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Over the last decade, five countries have been quietly building over $40 billion alternative to the World Bank and the IMF-dominated global financial system: the New Development Bank or the BRICS Bank. The amount is modest when compared to the Bretton Woods Twins, but it's a project aimed at dismantling 80 years of financial control, creating a parallel system without replacing it.&nbsp;There is huge asymmetry in place; by the end of 2025, the National Development Bank has approved roughly $42.9 billion. The World Bank approves roughly $100 billion in every fiscal year. The New Development Bank has an authorised capital base of $100 billion. The World Bank has an authorised capital base of roughly $327 billion, while the IMF has a $646 billion quota base. Combined, the Bretton Woods System has roughly $1 trillion in capital base.But there are positive signs too; the New Development Bank has been around for just over a decade, and the Bretton Woods System has been there since the aftermath of the Second World War. It has grown from five founding members to eleven members. It has sanctioned development projects such as in India, the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut original rapid transit system; in China, an offshore wind power plant which generated over 1 billion kWh of carbon-free electricity in the first year; in Brazil, Pernambuco state expanded water supply and sanitation services, which benefits roughly $2 million people; and in South Africa, they are modernising the Durban port, a gateway to the African continent. It is more democratised, where every nation has an equal vote, despite China being a bigger economy and Brazil being comparatively smaller. Unlike the World Bank and IMF, where the US holds veto power with over 16 per cent of total voting rights. It does not seek harsh austerity measures, nor does it require structural and political change in exchange for loans to nations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zohran-mamdani-170000-9-11-records-toxic-air-1788882722776">Zohran Mamdani releases 170,000 pages of 9/11 records, says officials misled New Yorkers over toxic air</a><h2>Can it help the Global South out of Western hegemony?</h2>Structurally, the New Development Bank is an extension of the same capitalist financial architecture that fuels the Bretton Woods System. It's not a radical break from the Western Hegemony; it is an extension of it. It is merely a scaled-up and pooled version of domestic development banks, copying the exact financial blueprint of the World Bank.But the real problem is that it is still dependent on dollar-based assets; it seeks finance from Wall Street and international capital markets for the majority of its bond issuances. Its credit rating is associated with Western credit agencies like Flich and S&amp;P. This is one of the reasons the bank had to freeze one of its founding members, Russia, following the Western sanctions in 2022 to maintain its credit rating of AA+.&nbsp;Under the leadership of President Dilma Rousseff, the NDB has grown its local currency lending portfolio to approximately 25 per cent and plans to achieve the 30 per cent mark by 2026. It actively issues bonds and uses local-currency financing such as the Chinese Yuan, Indian Rupee, and South African Rand to protect from US monetary policy shocks and exchange rate volatility. The position is somewhere between hegemony and autonomy. &nbsp;It is not breaking free but trying to build a more inclusive pipeline inside the existing global financial grid.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The New Development Bank, or BRICS Bank, has emerged as an alternative development finance institution, expanding local-currency lending while seeking to reduce dependence on the Western-dominated financial system.

Over the last decade, five countries have been quietly building over $40 billion alternative to the World Bank and the IMF-dominated global financial system: the New Development Bank or the BRICS Bank. The amount is modest when compared to the Bretton Woods Twins, but it's a project aimed at dismantling 80 years of financial control, creating a parallel system without replacing it. There is huge asymmetry in place; by the end of 2025, the National Development Bank has approved roughly $42.9 billion. The World Bank approves roughly $100 billion in every fiscal year. The New Development Bank has an authorised capital base of $100 billion. The World Bank has an authorised capital base of roughly $327 billion, while the IMF has a $646 billion quota base. Combined, the Bretton Woods System has roughly $1 trillion in capital base. But there are positive signs too; the New Development Bank has been around for just over a decade, and the Bretton Woods System has been there since the aftermath of the Second World War. It has grown from five founding members to eleven members. It has sanctioned development projects such as in India, the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut original rapid transit system; in China, an offshore wind power plant which generated over 1 billion kWh of carbon-free electricity in the first year; in Brazil, Pernambuco state expanded water supply and sanitation services, which benefits roughly $2 million people; and in South Africa, they are modernising the Durban port, a gateway to the African continent. It is more democratised, where every nation has an equal vote, despite China being a bigger economy and Brazil being comparatively smaller. Unlike the World Bank and IMF, where the US holds veto power with over 16 per cent of total voting rights. It does not seek harsh austerity measures, nor does it require structural and political change in exchange for loans to nations. Also Read: Zohran Mamdani releases 170,000 pages of 9/11 records, says officials misled New Yorkers over toxic air Can it help the Global South out of Western hegemony? Structurally, the New Development Bank is an extension of the same capitalist financial architecture that fuels the Bretton Woods System. It's not a radical break from the Western Hegemony; it is an extension of it. It is merely a scaled-up and pooled version of domestic development banks, copying the exact financial blueprint of the World Bank. But the real problem is that it is still dependent on dollar-based assets; it seeks finance from Wall Street and international capital markets for the majority of its bond issuances. Its credit rating is associated with Western credit agencies like Flich and S&P. This is one of the reasons the bank had to freeze one of its founding members, Russia, following the Western sanctions in 2022 to maintain its credit rating of AA+. Under the leadership of President Dilma Rousseff, the NDB has grown its local currency lending portfolio to approximately 25 per cent and plans to achieve the 30 per cent mark by 2026. It actively issues bonds and uses local-currency financing such as the Chinese Yuan, Indian Rupee, and South African Rand to protect from US monetary policy shocks and exchange rate volatility. The position is somewhere between hegemony and autonomy. It is not breaking free but trying to build a more inclusive pipeline inside the existing global financial grid.

The New Development Bank, or BRICS Bank, has emerged as an alternative development finance institution, expanding local-currency lending while seeking to reduce dependence on the Western-dominated financial system.

BRICS Bank: Can the New Development Bank challenge the World Bank and IMF?

Nvidia is becoming much more than the company behind the world’s most powerful AI chips.&nbsp;The chip giant’s equity investments have surged to $99 billion, up from about $7 billion a year earlier and roughly $2.2 billion two years ago, according to its latest regulatory filing. Nvidia also disclosed another $25 billion in equity investment commitments as of July 26. The rapid expansion shows how Nvidia is using its enormous financial strength to shape the AI industry around its hardware. Instead of simply selling GPUs, Nvidia is increasingly putting money into the companies that need those GPUs.<h2>Where is Nvidia putting its billions?</h2>A large part of the strategy is focused on frontier AI labs.&nbsp;Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said the company had invested nearly $50 billion in frontier AI labs. Nvidia announced a $30 billion investment in OpenAI in February as part of OpenAI’s $110 billion funding round. Nvidia is also backing the rapidly growing group of so-called neoclouds companies that buy large numbers of GPUs and rent computing power to AI customers. It invested $2 billion in CoreWeave in January and another $2 billion in Nebius in March. Nvidia said the Nebius investment would help accelerate its build-out of a full-stack AI cloud platform. The strategy has now expanded beyond cloud and AI models.<h2>Nvidia is betting on the technology behind AI</h2>Nvidia has also been investing heavily in optical and photonics technology, which uses light to move data rather than traditional electrical connections. Companies including Lumentum, Coherent and Marvell have each received major investments, according to CNBC’s analysis. The technology could become increasingly important as AI systems require faster movement of enormous amounts of data. Nvidia has also benefited from the rising value of some of its investments. Its $5 billion Intel investment has reportedly risen to around $30 billion, while its SpaceX holding was valued at about $21 billion as of June, according to CNBC.<h2>Why Nvidia is doing this</h2>The strategy is simple: help the AI ecosystem grow, and Nvidia can grow with it. Nvidia itself says its investments are intended to enhance growth opportunities, cultivate its ecosystem and strengthen its competitive position.&nbsp;That creates a powerful cycle. AI companies need computing power. Nvidia supplies the GPUs. By investing in those companies, Nvidia can also help them raise the capital needed to buy more computing infrastructure.The result is a company that increasingly sits at several levels of the AI economy supplier, investor, infrastructure partner and, increasingly, owner. Nvidia’s $99 billion portfolio shows just how much that role has expanded.

Nvidia’s equity investments have surged to $99 billion from about $7 billion a year earlier. The chip giant is backing AI labs, cloud providers, infrastructure and emerging technologies, using its capital to strengthen the ecosystem around its GPUs.



