Are you ready for the next round of GST changes? India's GST Council is set to meet on October 7, but this time reports suggest consumers should not expect another major overhaul of tax rates. Instead, the focus is expected to shift towards improving how the system works for businesses and taxpayers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the meeting will focus on process reforms under what the government calls GST 2.0.


India's GST council is set to meet on October 7

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a strong address at the UN General Assembly, highlighting concerns over cross-border terrorism, maritime security, global conflicts, and trade disruptions. Stressing that "goodwill and friendship cannot coexist with terrorism," Jaishankar called for greater accountability and renewed multilateral cooperation. He also argued that the absence of war does not automatically mean peace and reiterated India's long-standing demand for overdue reforms of the United Nations system to better reflect current global realities.


UNGA 2026: India's veiled warning to Pakistan at the United Nations

India's campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council has received fresh support from Mauritius, which praised New Delhi's constructive role in global affairs and called for its inclusion among the Council's permanent members. The endorsement comes amid growing international debate over long-pending UN reforms. Russia, Portugal and Mauritius have all voiced support for India's candidature, adding momentum to calls for a more representative and contemporary Security Council.


Russia backs India at UNGA, but flags limits on UNSC seat expansion 

Jaishankar at UNGA: India raises concerns over seafarers' safety, slams Pak's cross-border terrorism

Jaishankar at UNGA: Goodwill and friendship can't coexist with terrorism

UNSC reform momentum grows: Russia, Portugal, Mauritius push for India's permanent seat bid

Three BJP allies — LJP (Ram Vilas), TDP and RLM — have sought clarification from the Election Commission over concerns raised by two Election Commissioners regarding voter-list revision. The allies have called for greater transparency, saying it would help strengthen confidence in the poll body.


Congress launched nationwide protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

India’s women’s kabaddi team defeated Iran 37-34 in a tense Asian Games final in Aichi-Nagoya to win gold. India led 22-16 at half-time before holding off a strong Iranian fightback to clinch the title.

India defeated Iran 37-34 in a tense final for Asian games gold

Three BJP allies — LJP (Ram Vilas), TDP and RLM — have sought clarification from the Election Commission over concerns raised by two Election Commissioners regarding voter-list revision. The allies have called for greater transparency, saying it would help strengthen confidence in the poll body.

NDA leaders open up on election commission controversy

India has exercised its right of reply at the UN after Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's speech. First Secretary Petal Gahlot didn't hold back, saying Pakistan's remarks on religious tolerance came from "a regime whose mainstay is blasphemy laws," and that its capital is being "fortified against its own people" by what she called a regime "of the army, by the army, and for the army." 

India flags brutal violence in Pak-occupied Jammu Kashmir 

India’s insurance regulator has proposed capping commissions paid to banks, brokers and agents for selling policies. The move could lower insurance costs for customers but may squeeze distributors’ incomes.

India's insurance regulator overhauls policies

India has exercised its right of reply at the UN after Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's speech. First Secretary Petal Gahlot didn't hold back, saying Pakistan's remarks on religious tolerance came from "a regime whose mainstay is blasphemy laws," and that its capital is being "fortified against its own people" by what she called a regime "of the army, by the army, and for the army." Watch the full statement!


India slams Pak at UN: India replies to Shehbaz Sharif's speech at UN General Assembly

India slams Pak at UNSC: India flags brutal violence in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir

India's UN Envoy slams Pakistan: 'They claim security by day, terrorism by night' 

A report by Tamil Nadu’s anti-corruption watchdog has highlighted allegations that UPI and other digital payment methods are being used to facilitate bribe transactions. The findings raise concerns about how corruption networks may be adapting to the growing use of cashless payments, potentially making illicit payments harder to detect through traditional cash-focused monitoring. The report has renewed attention on digital-payment trails, accountability, and efforts to curb bribery in public services.

