Nepal Social Media Ban: Nepal has imposed a ban on Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more than a dozen other major social media sites, accusing them of failing to comply with local regulations. The government took this action after these platforms did not register under the country’s new social media laws enforced by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Following the ban, thousands of young protesters and GEN Z gathered at multiple locations across the country, with some attempting to enter the Parliament building in Kathmandu. The violent protest in the capital, which has claimed at least one life, has been described as a Gen Z demonstration, involving individuals born between 1995 and 2010. According to a notice from the ministry, social media companies were given seven days from August 28 to complete their registration. (Also Read: WhatsApp Down In India: Users Unable To Send Messages Or Post Status Updates; Netizens React) Add Zee News as a Preferred Source However, when the deadline expired on Wednesday night, none of the major platforms—including Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Alphabet (YouTube), X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn—had submitted their applications. Videos shared online show large crowds marching through the streets, waving national flags, and chanting slogans. These clips are being widely circulated on TikTok, one of the social media platforms that remains accessible.  Nepal Social Media Ban: Full List of Apps All major social media and communication platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Messenger, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Rumble, Mi Video, Mi Vike, Line, Imo, Jalo, Sol, and Hamro Patro—will stay blocked until they complete the required registration process. Meanwhile, the officials said TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live have been registered, while Telegram and Global Diary are still awaiting approval.  

WhatsApp Down In India: Meta-owned platform WhatsApp experienced a major outage in India on Monday. This leaves thousands of users across the country unable to send messages or update their status. According to outage-tracking website Downdetector, 410 reports were logged by 2:20 p.m. Out of these reports, 54% of users reported server connection issues, 24% faced problems with WhatsApp on desktop, and 22% encountered disruptions on the mobile app. Downdetector only flags an incident when the number of reports is significantly higher than the usual volume for that time of day. This is not the first time the Meta-owned platform has faced an outage this year. In April, WhatsApp experienced a similar disruption, leaving users unable to send messages or update their status for several hours. According to Downdetector, 81% of users reported issues with sending messages on April 12, while 16% reported problems with the overall app experience. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Earlier in February, WhatsApp suffered a massive global outage, with users reporting connectivity issues on WhatsApp Web, the mobile app, and calls. During that incident, users were unable to send messages or make calls via both the app and WhatsApp Web, with Downdetector logging over 9,000 complaints on that day. 

New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has responded to White House advisor Peter Navarro’s accusations of spreading “propaganda” on social media platform X, saying that people themselves decide the narrative on his platform. The verbal spat between Musk and U.S. senior counselor for Trade and Manufacturing Navarro comes amid a dispute over India’s purchases of Russian oil. Navarro had posted on X: “India buys Russian oil purely to profit. It didn’t buy any before Russia invaded Ukraine. Indian govt spin machine moving high tilt. Stop killing Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs,” while criticizing the Washington Post’s coverage of India-U.S. relations. X’s fact-check feature, Community Notes, flagged his comments as misleading, stating that India’s sovereign energy purchases comply with international law. Navarro then criticized Musk for allowing “crap notes” and alleged that Indian “special interests” were influencing U.S. debates. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Musk responded: “On this platform, the people decide the narrative… You hear all sides of an argument. Community Notes corrects everyone, no exceptions. Notes data & code is public source. Grok provides further fact-checking.” The Indian government also dismissed Navarro’s remarks, with the MEA spokesperson calling them “inaccurate and misleading.” Navarro had earlier criticized India’s foreign policy, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent engagements with Russian and Chinese leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, and declaring that “India needs to be with us, not Russia.” Former U.S. President Donald Trump has described India-U.S. relations as a “very special relationship” and praised Prime Minister Modi, who in turn referred to the partnership as “forward-looking.” Trump later appeared to soften his earlier remarks about “losing” India to China, adding, “I’ll always be friends with Prime Minister Modi.” Hours later, Modi reciprocated, saying he appreciates and fully acknowledges President Trump’s sentiments.