Nvidia is becoming much more than the company behind the world’s most powerful AI chips. The chip giant’s equity investments have surged to $99 billion, up from about $7 billion a year earlier and roughly $2.2 billion two years ago, according to its latest regulatory filing. Nvidia also disclosed another $25 billion in equity investment commitments as of July 26. The rapid expansion shows how Nvidia is using its enormous financial strength to shape the AI industry around its hardware. Instead of simply selling GPUs, Nvidia is increasingly putting money into the companies that need those GPUs. Where is Nvidia putting its billions? A large part of the strategy is focused on frontier AI labs. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said the company had invested nearly $50 billion in frontier AI labs. Nvidia announced a $30 billion investment in OpenAI in February as part of OpenAI’s $110 billion funding round. Nvidia is also backing the rapidly growing group of so-called neoclouds companies that buy large numbers of GPUs and rent computing power to AI customers. It invested $2 billion in CoreWeave in January and another $2 billion in Nebius in March. Nvidia said the Nebius investment would help accelerate its build-out of a full-stack AI cloud platform. The strategy has now expanded beyond cloud and AI models. Nvidia is betting on the technology behind AI Nvidia has also been investing heavily in optical and photonics technology, which uses light to move data rather than traditional electrical connections. Companies including Lumentum, Coherent and Marvell have each received major investments, according to CNBC’s analysis. The technology could become increasingly important as AI systems require faster movement of enormous amounts of data. Nvidia has also benefited from the rising value of some of its investments. Its $5 billion Intel investment has reportedly risen to around $30 billion, while its SpaceX holding was valued at about $21 billion as of June, according to CNBC. Why Nvidia is doing this The strategy is simple: help the AI ecosystem grow, and Nvidia can grow with it. Nvidia itself says its investments are intended to enhance growth opportunities, cultivate its ecosystem and strengthen its competitive position. That creates a powerful cycle. AI companies need computing power. Nvidia supplies the GPUs. By investing in those companies, Nvidia can also help them raise the capital needed to buy more computing infrastructure. The result is a company that increasingly sits at several levels of the AI economy supplier, investor, infrastructure partner and, increasingly, owner. Nvidia’s $99 billion portfolio shows just how much that role has expanded.

Nvidia’s equity investments have surged to $99 billion from about $7 billion a year earlier. The chip giant is backing AI labs, cloud providers, infrastructure and emerging technologies, using its capital to strengthen the ecosystem around its GPUs.

Nvidia now has $99 billion invested across the AI industry, here’s where the money is going

Adobe’s Board of Directors has appointed company insider Anil Chakravarthy as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2026. Chakravarthy, currently serving as President of Adobe’s Customer Experience Orchestration business and worldwide field operations, will also join the company’s Board. He succeeds long-time CEO Shantanu Narayen, who will transition to the role of Executive Chair after a transformative 18-year tenure.&nbsp;Narayen’s planned departure was initially signalled earlier this year. During his nearly two-decade leadership, he oversaw Adobe’s pivotal shift from desktop software licences to a recurring cloud-subscription model, growing revenue from approximately $3 billion to over $25 billion.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/jensen-huang-s-nvidia-makes-a-huge-open-source-ai-bet-with-hugging-face-deal-1788439759576">Jensen Huang’s Nvidia makes a huge open-source AI bet with Hugging Face deal</a><h2>A Tech Veteran Primed for the AI Era</h2>Chakravarthy joined Adobe in January 2020 as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Experience business, expanding his remit over the years to manage global sales, enterprise customer support, and field operations across creative and productivity suites. Before his time at Adobe, Chakravarthy served for four years as CEO of cloud data management giant Informatica and held executive posts at Symantec, VeriSign, and McKinsey &amp; Company. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from IIT (BHU) Varanasi and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.&nbsp;During his time at Adobe, Chakravarthy has championed major AI-driven customer experience products including Adobe CX Enterprise, GenStudio, and Brand Visibility and spearheaded key strategic acquisitions, such as Workfront.&nbsp;"I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to lead Adobe during this pivotal moment," Chakravarthy said in a statement. "I’m energised by the opportunity to fuel growth and drive Adobe's leadership in the next era of agentic software for creativity, productivity, and customer experience."&nbsp;The leadership transition arrives as legacy software giants face unprecedented market pressures and shifting investor sentiment surrounding generative AI disruption. Despite embedding AI capabilities across flagship products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat, Adobe’s shares have felt the heat of emerging competitors.&nbsp;

Adobe appoints Anil Chakravarthy as its new President and CEO, effective December 1. He succeeds long-time leader Shantanu Narayen, who will transition to Executive Chair as the software giant steps up its AI innovation focus. 

Adobe’s Board of Directors has appointed company insider Anil Chakravarthy as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2026. Chakravarthy, currently serving as President of Adobe’s Customer Experience Orchestration business and worldwide field operations, will also join the company’s Board. He succeeds long-time CEO Shantanu Narayen, who will transition to the role of Executive Chair after a transformative 18-year tenure. Narayen’s planned departure was initially signalled earlier this year. During his nearly two-decade leadership, he oversaw Adobe’s pivotal shift from desktop software licences to a recurring cloud-subscription model, growing revenue from approximately $3 billion to over $25 billion. Also read: Jensen Huang’s Nvidia makes a huge open-source AI bet with Hugging Face deal A Tech Veteran Primed for the AI Era Chakravarthy joined Adobe in January 2020 as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Experience business, expanding his remit over the years to manage global sales, enterprise customer support, and field operations across creative and productivity suites. Before his time at Adobe, Chakravarthy served for four years as CEO of cloud data management giant Informatica and held executive posts at Symantec, VeriSign, and McKinsey & Company. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from IIT (BHU) Varanasi and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During his time at Adobe, Chakravarthy has championed major AI-driven customer experience products including Adobe CX Enterprise, GenStudio, and Brand Visibility and spearheaded key strategic acquisitions, such as Workfront. "I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to lead Adobe during this pivotal moment," Chakravarthy said in a statement. "I’m energised by the opportunity to fuel growth and drive Adobe's leadership in the next era of agentic software for creativity, productivity, and customer experience." The leadership transition arrives as legacy software giants face unprecedented market pressures and shifting investor sentiment surrounding generative AI disruption. Despite embedding AI capabilities across flagship products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat, Adobe’s shares have felt the heat of emerging competitors.

Adobe appoints Anil Chakravarthy as its new President and CEO, effective December 1. He succeeds long-time leader Shantanu Narayen, who will transition to Executive Chair as the software giant steps up its AI innovation focus.

Adobe appoints Anil Chakravarthy as next CEO, succeeding Shantanu Narayen

The Volkswagen Board has approved a plan to cut another 50,000 jobs as part of sweeping changes amid losses. In March, the German car giant had announced that it would chop off 50,000 positions by 2030. This brings the total number of roles that will be eliminated by the end of the decade to 100,000. The group manufactures Audi, Porsche, and Skoda, besides the VW brand. SEAT, Bentley, and Lamborghini are also wholly owned subsidiaries of the Volkswagen Group.&nbsp;Volkswagen is facing a demand crunch as other players enter the field. Chinese car brands have turned into fierce competitors, forcing the company to take drastic steps amid falling profits. VW's chief executive Oliver Blume said in a statement on Thursday, “This is a strong signal for the future of the Volkswagen Group. [The plan will] make our iconic brands even more attractive, stronger, and competitive.”<h2>What Volkswagen said about job cuts</h2>He added that "a consistent alignment of workforce capacity with economic reality is essential" amid "intensifying global competition, shifting demand, and technological change in the automotive industry." Blume had talked about the additional cuts in July this year. The company stated the conditions necessitate "a Group-wide workforce adjustment of approximately 50,000 positions - including management roles."&nbsp;Volkswagen plans to prioritise the "most compelling vehicles" and make more of these models to lower costs. Alternate uses of manufacturing plants in Emden, Zwickau, Hanover and Neckarsulm will be assessed since the production capacity here exceeds demand.<h2>Chinese brands are giving fierce competition</h2>Volkswagen started operations in 1937 and has never witnessed such drastic restructuring in all these decades. VW employed more than 660,000 people worldwide as of 2025. But the demand for its cars has seen a sharp drop, especially in China, which once used to be its biggest market. It also witnessed a drop in sales in the United States, with the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump being partly responsible.&nbsp;Christianne Benner, the president of Europe's largest industrial union IG Metall and deputy chair of VW's Supervisory Board, said the company tried its best to fix the crisis situation.&nbsp;

Volkswagen has announced 50,000 more job cuts, taking the total number to a massive 100,000. All these positions will be eliminated by the end of 2030. The German car maker is facing fierce competition from Chinese brands and is suffering because of extreme tariffs in the US. 

The Volkswagen Board has approved a plan to cut another 50,000 jobs as part of sweeping changes amid losses. In March, the German car giant had announced that it would chop off 50,000 positions by 2030. This brings the total number of roles that will be eliminated by the end of the decade to 100,000. The group manufactures Audi, Porsche, and Skoda, besides the VW brand. SEAT, Bentley, and Lamborghini are also wholly owned subsidiaries of the Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen is facing a demand crunch as other players enter the field. Chinese car brands have turned into fierce competitors, forcing the company to take drastic steps amid falling profits. VW's chief executive Oliver Blume said in a statement on Thursday, “This is a strong signal for the future of the Volkswagen Group. [The plan will] make our iconic brands even more attractive, stronger, and competitive.” What Volkswagen said about job cuts He added that "a consistent alignment of workforce capacity with economic reality is essential" amid "intensifying global competition, shifting demand, and technological change in the automotive industry." Blume had talked about the additional cuts in July this year. The company stated the conditions necessitate "a Group-wide workforce adjustment of approximately 50,000 positions - including management roles." Volkswagen plans to prioritise the "most compelling vehicles" and make more of these models to lower costs. Alternate uses of manufacturing plants in Emden, Zwickau, Hanover and Neckarsulm will be assessed since the production capacity here exceeds demand. Chinese brands are giving fierce competition Volkswagen started operations in 1937 and has never witnessed such drastic restructuring in all these decades. VW employed more than 660,000 people worldwide as of 2025. But the demand for its cars has seen a sharp drop, especially in China, which once used to be its biggest market. It also witnessed a drop in sales in the United States, with the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump being partly responsible. Christianne Benner, the president of Europe's largest industrial union IG Metall and deputy chair of VW's Supervisory Board, said the company tried its best to fix the crisis situation.

