The Economic Times

PwCs Pratik Jain said the GST Councils latest measures mark the third phase of the tax reform, shifting focus to bolder policy changes and ease of doing business. He said wider refunds for input services and capital goods, along with ITC on employee insurance, could ease working-capital stress and lower costs.

Deloitte Indias MS Mani said the latest GST reforms reflect growing trust between government and industry, with technology enabling simpler compliance and more targeted enforcement. He said easier registration, annual returns with quarterly payments, return corrections and removal of arrest provisions could reduce compliance fears and bring more businesses onto the GST platform.

EY partner Bipin Sapra said the GST Councils latest reforms address input tax credit blockages, expand refunds, support exporters and streamline tax administration. He said rationalising Section 17(5) could reduce tax cascading and costs for businesses, while decriminalisation and removal of arrest powers should create a more conducive business environment.

From its rollout in 2017 to GST 2.0, Indias goods and services tax has evolved into a more digitised and predictable tax regime. Over nine years, the system has seen changes in tax rates, slabs, compliance and technology, reshaping how businesses manage indirect taxes and interact with the tax administration.

Apple is set to unveil several smart home products at its upcoming event on October 13, including a smart home hub. This new hub is expected to have a 6-inch display and will combine various functionalities. Updates to the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K are also anticipated, featuring improved technology and capabilities. The event will take place in New York and may include a hands-on experience for media members.

'Something weird is going on': JD Vance announces probes into colleges for potential visa fraud

With the midterm elections approaching, only 30% of Trump voters express strong enthusiasm about voting. In contrast, 48% of Harris voters are very enthusiastic, indicating a significant gap. This discrepancy may affect overall voter turnout in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, Trump's approval rating has reached a record low, which is impacting his supporters' motivation. Addressing these challenges is crucial for both parties as they prepare for November 3.

Student loan borrowers may get a valuable tax break in 2026. The IRS still allows eligible taxpayers to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest from income. But the full benefit is not available to everyone. As income rises, the deduction gradually shrinks and can disappear once certain limits are reached.

The Weekly October Horoscope highlights one especially lucky day for every zodiac sign between October 12 and 18, 2026.Career opportunities, partnerships and moments of clarity could create important turning points during the week.

Vice President JD Vance announced that Microsoft has been suspended from the skilled foreign worker visa program. This decision coincides with President Donald Trump's intention to accolade tech giants, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Vance condemned Microsoft's actions, stating their layoffs of U.S. employees contradict their reliance on H-1B visas, suggesting they misused the system.

Tadaryl Shipp, aged 49, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Colleen Slemmer. He and ex-girlfriend Christa Pike were convicted in 1996 for this horrific crime. While Shipp could be eligible for parole in October 2025, his previous denial was due to the crime's severity. Christa, sentenced to death, survived a failed execution, and ongoing legal matters concern evidence preservation and potential sentence commutation.

Documents reveal the FBI tracked Susie Wiles' communications with various individuals after the Mar-a-Lago raid. The agency also monitored the movements of Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and Barron Trump before the search. Details were obtained about their travel plans and timing for carrying out the FBI raid. Investigators expressed concerns regarding the legal authority to search certain areas of Mar-a-Lago.

NASA has released more than 800GB of Artemis II Moon data, including 11,000-plus images and videos, 8.5 hours of astronaut audio and crew annotations. The release also documents five faint flashes spotted on the Moon as the astronauts observed its surface during their lunar flyby.

Microsoft green card h1b visa program suspension: Microsoft is based in Redmond, Washington, near Seattle. Vice President JD Vance said Microsoft last year laid off 6,000 American workers but also obtained 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran's shadow fleet of tankers transporting oil. These sanctions target 17 vessels linked to the Iranian economy's petroleum sector. The move aims to reduce funding for Tehran's regional operations amid ongoing tensions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the sanctions' importance in countering Iranian military actions. President Donald Trump also stated there will be no further military attacks before the midterm elections.

Mounting Russian strikes that have pummelled the Ukrainian capital, hitting bridges and key infrastructure, have plunged Kyiv into survival mode ahead of the winter, the city'on Thursday. Three people were killed in Russian strikes in Kyiv on Thursday.

