EUROPEAN DIGITAL SERVICES TAX
European airlines reroute flights to avoid Pakistani airspace as tensions with India escalate
Several European airlines, including Lufthansa and British Airways, are changing flight paths. They are avoiding Pakistani airspace. This follows Pakistan's closure of some airways to Indian carriers. Rising regional tensions are the reason. These reroutings add up to an hour of extra flight time. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines continues to use Pakistani airspace. They are prioritizing passenger and staff safety.
UP launches WhatsApp chatbot for transport services, brings RTO functions to citizens' fingertips
The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department has launched a 24x7 WhatsApp chatbot to streamline citizen access to key transport services. Citizens can now manage vehicle registration, driving licenses, and challan status from home, eliminating RTO visits. Integrated with Vahan and Sarthi databases, the multilingual chatbot offers real-time, authenticated information and step-by-step guidance for various services.
Saturday bank holiday today: Are banks open or closed today on May 3, 2025?
Bank Holiday Today: In India, bank branches follow a fixed weekly schedule where they remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. This often leads to confusion among customers wondering whether banks are open on a particular Saturday.
Apple eases App Store rules under court pressure
Apple has revised its US App Store rules, allowing developers to link to external payment systems without paying Apple commissions, following a court ruling. Spotify quickly updated its app to offer direct subscription purchases outside Apple’s system. The changes end Apple’s “Apple Tax” and remove restrictive “scare screens,” promoting fairer competition.
STICPAY: A trusted E-wallet for international money transfers in India
Digital payments gain traction in India. STICPAY, a global e-wallet, facilitates secure cross-border money transfers. It supports users in over 200 countries. Indian users benefit from fast, low-fee international transactions. STICPAY integrates various payment methods and ensures security. It aligns with India's digital financial inclusion goals. It empowers SMEs and freelancers for global commerce.
Tesla's sales in key European markets plunge in April
Tesla witnessed a sharp decline in sales across key European markets in April. Sweden saw a massive 80.7% drop. Denmark and France also reported significant decreases. This decline is attributed to rising competition from Chinese EV brands. Elon Musk's political views have sparked protests. These factors are impacting Tesla's performance in Europe.
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ONDC delays levying network fee again on stakeholder feedback
ONDC has postponed its planned network fee for seller apps to July 1, following stakeholder feedback. Initially set for January, the Rs 1.50 per transaction fee aims to fund infrastructure and services. The delay allows participants time to adapt, reflecting ONDC’s evolving approach and commitment to sustainable operations.
Canadians find phone bills a big problem, lodge maximum complaints
Telus becomes the most complained-about telecom provider in Canada, driven by a surge in incorrect billing issues, according to the CCTS mid-year report. Billing disputes accounted for a significant portion of customer complaints across all major telecoms, highlighting the growing concern over price hikes and contract breaches in the industry
No more paperwork! Open these Post Office Savings Schemes instantly with Aadhaar e-KYC
The Department of Posts is streamlining account openings for schemes such as Monthly Income Scheme (MIS), Time Deposit (TD), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), and National Savings Certificate (NSC using Aadhaar biometric authentication. This paperless process eliminates deposit slips and speeds up transactions.
GST collections rise 12.6% to an all-time high of Rs 2.37 lakh crore in April
India's GST collections reached a record high of Rs 2.37 lakh crore in April, marking a 12.6% surge. This follows a consistent upward trend, with collections rising by 9.9% in March and 9.1% in February. The government had projected an 11% increase in GST revenue for the year, estimating collections at Rs 11.78 lakh crore.
A little eHelp from our judicious friends
The Supreme Court's verdict recognizing digital access as a fundamental right necessitates policy changes to ensure universal availability and affordability. This shift, akin to the evolution of the electricity sector, requires re-evaluating spectrum allocation and network rollout strategies. Bridging the digital divide demands a focus on efficient technology adoption and a balanced role for both the market and the state.
Trump's tariffs have launched global trade wars: Here's a timeline of events
Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs have reignited global trade tensions, targeting China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU. The measures have triggered swift retaliation, escalated economic uncertainty, and drawn warnings from economists about inflation, disrupted supply chains, and a potential global slowdown. Policy volatility further clouds business planning.
Satellite firm SES in talks with EU over long-term option to complement Starlink
SES is in talks with EU and governments to complement, not replace, Starlink amid rising demand for secure, European-led satellite communications. CEO Adel Al-Saleh highlighted strategic efforts to reduce reliance on foreign providers and expand SES’s multi-orbit fleet to bolster defense and connectivity resilience.
Microsoft president says company respects European laws amid US criticism
Microsoft President Brad Smith affirmed the company’s respect for EU laws, including the Digital Markets Act, distancing it from US criticism of recent Big Tech fines. He also pledged legal resistance to foreign interference in European cloud operations and significant expansion of Microsoft’s European data infrastructure.