Swiggy Instamart Special Offers On iPhone 17: Swiggy’s Instamart has announced its first big annual sale called Quick India Movement 2025. The company says this will be India’s “quickest sale,” with deliveries in just 10 minutes. Shoppers can find deals on products from OnePlus, Oppo, and even the upcoming iPhone 17 series. The 10-day sale will also include a daily flash sale that lasts only 10 minutes. The sale will take place on the Swiggy Instamart app from September 19 to September 28. The timing is key, as Amazon and Flipkart will also begin their biggest sales of the year soon after. The Amazon Great Indian Festival and Flipkart Big Billion Days both kick off on September 23. Instamart’s Quick India Movement 2025: Discount And Bank Offers Add Zee News as a Preferred Source During the 10-day mega sale, shoppers can grab discounts of 50% to 90% on more than 50,000 products. These include electronics, kitchen essentials, beauty and personal care items, and more. In addition, Axis Bank credit card holders will get an extra 10% instant discount, up to Rs 1,000. The offers cover a wide range of categories such as electronics, kitchen and dining, beauty, toys, and several others. Special Offers On iPhone 17 Series The sale will include special deals on the iPhone 17 series, launching on September 9 in India. Swiggy Instamart promises smartphone deliveries within just 10 minutes in major cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Along with iPhones, buyers can also get discounts on phones and accessories from brands such as OnePlus, Oppo, JBL, Philips, Portronics, and Noise. (Also Read: Apple Event 2025: From AirPods Pro 3 To New Apple Watch, 9 Big Announcements Expected Apart From iPhone 17 Series India Launch; Check Expected Price) Swiggy’s New Gifting Platforms Swiggy has launched a new service called Giftables, an instant gifting platform that lets users send curated gifts within minutes. The new service is currently available in Bengaluru, the service offers more than 10,000 gift options, including cakes, flowers, chocolates, perfumes, electronics, jewellery, and toys. The feature can be accessed directly through the Swiggy app and will soon expand to Mumbai, Delhi, and other major cities. 

Meta’s Hindi AI Chatbots: Meta is hiring contractors in the US to create Hindi-language AI chatbots for Indian users, as per media reports. This is part of Meta’s plan to grow its AI presence in fast-growing markets like India, Indonesia, and Mexico, according to Business Insider. The job listings show that contractors are being hired through staffing agencies such as Crystal Equation and Aquent Talent. The work mainly involves creating chatbot characters for Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Meta: US-based Contractors Eligibility And Per-Hour Income Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Applicants need to be fluent in Hindi, Indonesian, Spanish, or Portuguese. They should also have at least six years of experience in storytelling, character development, and AI content workflows. Contractors can earn up to $55 per hour. Meta’s No Official Confirmation However, Meta has not officially confirmed this hiring plan. However, the report noted that Crystal Equation has posted Hindi and Indonesian language job openings on behalf of Meta, while Aquent Talent advertised Spanish-language roles for a “top social media company.” (Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Price Drops By Over Rs 10,000 On THIS Platform; Check Camera, Battery, Price And Other Features) Hiring contractors to develop localized chatbot characters shows Meta’s push to create digital companions that resonate with local cultures, including in India. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously said that chatbots could “complement real-world friendships” and make it easier for people to connect with digital companions. Meta Focuses On AI Chatbots At the same time, Meta’s growing focus on AI chatbots has drawn criticism. Earlier reports suggest that some of Meta’s bots engaged in inappropriate romantic or sexual conversations with minors, gave misleading medical advice, and even produced racist responses. Meta’s Privacy Concerns Privacy concerns have also been raised. Business Insider previously reported that contractors reviewing chatbot conversations often came across sensitive personal details, including names, phone numbers, emails, and selfies, sparking questions about how such data is being handled. Following these reports, US lawmakers have called for stricter oversight of Meta’s AI policies. (With IANS Inputs)

