GST Council Meeting Shifted to October 7, Focus Likely on Simplifying GST System

New Delhi, Sep 7: The 57th meeting of the GST Council has been rescheduled from September 12 to October 7 as the earlier date coincides with the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

The meeting will be preceded by discussions among senior GST officials on October 5 and 6. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the meeting, which will bring together representatives from the Centre and state governments.

The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on making the GST system simpler and more business-friendly. Improving compliance procedures, resolving pending issues and providing greater clarity on GST rules are likely to remain important areas of discussion.

Another key objective will be to improve GST administration and reduce difficulties faced by businesses and taxpayers. The Council may also look at ways to streamline procedures related to tax payments, refunds and input tax credit.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the Centre and states to review the functioning of the GST framework and discuss measures that can improve revenue collection while keeping compliance manageable for businesses.

The GST Council last met in September 2025, when major changes were approved in the GST rate structure. The revised system introduced 5 per cent and 18 per cent as the main tax rates, while a 40 per cent rate was retained for selected luxury and demerit goods.

The October 7 meeting is expected to be closely watched by businesses, consumers and state governments. Any decision aimed at simplifying procedures and improving the GST framework could make compliance easier and provide greater certainty for businesses.

AARAV Fragrances & Flavors Appoints Mayur Kapse as Chief Operating Officer – Fragrances

AARAV brings in seasoned professional to strengthen its Fragrances business, drive strategic growth and expand customer partnerships.

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AARAV Fragrances & Flavors Limited, one of India’s leading fragrance, flavor and ingredient houses having presence across domestic and international markets, has announced the appointment of Mayur Kapse as Chief Operating Officer – Fragrances, based at its Thane headquarters.

The appointment comes at a crucial stage in AARAV’s strategic expansion of its growth journey. With more than 100 years of promoter family legacy dating to 1922, the company has grown from a fragrance-led business into an integrated business offering of Fragrances, Flavors and Aroma Ingredients in a short span of 19 years (Estd 2007). Today it serves clients in over 30 countries across Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The organization continues to grow rapidly with a business size of ₹350+ crore, a team of over 300 employees and operations spanning Maharashtra and Karnataka.

AARAV continues to invest in R&D, creative capability, manufacturing infrastructure, technology and talent to serve an increasingly diverse global customer base across the FMCG and Food & Beverage sectors. Strengthening the leadership team of its Fragrances business is a significant part of the overall expansion strategy.

In his role, Mr. Kapse will lead the Fragrances division’s commercial and operational growth along with strengthening its already existing robust customer relationships. He brings more than 18 years of industry experience across sales, marketing, consumer insights, operations and customer service.

Commenting on the appointment, Ajit Vaze, CEO & Managing Director, AARAV Fragrances & Flavors Limited, said: “As we continue to invest in innovation, expand our global presence and create differentiated solutions for our customers, strengthening our leadership is central to accelerate our strategic ambitions. Mayur’s expertise in understanding of the fragrance industry, customer-first approach and leadership capabilities is a value addition to our business.”

Speaking about his new role, Mayur Kapse added: “AARAV has built a strong reputation as one of India’s most respected fragrance, flavor and ingredient companies, driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, technical excellence, and customer focus. I am excited and look forward to working with colleagues, customers and partners of AARAV to build on that foundation and help create new opportunities for sustainable growth.”

The appointment reflects AARAV’s continued commitment to attracting industry-leading talent as it advances its vision of becoming a globally respected partner for fragrances, flavors, and specialty ingredients and shaped by a culture of collaboration, creativity and continuous learning across its team of more than 300 professionals.

Discover more about AARAV: www.aarav.co

Contact: AARAV Fragrances and Flavors Pvt. Ltd. 

Email: marketing@aarav.co

Website: https://www.aarav.co/

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China Xplained | The China Squeeze, or the China Opportunity?

GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South: 

Is China’s manufacturing rise squeezing out or creating opportunities for other economies?

Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China this November, journalists and experts from around the world gathered in Guangdong for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026.

The forum opened in Shenzhen on September 5, bringing together more than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from international organizations.

Before the opening of the forum, participants travelled across Guangdong to see China’s industries and development first-hand.

In this episode of China Xplained, we look at the numbers, supply chains, investment and voices from across the developing world—to ask a bigger question: Is China squeezing out room for other economies?

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FDI World Dental Federation launches Generation Smile, the oral health movement for all

Generation Smile is a generation unlike any other. It isn’t defined by the year you were born. It unites people of every age, background and culture around one shared purpose: making oral health a priority because it is essential to health and well-being – for everyone, everywhere.

– Picture is available at AP –

PRAGUE, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, at the FDI World Dental Congress in Prague, FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) officially unveiled Generation Smile – the oral health movement for all, a new platform for World Oral Health Day (WOHD). Under its first-year theme, Join Generation Smile, the campaign invites people around the world to come together to champion oral health as an essential part of overall health and well-being.

Generation Smile is built on the powerful idea that lasting change begins with each of us. Whether it is brushing twice a day, adopting healthier habits, visiting a dentist regularly, encouraging others to care for their teeth and gums, or advocating for the right to oral health for all – everyone has a role to play, and every action counts. Because together, millions of individual actions can become a global movement for change.