Tamil Nadu's anti-graft watchdog report reveals bribes taking UPI route

Starbucks is set to close around 250 underperforming stores across North America as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan under CEO Brian Niccol. The move comes as the coffee giant works to cut costs, improve store performance and reshape its operations.

Starbucks store count falls 2% in a year 

Shah Rukh Khan remains India’s richest actor despite a reported decline in his overall wealth. The Bollywood superstar continues to lead the country’s wealthiest actors, with his fortune built through films, brand endorsements, business ventures and investments.


SRK remains India's richest actor despite wealth drop

The IMD has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall over Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Heavy rain is also expected across several states, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds forecast in parts of eastern India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Monsoon retreat begins: Flood concerns persist in Bihar amid fresh rain 

The Summit sessions
Borders without barriers: The diplomacy of visas and mobility
This session focuses on one of the most powerful enablers of global travel and tourism: seamless cross-border mobility. It will explore how countries are enhancing travel access for Indian travellers through initiatives such as e-visas, visa-free arrangements, accelerated processing, and digital travel credentials. The discussion will also examine how greater ease of movement can strengthen tourism, foster deeper business and trade engagement, expand educational opportunities, and reinforce people-to-people connections between India and the world.

Soft power on the move: Tourism, culture and bilateral ties
Tourism is arguably the most durable form of diplomatic relations. This session discusses how nations use cultural exchange, film, cuisine and travel promotion to deepen bilateral relationships, and how Indian outbound tourism has become a soft-power constituency, not just a commercial opportunity.


WION Iconic Tourism Summit: How Travel is reshaping India's ties with the world

At the WION Iconic Tourism Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Hanuman Ansh director Dr. Vishal Chaturvedi reflected on the film's unexpected blockbuster journey and its massive role in driving spiritual tourism. Explaining his insistence on securing a 'U' (Universal) certificate, Chaturvedi revealed he envisioned the film about Neem Karoli Baba primarily for children to connect the younger generation with Indian culture and spiritual heritage.   


WION Iconic Tourism Summit: 'Hanuman Ansh' Director on blockbuster success

Speaking at the WION Iconic Tourism Summit, experts highlighted the imperative for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in tourism to upskill as Artificial Intelligence reshapes global travel. While AI automates itinerary creation, dynamic pricing, and multilingual customer support, local operators must build digital literacy while banking heavily on hyper-local authenticity, cultural storytelling, and unscripted human warmth—their irreplaceable edge over automated tech.   


WION Iconic Tourism Summit: How local tourism MSMEs must upskill for AI integration

Tourism is moving beyond conventional sightseeing, with travellers increasingly seeking meaningful and personalised experiences. At WION’s Iconic Tourism Summit, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat explained why AI may transform travel planning but cannot replace the human touch.


WION Iconic Tourism Summit 2026: Union Minister Shekhawat on 'experiential travel', peace diplomacy

The business of travel: Aviation, hospitality and India's tourism infrastructure story
This session covers airline capacity, airport expansion, hospitality investment and the infrastructure race to serve India's growing outbound and inbound travel demand. The focus is on whether supply is arriving fast enough to meet the demand.

Travel Tech frontiers
This discussion will take a broader look at how technology is transforming travel, from use of AI in trip planning and biometric airport experiences to digital visas, smart border control and fraud-resistant travel documentation.

WION Iconic Tourism Summit: Is India's travel boom outrunning its airports, airlines and hotels?

Iconic Awards 2026: An evening of excellence
The Iconic Awards 2026, the closing event of the summit, will recognise achievement across travel, hospitality and luxury.

The Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026will see a large presence of diplomats from close to 20 countries.

It’s going to be a wholesome experience where India's top voices in travel, tourism and hospitality explore the journeys, experiences and ideas defining the destinations of tomorrow: a single stack of discussions, debate, appreciation and fireside conversations.

WION Iconic Awards 2026: Honors excellence in travel, hospitality & luxury

Iconic Awards 2026: An evening of excellence
The Iconic Awards 2026, the closing event of the summit, will recognise achievement across travel, hospitality and luxury.

The Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026will see a large presence of diplomats from close to 20 countries.

Here are the winners of the Iconic awards.

Iconic - Lifetime Achievement - Kapil Bhatia.

Iconic Excellence in Dance & Performing Arts - Dr. Anita R Ratnam

Iconic Excellence in International Aviation - Amr Aly

Iconic Excellence in Sustainable Jewellery Design - Poonam Soni

Iconic Excellence in Community-Led Hospitality - Ajay Wadhawan

Iconic Excellence in Heritage & Cultural Tourism - Rajkumari Ratna Singh of Kalakankar

Iconic Excellence in Special Olympics & Sports Inclusion - Gunocean Singh Bedi

Iconic Excellence in Wellness & Ayurvedic Tourism - Gita Ramesh

Iconic Excellence in Hospitality Education - Dr. Suborno Bose

Iconic Excellence in Travel Management - J B Singh

Iconic Excellence in Building an Indian Brand - Rishabh Bhatia, Category Manager - Luxury Spirits/ Alcobrew Distilleries India ltd, Mukkaish Pruthii National Sales Head/AlcoBrew Distilleries India ltd

Iconic CSR Leadership for Empowering the Trucking Community - Shriram Finance Limited / S. Balamurugan, Director Sales & Head, CSR, Shriram Finance Limited

Excellence in Indian Classical Music - Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash, Zohaan Ali Bangash, Abeer Ali Bangash

Iconic Excellence in Literature - Ashutosh Agnihotri

Iconic Excellence in Tourism & Enterprise - Arjun Sharma

Iconic Excellence in Medical Science & Cardiology - Padma Bhushan Dr. T. S. Kler

Iconic Excellence in Culinary Arts & Gastronomy - Dr. Chef Manjit Singh Gill

Iconic Excellence in Cultural Diplomacy & International Relations - H.E. Ms. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou

Iconic Excellence in Social Impact & Inclusivity - H.H. Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil

Iconic Excellence in Aviation Entrepreneurship - Kanika Tekriwal

Iconic Excellence in Royal Heritage & Bespoke Design - Raghavendra Rathore

Iconic Excellence in Inclusive Skilling & Empowerment - Dr. Jyotsna Suri

Iconic Excellence in Hospitality - Priya PaulIconic

WION Iconic Awards 2026: Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash honoured  

This discussion will take a broader look at how technology is transforming travel, from use of AI in trip planning and biometric airport experiences to digital visas, smart border control and fraud-resistant travel documentation.


WION Iconic Tourism Summit: VFS Global processes 30 million visa applications annually with AI

Opening the 9th edition of the WION Iconic Awards, Zee Media Corporation Limited CEO Raktim Das formally welcomed international diplomats, industry leaders, and policy experts. The summit marked a historic milestone celebrating WION's 10 years as India's first global news network, highlighting its decade-long journey of bringing world perspectives to India and projecting India's voice to global audiences.


Zee Media CEO Raktim Das announces new global platforms as WION marks 10 years

Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India, highlighted the deep cultural synergy between Slovakia and India by opening up about his love for Bollywood songs. Fluent in Hindi after studying in India in 1991, the envoy famously sang lines from classic tracks like "Dekha hai pehli baar" while exploring Old Delhi and described India as his "second home" (Bharat mere liye dusra ghar hai), demonstrating how music and cultural exchange continue to strengthen people-to-people diplomatic ties.


WION Iconic Tourism Summit: Slovak envoy sings popular Hindi tracks to showcase bilateral ties

Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of a law mandating the rendition of all stanzas of Vande Mataram under threat of penal action. During the initial hearing, a three-judge bench noted that conscientious objectors cannot face criminal consequences for refusing to sing the national song on religious grounds. 


Supreme Court: No criminal consequences for not singing Vande Mataram

Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat speaks at WION's Iconic Tourism Summit

WION Iconic Tourism Summit: How tech frontiers are transforming AI planning and biometric clearance

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