For Americans earning money while living and working abroad, one of the biggest 2026 tax changes is the higher foreign earned income exclusion. The IRS has raised the limit to $132,900, up from $130,000 in 2025. That means eligible taxpayers may be able to exclude up to $132,900 of foreign earned income from U.S. federal income tax.

Voters in Texas need to be aware of key dates leading up to the 2026 midterm elections. The deadline for voter registration is October 5, which is rapidly approaching. Early voting will take place from October 19 to October 30 across various counties. Voters intending to use mail ballots must submit their applications by October 23. Election Day is scheduled for November 3, with polls open from 7 a.m.

Charlie King, affectionately known as Chicken Finger, died at just 25, confirmed by Rocket City Championship Wrestling. This heartbreaking news comes shortly after WWE star Benjamin Satterley, aged 40, was found unresponsive outside a restaurant, leaving fans in shock. While investigations into Satterleys untimely death are underway, authorities suspect no foul play.

The involvement of Trump associates James Blair and Chris LaCivita in advising Milorad Dodik has raised ethical concerns. Their work for Dodik took place amid significant political changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Dodik previously faced U.S. sanctions, the Trump administration lifted them, creating a complex political scenario. This relationship has allowed Dodik to demonstrate connections with influential figures in U.S. politics.

A new Reuters poll has raised questions about Donald Trump Republican voter enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with only 30% of Trumps 2024 voters saying they are very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 48% of Kamala Harris voters. The findings could pose a challenge for Republicans as Trump urges his supporters to treat the midterms as a referendum on his presidency.

EU officials are raising alarms over the escalating trade deficits with China, exceeding one billion euros on a daily basis. The spike in Chinese hybrid-car exports underscores possible gaps in EU tariff policies. Although talks are underway, China shows little willingness to engage in voluntary export restrictions for select products. EU leaders are now considering a 'kill switch' mechanism.

The United States has confirmed it will not engage in military actions against Iran before the upcoming midterm elections. A naval blockade remains enforced around Iranian ports, despite ongoing discussions between the two nations. Iran seeks to address the blockade and resume nuclear talks, while the US insists on limiting Iran's nuclear capabilities. Recent proposals from Iran were rejected by the US, highlighting the complexity of negotiations.

Nvidia is heading for the magical USD 6 trillion market cap and here are details of how the AI chip maker maintains professional relationship with its employees.

Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, announced that the country will persist in its uranium enrichment endeavors. He characterized US warnings as stale and ineffective in persuading Iran to change course. Eslami's remarks underscore Tehran's resistance to external pressures, illustrating the ongoing friction in nuclear negotiations with the United States, a critical development in their multifaceted diplomatic engagement.

Mortgage rates are stuck above 7%. Waiting sounds smart, but rising home prices could quickly erase any rate savings. That is why some families are taking matters into their own hands. Parents lend money directly to their kids. Buyers get lower payments, parents earn interest, and both cut tax bills.

Bryan Johnson warns against relying on artificial intelligence for health advice due to its potential unreliability and common mistakes. With many users turning to AI chatbots for medical questions, health professionals express valid concerns. These bots often lack detailed patient histories, leading to the risk of misleading information. Mayo Clinic stresses the need to validate AI health responses against trusted sources.

Beresheet was Israels first lunar mission and the first attempt by a private company to land a spacecraft on the Moon. The mission did not complete a landing, but it reached the Moon and provided a milestone for Israels space program and private lunar exploration.

Amid the uncertainties triggered by the Iran war, Asian countries are stepping up their oil storage frameworks. The Philippines is on a mission to establish a national oil reserve by 2027, promoting regional unity. ASEAN intends to achieve 30% of renewables in its primary energy mix and 45% in capacity.

The 2026 midterm elections will see governor races in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia will have open seat elections due to term limits. Arizona and Nevada will have incumbents seeking reelection, adding complexity to their races. These contests are expected to significantly influence the political landscape across the country and attract considerable attention.

In a bid to manage liquidity, the Reserve Bank of India executed a 29-day variable rate reverse repo auction, yet banks only stashed away Rs 79,655 crore instead of the anticipated Rs 2 lakh crore. Early fund withdrawal was permitted, but participation remained tepid, mostly because of the daily VRRR options available. The existing inter-bank surplus liquidity sits at Rs 4.24 lakh crore, highlighting ongoing hurdles in monetary transmission.

