During Diwali, demand for flowers soars across India, with marigold garlands, lotus, and rose petals topping festive purchases as people prepare for celebrations.


India's Festive Season: What People Are Buying This Diwali

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma admitted that morale remains high within the camp as they look to bounce back from consecutive losses at the ICC Women’s World Cup, where they are set to face England in Indore on Sunday, October 19.

ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Deepti Sharma speaks ahead of key England clash 

Dhanteras, Diwali, wedding season, is usually all about gold and celebrations. This year, there’s something different in the air: sweeping gst cuts are rewriting what shoppers buy, how they buy, and when they buy. In this report, we look into the heart of India’s festive boom, from glowing screens to revved-up car showrooms, and if your wallet will feel the difference.


India 'Lights Up': GST 2.0 Boosts Consumer Demand

Estimates suggest that Dhanteras sales in India crossed 1 lakh crore, or $11 billion, with gold constituting a major chunk of it. This comes as union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the recent GST rate cuts have reached the common man. The government monitored 54 essential daily-use items and confirmed that tax benefits were fully passed on to consumers. 

Dhanteras Sales Cross $11 Billion, Gold Shines Bright

Pakistani Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued fresh threats against India. While Pakistan itself was raining bombs on Afghan civilians, Munir doubled down on anti-India nuclear rhetoric, claiming Islamabad's expanding military capabilities could "shatter the misconceived immunity of India's geographical warspace."

India-Pak Rift: Munir Rakes Up Nuclear Threat Again Amid Internal Turmoil

Pakistani Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued fresh threats against India. While Pakistan itself was raining bombs on Afghan civilians, Munir doubled down on anti-India nuclear rhetoric, claiming Islamabad's expanding military capabilities could "shatter the misconceived immunity of India's geographical warspace."


India-Pak rift: Munir rakes up nuclear threat again amid internal turmoil

Kathmandu comes alive with lights, music, and millions of marigold garlands as Nepal celebrates Tihar — a festival of joy, faith, and togetherness that mirrors India’s Diwali celebrations.


Nepal: India celebrates Diwali, its neighbour celebrates Tihar 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw address a joint press conference on Dhanteras to discuss the impact of GST 2.0 on festive season sales, consumer sentiment, and credit growth across key sectors. 


GST 2. 0: Indian ministers say GST cuts boost consumer spending

India-Pak rift: Pakistan's nuclear blackmail amid implosion at home

This week on wings, we bring you the stories of the grand celebration in India as the country prepares for the celebration of the festival of lights, Diwali. We will also show you how different parts of the world has embraced the Indian tradition of Diwali and is celebrating with grandeur.

We also take you to Rome, where a secret imperial tunnel beneath the Colosseum reopens for the first time, offering a rare glimpse into ancient history. The United States of America’s Joshua Tree National Park welcomes visitors for free amid a government shutdown, while in Somalia, weekly tours are reviving a long-lost culture of travel. And in Egypt, after two decades of restoration, the magnificent tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep iii opens its doors once again, bringing ancient artistry back to life. All this and more, only on Wings, your global travel and culture show.

Celebrating Diwali worldwide, global heritage from Italy to Egypt

India: Marking a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing drive, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles produced at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow.


India flags off first BrahMos missile batch from Lucknow facility

Delhi-NCR and its adjoining areas made it to the list of the cities with the worst air quality today as they logged quite high on the AQI scale. While the AQI in Ghaziabad was recorded at 306 (very poor), it was 278 (very poor) in Manesar, Noida and Rohtak and Hanumangarh and 266 (poor) in Gurugram.

Delhi AQI Worsens: Govt Ramps Up Measures To Combat Air Pollution

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s Cabinet saw a major rejig after a day of suspense in Gujarat. Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath to office to the ministers. BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda arrive attended the oath ceremony for the Gujarat Cabinet expansion.


Gujarat cabinet rejig 2025: 26 ministers including CM takes oath

India's festive season: What people are buying this Diwali 

The air quality in India’s National Capital has taken a sharp dip, prompting authorities to announce Grap-1 curbs to tackle pollution levels.


India: Air Quality Dips, Grap-1 Curbs Announced in National Capital | CLIMATE TRACKER 

India’s Space Agency ISRO Is Set To Launch The ‘Bluebird 8’ Satellite — A Key Addition To Its Expanding Space Capabilities. While Details Remain Limited, The Mission Is Expected To Support Advanced Communications, Earth Observation, Or Scientific Research. What Is ‘Bluebird 8’, And Why Does It Matter? Stay Tuned For The Latest On ISRO’s Upcoming Launch.

What Is ISRO’s Bluebird 8 Satellite and Why It Matters 

India has pushed back after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that New Delhi would stop buying Russian oil. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified no conversation took place, stressing that India’s energy policies prioritize the interests of Indian consumers amid global market volatility. Trump, frustrated by stalled Ukraine peace talks, has sought to pressure India and China through unilateral statements and tariffs, but New Delhi remains firm on its energy sovereignty.