Generation Smile redefines oral health as something bigger than just the mouth, while remaining unmistakably connected to it.

“The smile is not the outcome. It is the symbol of everything a healthy mouth makes possible – from health to confidence, comfort, connection and well-being. By helping people protect their oral health throughout life, Generation Smile aims to create healthier communities and brighter futures around the world,” said Dr Anna Lella, WOHD Working Group Chair.

At the heart of this is an important reality: the health of our mouths is integral to general health, with oral diseases linked to a range of systemic conditions.

Inspired by the universal language of street art, Generation Smile introduces a bold new visual identity designed to transcend borders and cultures. Throughout the campaign, people around the world will be invited to add their voice to a global digital mural – turning individual support into a collective work of art.

“With Generation Smile, we want to give people a shared space to say: my oral health matters, and caring for it matters too. We want to create a movement for lifelong oral health – because oral health has the power to change lives, and everyone can be part of that change,” said Assist. Prof. Dr Nikolai Sharkov, President of FDI. “With nearly 3.7 billion people affected by oral diseases worldwide, we cannot accept that so many continue to live without the oral healthcare they need. Every healthy choice we make, every conversation we start and every person we inspire brings us one step closer to FDI’s vision of a world with optimal oral health. Generation Smile is an invitation to people everywhere to join a movement that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Over the years, World Oral Health Day has united thousands of people behind a common cause: individuals, oral health professionals, National Dental Associations, schools, partners and policymakers from every corner of the world. Generation Smile builds on that momentum by bringing these voices together under one global movement – creating an even stronger force for oral health.

On 20 March 2027, as World Oral Health Day returns, people everywhere will be invited to Join Generation Smile and help shape a future where everyone can realize their right to oral health and enjoy the lifelong benefits of a healthy mouth.

Media contact

Francesca Nava, FDI Campaign and Social Media Manager

Email: fnava@fdiworlddental.org 

About World Oral Health Day

Celebrated annually on 20 March, World Oral Health Day (WOHD) was launched by FDI World Dental Federation to raise global awareness on the prevention and control of oral diseases. www.worldoralhealthday.org

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Haier Showcases AI-Powered Smart Home Ecosystem at IFA 2026

Connected products understand and adapt to everyday needs

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Haier, the world’s No. 1 brand in major home appliances for 17 consecutive years*, showcased an AI-powered smart home ecosystem at IFA 2026 spanning garment care, refrigeration, cooking, entertainment, digital services and robotics. Under the theme “Home of Intelligent Possibilities,” the showcase demonstrates how connected appliances can evolve into a coordinated home that senses conditions, understands context, learns from user habits and adapts the way devices operate, creating a more intuitive and responsive experience at home.

AI That Adapts to Everyday Life

Across the portfolio, AI turns real-time information into practical adjustments. The Vision 15 washing machine uses an internal camera, sensors and algorithms to detect factors such as load size, balance and foam levels, and then adjust water levels, detergent dosing, drum movement and program settings. In refrigeration, the Maestro prototype brings several preservation technologies together. Its AI Food Care System 2.0 recognizes stored ingredients and recommends suitable conditions to help users manage food more effectively.

The ID Ultimate Series 6 oven applies the same approach to cooking. Its internal camera recognizes food, monitors cooking progress and can stop the program when the desired result has been reached. In the living room, UltraSense AI analyzes content and ambient conditions to adjust picture and sound on Haier Smart TVs in real time.

Together, these technologies extend AI into coordinated home scenarios across laundry, food care, cooking and entertainment. The hOn app brings Haier Europe’s connected products, services and home experiences together in a single digital environment, enabling them to work together around daily routines and translate connected technology into practical benefits at home.

This progression from individual products to coordinated home scenarios is already reaching users at scale. According to Euromonitor International, Haier Smart Home was recognized as the world’s No. 1 smart home enterprise based on global smart home revenue in 2025. Haier smart home platform has surpassed 130 million registered users worldwide and recorded 86.1 billion smart scene interactions in 2025.

Extending Intelligence Into Physical Interaction

Haier also showed how AI and embodied intelligence could translate smart home intelligence into physical tasks. The showcase featured humanoid robots interacting with appliances, robotic cleaning systems designed to recognize objects and different types of dirt, along with companion robots developed for voice assistance and personalized support.

The Haier Exoskeleton extended this theme beyond the home. Its sensors and algorithms interpret movement intentions in real time and adjust the assistance provided to each user, supporting mobility while preserving natural movement. Together, the demonstrations reflect Haier’s work to connect AI, appliances and robotics around practical human needs.

This technology portfolio is supported by Haier’s “10+N” open innovation system, which connects global research resources with local user insights. In the first half of 2026, Haier topped on IPRdaily’s global smart home invention patent list for the 15th consecutive time. Looking ahead, Haier plans to invest at least 13 billion euros over the next five years, with a focus on foundational technologies including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and IoT security to underpin its AI-native transformation.

Haier’s presence at IFA also highlights its global sports partnerships under the “Play with the Number Ones” concept, connecting the pursuit of excellence in sports with the brand’s focus on innovation, performance and better user experiences worldwide.