Volkswagen has announced 50,000 more job cuts, taking the total number to a massive 100,000. All these positions will be eliminated by the end of 2030. The German car maker is facing fierce competition from Chinese brands and is suffering because of extreme tariffs in the US.&nbsp;

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 more jobs, 100,000 roles to be eliminated by 2030

A new artificial-intelligence platform has entered India’s retail trading landscape with a clear brief: equip individual participants with enough real-time technical understanding that they no longer have to trade on tips, guesswork or late-night commentary alone.Kwala Intel (kwalaintel.com) is being presented as a user-friendly market-intelligence tool designed to help retail traders read technical indicators, interpret what is unfolding on the chart, and make more informed decisions while positions are open. In a market where regulatory data shows that the large majority of individual futures and options traders finish the year with losses, any system that aims to improve decision quality is drawing attention.&nbsp;The Trust Problem the Data Keeps Highlighting&nbsp;SEBI’s studies of individual traders in the equity F&amp;O segment have become a standing reference point. Across multi-year windows, loss rates have remained extremely high — in some periods above 90 per cent of unique individual participants after transaction costs. Cumulative losses over five years have been estimated at around Rs 3.85 lakh crore. Even after participation moderated in FY26, roughly 87–88 per cent of remaining individual traders still recorded net losses, with options accounting for the bulk of the damage.Those figures have concerned regulators, brokers and educators alike. They also help explain a quieter erosion of trust among participants who entered in large numbers after the COVID-era retail boom. Many discovered that access to a trading app was not the same as access to usable market intelligence. Tips arrived easily; continuous, understandable technical context did not. The familiar cycle followed: entry on a tip, hours of uncertainty, then an exit driven by emotion. Repeated losses reduced both capital and confidence.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/this-indian-ai-is-bringing-market-intelligence-to-intraday-traders-1788419237060">This Indian AI is bringing market intelligence to intraday traders</a>&nbsp;What the New Platform Is Trying to Change&nbsp;Kwala Intel frames itself as an intelligence layer rather than a tip engine. Users can query charts and market structure in plain language, receive explanations of technical indicators and key levels, and see visual context linking the commentary to actual price action. The intent is to give retail participants a practical way to apply the same categories of information professional desks treat as routine: support and resistance, momentum readings, pattern structure and related signals.&nbsp;The platform is also positioned for continuous use, not only during market hours. That matters for traders who review positions, prepare levels or learn after the close. By remaining available as a companion rather than a one-time alert service, it aims to support both decision-making and ongoing learning.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/this-indian-ai-is-making-stock-charts-easier-to-understand-in-hindi-tamil-telugu-and-other-indian-languages-1788315316303">This Indian AI is making stock charts easier to understand in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other Indian languages</a>&nbsp;Company representatives have described an explicit ambition: over the coming year, to help reduce the share of retail participants who lose money through purely uninformed or tip-dependent trading. Whether any single platform can shift industry-wide loss rates remains an open question. What is clear is the problem the product is built around — the persistence of high retail loss ratios despite years of easy market access.&nbsp;A Generation That Arrived After COVID&nbsp;Much of the recent expansion in retail participation has come from younger adults, roughly in the 22–30 age band, who began trading actively after the pandemic. This group is digitally native, comfortable with apps and conversational interfaces, and often more willing to try new tools than earlier cohorts. It is also a group that has experienced both the excitement of easy onboarding and the disappointment of repeated losses in derivatives.&nbsp;Platforms that speak this cohort’s language — simple interfaces, on-demand explanations, visual feedback — are betting that behaviour can still be shaped. If technical structure becomes easier to query and understand, a larger share of these traders may move from speculative tip-following toward more deliberate, context-aware decisions. That would mark a shift from the dominant retail pattern of the post-COVID years.&nbsp;Trend Change or Incremental Tool?&nbsp;Claims of a complete trend change should be treated with caution. Loss rates are driven by leverage, options product design, behavioural biases and the advantages of better-capitalised counterparties — not only by the absence of chart explanations. No AI companion removes the need for risk limits or the decision not to trade at all.&nbsp;At the same time, after years in which retail growth was fuelled mainly by access — discount brokerages, smartphone apps, social distribution of ideas — a second wave of tools is focusing on interpretation. Kwala Intel is one of the newer entrants in that wave. Its success will ultimately be measured by whether users trade with clearer context, fewer blind intervals, and, over time, better outcomes than the broad averages published by SEBI.&nbsp;For now, the platform’s arrival adds another data point to a larger experiment: whether giving retail participants a user-friendly way to understand technical indicators and live market structure can help restore a degree of trust that years of high loss rates have eroded — especially among younger traders who still have the longest road ahead.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: Trading in equity derivatives involves substantial risk of loss. SEBI data cited pertains to individual traders in the equity F&amp;O segment. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Ambitions attributed to platforms reflect stated positioning, not guaranteed outcomes.

With SEBI data showing most individual F&O traders still losing money, Kwala Intel positions itself as a user-friendly intelligence layer for younger participants who entered markets after COVID — aiming to rebuild trust through understanding rather than tips.

A new artificial-intelligence platform has entered India’s retail trading landscape with a clear brief: equip individual participants with enough real-time technical understanding that they no longer have to trade on tips, guesswork or late-night commentary alone. Kwala Intel (kwalaintel.com) is being presented as a user-friendly market-intelligence tool designed to help retail traders read technical indicators, interpret what is unfolding on the chart, and make more informed decisions while positions are open. In a market where regulatory data shows that the large majority of individual futures and options traders finish the year with losses, any system that aims to improve decision quality is drawing attention. The Trust Problem the Data Keeps Highlighting SEBI’s studies of individual traders in the equity F&O segment have become a standing reference point. Across multi-year windows, loss rates have remained extremely high — in some periods above 90 per cent of unique individual participants after transaction costs. Cumulative losses over five years have been estimated at around Rs 3.85 lakh crore. Even after participation moderated in FY26, roughly 87–88 per cent of remaining individual traders still recorded net losses, with options accounting for the bulk of the damage. Those figures have concerned regulators, brokers and educators alike. They also help explain a quieter erosion of trust among participants who entered in large numbers after the COVID-era retail boom. Many discovered that access to a trading app was not the same as access to usable market intelligence. Tips arrived easily; continuous, understandable technical context did not. The familiar cycle followed: entry on a tip, hours of uncertainty, then an exit driven by emotion. Repeated losses reduced both capital and confidence. Also read: This Indian AI is bringing market intelligence to intraday traders What the New Platform Is Trying to Change Kwala Intel frames itself as an intelligence layer rather than a tip engine. Users can query charts and market structure in plain language, receive explanations of technical indicators and key levels, and see visual context linking the commentary to actual price action. The intent is to give retail participants a practical way to apply the same categories of information professional desks treat as routine: support and resistance, momentum readings, pattern structure and related signals. The platform is also positioned for continuous use, not only during market hours. That matters for traders who review positions, prepare levels or learn after the close. By remaining available as a companion rather than a one-time alert service, it aims to support both decision-making and ongoing learning. Also read: This Indian AI is making stock charts easier to understand in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other Indian languages Company representatives have described an explicit ambition: over the coming year, to help reduce the share of retail participants who lose money through purely uninformed or tip-dependent trading. Whether any single platform can shift industry-wide loss rates remains an open question. What is clear is the problem the product is built around — the persistence of high retail loss ratios despite years of easy market access. A Generation That Arrived After COVID Much of the recent expansion in retail participation has come from younger adults, roughly in the 22–30 age band, who began trading actively after the pandemic. This group is digitally native, comfortable with apps and conversational interfaces, and often more willing to try new tools than earlier cohorts. It is also a group that has experienced both the excitement of easy onboarding and the disappointment of repeated losses in derivatives. Platforms that speak this cohort’s language — simple interfaces, on-demand explanations, visual feedback — are betting that behaviour can still be shaped. If technical structure becomes easier to query and understand, a larger share of these traders may move from speculative tip-following toward more deliberate, context-aware decisions. That would mark a shift from the dominant retail pattern of the post-COVID years. Trend Change or Incremental Tool? Claims of a complete trend change should be treated with caution. Loss rates are driven by leverage, options product design, behavioural biases and the advantages of better-capitalised counterparties — not only by the absence of chart explanations. No AI companion removes the need for risk limits or the decision not to trade at all. At the same time, after years in which retail growth was fuelled mainly by access — discount brokerages, smartphone apps, social distribution of ideas — a second wave of tools is focusing on interpretation. Kwala Intel is one of the newer entrants in that wave. Its success will ultimately be measured by whether users trade with clearer context, fewer blind intervals, and, over time, better outcomes than the broad averages published by SEBI. For now, the platform’s arrival adds another data point to a larger experiment: whether giving retail participants a user-friendly way to understand technical indicators and live market structure can help restore a degree of trust that years of high loss rates have eroded — especially among younger traders who still have the longest road ahead. Disclaimer: Trading in equity derivatives involves substantial risk of loss. SEBI data cited pertains to individual traders in the equity F&O segment. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Ambitions attributed to platforms reflect stated positioning, not guaranteed outcomes.

