sony, LG, and Panasonic have all announced updated price lists reflecting these GST benefits.

– **LG Electronics India** has reduced prices by ₹2,500 to ₹85,800 on a range of models from 43 inches to 100 inches.

– **Panasonic** has cut prices between ₹3,000 and ₹32,000, with 43-inch TVs now cheaper by ₹3,000 to ₹4,700. Additionally, 55-inch Panasonic models have received price cuts of up to ₹7,000, priced between ₹65,990 and ₹76,990. Their premium 75-inch model now costs ₹3.68 lakh, down from ₹4 lakh.

### What This Means for Consumers

The reduction in GST and corresponding price cuts from manufacturers make now a great time to upgrade your television. With savings as high as ₹85,000 on select models, buyers can expect more affordable rates on a wide variety of TVs.

Stay tuned for more updates on price changes and new product launches from major electronics brands.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/tv-manufacturers-slash-prices-on-lower-gst/story

NASCAR legend Kurt Busch shares explanation about 23XI Racing’s new tire plan

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Kurt Busch Shares Insights on 23XI Racing’s Tire Strategy for New Hampshire Race

Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently shared details about 23XI Racing’s tire strategy ahead of this week’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Although Busch no longer competes as a driver for 23XI Racing, he plays a vital role as a mentor and consultant for the Toyota-backed team co-owned by six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan.

### Tire ‘Decode’ Session at New Hampshire

To prepare for the race, the team conducted a 40-lap practice session aimed at analyzing the new Goodyear Racing Eagle tire package. This process, commonly referred to as a “decode,” helps teams gain a better understanding of how the tires and brakes will perform during the race. Busch explained:

> “Any time a new tire’s brought to a track, it’s called a ‘decode.’ Our cars did a 40-lap run because they want a good read on the tires and brakes.”

NASCAR is using the same soft compound tire at New Hampshire that was previously featured at Bowman Gray Stadium, Martinsville Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Richmond Raceway. This soft tire compound provides extra grip but tends to wear quicker, making tire strategy a critical factor in the 301-lap event.

### Kurt Busch’s Legacy at New Hampshire

Busch is well-acquainted with the 1.058-mile oval in Loudon, New Hampshire, having earned three Cup Series victories at this track. He secured back-to-back wins with Roush Racing in 2004, followed by another triumph with Penske Racing (now Team Penske) in 2008.

### 23XI Racing’s Current Lineup and Playoff Outlook

Currently, 23XI Racing fields three full-time entries: Bubba Wallace in the #23, Riley Herbst in the #35, and Tyler Reddick in the #45. The upcoming race at New Hampshire will kick off the NASCAR Playoff Round of 12, with both Wallace and Reddick still in contention.

– **Bubba Wallace** sits eighth in the playoff standings, holding a slim one-point buffer.
– **Tyler Reddick** is positioned 12th, just three points below the cutline.

A strong finish at Loudon could significantly improve their chances of advancing deeper into the playoffs.

### Kurt Busch’s Role at the Mobil 1 301

Aside from his mentorship duties, 47-year-old Kurt Busch has been named the grand marshal for the Mobil 1 301, scheduled for September 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET. He shared on social media (X) that he’s at New Hampshire Motor Speedway both to fulfill his grand marshal responsibilities and to support the 23XI Racing team.

Busch also revealed a heartwarming story involving his iconic Loudon the Lobster trophy:

> “In ’08, I was able to capture the first-ever Loudon the Lobster trophy. The track is gifting me a replica because I tried to donate mine to the Boston Aquarium.”

### Reflecting on His NASCAR Career

Before transitioning to his current role with 23XI Racing, Kurt Busch was the driver of the #45 Toyota during the 2022 season. Unfortunately, a crash at Pocono Raceway sidelined him, leading to his official retirement announcement the following year. Over his impressive career, Busch amassed 34 Cup Series race wins and is the older brother of two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, who drives the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing.

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Kurt Busch’s experience and insights continue to prove invaluable to 23XI Racing as they navigate the challenges of the NASCAR playoffs. Fans will be watching closely as the team implements their tire strategy and competes for victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-nascar-legend-kurt-busch-shares-explanation-23xi-racing-s-new-tire-plan

Grok 4 Fast arrives as cheaper alternative to xAI’s Grok-4

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**Next Article: Grok 4 Fast Arrives as Cheaper Alternative to xAI’s Grok-4**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 20, 2025, 06:46 PM*

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Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) company, xAI, has unveiled a new model called **Grok 4 Fast**, offering a more affordable alternative to the existing Grok 4. Designed for both enterprise and consumer use cases, this innovative system stands out by combining reasoning and non-reasoning tasks within a single framework, delivering high efficiency and versatility.