India pushes back on frustrated Trump’s false Russian oil claim

India has just pulled off a remarkable leap in global military rankings.
In a dramatic shift in air power dynamics, India has overtaken China to become the third most powerful air force in the world. According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft. India now holds a 'Truval rating' of 69.4. China, which is long seen as a rising air superpower, now sits behind India with a TVR of 58.1.

Strategic shift: India challenges China's air dominance 

In a sweeping move ahead of the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle, all Ministers in the Bhupendra Patel-led Gujarat government tendered their resignations on Thursday (October 16, 2025), clearing the way for a new team to be sworn in on Friday.


India: Gujarat ministers resign ahead of cabinet reshuffle

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that India has assured him it would halt oil imports from Russia. The statement has sparked debate amid ongoing global tensions surrounding energy trade and sanctions on Moscow.


India-US ties: No phone call between Trump, PM Modi; MEA rejects US President's claim

The Commonwealth Games 2030 is set to be held in India. The Executive Board (EB) of the Commonwealth Sport – Games’ global governing body – confirmed on Wednesday that it has recommended Ahmedabad (Amdavad), Gujarat’s capital, to host the centenary edition of the CWG five years from now. This announcement precedes the formal host city declaration scheduled for Nov 26 during the Commonwealth Sport’s general assembly meeting in Glasgow.


India: Ahmedabad in Gujarat recommended as host for 2030 Commonwealth Games

Discover the top 10 oil-consuming countries in 2025 and how the U.S., China, and India dominate global energy demand. Learn about their daily oil usage, industrial growth, and strategies for energy sustainability

<p>Discover the top 10 oil-consuming countries in 2025 and how the U.S., China, and India dominate global energy demand. Learn about their daily oil usage, industrial growth, and strategies for energy sustainability</p>

Top 10 countries with highest oil consumption: see where India ranks

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy once again by mistakenly referring to India as Iran during a speech recalling his previous trade policies.
The slip occurred while he was discussing the imposition of tariffs and his interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — but he mistakenly mentioned “Iran” instead of “India.”

Trump Gaffe: U.S. President Confuses India with Iran While Recalling Tariff Threat | WION 

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has approached the Bombay High Court seeking protection of his personality rights, including his name, image, voice, and other attributes against unauthorized commercial use. The actor's legal move highlights growing concerns among celebrities over the misuse of their public persona in advertising, digital content, and AI-generated media.

Bombay HC: Akshay Kumar Moves HC to Protect His Personality Rights from Unauthorized Use | WION 

September brought a much-needed jumpstart to india’s auto sales.
Reports suggest gst cuts and festive demand helped the sector shift gears after a slow period. Data shows that new vehicle registrations in september rose by nearly 10% compared to the same month last year.


Indian Auto Sector Finds New Gear in September  | WORLD BUSINESS WATCH | WION

India’s merchandise trade deficit has hit a 13-month high,
Reaching over 32 billion dollars in september.
The gap is widening due to a surge in gold and silver imports…
And export pressures following steep u.S. Tariffs on indian goods.
Let’s break down the numbers.

 India’s Trade Deficit Hits 13-month High | WORLD BUSINESS WATCH | WION

The Haryana Police are now investigating what appears to be a disturbing case of twin police suicides, including the sudden and tragic death of a senior IPS officer.

Haryana Police: Twin Cop Suicide Under Investigation | WORLD DNA 

India is turning the mighty Brahmaputra into a powerhouse of the future.
New Delhi has unveiled a ₹6.4 lakh crore hydropower plan to harness the river’s vast potential from the Northeast, a move that will light up millions of homes, strengthen India’s clean-energy ambitions, and reinforce its strategic standing in the region.
The Central Electricity Authority’s Master Plan for Evacuation of Power from Hydroelectric Plants in the Brahmaputra Basin covers over 200 projects across 12 sub-basins, tapping 76 gigawatts of capacity by 2047.


India’s Power Move on the Brahmaputra | ₹6.4 Lakh Crore Hydro Plan to Counter China 

India’s first DNA-based census reveals 22,446 wild elephants, marking a new scientific milestone in wildlife monitoring. The report highlights population trends, regional distribution, and the ongoing challenges of habitat fragmentation and conflict. Globally, India remains a cornerstone of Asian elephant conservation.


Jumbo Drop in India Elephant Population

India has launched ‘One Route, One Fare’ initiative. Under this initiative, the ticket prices of a route remain unchanged regardless of the booking date in government airlines, Alliance Air. This aims to boost regional connectivity of Tier 2 and 3 cities. The government is also in touch with private players. Right now it’s being implemented on a pilot basis to see the feasibility and response of passengers. 


Boost to India 'Udaan' as govt rolls out fixed fare for regional flights 

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