Microsoft pledges to protect European operations and unveils data center expansion
President Donald Trump has stoked tensions between the US and Europe with his tariff-fueled trade war, and alarmed European leaders with policy changes, including pausing intelligence sharing with Ukraine, that throw into doubt his administration's commitment to the trans-Atlantic relationship.
SC says changes needed in KYC processes for disabled, gives 20 directions
“We have held there is need for change in KYC processes for the disabled. We have given 20 directions. The petitioners who suffer from acid attacks and blindness have been unable to complete the KYC process and could not complete them due to facial disfigurements," said the court.
India, Netherlands discuss ways to address trade barriers, logistics issues
India and the Netherlands discussed deepening strategic economic ties during Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal’s visit to the Netherlands from April 24–26. Talks focused on policy alignment, trade barrier reduction, and setting up a Joint Trade and Investment Committee.
India, Rotterdam Port plan green, digital corridor for clean energy exports to Europe
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal visited the Netherlands. The visit aimed to establish a green and digital corridor. This corridor will connect Rotterdam port with Indian ports. The goal is to facilitate green hydrogen export to Europe. Discussions also covered semiconductor cooperation with ASML. Barthwal also visited Croatia to discuss the India-EU free trade agreement.
Gujarat: 70% citizens registered with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Gujarat has registered over 70% of its population under the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) as part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The state has digitally linked over 2.26 crore health records and registered over 17,800 health facilities and 42,000 healthcare professionals. Bhavnagar's ABDM microsite excelled, and the 'Scan & Share' feature is improving healthcare access.
Indians are submitting hundreds of pages for a Schengen Visa — and it has nothing to do with new rules
Indian travelers are facing visa application challenges due to extensive bank statements filled with numerous UPI transactions. Despite no official changes, applicants submit hundreds of pages to prove financial stability for Schengen visas. This surge in paperwork highlights the need for clearer guidelines as digital payments become increasingly common, creating an uneven experience for applicants.
CtrlS Datacenters to invest Rs 500 crore for greenfield data centre in Bhopal
The AI-ready data centre will be equipped with modern infrastructure, featuring advanced cooling and robust security systems. When operating at full capacity, it is expected to contribute Rs 7.5 crore annually each to the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) and Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST).
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp-owner Meta, Apple face multi-million penalties. Details here
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp-owner Meta, and Apple are in trouble as European Union regulators have penalized the two magnificent seven companies.
European Union fines Apple 500 million and Meta 200 million in separate digital cases
The commission, which is the EU's executive arm, also fined Meta Platforms 200 million euros because it forced Facebook and Instagram users to choose between seeing personalised ads or paying to avoid them.
Google, X next targets as Europe stays tough on tech regulation
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) sets out a list of dos and don'ts for tech giants to make it easier for people to move between competing online services like social media platforms, internet browsers and app stores and for smaller rivals to compete.
Apple fined $570 million and Meta $228 million for breach of EU law
The sanctions follow a year-long investigation by the European Commission, the EU executive, into whether the companies comply with the Digital Markets Act that seeks to allow smaller rivals into markets dominated by the biggest companies. Apple said it would challenge the EU fine.
I-T department introduces 'e-Pay Tax' feature on portal
The Income Tax Department has launched the 'e-Pay Tax' feature on its online portal, streamlining tax payments for individuals and small businesses. This initiative aims to eliminate traditional hassles like long queues and complex forms. By offering a direct digital route, the department encourages timely compliance and brings tax administration closer to citizens.
Indian banks outpace global average in digital banking services: Deloitte report
Indian banks have demonstrated remarkable progress in digital banking services, surpassing global averages in key areas. The 6th Deloitte Global Digital Banking Maturity (DBM) study recognizes nine Indian banks as 'Digital Champions'. India's DBM Index has significantly increased since 2022, driven by advancements in day-to-day banking and expanding customer relationships, fueled by technology and favorable regulations.
EU says it will enforce digital rules irrespective of CEO and location
The EU is committed to enforcing its Digital Markets Act and other tech regulations regardless of company origin, targeting firms like Apple, Meta, X, and TikTok. EU leaders stress fair enforcement to protect consumers, despite US criticism under Trump. Decisions on Apple and Meta’s potential violations are expected soon.
Taxes on super rich and tech giants stall under Trump
Global tax reform plans targeting billionaires and multinational corporations face significant setbacks, particularly with the United States' opposition under President Trump, who withdrew from international agreements and threatened tariffs. These actions have strained relationships with allies and jeopardized efforts to tax digital services and implement a global minimum corporate tax rate.
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