With SEBI data showing most individual F&amp;O traders still losing money, Kwala Intel positions itself as a user-friendly intelligence layer for younger participants who entered markets after COVID — aiming to rebuild trust through understanding rather than tips.

New AI platform enters market betting it can help retail traders stop flying blind

German firm ZEISS, best known for high-precision optics and opto-electronics, has opened its first Innovation Hub outside of its home country. This facility has been established at the IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), which is India’s first university-based research park, created to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and accelerate deep-tech innovation. The hub will focus on areas including advanced frugal engineering, harsh-environment optics, robotics and fluid dynamics, while fostering interdisciplinary research with real-world industrial applications. The firm did not reveal its investment in this Indian facility.&nbsp;According to ZEISS, its Chennai-based Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation. It will also support researcher exchanges, postgraduate research and closer engagement with IIT Madras students and graduates.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bar-council-has-no-power-to-discipline-law-students-before-enrollment-supreme-court-1788442808743">Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO, IITM Research Park &amp; Incubation Cell, said the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub at IIT Madras Research Park is a significant milestone for both our institutions. “ZEISS brings 180 years of leadership in precision optics, microscopy and advanced engineering, while IIT Madras Research Park has built one of India's most vibrant deep-tech innovation ecosystems. By joining hands, we have an opportunity to combine these complementary strengths to accelerate frontier research, develop globally competitive technologies to create a distinct innovation advantage that benefits both industry and society,” he commented.&nbsp;&nbsp;Further, he highlighted that IIT Madras Research Park continues to strengthen its position as a destination for global corporations seeking research-led collaboration in India. Today, the ecosystem brings together over 250 research-driven companies &amp; labs, startups and Centres of Excellence.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit</a>&nbsp;Speaking at the launch, Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group, said that the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub in Chennai, India, reflects the firm's confidence in the country's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem and its growing significance as a strategic market. The dynamic ecosystem at IIT Madras Research Park provides an ideal platform to co-develop future-ready solutions and shape the next generation of technologies for India and the world, he added.&nbsp;Pecher revealed that in the previous fiscal year ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros, across major sectors such as: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality &amp; Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets. On the importance of R&amp;D spending, he said that his group invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development.

ZEISS said its Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation.

German firm ZEISS, best known for high-precision optics and opto-electronics, has opened its first Innovation Hub outside of its home country. This facility has been established at the IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), which is India’s first university-based research park, created to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and accelerate deep-tech innovation. The hub will focus on areas including advanced frugal engineering, harsh-environment optics, robotics and fluid dynamics, while fostering interdisciplinary research with real-world industrial applications. The firm did not reveal its investment in this Indian facility. According to ZEISS, its Chennai-based Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation. It will also support researcher exchanges, postgraduate research and closer engagement with IIT Madras students and graduates. Also Read: Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO, IITM Research Park & Incubation Cell, said the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub at IIT Madras Research Park is a significant milestone for both our institutions. “ZEISS brings 180 years of leadership in precision optics, microscopy and advanced engineering, while IIT Madras Research Park has built one of India's most vibrant deep-tech innovation ecosystems. By joining hands, we have an opportunity to combine these complementary strengths to accelerate frontier research, develop globally competitive technologies to create a distinct innovation advantage that benefits both industry and society,” he commented. Further, he highlighted that IIT Madras Research Park continues to strengthen its position as a destination for global corporations seeking research-led collaboration in India. Today, the ecosystem brings together over 250 research-driven companies & labs, startups and Centres of Excellence. Also Read: India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit Speaking at the launch, Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group, said that the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub in Chennai, India, reflects the firm's confidence in the country's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem and its growing significance as a strategic market. The dynamic ecosystem at IIT Madras Research Park provides an ideal platform to co-develop future-ready solutions and shape the next generation of technologies for India and the world, he added. Pecher revealed that in the previous fiscal year ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros, across major sectors such as: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets. On the importance of R&D spending, he said that his group invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development.

ZEISS said its Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation.

Zeiss opens Innovation Hub at IIT-M Research Park; 1st outside Germany

Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, in a major move that takes the chip giant deeper into the software and open-source side of artificial intelligence. But the deal did not begin with Nvidia knocking on Hugging Face’s door.&nbsp;Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue told CNBC that his company approached Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang first. He said the discussions moved quickly and, just weeks later, the companies had agreed on a deal. Delangue said Hugging Face had reached a “turning point” and needed more resources, scale and visibility.&nbsp;<h2>Why Nvidia wants Hugging Face</h2>Hugging Face has become one of the biggest platforms for developers working with open-source AI models. Its platform lets researchers and developers share, discover and work with AI models, datasets and tools. Nvidia has already worked with Hugging Face, including integrating its DGX Cloud infrastructure with the platform to give developers access to AI supercomputing.&nbsp;The acquisition therefore gives Nvidia something that its GPUs alone cannot provide: a much deeper connection with the developers building AI models and applications. Nvidia said Hugging Face will remain an open platform for the wider AI ecosystem. Huang said the companies will work to scale its platform, strengthen its infrastructure and expand access to AI for developers and institutions worldwide.&nbsp;<h2>Nvidia is going far beyond chips</h2>The $12.9 billion deal shows how Nvidia’s ambitions are expanding. The company became the central hardware supplier behind the generative AI boom, but Huang has increasingly positioned Nvidia as a full AI computing platform rather than simply a chipmaker. Nvidia’s latest results show the scale of that business. It reported $96.2 billion in quarterly revenue, with data-centre revenue reaching $89 billion.&nbsp;Buying Hugging Face takes Nvidia further up the AI stack, closer to the models, developers and software that turn computing power into useful AI products.&nbsp;<h2>A major acquisition for Nvidia</h2>The Hugging Face purchase would rank among Nvidia’s largest acquisitions. The company’s strategy has increasingly involved partnerships and investments across the AI ecosystem, including model developers and infrastructure companies. For Hugging Face, meanwhile, Delangue said Nvidia was a “perfect home” for the company and its open-source community. The deal comes at an important moment for open AI models, as developers increasingly look beyond a small group of closed AI labs. Nvidia now wants to be part of that shift not just by supplying the chips, but by owning a major part of the platform where the next generation of AI developers builds.

Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion after Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue approached Jensen Huang about a deal. The acquisition gives Nvidia a major open-source AI platform and expands its business beyond chips.

Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, in a major move that takes the chip giant deeper into the software and open-source side of artificial intelligence. But the deal did not begin with Nvidia knocking on Hugging Face’s door. Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue told CNBC that his company approached Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang first. He said the discussions moved quickly and, just weeks later, the companies had agreed on a deal. Delangue said Hugging Face had reached a “turning point” and needed more resources, scale and visibility. Why Nvidia wants Hugging Face Hugging Face has become one of the biggest platforms for developers working with open-source AI models. Its platform lets researchers and developers share, discover and work with AI models, datasets and tools. Nvidia has already worked with Hugging Face, including integrating its DGX Cloud infrastructure with the platform to give developers access to AI supercomputing. The acquisition therefore gives Nvidia something that its GPUs alone cannot provide: a much deeper connection with the developers building AI models and applications. Nvidia said Hugging Face will remain an open platform for the wider AI ecosystem. Huang said the companies will work to scale its platform, strengthen its infrastructure and expand access to AI for developers and institutions worldwide. Nvidia is going far beyond chips The $12.9 billion deal shows how Nvidia’s ambitions are expanding. The company became the central hardware supplier behind the generative AI boom, but Huang has increasingly positioned Nvidia as a full AI computing platform rather than simply a chipmaker. Nvidia’s latest results show the scale of that business. It reported $96.2 billion in quarterly revenue, with data-centre revenue reaching $89 billion. Buying Hugging Face takes Nvidia further up the AI stack, closer to the models, developers and software that turn computing power into useful AI products. A major acquisition for Nvidia The Hugging Face purchase would rank among Nvidia’s largest acquisitions. The company’s strategy has increasingly involved partnerships and investments across the AI ecosystem, including model developers and infrastructure companies. For Hugging Face, meanwhile, Delangue said Nvidia was a “perfect home” for the company and its open-source community. The deal comes at an important moment for open AI models, as developers increasingly look beyond a small group of closed AI labs. Nvidia now wants to be part of that shift not just by supplying the chips, but by owning a major part of the platform where the next generation of AI developers builds.

Nvidia has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion after Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue approached Jensen Huang about a deal. The acquisition gives Nvidia a major open-source AI platform and expands its business beyond chips.

