Image credits: Dinesh Raj M India’s Goods and Services Tax has just undergone its most sweeping overhaul since 2017. The four-slab structure has been compressed into two primary rates — 5 per cent and 18 per cent — with a hefty 40 per cent bracket for luxury and sin goods. The government insists this reform will ease costs for households, revive consumption, and simplify compliance. But the move also leaves a Rs 48,000 crore hole in revenue projections, raising the question: can growth fill the gap? Hot off the Press Times of India reporters Saksham Mehta and Sidhartha explained that the government has set up mechanisms to ensure industries pass on GST cuts to consumers. Indirect tax officials are tracking prices before and after September 22 to check profiteering, with NDA MPs also tasked to monitor. Officials stressed that while anti-profiteering clauses exist, the government is banking on voluntary compliance, with pressure peaking before Navratri and Diwali. Commerce M

Ask AT is a new free AI-powered offering from Australian Traveller available through its website which is literally your personal travel guide. The system answers any question you have on travelling Australia, can turn it into an itinerary or refine it for you into a customised travel plan. The move is in tandem with the unveiling of a new Australian Traveller website, which is also home to what’s called Watch AT player which provides more than 150 travel videos – filmed by the Australian Traveller team and trusted travel journalists while on the ground.   Australian Traveller co-founder Quentin Long said, “We have been quietly toiling away behind the scenes since the start of 2025 to bring you a new website. But we haven’t just given it a facelift – we’ve completely reimagined the user experience to make planning your next holiday in Australia easier than ever before." Long told Influencing they had 'burnt through" three previous AI models before launching becaus

Pickr’s Leigh :) Stark has gone bigger, launching an “outside ads” campaign—a series of advertisements running on urban media panels across Australia’s major cities. “The concept of Pickr running ads around town largely stems from the idea that perhaps the publication needs that little bit more awareness,” Stark told Influencing. “I'm trying to make a dent and see if people are aware that we exist. The whole goal of this is to see if it brings people back to the publication.” Launched at the end of July, Stark emphasised it’s a test. It’s also about getting attention from the mainstream audience to let them know that Pickr is an online, ad-free publication, which has been the case for over a year now.  The irony isn’t lost on Stark - producing outside ads for an ad-free site.  “I was chatting with [Future Plc’s] Stephen Lambrechts yesterday, and I noted to him that I didn't like the way to make money meant there was one ad every two paragraphs. “

  Sky News Australia is boosting its live weekend news coverage from tomorrow - Saturday 6 September, introducing weekend editions of its flagship programs First Edition and NewsDay. Launching from 6am AEST each Saturday and Sunday, Weekend First Edition will be hosted by veteran international journalist Alex Thomas. With over 30 years of experience across CNN, ITN, and the BBC, Thomas brings global perspective and real-time analysis to the weekend morning slot. “We want to deliver Australians the biggest news stories nationwide, and from across the globe,” Thomas said. “We’ll cover breaking events, live, as they happen, with engaging, expert guests bringing analysis and context.” From 10am Saturdays and 12.00pm Sundays, Weekend NewsDay will be presented by Jaynie Seal, a long-time Sky News anchor. Seal said: “I have been at Sky News for over a decade and am incredibly excited to be a part of the continuous evolution of delivering the best news nationally

Taxing times... The Dan Andrews story still has some legs today with most of the dailies carrying more coverage after yesterday's saturation, but it's beginning to morph a touch into Dan's deeper connections to China, plus the way the Chinese propaganda machine is covering his visit - with glee, it must be said - and his supposed business connections, though that one is still a bit murky on the details.  More on that in a moment, but first let's look at some other news. At the Australian Financial Review this morning, Phillip Coorey says the government has 'hit pause' on its plans to slug those with more than $3m in their Super with a 15% tax. Although that modest tax amount would apply to very few people - do you have $3m in your Super? - it potentially could have an impact out in the regions where our farming families often depend on that Super to ultimately keep their farms going and be able to pass them on the the next generation - so say the farmers. In reality, m

Renowned former ABC/BBC journalist and broadcaster Michael Charlton has passed away at the age of 98.  UK daily, The Telegraph, reported Charlton passed away on August 24.  Photo Credit: ABC Charlton was the first person to appear on ABC’s television network and was also the inaugural host of ABC’s long-running Four Corners program. He was also best known for his work with the Australian broadcaster and its British equivalent, the BBC. Charlton began his career as a sports journalist working in the early 1950s at the ABC where he reported and commentated on Australian Test Cricket, while also hosting a range of different current affairs programs.  He was awarded the Gold Logie in 1963 for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television. Later in his career, Charlton worked for BBC’s flagship Panorama, a role he held from 1962 to 1976, before later hosting It’s Your World during the 1980s.

Image source: Binary Semantics, Daily Nawai Duggar and ET Now; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   When the GST Council wrapped up its marathon 56th meeting in New Delhi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stepped out with what she called a reform “for the common man.” From September 22, India’s complex four-slab system will shrink to just two main rates — 5 per cent and 18 per cent — with a special 40 per cent bracket reserved for luxury and sin goods like tobacco, yachts and personal aircraft.  It’s the most sweeping overhaul since GST’s debut in 2017, one aimed at easing household budgets, reviving demand and simplifying compliance. But it’s also a gamble that could cost the exchequer Rs 48,000 crore in lost revenue, unless growth steps in to fill the gap. Hot off the Press The Economic Times reported that the Finance Minister stressed affordability, pointing out that soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, bicycles, and kitchenware will now be taxed at 5 per cent inste