Announcing the Launch of the New MEMRI Website

The Moon has a new man-made crater. A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 stage struck the lunar surface on August 5, 2026, near Einstein Crater. NASA, South Korea’s Danuri orbiter and Earth-based telescopes tracked the impact. Scientists are now studying the debris and chemical clues to better understand lunar impacts.

PwC’s Pratik Jain said the GST Council’s 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 India’s 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 Council’s 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, India’s 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.

More than 16 lakh small businesses with turnover up to Rs 5 crore could benefit from a simplified GST compliance regime, under which they would pay tax quarterly but file one return annually. The overhaul also rationalises penalties, waives late fees and simplifies registration for eligible small e-commerce sellers.

A shipment containing sensitive F-35 components was mistakenly routed through Hong Kong due to a communication failure. The parts were initially supposed to travel through South Korea and Taiwan, which are US allies. A missed warning from a freight forwarder, indicating US export restrictions, allowed the error to occur. US authorities are investigating the circumstances of the routing and its implications for military supply chains.

The GST Council has clarified that highway concessionaires collecting exempt tolls will face no GST liability on the toll collection right, regardless of whether concession payments are made upfront or over time. It also said GST on road maintenance services will arise when funds are actually drawn against expenditure, not merely parked in escrow.

Fast Retailing, the owner of Uniqlo, has recorded a 32% boost in yearly profit fueled by soaring sales. The company has reached a key milestone as North America and Europe now outpace China in market size, addressing the challenges presented by declining sales in the Chinese market.

Chipotle stock jumped after a report that Starbucks has explored a potential takeover of the Mexican fast-casual chain. Here’s what the reported interest means for CMG stock, Brian Niccol’s connection and Chipotle’s international expansion plans.