Jensen Huang’s Nvidia makes a huge open-source AI bet with Hugging Face deal

There was a time when people used to treat money with caution, with the idea of saving first, spending carefully and avoiding unnecessary debt. But that approach has now reshaped after the advent of AI, which makes managing money feel less like a chore and more like a game in the form of "financial entertainment". Currently, everything is quick, as we can shop on EMI, utilise credit, invest, buy insurance or receive financial advice on the phone. Therefore, buying anything within budget doesn't require thinking twice, as money decisions based on investment awareness help utilise savings conveniently, without considering priorities, security, temptation, and consequences. At the moment, India is moving from basic financial literacy to narrative-driven financial entertainment after the entry of AI has reshaped how young people interact with money in terms of investment and budgeting. Even a new generation of AI-powered market-intelligence tools also helps make technical analysis more accessible to India’s multilingual retail-investor base. These types of platforms allow users to ask questions about stocks, technical indicators and market trends in multiple Indian languages and receive explanations linked to market charts. To understand India’s financial markets with a stock chart has always been challenging. This includes candlesticks, moving averages, oscillators and technical indicators, which were often accompanied by unfamiliar English terminology, leaving many users dependent on simplified tips rather than understanding how a conclusion was reached. To provide this facility and make the audience more entertained while knowing or learning about investing, an AI market-intelligence platform, Kwala Intel, has been launched in India with a focus on markets, allowing users to ask questions about technical indicators of stocks and market trends in multiple Indian languages as well as receive detailed market charts. To turn financial awareness into financial entertainment, casual video games are also engaged for consumers in a financial education experience that helps increase financial knowledge and confidence in financial actions and real-world behaviour change.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/from-rote-learning-to-chat-native-learning-how-ai-is-changing-way-students-prepare-for-competitive-exams-1788091762847">From rote learning to chat-native learning: How AI is changing way students prepare for competitive exam</a>s<h3>AI can sharpen financial decisions</h3>Financial experts have also indicated that financial conversations today are often either too technical or too focused on returns, missing the person behind the decision. Traditionally, a savings-driven economy where caution ruled- save first, spend carefully, avoid debt- but India now finds itself in a world of instant EMIs, one-tap credit, and financial opinions delivered within minutes on a phone screen. They have also noted that after the entry of artificial intelligence in this sector, it can sharpen financial decision-making without replacing it entirely. 1. Why do you believe India needs a dedicated financial entertainment property at this point in its economic journey?&nbsp;MahekTomer, Creator, India’s Future Investors: I feel India’s relationship with money has moved much faster than the way we talk about money. Financial conversations are everywhere today, but they are often either too technical or too focused on what to buy, where to invest or how much someone can earn. What interests me more is the person behind the decision. How do we behave when money is limited, time is running out, and there is pressure to choose? That question became an important starting point for India’s Future Investors. I believe money deserves a place in mainstream entertainment because it is already part of everyone’s life.&nbsp;2. India has traditionally been a savings-driven economy. What has changed in the way Indians think about money that makes financial entertainment relevant today?&nbsp;MahekTomer: I grew up seeing money treated with a certain caution: save first, spend carefully and avoid unnecessary debt. That instinct still exists, but the world around it has completely changed. Today, everything is immediate. You can shop on EMI, access credit, invest, buy insurance or hear someone’s financial opinion within minutes on your phone. So people are making far more money decisions, much faster than before. For me, that is the real change. Access to financial products has become incredibly easy; developing the judgement to use that access responsibly still takes time. That gap is where better financial conversations are needed.&nbsp;3. Can entertainment play a meaningful role in improving financial awareness and changing how people approach money?&nbsp;MahekTomer: Absolutely, because sometimes experiencing a question is more powerful than being taught the answer. Suppose you have ₹50,000 saved and something you really want suddenly becomes available at half price, but buying it would mean using half your savings. What would you do? There isn’t enough information yet to declare one answer right or wrong—and that’s the point. You start thinking about priorities, security, temptation and consequences. This is what excites me about financial entertainment and what we are exploring through India’s Future Investors. Don’t just explain money to people. Give them a situation and let them discover how they think about it.&nbsp;4. As AI becomes increasingly capable of analysing data and making recommendations, what role do human judgement and emotional intelligence continue to play in financial decision-making?&nbsp;MahekTomer: AI can calculate faster than us, process enormous amounts of information and probably identify patterns we would miss. But money decisions are not made by numbers alone; they are made by people who have to live with the consequences. An answer can make perfect mathematical sense and still not be right for someone’s life. Family responsibilities, fear, ambition, security and the ability to sleep peacefully after taking a risk cannot always be reduced to a calculation. I see AI as an extraordinary tool for better information. But information can support judgement; it cannot take responsibility for the decision. That part remains human.&nbsp;5. Can AI make people better investors, or does over-reliance on technology create new risks?&nbsp;MahekTomer: I think AI can help us ask better questions and understand information faster. The risk begins when we stop asking questions altogether. A confident answer on a screen can easily feel like the correct answer, particularly to someone who does not yet understand the assumptions or risks behind it. That worries me more than AI itself. We shouldn’t outsource our judgement simply because technology makes it convenient. In fact, I think financial literacy in the AI age needs one additional skill: knowing when to question the machine. Use AI to become better informed, certainly—but don’t allow convenience to replace curiosity, judgement or responsibility. Similarly, Dr Ashish Chandra, CEO &amp; Founder - GFF AI, stated that AI can dramatically improve financial decision-making by processing vast amounts of data, identifying patterns and testing scenarios at a speed no individual can match. However, he added that finance is not purely a mathematical problem. He noted that human judgement remains critical as investment decisions are shaped by uncertainty, changing context, personal objectives and, importantly, emotion. "AI may tell an investor what the data suggests; emotional intelligence helps determine whether that recommendation is appropriate for the individual. During periods of market euphoria or panic, understanding fear, greed, risk tolerance and behavioural biases can be as important as analysing fundamentals. Used well, AI can certainly make people better investors. It can democratise sophisticated research, improve financial literacy, personalise insights and help investors challenge their own assumptions. The danger is treating AI as an oracle rather than a decision-support system. Models can inherit biases, misinterpret unusual market conditions or generate recommendations with unjustified confidence. The strongest model for the future is therefore not AI replacing human judgement, but AI augmenting it: machines providing analytical intelligence, while humans retain accountability, context, ethics and the final investment decision," he said. &nbsp;

India is moving from basic financial literacy to narrative-driven financial entertainment after the entry of AI has reshaped how young people interact with money in terms of investment and budgeting.

