Category Archives: international

business, economy, international, politics, technology

This is Modi government’s stance on cryptocurrency in India

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**This is Modi Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrency in India**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 07, 2025 | 04:24 PM*

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**Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Clarifies Government Position**

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently clarified the Indian government’s stance on cryptocurrency during his two-day visit to Doha aimed at boosting trade and investments between India and Qatar.

Goyal emphasized that the government neither promotes nor discourages cryptocurrencies but imposes taxation on them. “We have not been encouraging cryptocurrency, which does not have sovereign backing or which is not backed by assets,” he stated.

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**Heavy Taxation Instead of a Ban**

Unlike some countries that have banned cryptocurrencies outright, India has chosen a different approach. Goyal explained that the government intends to regulate cryptocurrencies primarily through heavy taxation.

“As far as cryptocurrency, which is not backed by the Central Govt, while there is no ban as such, we are taxing it very heavily,” he said. This strategy aims to protect people from falling victim to unbacked cryptocurrencies lacking any formal support system.

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**India’s Plan to Introduce a Sovereign Digital Currency**

In addition to regulating private cryptocurrencies, India plans to roll out a sovereign digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This new digital rupee will share characteristics similar to stablecoins and will feature blockchain-based traceability to ensure transparency and compliance.

“Our idea is that this will only make it easier to transact,” Goyal remarked regarding the upcoming digital currency.

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**Clear Tax Framework for Virtual Digital Assets**

India has established a defined tax framework for virtual digital assets (VDAs), such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs, despite not granting them legal tender status.

In the Union Budget 2022-23, the government introduced a 30% tax on income earned from the transfer of VDAs. This tax rate applies regardless of any profit or loss from other transactions in the taxpayer’s portfolio. Additionally, from July 1, 2022, a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is levied on all crypto transactions above ₹10,000.

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**Summary**

To summarize, the Modi government’s approach to cryptocurrency emphasizes regulation through significant taxation rather than prohibition. While discouraging unbacked cryptocurrencies, the government is moving forward with its own digital currency initiative to facilitate easier and more transparent transactions in India’s financial ecosystem.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/we-are-not-encouraging-cryptocurrency-says-piyush-goyal/story

business, conflict, hostage situation, international, politics

Many details to be worked out on Trump Gaza plan, Qatari official says

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**Many Details to Be Worked Out on Trump Gaza Plan, Qatari Official Says**

A Qatari official has stated that many details still need to be worked out regarding the Trump administration’s Gaza plan. The proposed deal would see Israel receive the return of all 48 hostages after two years of captivity by Hamas.

US President Donald Trump has been involved in efforts to negotiate the release of these hostages amid ongoing tensions with Hamas.

*Photo credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters, Ramadan Abed/Reuters*
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869677

business, economy, international, politics, war

Trump says his intervention was ‘very effective’ in India-Pakistan conflict

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US President Donald Trump on Monday described his use of tariffs as a measure to stop wars, calling them a vital tool for peacekeeping. He further asserted that his communication with India and Pakistan during their recent conflict was “very effective,” claiming his actions helped end the battle between the nuclear-armed neighbors through trade.

“Tariffs are very important for the United States. We are a peacekeeper because of tariffs. Not only do we make hundreds of billions of dollars, but we’re a peacekeeper because of tariffs,” Trump said during an Oval Office interview, according to reports by news agency PTI.

The US President emphasized that without the “power of tariffs,” multiple wars would still be ongoing. “I use tariffs to stop wars. If you look at India and Pakistan, they were ready to go at it. Seven planes were shot down. They were ready to go at it. And they are nuclear powers. And I don’t want to say exactly what I said, but what I said was very effective. They stopped. And that was based on tariffs. It was based on trade,” he added.

India, however, has consistently denied any third-party intervention in the conflict. The tensions escalated after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

Following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict. India has maintained that this cessation of hostilities resulted from direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made it clear in Parliament that no foreign leader requested India to halt Operation Sindoor.

President Trump has claimed multiple times that he ended seven wars during the second term of his administration, including conflicts involving India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Congo and Rwanda, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Since May 10, when Trump announced via social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeatedly stated that he “helped settle” the conflict between the two countries.

Trump added that out of the seven wars he ended, at least half were due to his “ability at trade and because of tariffs.” “If I didn’t have tariffs to throw around a little bit, you would have at least four wars raging right now, with thousands of people a day being killed,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/what-i-said-was-very-effective-they-stopped-donald-trump-on-india-pakistan-conflict-23597574

cricket, international, sports, world cup

Century stands for South Africa vs New Zealand in WODIs

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**Next Article: Century Stands for South Africa vs New Zealand in WODIs**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 07, 2025, 11:22 AM*

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Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus led South Africa Women to a comfortable six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The match was played at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Brits scored a brilliant century, smashing 101 runs off 98 balls, while Luus remained unbeaten with 83 runs off 114 balls. The duo stitched together a match-winning second-wicket partnership of 159 runs.