### Cost Efficiency

Grok 4 Fast provides a significantly better cost-to-performance ratio compared to its predecessor. It uses approximately **40% fewer “thinking tokens”** than Grok 4 while maintaining similar accuracy across multiple benchmarks. An independent review by Artificial Analysis highlighted that Grok 4 Fast achieves comparable results to Grok 4 at up to **98% less cost**, making it a highly economical option for users.

### Benchmark Performance

The model has demonstrated impressive performance on a range of industry-standard benchmarks:

– **85.7%** on GPQA Diamond
– **92%** on AIME 2025
– **93.3%** on HMMT 2025

These scores are close to those of Grok 4. Additionally, Grok 4 Fast showed improvements in code execution and search-based tasks, achieving a **95% pass rate on SimpleQA** and around **74% on X Bench Deepsearch**.

### Key Features

– **Massive Context Window:** Grok 4 Fast supports a two million token context window, enabling it to process very large inputs efficiently.
– **Reinforcement Learning:** The model was trained using reinforcement learning techniques to boost efficiency.
– **Unified Framework:** Unlike previous versions that required separate reasoning and non-reasoning models, Grok 4 Fast integrates both into a single system. This integration reduces latency and lowers operational costs significantly.

### Availability and Pricing

Grok 4 Fast is available in two versions: **grok-4-fast-reasoning** and **grok-4-fast-non-reasoning**, both supporting the extensive two million token limit.

Pricing starts at **$0.20 per million input tokens** for smaller workloads, with rates increasing based on token usage. This pricing structure makes Grok 4 Fast an ideal choice for large projects or anyone seeking a fast, affordable AI solution without sacrificing accuracy.

Users can access Grok 4 Fast through xAI’s website, mobile applications, OpenRouter, and the Vercel AI Gateway. Some platforms offer free access during the launch period.

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With its blend of cost-efficiency, robust performance, and large context capacity, Grok 4 Fast positions itself as a compelling option in the evolving AI landscape.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/elon-musk-s-xai-launches-grok-4-fast-check-features-pricing/story

Rajnath to visit Morocco, first by any Indian Defence Minister

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**Rajnath Singh to Visit Morocco: First Visit by an Indian Defence Minister**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 20, 2025, 02:54 PM*

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Morocco starting September 22. This marks the first time an Indian Defence Minister will visit the North African country, underscoring the importance of strengthening strategic ties between India and Morocco.

### Strengthening Strategic Ties

The visit aims to enhance defense cooperation and industrial collaboration between the two nations. During his trip, Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s new manufacturing facility for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 in Berrechid.

### A Milestone in Defence Manufacturing

The Berrechid plant stands out as a significant milestone — it is the first Indian defense manufacturing unit established on African soil. This development is a major achievement under India’s **Aatmanirbhar Bharat** initiative and highlights the expanding global footprint of India’s defence industry.

The visit follows an invitation from Morocco’s Minister Delegate of National Defense, Abdellatif Loudiyi, emphasizing the diplomatic significance of this engagement.

### Strategic Discussions and Cooperation

During the visit, Singh will hold bilateral talks with Minister Loudiyi to explore avenues for enhanced defense cooperation and strategic partnerships. Additionally, he is expected to meet Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, to discuss opportunities for industrial collaboration.

A key outcome anticipated from this visit is the signing of a **Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation**. This MoU would formalize bilateral exchanges, joint training programs, and industrial linkages between the two countries.

### Growing Diplomatic Relations

India-Morocco relations have progressively strengthened since 2015, following a notable meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King Mohammed VI. Rajnath Singh’s visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into this growing partnership, particularly in the defense and strategic sectors.

The Ministry of Defence also highlighted that Indian Navy ships have been making regular port calls at Casablanca in recent years. The new agreements set to be signed during this visit are anticipated to further consolidate maritime cooperation between India and Morocco.

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This historic visit and the initiatives it heralds signify India’s commitment to expanding its defense diplomacy and industrial collaboration beyond traditional boundaries, paving the way for deeper bilateral engagement with Morocco and the African continent.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/rajnath-to-inaugurate-tasl-armored-vehicle-unit-during-morocco-visit/story

Donald Trump says China`s President Xi Jinping approved Tik Tok deal

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Former US President Donald Trump recently stated that the United States will have “tight control” over the popular app TikTok, describing the arrangement as a “very good deal” for Washington.