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Price In India: If you’re planning to upgrade your iPhone before the India launch of the iPhone 17 Series, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the offer. Whether you’re moving up from an older iPhone or switching from another brand, this deal makes the iPhone 16 Pro far more affordable. The e-commerce giant is offering discounts that already make the device lighter on the pocket, and when combined with additional perks like bank offers, the deal becomes an even more compelling bargain. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Discounted Price On Amazon Add Zee News as a Preferred Source The smartphone is listed at a price of Rs 1,17,900 after a 9% discount, down from its MRP of Rs 1,29,900 — a saving of around Rs 12,000. Buyers can save further with exchange offers of up to Rs 36,050. Without exchange, the effective price remains ₹1,17,900 compared to the original Rs 1,29,900. Adding further, customers can avail up to Rs 3,537 cashback as Amazon Pay Balance when using Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Cards, along with EMI interest savings of up to Rs 5,308.88 on the same card. For business purchases, a GST invoice is available, offering savings of up to 28%. (Also Read: Realme 15T 5G Goes On Sale In India: Check Camera, Display, Battery, Price, And Bank Discount) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Specifications It features a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, and a peak brightness of 2000 nits for an immersive viewing experience. The device is powered by the Apple A18 Pro chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, catering to the needs of power users. The premium smartphone is equipped with a 3582mAh battery that supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wired charging. On the photography front, the iPhone 16 Pro sports a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor, while the 12-megapixel front camera ensures sharp selfies and high-quality video calls. 

New Delhi: The GST reforms will directly bolster Global Capability Centres’ (GCCs) operations in India — not just through tax adjustments but also by enhancing their global competitiveness, cost structures, and cash flows, a report said on Sunday. The 56th GST Council meeting has delivered one of the most sweeping tax overhauls since 2017. Earlier, services provided by GCCs to overseas affiliates often faced the risk of being classified as “intermediary,” leading to disputes, GST liability on services, and denial of export benefits, according to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat. “With the omission of Section 13(8)(b) of the IGST Act, the place of supply for such services will now be determined by the location of the recipient. This ensures that services delivered abroad are treated as exports, eligible for zero-rating and ITC refunds,” the report stated. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source The amendment will bring greater certainty and competitiveness, while also providing relief from prolonged litigation. Further, it will open new avenues for growth by transitioning intermediary functions to Indian GCCs. The Council has revised GST rates on several goods and services. These include a reduction in rates on air conditioners and monitors, and an increase in rates on passenger transport/renting of motor vehicles and air transport services (except economy class). “For GCCs, this translates into both positive and negative impacts depending on the nature of goods/services procured, along with the eligibility of ITC,” the report mentioned. Provisions related to sanctioning 90 per cent of refunds on a provisional basis were already in place; however, due to manual interventions, implementation was ineffective. “With the proposed risk-based identification and evaluation of refund claims through the system, effective implementation of these provisions may now be possible. This process will be operational from November 1, 2025. Faster, risk-based refunds will ease working capital pressure and improve cash flow predictability,” the report noted. The number of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India is expected to rise from 1,700 to over 2,200 by 2030.

WhatsApp Liquid Glass Design: Meta-owned platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new look for iOS 26 using Apple’s Liquid Glass design in beta ahead of the iPhone 17 Series India Launch. The update will give the app a fresh, modern appearance. Apple’s Liquid Glass design makes elements look smooth and flowing, like liquid, while keeping a clear, glass-like look. This style was introduced with iOS 26. Ahead of the stable release, WhatsApp has begun rolling out the new feature to iPhone beta testers and is already testing this design in its beta app. According to WABetaInfo, a feature-tracking platform for WhatsApp, the new design was spotted in WhatsApp Beta for iOS version 25.24.10.70, compiled using Apple’s iOS 26 SDK via Xcode.  WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.24.10.70: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on implementing Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language for the iOS 26 app, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/eibCZbJreB pic.twitter.com/SNMFD5gzb3 — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) September 4, 2025 Add Zee News as a Preferred Source This update will allow WhatsApp to experiment with new depth effects, light reflections, and transparency across background layers, context menus, and interactive buttons. (Also Read: Google Fined Almost €3 Billion By EU For Anti-Competitive Adtech Practices, Donald Trump Reacts) WhatsApp may introduce more changes in the coming weeks based on feedback from testers. The Cupertino-based tech giant Apple has also updated several elements of its Liquid Glass design since the first iOS 26 beta. Currently, users can see some transparency in tabs, menus, and buttons, but this effect is expected to expand with future updates. Reports suggest that WhatsApp is initially focusing on updating the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.  However, users shouldn’t expect the Liquid Glass theme on WhatsApp immediately after the rumored iPhone 17 series launch on September 9, as there’s no confirmed timeline for a wide rollout. Major design overhauls like this can take several weeks—or even months—to fully implement, even during beta testing. WhatsApp will likely continue refining the interface before making it available to all users.

