Monthly Archives: September 2025

‘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

AI chatbot found showing explicit scenarios involving preteen characters

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**Disturbing AI Chatbot Generating Explicit Scenarios Involving Preteen Characters Raises Serious Concerns**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:25 pm*

A chatbot website that generates explicit scenarios involving preteen characters has raised serious concerns over the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a child safety watchdog, was alerted to this disturbing platform.

### Disturbing Content Discovered

The IWF found several unsettling scenarios on the site, including descriptions such as “child prostitute in a hotel,” “sex with your child while your wife is on holiday,” and “child and teacher alone after class.”

Worryingly, some chatbot icons led users to full-screen depictions of child sexual abuse imagery. These images were then used as backgrounds for future chats between the bot and the user. The site, which remains unnamed for safety reasons, also allows users to generate more images similar to the illegal content already displayed.

### Regulatory Response: The Need for Child Protection in AI

The IWF has urged that any future AI regulation must include child protection guidelines integrated into AI models from the outset. This appeal comes as the UK government prepares an AI bill focused on the development of cutting-edge models and includes provisions to ban the possession and distribution of models that generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Kerry Smith, CEO of the IWF, commented, *“The UK government is making welcome strides in tackling AI-generated child sexual abuse images and videos.”*

### Industry Accountability: Tech Firms Must Ensure Children’s Safety

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has also called for comprehensive guidelines to address this issue. NSPCC CEO Chris Sherwood emphasized, *“Tech companies must introduce robust measures to ensure children’s safety is not neglected, and government must implement a statutory duty of care to children for AI developers.”*

This stresses the critical need for technology firms to take responsibility for safeguarding children within their AI systems.

### Legal Implications and Enforcement

User-created chatbots fall under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which includes provisions for multimillion-pound fines or even site blocking in extreme cases. The IWF noted these sexual abuse chatbots were developed by users as well as the website’s creators.

Ofcom, the UK regulatory body responsible for enforcing the Online Safety Act, has warned online service providers that failure to implement necessary protections could result in enforcement actions.

### A Rising Trend: Surge in AI-Generated Abuse Material

The IWF has reported a massive spike in incidents involving AI-generated abuse material, with reports rising by 400% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. This alarming increase largely stems from technological advancements that enable the creation of such images.

Currently, the chatbot content is accessible in the UK but has been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as it is hosted on US servers.

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The emergence of AI tools capable of generating harmful content highlights the urgent need for comprehensive safeguards. As AI technology continues to evolve, protecting vulnerable populations, especially children, must remain a top priority for developers, regulators, and industry leaders alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/disturbing-ai-chatbot-shows-explicit-scenarios-with-preteen-characters/story

₹100cr stolen from Tirupati temple during Jagan Reddy’s rule: BJP

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**100 Crore Stolen from Tirupati Temple During Jagan Reddy’s Rule: BJP Alleges**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 03:37 PM*

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has alleged that over ₹100 crore was stolen from the Tirupati temple’s donation box during the tenure of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime.

Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Tirupati temple, accused temple staffer Ravikumar of stealing cash. Reddy supported his claims by releasing CCTV footage allegedly showing the theft.

### Allegations of Misuse and Diversion

According to Bhanu Prakash Reddy, the stolen money was used for real estate investments and was diverted to Jagan Reddy’s residence, the Tadepalli Palace. He described this as the “biggest such loot” in the history of TTD during the YSRCP regime spanning from 2019 to 2024.

The CCTV footage related to the alleged theft was also shared by Nara Lokesh, a leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

### Legal Action and Investigation

Reddy claimed that devotees were effectively looted under the YSRCP regime when they offered donations to the temple. He highlighted that the High Court has transferred the case to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and ordered a probe with a sealed cover report to be submitted within one month.

Additionally, the court has directed that the board’s decisions, along with related documents, be seized as part of the investigation.

### Alleged Attempts to Settle the Case

The BJP leader further alleged that several YSRCP leaders and top officials attempted to settle the case through Lok Adalat, but the issue could not be concealed. Reddy also accused a key police officer of colluding with others to loot the temple’s wealth, with officials and leaders allegedly sharing the stolen funds.

At the time, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was the TTD chairman. Bhanu Prakash Reddy has demanded a response from him regarding these serious allegations.