Visitors can experience Haier’s smart home technologies in Hall 3.1 at Stand 101 during IFA 2026 in Berlin from Sept. 4 to 8.

*Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Appliances 2026 Edition; % unit share, 2025 volume sales data

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Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh Re-elected APPU Secretary-General for Second Term

New Delhi: Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Postal Service officer, has been re-elected as Secretary-General of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) for a second consecutive four-year term. He was elected unopposed by acclamation during the 14th APPU Congress held in Bangkok on September 4, 2026.

Dr. Singh’s re-election is seen as a significant recognition of India’s role in international postal cooperation and reflects the confidence of postal administrations across the Asia-Pacific region in his leadership. His second term will begin in January 2027 and continue through December 2030.

India’s Role in Asia-Pacific Postal Cooperation

The re-election comes as the Asian-Pacific Postal Union continues to strengthen cooperation among postal administrations across the region. Headquartered in Bangkok, the APPU is an intergovernmental organisation with 32 member countries and functions as a Regional Union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations specialised agency for the postal sector.

Dr. Singh first assumed the position of APPU Secretary-General in January 2023 after being elected at the 13th APPU Congress in 2022. During his first term, he contributed to strengthening cooperation among postal administrations and supporting efforts to modernise and develop postal services across the Asia-Pacific region.

His second term is expected to provide further opportunities to deepen regional postal cooperation, promote modernisation and address emerging priorities facing the postal sector.

Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh’s Career in Indian Postal Service

Dr. Singh has more than three decades of experience in public administration and the postal sector. During his career, he has held several senior positions in the Government of India, including Member of the Postal Services Board, Senior Deputy Director General and Chief Vigilance Officer in the Department of Posts.

He has also served as Chief Postmaster General of Uttar Pradesh Circle and Chief General Manager at India Post Headquarters. His professional experience includes assignments with the Union Public Service Commission, the United Nations Development Programme in Afghanistan and the Army Postal Service Corps.

Academic Background and Recognition

Alongside his administrative career, Dr. Singh has an extensive academic background. He was a Gold Medallist in Modern History from the University of Allahabad and holds a Ph.D. in Management from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

The Department of Posts has congratulated Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh on his re-election and wished him a successful second term as Secretary-General of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union.

His continuation in the post through 2030 is expected to further strengthen India’s engagement in international postal affairs and regional cooperation across the Asia-Pacific postal network.

Experience AI Companion in Everyday Life at Hisense IFA 2026

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, is inviting visitors at IFA 2026 to experience how AI can make everyday home routines simpler and more intuitive. Under the theme “Innovating a Brighter Life,” the Hisense AI Companion Suite, powered by ConnectLife, brings connected intelligence to the kitchen, laundry and living spaces.

Step into the kitchen and a simple question— “What should I make?”—can set the experience in motion. The AI Companion Refrigerator recognizes stored ingredients and suggests meal ideas based on personal preferences. Once a recipe is selected, it can sync with the AI Companion Oven to support automatic cooking, while the AI Companion Wine Cabinet recommends pairings and maintains suitable storage conditions. After the meal, the AI Companion Dishwasher recognizes dish conditions and adjusts cleaning, demonstrating how AI can support the journey from planning dinner to cleaning up.

In the laundry area, visitors can see how the AI Companion Laundry Suite turns a routine load into a simpler, more automated experience. By recognizing clothing characteristics, it selects suitable wash and dry cycles and adjusts the process automatically, creating a load-and-go experience.

The experience continues in the living space. The AI Companion Air Conditioner senses indoor conditions and user presence, adapting airflow as people move through the room. Meanwhile, the AI Companion Energy System considers weather and time-of-use electricity pricing to help optimize household energy use.

Building on ConnectLife’s support, Hisense is collaborating with Alexa+ to be among the first home appliance brands bringing smart home devices to Amazon’s Alexa+ AI assistant using Amazon’s new Smart Home AI Toolkit. Available in the coming months, Alexa+ customers will be able to control select Hisense air conditioners by simply saying what they need. Alexa+ will then map the request, navigate the settings, and complete the action for them.

Hisense’s approach to innovation has also earned recognition at IFA, with several of its products receiving awards. The Multi Function II Series, an all-in-one energy-saving HVAC solution, received a Winner Award, while the X-zone Master was named an Honoree. The U8 Air Master Air Conditioner, W60 3D Kitchen-fit Series and 60cm Integrated Wine Cabinet were also recognized that underscores Hisense’s focus on combining intelligent technology, thoughtful design and everyday usability.

Across these IFA scenarios, Hisense brings its Smart Home Companion capabilities to life through V AIOS, giving devices the ability to Sense what is happening, Think through what to do, Communicate naturally with users and across devices, and Execute tasks by orchestrating devices and services autonomously. Together, these capabilities help AI Companion Suites understand context, make decisions and take action, helping the home do more while asking less of its users.

About Hisense

Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 180 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023-2026H1). As The Origin of RGB MiniLED, Hisense continues to lead the next-generation RGB MiniLED innovation. As the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026^TM, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.

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