“We are going to have very tight control. It is an amazing thing that has been created. I am a little prejudiced because I frankly did so well on it. It got me numbers that nobody has ever even heard before,” Trump said. He added that the app is highly sought after by young Americans and their parents alike.

Trump also highlighted the positive relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying, “So we were able to work out a deal with China. It’s a very good deal for us. I hope it’s a good deal for them. These are American investors. They are very famous people financially. They’ll have control of it. I want to thank President Xi because he was a gentleman. We just had a good relationship.”

The remarks came after a telephonic conversation between Trump and President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed various issues, including TikTok. The app faces the threat of a ban in the US following legislation passed by the Biden administration mandating that TikTok divest its ownership from the Chinese internet company ByteDance.

In response to the talks, ByteDance released a statement expressing gratitude to both leaders and affirming its commitment to complying with Chinese law to ensure TikTok continues operating in the US. The statement read:

“We thank President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump for their attention to TikTok. ByteDance will advance related work in accordance with the requirements of Chinese law, allowing TikTok U.S. to continue serving American users well.”

The legislation, passed in April 2024, aims to ban TikTok in the US starting January 19, 2025. However, the government has not yet enforced the ban as it negotiates a deal with China.

According to reports by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the discussions, the proposed agreement would grant a group of American investors control of 80% of TikTok, while the remaining 20% would remain with Chinese firms including ByteDance.

This development reflects ongoing efforts by the US to secure greater control over the platform amid national security concerns.

*Note: This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Mid-day does not accept responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the content. Mid-day management reserves the right to alter, delete, or remove content at its sole discretion without prior notice.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/donald-trump-says-chinas-president-xi-jinping-approved-tik-tok-deal-23594932

Mumbai: 666.65 Carats Of Diamond Jewellery Worth ₹3 Crore Stolen From Gujarat Merchant; Case Filed

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Diamonds Worth Rs 3 Crore Stolen from Gujarat Merchant: Borivali Police Register Case Against Accused

Mumbai: A case involving the theft of diamonds worth Rs 3 crore from a diamond merchant in Gujarat has come to light. The Borivali police have registered a case against Vikram Sanghavi for allegedly cheating. The accused is currently absconding, and the police are actively searching for him.

About The Case

According to the police, the complainant, Sheel Kordia, 21, a resident of Surat, Gujarat, runs a diamond trading business inherited from his ancestors under the name Lesing Diamond Company. Kordia frequently travels to different cities for business purposes.

Chaitanya Mehta, who resides in Mumbai, is a regular customer of Kordia and has purchased diamonds from him several times in the past. In September 2025, Mehta placed an order for diamond jewellery weighing 666.65 carats, valued at Rs 3 crore, with Kordia.

Mehta then sent his acquaintances, Jimit and Rakin, to Navsari, Gujarat, to collect the diamonds. On September 6, Jimit and Rakin visited Kordia’s company and obtained the diamonds as per the order.

Meanwhile, Mehta instructed Vikram Sanghavi to transport the diamonds to Mumbai. Following this, Jimit and Rakin handed over the diamonds to Sanghavi at Navsari railway station. However, during the transit, Sanghavi allegedly misappropriated the diamonds and failed to deliver them to Mumbai.

Following the incident, Sheel Kordia filed a complaint at Borivali Police Station. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Vikram Sanghavi under Sections 316(2) and 316(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for embezzlement of diamonds.

The Borivali police are currently investigating the case and searching for the accused.

For more details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-66665-carats-of-diamond-jewellery-worth-3-crore-stolen-from-gujarat-merchant-case-filed

US President Donald Trump halts military aid package to Taiwan

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephonic conversation, Xinhua News reported on Friday.

Prior to the call between the two leaders, US media reported that President Trump declined to approve USD 400 million in military aid to Taiwan. This move is seen as part of his effort to negotiate a trade deal with China. Trump is also striving to arrange a summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, according to US media reports. The Trump administration is generally seeking to soften relations with Beijing.

A White House representative stated that the decision regarding the aid package has not been finalized and may be reviewed.

According to local US media outlets, Trump and Xi were expected to discuss a deal to confirm the framework for separating the TikTok app from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to avoid a potential US ban.

“We have a deal on TikTok. I’ve reached a deal with China. I’m going to speak to President Xi on Friday to confirm everything,” Trump told reporters outside the White House.

Last year, former US President Joe Biden enacted a law mandating that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance—based in China—sell off the app or face a ban in the US due to national security concerns. A US federal law was scheduled to take effect in January this year, requiring the company to find a non-Chinese owner or face a ban in the US. Trump later extended this deadline.