### Claims of Evidence Tampering

Reddy claimed that after the scam, crucial evidence was destroyed. He alleged that a portion of the looted money had been diverted to the Tadepalli Palace, and hinted that an officer might soon come forward in remorse to reveal the full details of what is being called a ₹100-crore scandal.

### Political Impact

These allegations have stirred a significant political controversy in Andhra Pradesh, triggering demands for a thorough investigation into the matter.

As the probe unfolds, the public awaits further updates on this developing story concerning the alleged theft and mismanagement of temple funds during the YSRCP administration.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/rs-100cr-stolen-bjp-leader-alleges-tirupati-theft-under-jagan-reddy/story

₹100cr stolen from Tirupati temple during Jagan Reddy’s rule: BJP

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**100 Crore Stolen from Tirupati Temple During Jagan Reddy’s Rule: BJP Alleges**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 03:37 PM*

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has made serious allegations claiming that over ₹100 crore was stolen from the donation box of the Tirupati temple during the tenure of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime.

**Allegations of Theft and Diversion of Funds**

Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) — the body responsible for managing the Tirupati temple — accused a temple staffer named Ravikumar of stealing the cash donations. To support his allegations, Reddy released CCTV footage purportedly showing the theft.

Furthermore, he alleged that the stolen money was not only misappropriated but also diverted into real estate investments and transferred to Jagan Reddy’s residence, known as the Tadepalli Palace. Describing the incident as the “biggest such loot” in TTD’s history, Reddy claimed that this fraudulent activity took place during the YSRCP government’s rule from 2019 to 2024.

The footage linked to the alleged theft was also shared by Nara Lokesh, leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), via his social media handle on X (formerly Twitter).

**Legal Proceedings and Investigation**

According to Reddy, the donations given by devotees were effectively looted under the YSRCP regime. He highlighted that the High Court has taken cognizance of the matter by transferring the case to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and ordered an inquiry with a sealed cover report to be submitted within a month.

Additionally, the court directed authorities to seize decisions taken by the TTD board and all related documents, reflecting the seriousness of ongoing investigations.

**Alleged Attempts to Settle the Case**

Reddy also alleged that several YSRCP leaders and senior officials attempted to settle the matter through Lok Adalat proceedings to suppress the issue. However, these attempts reportedly failed to cover up the scandal.

He further accused a key police officer of complicity, claiming that the officer worked with the intent to loot the temple’s wealth. According to Reddy, both officials and political leaders shared the misappropriated funds.

During this period, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was the TTD chairman. The BJP leader has called upon him to respond to these serious allegations.

**Destruction of Evidence and Possibility of Exposure**

The BJP leader asserted that critical evidence regarding the scam was destroyed after the theft, thereby attempting to cover up the crime. He expressed hope that an officer involved might soon come forward with remorse and reveal complete details of the ₹100 crore scam.

**Political Fallout**

These allegations have ignited a political storm in Andhra Pradesh, with opposition parties and public voices demanding a comprehensive investigation into the matter to ensure justice and transparency.

As the situation unfolds, further updates are awaited on the progress of the investigation and any official responses from the YSR Congress Party or the TTD administration.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/rs-100cr-stolen-bjp-leader-alleges-tirupati-theft-under-jagan-reddy/story

iFixit teardown shows Apple’s thinnest iPhone is easily repairable

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**iFixit Teardown Shows Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Is Surprisingly Repairable**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025*

Apple’s latest release, the iPhone Air, is its thinnest smartphone yet, measuring just 5.6mm thick. Renowned repair expert iFixit recently performed a detailed teardown of the device, revealing a design that balances extreme thinness with an unexpectedly high level of repairability.

### Innovative Design Meets Repairability

The iPhone Air represents the biggest redesign in the iPhone lineup in years. This teardown highlights Apple’s innovative engineering to pack all essential components into such a slim form factor without sacrificing durability or serviceability.

### Camera “Plateau” Integrates Logic Board

To accommodate internal parts within the ultra-thin chassis, Apple introduced a clever “camera plateau” design. This design integrates part of the logic board into the camera bump, freeing up space for a large metal-encased battery.

This strategic placement not only optimizes space but also helps protect the logic board from bending stress, enhancing the device’s durability against accidental flexing.

### Durable Titanium Frame with Plastic Gaps

The iPhone Air features a titanium frame that resists flexing exceptionally well. However, when stripped of its internal components during teardown, the chassis is more prone to bending due to plastic gaps incorporated to reduce cellular interference.