Novak Djokovic plans to reach out to Jannik Sinner after his injury led to season cancellation. Sinner has been suffering from knee inflammation, causing him to withdraw from major tournaments. Djokovic understands the difficulties of recovery, having faced his own injury challenges in the past. He expressed that Sinner's absence will be felt in the tennis world and praised his achievements this year.

Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy has challenged Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding an alleged sting operation. Kumaraswamy stated that if evidence exists, it should be presented to the public. He questioned why individuals involved in the sting operation were not arrested if they were known to the police. Additionally, he suggested the establishment of a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.

Old dupattas can be transformed into various functional items, encouraging sustainability and creativity. Cushion covers can highlight the embroidered sections of dupattas for a decorative touch. Additionally, sturdy cotton dupattas can be made into storage baskets for organizing household items. Decorative wall hangings can add vibrant colors and patterns to living spaces using old dupattas. Finally, converting dupattas into reusable gift bags promotes eco-friendly practices during special occa

Iran is stepping up economic and connectivity cooperation with Afghanistan as ties between Kabul and Islamabad deteriorate. Irans energy minister is in Kabul for talks on water and energy, while Tehran is exploring railway connectivity linking western and northern Afghanistan. A 180-member Iranian trade delegation is also attending an Afghan exhibition.

Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and key players aim to improve their performance in the upcoming match. After a significant loss, the team looks to recover against Australia A in the second ODI. In the first game, India A struggled with batting, as nine players failed to score more than 20 runs. Suryansh Shedge's impressive bowling performance offers selectors an additional option for upcoming matches.

In August, the trust that oversees Donald Trump's assets embarked on a notable investment campaign, acquiring shares in Meta and bonds from SpaceX. Managed by Donald Jr., this trust executed a remarkable 517 trades during the month. Among these transactions, Meta shares were purchased, valued between $5 million and $25 million, while SpaceX bonds were acquired for $1 million to $5 million, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

Delhi has been put on high alert ahead of the CJP protest scheduled for October 10, with extensive security arrangements being put in place across the national capital, sources said.

Michelle Obama praises Jackie Kennedy for her role in preserving the White House's history and significance. She emphasizes the necessity for first families to respect the building as a public estate. Other first ladies are also recognized for their contributions to maintaining its historic character. The contrast between past stewardship and current renovations under President Donald Trump is noted without direct criticism.

Palantir stock jumps after Goldman Sachs upgrade: Palantir Technologies shares rose Thursday after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to Buy from Neutral and set a $230 12-month price target. PLTR shares rose roughly 4% today.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been charged with torture and human rights abuses in the US. He had already been facing drug trafficking charges before this new indictment was unsealed. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody in New York earlier this year. Both have pleaded not guilty to their charges and could face severe penalties if convicted.

Anne Carson has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature, recognizing her innovative literary contributions. The Swedish Academy commended her for creating new forms while engaging with classical traditions. Carson's work encompasses poetry, translation, and essays, profoundly influenced by ancient Greek literature and other traditions. She has adapted ancient myths into contemporary narratives, exploring themes like love, loss, and memory.

A $1,000 Costco investment made 20 years ago would have grown to about $31,240 with dividends reinvested. The return shows the power of long-term compounding. Costcos membership model, customer loyalty and steady sales growth helped drive gains. Still, past performance is no guarantee that the stock will deliver similar returns again.

The International Criminal Court has ruled that Rodrigo Duterte is competent to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity, with proceedings slated to start on November 30. Facing grave accusations linked to widespread killings during his presidency's anti-drug initiative, Duterte's request to dismiss the charges due to medical concerns was turned down.

ASOS said the attacker posed as a trusted contact and tricked an employee into sharing their login details. The attacker then used those credentials to access company information stored on third-party platforms. ASOS said it had secured the affected platforms to block any further unauthorized access.

Susan Dells along with her husband, Michael Dell, she has supported major housing and disaster-recovery efforts in Texas. From contributing $42 million to the Rebuild Texas Fund after Hurricane Harvey, which helped repair or rebuild 3,740 homes, to pledging $36.6 million to expand Community First! Village in Austin, the Dell family has invested millions in helping families recover from disasters and people experiencing homelessness find permanent housing.