Chinese and US officials recently held a new round of trade talks in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday and Monday, following earlier discussions in Switzerland, Britain, and Sweden.

*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the text. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/us-president-donald-trump-halts-military-aid-package-to-taiwan-23594917

UAE Companies To Pour Investments Into India’s Infrastructure, Data Centres, Banking, Startups & Logistics: Commerce & Industry Minister Goyal

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Dubai: UAE companies are exploring multiple sectors in India to boost their investments, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. Sectors of interest include infrastructure, data centres, banking, startups, and logistics.

Goyal emphasized that both countries have reset their investment targets and are actively working to accelerate investments across various industries. Collaborations are also being enhanced in areas such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, retail, and pharmaceuticals.

“Infrastructure is one of the major sectors where the UAE sees huge potential. There is considerable interest in the banking sector and startups. Potential investors are keen on the logistics ecosystem and green energy in India,” Goyal told reporters.

The minister was in Dubai to attend the 13th India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments. He led a 75-member business delegation during the two-day visit, which concluded on September 19.

Goyal highlighted multiple avenues to increase collaboration between Indian and UAE companies, noting the UAE’s unparalleled strength in investments. “The UAE is also investing deeply in high-tech areas, so we could look at serious collaborations in technology sectors,” he added.

He also noted growing interest from bankers to expand their operations in India. “One banker who met me is very keen to set up a new operation in GIFT City,” Goyal said. He pointed out that while the UAE is already among the top five to six investors in India, there is potential for much larger investment flows, given recent developments.

The UAE recognizes India as a key investment destination. “We expect to see much larger pools of capital coming into India, including both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII),” the minister said.

Regarding Bharat Mart, Goyal mentioned that the UAE has allocated land for the project and construction is expected to begin soon, with completion targeted by 2027. So far, about 9,000 companies have expressed interest in Bharat Mart.

India has received USD 24 billion in FDI from the UAE between April 2000 and June 2025.

*Disclaimer: This story is based on a syndicated feed. Only the headline has been changed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/uae-companies-to-pour-investments-into-indias-infrastructure-data-centres-banking-startups-logistics-commerce-industry-minister-goyal

‘Not Our Employee’: HDFC Bank On Viral Audio Of Woman Abusing CRPF Jawan For Loan Recovery

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**Mumbai: HDFC Bank Issues Clarification After Viral Audio of Woman Abusing CRPF Jawan Sparks Outrage**

A viral audio clip featuring a woman allegedly abusing a CRPF jawan during a loan-related phone call has triggered widespread outrage on social media. In response, HDFC Bank issued a clarification on Friday, stating that the woman heard in the recording was wrongly identified as one of its employees. The bank emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and does not represent its values.

### Controversy Over Viral Audio Clip

The controversy began when the audio clip circulated widely online, with several users claiming that the woman, identified as a banker, worked for HDFC Bank. In the recording, the woman can be heard mocking the soldier’s profession and using abusive language during what appeared to be a dispute over loan disbursement.

### HDFC Bank Responds

HDFC Bank quickly addressed the situation with a public statement posted on X, saying:
*”This is with reference to an audio clip circulating on social and online media, where a lady is heard speaking disrespectfully to a CRPF personnel. Multiple posts have incorrectly identified her as an employee of HDFC Bank. We would like to clarify that this individual is not an employee of HDFC Bank. The conduct heard in the clip is neither acceptable nor does it reflect our values as an organisation.”*

### Details From the Viral Audio

The audio revealed deeply derogatory remarks directed at the CRPF jawan. The woman allegedly insulted the soldier by calling him “uneducated” and mocking his service. She further claimed that his financial struggles were a reflection of his poor background. At one point, she reportedly said, *“You are uneducated, that’s why you have been sent to the border. That’s why your children are born disabled.”*

She also belittled the jawan for living on loans, derided his service to the nation, and provocatively dared him to take any action against her, boasting about her own links to an Armed Forces family.

### Public Reaction and Next Steps

The harsh language sparked sharp criticism from netizens, who demanded strict action against the woman and called on the bank to clarify the situation. While the identity of the soldier has not been disclosed, authorities are investigating the origin of the call and whether the woman is affiliated with any financial institution.

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*For exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, visit:*
[https://budgetproperties.in/](https://budgetproperties.in/)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/not-our-employee-hdfc-bank-on-viral-audio-of-woman-abusing-crpf-jawan-for-loan-recovery