New Delhi: US tech giant Apple’s annual sales in India touched a record of nearly $9 billion in FY 2024-25, a report has said. Apple’s devices in the country saw a 13 per cent increase in sales, up from around $8 billion recorded in the previous year, highlighting rising consumer demand, according to a Bloomberg report. The company’s flagship devices, iPhones, dominated the sales in India for FY25, with significant growth in demand for MacBook computers as well. The performance provides an advantage to the US-based company as its global mobile device sales have plateaued. Apple has opened two new stores in Bengaluru and Pune as part of its retail expansion in India this week, anticipating it to be the next key market. Apple is responding to volatile demand and increasing competition in China, its largest overseas market, where sales grew by only 4.4 per cent in the June quarter following two years of declines. In 2024, India ranked as Apple’s fourth-largest market worldwide, following the US, China, and Japan. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source India is also a key player in Apple’s manufacturing strategy. One in five iPhones is now manufactured in India, with Apple expanding production across five factories, including two recently opened plants, Bloomberg reports. The initiative aims to decrease dependence on China for manufacturing. India is also becoming central to Apple’s manufacturing plans, with one in every five iPhones now being produced in the country. India has surpassed China to emerge as the leading supplier of smartphones to the United States, driven by Apple’s relocation of its operations to India. Apple has scaled up its production capacity in India over the last several years and has dedicated most of its export capacity in the country to supply the US market so far in 2025. Earlier this week, the company’s CEO Tim Cook officially announced the opening of two more official retail outlets in Bengaluru’s Hebbal and Pune’s Koregaon Park and said the US tech giant was “thrilled” to continue to bring the best of its technology to customers across India at these two new outlets. Taking to X on Thursday, the Apple CEO wrote: “Say hello to Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru and Apple Koregaon Park in Pune! We are thrilled to continue to bring the best of Apple to customers across India at these two new stores.”

Google Hit With Antitrust EU Fine: The European Union fined Alphabet Inc.’s Google nearly €3 billion ($3.5 billion) for anti-competitive practices and ordered the tech giant to stop giving preferential treatment to its own advertising technology services. After this hefty penalty, US President Donald Trump criticized the EU on September 9, calling the penalty “unfair” and warning of potential retaliatory tariffs if the fine is not revoked. Donald Trump’s Comment Donald Trump’s comments came just days after hosting a high-profile dinner at the White House with tech CEOs, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai. During the event, Trump congratulated Sundar Pichai on Google’s recent legal victory, which followed a landmark antitrust ruling allowing the company to avoid a court-mandated breakup. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source According to EU Antitrust Commissioner Teresa Ribera stated that the Google now needs to propose a meaningful solution to resolve its conflicts of interest, and if it fails, we will not hesitate to enforce stringent measures. Meanwhile, New York Times report stated that the executive branch of the 27-nation bloc, accused Google of breaching antitrust laws by using its size and dominance to control the display advertising business, undercutting rivals. EU Warns Google  The EU stated that tech giant Google abused its dominant position, indirectly harming rival advertising technology providers. Regulators accused Google of leveraging its control over the ad-tech supply chain to access pricing information that competitors cannot obtain. In 2023, the EU had already warned Google that its dominance in advertising technology was being used to disadvantage online publishers. (Also Read: Meet The 10 Most Influential People In AI 2025: One Indian On List, Whose Net Worth Is Rs 8,989,000,000 And Who Is CEO Of IT Company; He Is…) It is important to note that the White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the fine. The €2.95 billion fine is one of the EU’s toughest penalties and the second-largest against Google for alleged dominance abuses. It follows a €4.125 billion Android fine and a €2.42 billion penalty for harming shopping search rivals. A €1.49 billion AdSense fine was canceled last year. EU’s Total Fine on Google Altogether, Google’s EU fines now approach €10 billion, far more than those imposed on Apple, Meta, or Microsoft. Meanwhile, Google’s ad-tech business also faces pressure in the US. The Department of Justice is expected to propose remedies on Friday, ahead of a hearing on September 22.