There was a time when people used to treat money with caution, with the idea of saving first, spending carefully and avoiding unnecessary debt. But that approach has now reshaped after the advent of AI, which makes managing money feel less like a chore and more like a game in the form of "financial entertainment". Currently, everything is quick, as we can shop on EMI, utilise credit, invest, buy insurance or receive financial advice on the phone. Therefore, buying anything within budget doesn't require thinking twice, as money decisions based on investment awareness help utilise savings conveniently, without considering priorities, security, temptation, and consequences. At the moment, India is moving from basic financial literacy to narrative-driven financial entertainment after the entry of AI has reshaped how young people interact with money in terms of investment and budgeting. Even a new generation of AI-powered market-intelligence tools also helps make technical analysis more accessible to India’s multilingual retail-investor base. These types of platforms allow users to ask questions about stocks, technical indicators and market trends in multiple Indian languages and receive explanations linked to market charts. To understand India’s financial markets with a stock chart has always been challenging. This includes candlesticks, moving averages, oscillators and technical indicators, which were often accompanied by unfamiliar English terminology, leaving many users dependent on simplified tips rather than understanding how a conclusion was reached. To provide this facility and make the audience more entertained while knowing or learning about investing, an AI market-intelligence platform, Kwala Intel, has been launched in India with a focus on markets, allowing users to ask questions about technical indicators of stocks and market trends in multiple Indian languages as well as receive detailed market charts. To turn financial awareness into financial entertainment, casual video games are also engaged for consumers in a financial education experience that helps increase financial knowledge and confidence in financial actions and real-world behaviour change. Also read: From rote learning to chat-native learning: How AI is changing way students prepare for competitive exams AI can sharpen financial decisions Financial experts have also indicated that financial conversations today are often either too technical or too focused on returns, missing the person behind the decision. Traditionally, a savings-driven economy where caution ruled- save first, spend carefully, avoid debt- but India now finds itself in a world of instant EMIs, one-tap credit, and financial opinions delivered within minutes on a phone screen. They have also noted that after the entry of artificial intelligence in this sector, it can sharpen financial decision-making without replacing it entirely. 1. Why do you believe India needs a dedicated financial entertainment property at this point in its economic journey? MahekTomer, Creator, India’s Future Investors: I feel India’s relationship with money has moved much faster than the way we talk about money. Financial conversations are everywhere today, but they are often either too technical or too focused on what to buy, where to invest or how much someone can earn. What interests me more is the person behind the decision. How do we behave when money is limited, time is running out, and there is pressure to choose? That question became an important starting point for India’s Future Investors. I believe money deserves a place in mainstream entertainment because it is already part of everyone’s life. 2. India has traditionally been a savings-driven economy. What has changed in the way Indians think about money that makes financial entertainment relevant today? MahekTomer: I grew up seeing money treated with a certain caution: save first, spend carefully and avoid unnecessary debt. That instinct still exists, but the world around it has completely changed. Today, everything is immediate. You can shop on EMI, access credit, invest, buy insurance or hear someone’s financial opinion within minutes on your phone. So people are making far more money decisions, much faster than before. For me, that is the real change. Access to financial products has become incredibly easy; developing the judgement to use that access responsibly still takes time. That gap is where better financial conversations are needed. 3. Can entertainment play a meaningful role in improving financial awareness and changing how people approach money? MahekTomer: Absolutely, because sometimes experiencing a question is more powerful than being taught the answer. Suppose you have ₹50,000 saved and something you really want suddenly becomes available at half price, but buying it would mean using half your savings. What would you do? There isn’t enough information yet to declare one answer right or wrong—and that’s the point. You start thinking about priorities, security, temptation and consequences. This is what excites me about financial entertainment and what we are exploring through India’s Future Investors. Don’t just explain money to people. Give them a situation and let them discover how they think about it. 4. As AI becomes increasingly capable of analysing data and making recommendations, what role do human judgement and emotional intelligence continue to play in financial decision-making? MahekTomer: AI can calculate faster than us, process enormous amounts of information and probably identify patterns we would miss. But money decisions are not made by numbers alone; they are made by people who have to live with the consequences. An answer can make perfect mathematical sense and still not be right for someone’s life. Family responsibilities, fear, ambition, security and the ability to sleep peacefully after taking a risk cannot always be reduced to a calculation. I see AI as an extraordinary tool for better information. But information can support judgement; it cannot take responsibility for the decision. That part remains human. 5. Can AI make people better investors, or does over-reliance on technology create new risks? MahekTomer: I think AI can help us ask better questions and understand information faster. The risk begins when we stop asking questions altogether. A confident answer on a screen can easily feel like the correct answer, particularly to someone who does not yet understand the assumptions or risks behind it. That worries me more than AI itself. We shouldn’t outsource our judgement simply because technology makes it convenient. In fact, I think financial literacy in the AI age needs one additional skill: knowing when to question the machine. Use AI to become better informed, certainly—but don’t allow convenience to replace curiosity, judgement or responsibility. Similarly, Dr Ashish Chandra, CEO & Founder - GFF AI, stated that AI can dramatically improve financial decision-making by processing vast amounts of data, identifying patterns and testing scenarios at a speed no individual can match. However, he added that finance is not purely a mathematical problem. He noted that human judgement remains critical as investment decisions are shaped by uncertainty, changing context, personal objectives and, importantly, emotion. "AI may tell an investor what the data suggests; emotional intelligence helps determine whether that recommendation is appropriate for the individual. During periods of market euphoria or panic, understanding fear, greed, risk tolerance and behavioural biases can be as important as analysing fundamentals. Used well, AI can certainly make people better investors. It can democratise sophisticated research, improve financial literacy, personalise insights and help investors challenge their own assumptions. The danger is treating AI as an oracle rather than a decision-support system. Models can inherit biases, misinterpret unusual market conditions or generate recommendations with unjustified confidence. The strongest model for the future is therefore not AI replacing human judgement, but AI augmenting it: machines providing analytical intelligence, while humans retain accountability, context, ethics and the final investment decision," he said.

India is moving from basic financial literacy to narrative-driven financial entertainment after the entry of AI has reshaped how young people interact with money in terms of investment and budgeting.

From financial awareness to financial entertainment: How India's money mindset is changing in the age of AI

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has reportedly offered American investors access to the country's vast mineral wealth as it seeks closer ties with Washington. The Taliban has also reportedly urged the US to lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Afghan assets as part of efforts to improve economic and diplomatic relations.As per the Financial Times report, the overture comes five years after the Taliban returned to power following the withdrawal of US-led Nato forces from Afghanistan and the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government. US President Donald Trump had previously described the withdrawal and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government as "the most embarrassing thing in the history of our country".Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schizophrenia-hallucinations-delusions-iran-slams-trump-advises-him-to-consult-psychologists-after-us-prez-calls-hormuz-us-terrotory-1787926399000">‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’</a>According to the Financial Times, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghanistan was "absolutely" open to US investment in sectors including mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade. "Relations between Afghanistan and the United States should not be assessed through the lens of the past 20 years of war, but rather on the basis of future co-operation," the FT quoted Muttaqi as saying during an interview at his office in Kabul.<h2>Taliban's $1 trillion mineral wealth</h2>Afghanistan is estimated to have at least $1 trillion worth of mineral resources, according to geological surveys conducted by the US and the former Western-backed Afghan government.The country's mineral deposits include copper, iron ore, niobium, cobalt, gold and lithium. Much of this wealth remains undeveloped after decades of conflict.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/weapons-equipment-technical-and-tactical-iran-says-it-has-new-surprises-ready-if-another-war-breaks-out-1787911559031">‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out</a>Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has sought to attract foreign investment and develop its natural resources. The group has announced more than $7 billion in mining investments since 2021 involving countries including China and Iran, the FT reported.

The Taliban government is offering US investors access to Afghanistan’s $1 trillion mineral reserves, urging Washington to lift sanctions, unfreeze assets, and establish new economic ties.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has reportedly offered American investors access to the country's vast mineral wealth as it seeks closer ties with Washington. The Taliban has also reportedly urged the US to lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Afghan assets as part of efforts to improve economic and diplomatic relations. As per the Financial Times report, the overture comes five years after the Taliban returned to power following the withdrawal of US-led Nato forces from Afghanistan and the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government. US President Donald Trump had previously described the withdrawal and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government as "the most embarrassing thing in the history of our country". Also read: ‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’ According to the Financial Times, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghanistan was "absolutely" open to US investment in sectors including mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade. "Relations between Afghanistan and the United States should not be assessed through the lens of the past 20 years of war, but rather on the basis of future co-operation," the FT quoted Muttaqi as saying during an interview at his office in Kabul. Taliban's $1 trillion mineral wealth Afghanistan is estimated to have at least $1 trillion worth of mineral resources, according to geological surveys conducted by the US and the former Western-backed Afghan government. The country's mineral deposits include copper, iron ore, niobium, cobalt, gold and lithium. Much of this wealth remains undeveloped after decades of conflict. Also read: ‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has sought to attract foreign investment and develop its natural resources. The group has announced more than $7 billion in mining investments since 2021 involving countries including China and Iran, the FT reported.

The Taliban government is offering US investors access to Afghanistan’s $1 trillion mineral reserves, urging Washington to lift sanctions, unfreeze assets, and establish new economic ties.

Taliban woos US investors with $1 trillion mineral wealth, seeks sanctions relief: Report

A new generation of AI-powered market-intelligence tools is attempting to make technical analysis more accessible to India’s multilingual retail-investor base. Kwala Intel, an AI market-intelligence platform focused on Indian markets, allows users to ask questions about stocks, technical indicators and market trends in multiple Indian languages and receive explanations linked to market charts. For millions of retail participants entering India’s financial markets, understanding a stock chart can be almost as challenging as understanding the market itself. Candlesticks, moving averages, oscillators and technical indicators are often accompanied by unfamiliar English terminology, leaving many users dependent on simplified tips rather than understanding how a conclusion was reached.<h2> The Need for Better Retail-Market Education</h2> The development comes against a backdrop of rapidly changing retail participation in Indian markets. SEBI studies have repeatedly highlighted the difficulties faced by individual traders in the futures and options segment, including high rates of losses among retail participants. The numbers have reinforced a broader debate around financial education and the risks of participating in increasingly complex financial products without sufficient understanding. For multilingual users, that gap has an additional dimension. Access to information is not necessarily the same as access to information in a language and format that feels intuitive. That challenge becomes more significant in a country where investors consume financial content in multiple languages. While stock exchanges and much of the financial ecosystem operate primarily in English, many retail users prefer to learn, research and discuss markets in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and other Indian languages. Artificial intelligence is now beginning to address both sides of this problem — the complexity of market data and the language barrier.<h2>Making Technical Analysis Easier to Understand</h2>Technical analysis uses a relatively defined set of concepts to study price movements, momentum and market behaviour. Indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), Bollinger Bands and Fibonacci retracements are widely used by market participants. The difficulty for newer users is often not the concept itself, but understanding what the indicator is showing and how it relates to the price chart. For example, an RSI reading may indicate that recent price movements have become unusually strong in one direction. MACD can be used to study changes in momentum, while Bollinger Bands help users examine price movement and volatility around a moving average. Support and resistance levels can provide context around areas where buying or selling activity has historically appeared. AI-powered interfaces are changing that interaction by allowing users to ask questions directly rather than having to search for every individual concept.<h2>Asking the Chart in Your Own Language</h2>Kwala Intel is an example of this emerging approach. The AI-powered market-intelligence platform is designed around a conversational interface through which users can explore stocks, market data and technical-analysis concepts across multiple Indian languages. Instead of navigating several research screens, users can ask questions in a more natural format. A user could ask what the important support and resistance levels are for a stock, whether momentum appears to be strengthening or weakening, or what a particular technical indicator is showing. &nbsp;The platform combines the conversational response with visual market information, allowing users to connect an explanation with the underlying chart rather than receiving only a textbook definition. For example, a user asking about RSI does not necessarily need to remember the indicator’s formula first. The interaction can begin with a simple question and move toward an explanation of what the indicator is showing on the relevant chart. This approach could be particularly relevant for users who are more comfortable communicating in Indian languages.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kwala Intel supports interactions across languages including Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu. The founder says its objective is not to eliminate the need for financial knowledge, but to make that knowledge easier to access and understand. &nbsp;<h2>Beyond Indicators: A Broader Market-Research Companion</h2> The use case also extends beyond individual technical indicators. Users can explore company information, understand quarterly results, learn about options and ask broader questions about how different parts of the financial market work. This creates a different model of financial research. Instead of treating market information as a collection of separate screens, reports and terminology, a conversational AI interface allows users to move from one question to the next. That can be useful outside market hours as well. Investors often review charts after the trading session, try to understand a failed setup, examine company results or prepare questions for the following day. A conversational research platform can provide a continuous environment for that learning process.<h2>A More Conversational Future for Financial Research</h2>The emergence of platforms such as Kwala Intel reflects a wider shift in how consumers interact with information. Search engines once required users to know the right keywords. Conversational AI allows users to describe what they want to understand in ordinary language. Applied to financial markets, that shift could make technical concepts more approachable for a wider section of India’s retail-investor population. Website: KwalaIntel.com&nbsp;