Whether these structural weak points will impact the device’s long-term durability remains to be seen.

### Battery Compatibility Confirmed

iFixit’s teardown also confirms earlier speculation regarding Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack. The 12.26W-hour battery inside the pack is the same as the one used in the iPhone Air and can be removed and installed in the phone itself, adding versatility for users.

### Easier Repair Than Expected

Despite its ultra-thin profile, the iPhone Air is surprisingly easy to repair. The internal layout is simplified, with components not overly layered or difficult to access. Both the display and back glass are clipped in place without adhesive, making removal straightforward.

The battery employs a low-voltage electrical current adhesive loosening technique, first introduced with last year’s iPhone 16, enabling safer and easier battery replacement.

### Repairability Score and Improvements

iFixit gave the iPhone Air a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. Positive aspects include easier battery access, relatively simple screen replacement, and Apple’s ongoing commitment to repair-friendly practices.

Additionally, Apple has improved repairability by offering spare parts and manuals, and reducing software locks or restrictions related to parts pairing.

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Overall, the iPhone Air proves that ultra-slim design can coexist with thoughtful engineering to support user and technician repairs, marking a noteworthy shift in Apple’s approach to device serviceability.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/ifixit-s-iphone-air-teardown-reveals-sleek-design-surprisingly-easy-reparability/story

Tamil drama ‘Bad Girl’ sets Hindi release on September 26

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**Tamil Drama ‘Bad Girl’ Sets Hindi Release Date for September 26**

By Isha Sharma | September 21, 2025, 12:39 PM

The critically acclaimed Tamil film *Bad Girl*, presented by notable filmmakers Vetrimaaran and Anurag Kashyap, is all set for its Hindi theatrical release on September 26. This coming-of-age drama marks the directorial debut of Varsha Bharath and features Anjali Sivaraman in the lead role as a teenage girl exploring love and desire in Chennai.

Originally released in Tamil earlier this month on September 5, *Bad Girl* has already garnered significant attention for its authentic storytelling and bold themes.

**Praise from Anurag Kashyap**

Anurag Kashyap, who is presenting the film, has praised *Bad Girl* as “one of the most original stories” he has encountered. Reflecting on his experience, Kashyap said, “When I first read it, it reminded me of how as a young filmmaker I wanted to tell bold stories. Varsha has gone beyond all my expectations and made an excellent film out of it.”

**Director’s Vision**

Varsha Bharath revealed that the inspiration behind *Bad Girl* came from her desire to portray the realities women face. She explained that women are “constantly defined, confined, and judged” by society. Bharath stated, “Through the film, I wanted to question the very idea of labels and how easily they are used to diminish women.”

The film is produced under Vetrimaaran’s Grass Root Film Company, with Ranjan Singh serving as executive producer.

**Anjali Sivaraman on Her Role**

Lead actress Anjali Sivaraman described her role in *Bad Girl* as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of her career. She shared, “The role pushed me to confront a lot of questions about identity, freedom, and the judgments women face every day.”

The cast also includes Shanthipriya, and the film’s music is composed by Amit Trivedi. Distribution for the Hindi version will be handled by Flip Films.

With its upcoming release, *Bad Girl* is poised to spark important conversations about identity, societal labels, and the everyday struggles women endure. Stay tuned for its Hindi debut in theaters on September 26.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/tamil-drama-bad-girl-to-release-in-hindi/story

Why Israel should annex the West Bank, but doesn’t need to do so yet – opinion

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**Why Israel Should Annex the West Bank, But Doesn’t Need to Do So Yet**

Anyone with even the most superficial understanding of the conflict knows that a Palestinian state has never been further from coming to fruition than today.

Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

![UN General Assembly adopts a resolution](photo-credit-eduardo-munoz-reuters.jpg)
*Photo credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters*

By Aliza Pilichowski
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-868240

Jayson Vayson ‘shocked’ after controversial stoppage vs Oscar Collazo

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MANILA, Philippines – In a bizarre end to a competitive world title fight, Filipino challenger Jayson Vayson suffered a seventh-round loss to Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo on Sunday (Manila time) at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Vayson was still very much in the thick of things when his corner inexplicably stopped the fight at one minute and 41 seconds into the seventh round, handing the victory to Collazo.

https://sports.inquirer.net/641057/jayson-vayson-shocked-after-controversial-stoppage-vs-oscar-collazo