Here, we decode the century stands by South African pairs against New Zealand in WODI history.

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### #1 Lizelle Lee & Laura Wolvaardt – 163 runs in Auckland, 2020
Chasing a target of 260 in the 2020 Auckland encounter, South Africa got off to a flying start with openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt adding a brilliant 163 runs for the opening wicket. This remains South Africa’s highest WODI partnership against New Zealand for any wicket.

The partnership was finally broken when Lee was agonizingly dismissed for a run-a-ball 99. Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 91 off 124 balls as South Africa won by seven wickets.

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### #2 Tazmin Brits & Sune Luus – 159 runs in Indore, 2025
Brits and Luus’s 159-run stand in the recent Indore game ranks second on this list. Chasing 232, South Africa lost opener and captain Laura Wolvaardt with just 26 runs on the board. Luus then joined Brits, and from there it was one-way traffic.

The New Zealand bowlers had no answers to Brits’ onslaught as she scored a fiery 101 off 98 balls. Luus remained unbeaten on 83 off 114 balls, guiding South Africa to a six-wicket victory.

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### #3 Nadine de Klerk & Chloe Tryon – 124 runs in Potchefstroom, 2023
In the 2023 Potchefstroom match, chasing 236, South Africa found themselves struggling at 111/5. Nadine de Klerk joined Chloe Tryon in the middle, and together the duo put together a valiant 124-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Tryon played aggressively, smashing a sensational 71 runs off 58 balls before being dismissed. De Klerk remained unbeaten on 58 runs off 77 balls as the Proteas secured a four-wicket win.

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### #4 Marizanne Kapp & Laura Wolvaardt – 116* runs in Pietermaritzburg, 2023
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp starred in South Africa’s win over New Zealand in the 2023 Pietermaritzburg WODI. Chasing 234, South Africa were at 141/3 when Kapp joined the well-set Wolvaardt.

The pair did not suffer any further casualties, recording an unbeaten 116-run partnership to take the hosts to victory. Wolvaardt impressed with a stunning 124 runs off 141 balls, while Kapp contributed a solid 45 off 49 balls.

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These century stands highlight some of the most memorable batting partnerships between South Africa and New Zealand in Women’s ODIs, showcasing the strength and resilience of South African women’s cricket over the years.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/100-plus-stands-vs-sa-w-vs-nz-w-in-odis-any-wicket/story

asia, business, economy, international, women

5 Philippine biz leaders on Fortune’s list of ‘Most Powerful Women’ in Asia

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MANILA, Philippines — Five women leaders in the Philippine corporate world have landed on Fortune Magazine’s list of Asia’s 100 Most Powerful Women for “leveraging regional and global volatility for business advantage.”

Among them, Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon is the top-ranking business leader from the Philippines, securing the 37th spot on the prestigious list.

Sazon is recognized for her outstanding leadership and strategic vision in steering her company through challenging times, positioning it for sustained growth and success.

https://business.inquirer.net/551151/5-philippine-biz-leaders-on-fortunes-list-of-most-powerful-women-in-asia

business, culture, history, international, religion

The ‘etrog’ wars: How the Ottoman Empire turned a sacred fruit into a global commodity

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The Etrog Wars: How the Ottoman Empire Turned a Sacred Fruit into a Global Commodity

From the groves of Corfu and Cephalonia to the orchards of Tiberias and Jaffa, the saga of the etrog under Ottoman rule reveals how a fruit became entangled in struggles of faith and trade.

Etrogim on Display

The fruit’s distinctive bumpy skin and bright color made it both a ritual object and a coveted commodity across Jewish communities.

Photo Credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

By Alex Winston

https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-869505

competition, international, soccer, sports, women

Women’s World Cup 2025, England vs Bangladesh: Preview and stats

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The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is heating up as the tournament progresses.

In an exciting clash, England Women are set to take on Bangladesh Women in the eighth match of the competition.

Fans can expect a thrilling encounter as both teams look to make their mark in this prestigious event. Stay tuned for live updates and comprehensive coverage of the match.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/england-vs-bangladesh-women-s-world-cup-preview/story

agriculture, economy, international, politics

Congress slams Centre over delay in relief for rain-hit farmers in Maharashtra

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The opposition party has accused the government of delaying aid to rain-hit farmers in Maharashtra, attributing the hold-up to bureaucratic processes.