Kwala Intel is using AI to make stock-market research and technical analysis easier in Indian languages. The platform lets users ask questions about stocks, charts and indicators in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other languages, helping simplify market insights for retail investors.

A new generation of AI-powered market-intelligence tools is attempting to make technical analysis more accessible to India’s multilingual retail-investor base. Kwala Intel, an AI market-intelligence platform focused on Indian markets, allows users to ask questions about stocks, technical indicators and market trends in multiple Indian languages and receive explanations linked to market charts. For millions of retail participants entering India’s financial markets, understanding a stock chart can be almost as challenging as understanding the market itself. Candlesticks, moving averages, oscillators and technical indicators are often accompanied by unfamiliar English terminology, leaving many users dependent on simplified tips rather than understanding how a conclusion was reached. The Need for Better Retail-Market Education The development comes against a backdrop of rapidly changing retail participation in Indian markets. SEBI studies have repeatedly highlighted the difficulties faced by individual traders in the futures and options segment, including high rates of losses among retail participants. The numbers have reinforced a broader debate around financial education and the risks of participating in increasingly complex financial products without sufficient understanding. For multilingual users, that gap has an additional dimension. Access to information is not necessarily the same as access to information in a language and format that feels intuitive. That challenge becomes more significant in a country where investors consume financial content in multiple languages. While stock exchanges and much of the financial ecosystem operate primarily in English, many retail users prefer to learn, research and discuss markets in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and other Indian languages. Artificial intelligence is now beginning to address both sides of this problem — the complexity of market data and the language barrier. Making Technical Analysis Easier to Understand Technical analysis uses a relatively defined set of concepts to study price movements, momentum and market behaviour. Indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), Bollinger Bands and Fibonacci retracements are widely used by market participants. The difficulty for newer users is often not the concept itself, but understanding what the indicator is showing and how it relates to the price chart. For example, an RSI reading may indicate that recent price movements have become unusually strong in one direction. MACD can be used to study changes in momentum, while Bollinger Bands help users examine price movement and volatility around a moving average. Support and resistance levels can provide context around areas where buying or selling activity has historically appeared. AI-powered interfaces are changing that interaction by allowing users to ask questions directly rather than having to search for every individual concept. Asking the Chart in Your Own Language Kwala Intel is an example of this emerging approach. The AI-powered market-intelligence platform is designed around a conversational interface through which users can explore stocks, market data and technical-analysis concepts across multiple Indian languages. Instead of navigating several research screens, users can ask questions in a more natural format. A user could ask what the important support and resistance levels are for a stock, whether momentum appears to be strengthening or weakening, or what a particular technical indicator is showing. The platform combines the conversational response with visual market information, allowing users to connect an explanation with the underlying chart rather than receiving only a textbook definition. For example, a user asking about RSI does not necessarily need to remember the indicator’s formula first. The interaction can begin with a simple question and move toward an explanation of what the indicator is showing on the relevant chart. This approach could be particularly relevant for users who are more comfortable communicating in Indian languages. Kwala Intel supports interactions across languages including Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu. The founder says its objective is not to eliminate the need for financial knowledge, but to make that knowledge easier to access and understand. Beyond Indicators: A Broader Market-Research Companion The use case also extends beyond individual technical indicators. Users can explore company information, understand quarterly results, learn about options and ask broader questions about how different parts of the financial market work. This creates a different model of financial research. Instead of treating market information as a collection of separate screens, reports and terminology, a conversational AI interface allows users to move from one question to the next. That can be useful outside market hours as well. Investors often review charts after the trading session, try to understand a failed setup, examine company results or prepare questions for the following day. A conversational research platform can provide a continuous environment for that learning process. A More Conversational Future for Financial Research The emergence of platforms such as Kwala Intel reflects a wider shift in how consumers interact with information. Search engines once required users to know the right keywords. Conversational AI allows users to describe what they want to understand in ordinary language. Applied to financial markets, that shift could make technical concepts more approachable for a wider section of India’s retail-investor population. Website: KwalaIntel.com

Kwala Intel is using AI to make stock-market research and technical analysis easier in Indian languages. The platform lets users ask questions about stocks, charts and indicators in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other languages, helping simplify market insights for retail investors.

This Indian AI is making stock charts easier to understand in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other Indian languages

Eggs, long considered one of India's most affordable sources of protein, are becoming increasingly expensive. Prices have risen by around 35–40% over the past year, with farm-level prices at about Rs 7 per egg and retail prices varying significantly across markets. Recent reports have also highlighted much higher prices on some online delivery platforms. The increase comes at a crucial time for the poultry industry. Egg demand generally strengthens during the winter months, raising concerns that prices could face further upward pressure if feed costs remain high. At the centre of the issue is maize, one of the most important ingredients used in poultry feed.<h2>Why maize matters for egg prices</h2>Maize is a major source of energy in poultry diets. As more maize is diverted towards ethanol production under India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, poultry producers are facing increased competition for the crop. In simple terms, maize that could have gone into poultry feed is increasingly being used by ethanol producers. That does not mean ethanol production is solely responsible for the egg-price increase. However, the additional demand has tightened the balance between supply and competing uses of maize, contributing to higher feed costs. Recent industry reports have specifically linked rising maize prices with increasing poultry-feed costs.<h2>How much maize is going towards ethanol?</h2>Government data illustrates how dramatically the use of maize for ethanol has expanded. According to a 2025 Lok Sabha reply by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, 125.75 lakh metric tonnes of maize were utilised for ethanol production during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024–25. Maize-based distilleries had been allocated around 477.8 crore litres of ethanol during the same supply year.&nbsp;The increase has been particularly sharp. Maize use for ethanol rose from around 8.3 lakh tonnes to 125.75 lakh tonnes in two years, representing an increase of more than 15 times. An allocation of roughly 125.78 lakh tonnes has also been cited for ESY 2025–26, although actual utilisation can differ from the allocation. This expansion has changed the dynamics of India's ethanol market, with maize emerging as a major feedstock as grain-based ethanol production expands.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-pm-modi-tells-sco-dismantle-terrorism-s-entire-ecosystem-1788243680906">Indian PM Modi tells SCO: Dismantle terrorism’s ‘entire ecosystem’</a><h2>How does expensive maize translate into expensive eggs?</h2>The chain is relatively straightforward: Higher ethanol demand → greater maize demand → higher maize prices → higher poultry-feed costs → higher egg-production costs → pressure on egg prices. Maize is not the only factor involved, but it is an important one. When feed becomes more expensive, poultry farmers have to absorb some of the increase or pass it through the supply chain. If production costs rise while consumer demand remains strong, retail egg prices can move higher. This is why the current egg-price increase has attracted attention beyond the poultry industry.<h2>Winter demand could put further pressure on prices</h2>Seasonality is another important factor. Egg consumption generally increases during the colder months as household demand strengthens and hotels, restaurants and other institutional buyers require more supplies. If maize and other feed costs remain elevated when winter demand increases, poultry farmers could face additional cost pressure. That creates the possibility that egg prices may remain elevated or rise further during the coming months. Recent industry reports have also warned of increased pressure as winter approaches.<h3>What does the egg-price surge mean for consumers?</h3>For consumers, the immediate impact is straightforward: one of India's most accessible sources of high-quality protein is becoming more expensive. The concern is particularly significant for households that rely on eggs as an affordable alternative to more expensive protein sources. If maize prices remain high and winter demand strengthens, egg prices could remain under pressure. At the same time, India's growing maize production could eventually help ease the supply-demand imbalance if output expands quickly enough to meet demand from ethanol, poultry, starch and other industries.&nbsp;The central issue is therefore not simply that India is producing too little maize. India is producing more maize, but it is also finding more uses for every tonne of it. That competition between food, feed and fuel is at the heart of the latest egg-price shock.