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal strongly criticized the BJP for its indifference towards the farmers’ plight. He urged the government to provide immediate relief without waiting for a formal proposal from the state.

https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-floods-centre-delaying-financial-aid-to-rain-hit-farmers-in-state-alleges-congress-23597456

business, economy, international, science, technology

AMD shares surge 25% on chip supply deal with OpenAI

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**AMD Shares Soar 25% Following Major AI Chip Supply Deal with OpenAI**

*By Mudit Dube | October 6, 2025*

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has entered into a multi-year agreement to supply artificial intelligence (AI) chips to OpenAI, marking a significant milestone for both companies. This landmark deal is expected to generate tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue for AMD and offers OpenAI an option to acquire up to a 10% stake in the chipmaker.

The partnership serves as a strong endorsement of AMD’s AI chips and software capabilities and aligns with the company’s strategic efforts to deepen its presence in the fast-expanding AI market.

**Market Reaction: Shares Surge 25%**

Following the announcement, AMD shares jumped 25% in premarket trading. Forrest Norrod, AMD’s Executive Vice President, described the deal as “certainly transformative, not just for AMD, but for the dynamics of the industry,” highlighting its potential to reshape the AI chip landscape.

The agreement involves deploying hundreds of thousands of AMD AI chips and graphics processing units (GPUs), representing a capacity of six gigawatts over several years beginning in the second half of 2026.

**OpenAI to Establish 1-Gigawatt Facility Using AMD Chips**

A key component of the deal includes OpenAI’s plan to establish a one-gigawatt facility powered by AMD’s next-generation MI450 series chips starting next year. This facility is expected to kickstart revenue generation for AMD shortly thereafter.

AMD anticipates that this partnership, combined with ripple effects from other customers, could bring in more than $100 billion in new revenue over the next four years.

**Context and Industry Impact**

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed confidence that the collaboration with AMD will help the organization build sufficient AI infrastructure to support its ambitious projects.

This development follows NVIDIA’s announcement to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI and supply at least 10 gigawatts of its systems. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to work on developing its own AI-specific silicon in partnership with Broadcom, underscoring its multi-faceted approach to building robust AI hardware capabilities.

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This deal marks a pivotal moment in the AI hardware sector, emphasizing AMD’s growing influence and OpenAI’s commitment to scaling its AI infrastructure through diverse strategic partnerships.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/amd-inks-multi-year-ai-chip-deal-with-openai/story

chess, competition, controversy, international, sports

Hikaru Nakamura’s gesture after defeating Gukesh sparks debate: Details here

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**Hikaru Nakamura’s Gesture After Defeating Gukesh Sparks Debate**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 06, 2025, 2:08 PM*

**What’s the Story?**

Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh’s defeat against Hikaru Nakamura at the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ exhibition event has sparked a major controversy. After winning the final game, Nakamura threw Gukesh’s king piece into the crowd—a gesture many deemed disrespectful both to the game of chess and to Gukesh himself. However, others defended the act as a refreshing and entertaining break from chess’s traditionally reserved image.

**Event Details**

It’s important to note that the ‘Checkmate: USA vs India’ event was not a FIDE-sanctioned tournament, but rather an exhibition designed to attract new audiences through quirky adaptations to the traditional chess format. Unlike standard chess matches, players were introduced with WWE-style announcements and encouraged to cheer or jeer before a live audience, breaking the customary silence typically observed during competitive chess.

**Pre-Planned Celebration**

Nakamura’s controversial move was not spontaneous but part of a pre-planned celebration agreed upon before the match. Organizers discussed the celebratory gesture with all participants and encouraged them to express themselves candidly. YouTuber Levy Rozman, who also took part in the exhibition by defeating ChessBase India’s Sagar Shah, revealed that Nakamura’s action was in line with what the organizers requested. Nakamura even explained his intent privately to Gukesh afterward.

**Community Response**

The chess community’s reactions were mixed. Chess streamer Jules Gambit, a co-host of the event, defended Nakamura on social media, emphasizing that all players were instructed to have fun after a win. She argued it is unfair to judge Nakamura’s gesture by traditional chess standards given the experimental nature of the event.

Despite some backlash, notable chess figures, including Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, publicly supported Nakamura’s decision, seeing it as a lighthearted and creative aspect of this unconventional exhibition.

**Rivalries Reignited**

However, the incident reignited old rivalries and tensions. Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik criticized Nakamura’s celebration, labeling it a “degradation” of the sport. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky also condemned Nakamura’s actions, accusing him of disrespecting the world champion’s title. Event organizers responded to these criticisms by highlighting the nature and spirit of the exhibition.

**Conclusion**

While the gesture stirred controversy, many players and fans sympathized with Nakamura’s intent, understanding that it was meant purely for entertainment and to challenge traditional perceptions of chess.

**Watch the Viral Clip Here!**
*Check out the moment that set the chess world buzzing on Twitter.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/hikaru-nakamura-tossing-gukesh-s-king-sparks-storm-in-chess-world/story