Egg prices in India have surged nearly 40% as maize diversion for ethanol raises poultry feed costs. Here’s why eggs may get costlier this winter

Eggs, long considered one of India's most affordable sources of protein, are becoming increasingly expensive. Prices have risen by around 35–40% over the past year, with farm-level prices at about Rs 7 per egg and retail prices varying significantly across markets. Recent reports have also highlighted much higher prices on some online delivery platforms. The increase comes at a crucial time for the poultry industry. Egg demand generally strengthens during the winter months, raising concerns that prices could face further upward pressure if feed costs remain high. At the centre of the issue is maize, one of the most important ingredients used in poultry feed. Why maize matters for egg prices Maize is a major source of energy in poultry diets. As more maize is diverted towards ethanol production under India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, poultry producers are facing increased competition for the crop. In simple terms, maize that could have gone into poultry feed is increasingly being used by ethanol producers. That does not mean ethanol production is solely responsible for the egg-price increase. However, the additional demand has tightened the balance between supply and competing uses of maize, contributing to higher feed costs. Recent industry reports have specifically linked rising maize prices with increasing poultry-feed costs. How much maize is going towards ethanol? Government data illustrates how dramatically the use of maize for ethanol has expanded. According to a 2025 Lok Sabha reply by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, 125.75 lakh metric tonnes of maize were utilised for ethanol production during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024–25. Maize-based distilleries had been allocated around 477.8 crore litres of ethanol during the same supply year. The increase has been particularly sharp. Maize use for ethanol rose from around 8.3 lakh tonnes to 125.75 lakh tonnes in two years, representing an increase of more than 15 times. An allocation of roughly 125.78 lakh tonnes has also been cited for ESY 2025–26, although actual utilisation can differ from the allocation. This expansion has changed the dynamics of India's ethanol market, with maize emerging as a major feedstock as grain-based ethanol production expands. Also Read: Indian PM Modi tells SCO: Dismantle terrorism’s ‘entire ecosystem’ How does expensive maize translate into expensive eggs? The chain is relatively straightforward: Higher ethanol demand → greater maize demand → higher maize prices → higher poultry-feed costs → higher egg-production costs → pressure on egg prices. Maize is not the only factor involved, but it is an important one. When feed becomes more expensive, poultry farmers have to absorb some of the increase or pass it through the supply chain. If production costs rise while consumer demand remains strong, retail egg prices can move higher. This is why the current egg-price increase has attracted attention beyond the poultry industry. Winter demand could put further pressure on prices Seasonality is another important factor. Egg consumption generally increases during the colder months as household demand strengthens and hotels, restaurants and other institutional buyers require more supplies. If maize and other feed costs remain elevated when winter demand increases, poultry farmers could face additional cost pressure. That creates the possibility that egg prices may remain elevated or rise further during the coming months. Recent industry reports have also warned of increased pressure as winter approaches. What does the egg-price surge mean for consumers? For consumers, the immediate impact is straightforward: one of India's most accessible sources of high-quality protein is becoming more expensive. The concern is particularly significant for households that rely on eggs as an affordable alternative to more expensive protein sources. If maize prices remain high and winter demand strengthens, egg prices could remain under pressure. At the same time, India's growing maize production could eventually help ease the supply-demand imbalance if output expands quickly enough to meet demand from ethanol, poultry, starch and other industries. The central issue is therefore not simply that India is producing too little maize. India is producing more maize, but it is also finding more uses for every tonne of it. That competition between food, feed and fuel is at the heart of the latest egg-price shock.

Egg prices have jumped nearly 40% as maize demand from ethanol pushes up poultry feed costs, with winter demand threatening further price rises

Will eggs get more expensive this winter? Ethanol push puts maize supply under pressure

India’s retail traders in the equity derivatives (F&amp;O) segment have been accruing losses over the years. As per SEBI report published on August 20, 2026, individual traders in India’s equity derivatives (F&amp;O) segment have lost approximately Rs 3.85 lakh crore over the last five financial years.&nbsp;The F&amp;O segment traders grew from 42.7 lakh in FY22 to 1.06 crore in FY25 and so did loss figures.&nbsp;In FY26, SEBI’s measures cut the active base by 18%, but still 87.7% of those who remained lost money. The average loss was Rs 1.17 lakh.&nbsp;<h2>If retail traders are losing, who is booking profits?</h2>&nbsp;Only about 1% of all individual traders managed profits exceeding Rs 1 lakh across the three-year period. The top 3.5% of loss-making traders — roughly 4 lakh people — lost around Rs 28 lakh each over FY22–FY24 on an average.In FY26, options accounted for roughly 92% of aggregate losses. Options trading—a purely technical instrument—is being treated like a lottery ticket.On the other hand, proprietary traders reportedly generated over Rs 44,000 crore in gross profit, and FPIs around Rs 14,000 crore—with a large share linked to algorithmic trading.The inference is clear: markets reward better information, technology and speed. An average retail trader did not stand a chance.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Kwala Intel: Helping the retail trader</h2>&nbsp;Against this backdrop, Kwala Intel has launched what it describes as an AI-powered market intelligence platform designed to help retail traders interpret charts and technical indicators.&nbsp;The company says its platform is aimed at helping individual traders bridge the information and decision-making gap and is priced at less than Rs 4 a day.&nbsp;Kwala Intel’s AI-powered market intelligence platform studies live market feeds, performs full technical analysis, and explains what the chart may be signalling.&nbsp;The platform automatically identifies:&nbsp;•&nbsp; Fibonacci retracements and extensions — key levels marked in real time•&nbsp; RSI, MACD, moving averages and momentum confirmation•&nbsp; Support and resistance zones as they form•&nbsp; Chart patterns — flags, wedges, breakouts and breakdowns•&nbsp; Volume and price-action signals revealing larger market participation&nbsp;Retail investors can ask it what the chart is saying and get an answer based on live data and technical indicators.&nbsp;<h2>Why was Kwala Intel founded?&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The founder of Kwala Intel has been himself a trader who knows what retail traders face in reality and are never sure when to hold or when to exit.There are several tips platforms that recommend a buy, target and stop-loss, but nothing more.SEBI’s data proves that nine out of ten traders lose, year after year.“Earlier, people invested for the long term. Today everyone wants quick money. We understand that. But quick money without intelligence is just gambling. What traders need is a live, intelligent companion that explains what support is forming and what the chart is saying. That is why we built Kwala Intel,” said the founder.&nbsp;Kwala Intel’s platform costs less than Rs 4 a day—cheaper than a cup of roadside tea, and cheaper than the brokerage on many bad trades. The average losing F&amp;O trader lost Rs 1.17 lakh in FY26 alone. Kwala Intel costs less in an entire year than what the average trader loses in a single morning.&nbsp;<h2>The bigger picture</h2>&nbsp;SEBI’s five-year data tells a clear story, as even after participation fell, 87.7% of those who remained kept losing. The real problem remains decision quality, risk management, information gaps and behaviour—an intelligence gap.Kwala Intel was built to close this very gap. India’s retail trading revolution brought crores of new participants into the market. Now, for the first time, there is a platform built to make sure they don’t have to trade blind.&nbsp;Disclaimer: Trading in equity derivatives involves substantial risk. SEBI data cited pertains to individual traders in the equity F&amp;O segment. Readers should exercise independent judgment before making investment decisions.

Kwala Intel’s AI-powered market intelligence platform studies live market feeds, performs full technical analysis, and explains what the chart may be signalling. The platform is aimed at helping individual traders bridge the information and decision-making gap.

India’s retail traders in the equity derivatives (F&O) segment have been accruing losses over the years. As per SEBI report published on August 20, 2026, individual traders in India’s equity derivatives (F&O) segment have lost approximately Rs 3.85 lakh crore over the last five financial years. The F&O segment traders grew from 42.7 lakh in FY22 to 1.06 crore in FY25 and so did loss figures. In FY26, SEBI’s measures cut the active base by 18%, but still 87.7% of those who remained lost money. The average loss was Rs 1.17 lakh. If retail traders are losing, who is booking profits? Only about 1% of all individual traders managed profits exceeding Rs 1 lakh across the three-year period. The top 3.5% of loss-making traders — roughly 4 lakh people — lost around Rs 28 lakh each over FY22–FY24 on an average. In FY26, options accounted for roughly 92% of aggregate losses. Options trading—a purely technical instrument—is being treated like a lottery ticket. On the other hand, proprietary traders reportedly generated over Rs 44,000 crore in gross profit, and FPIs around Rs 14,000 crore—with a large share linked to algorithmic trading. The inference is clear: markets reward better information, technology and speed. An average retail trader did not stand a chance. Kwala Intel: Helping the retail trader Against this backdrop, Kwala Intel has launched what it describes as an AI-powered market intelligence platform designed to help retail traders interpret charts and technical indicators. The company says its platform is aimed at helping individual traders bridge the information and decision-making gap and is priced at less than Rs 4 a day. Kwala Intel’s AI-powered market intelligence platform studies live market feeds, performs full technical analysis, and explains what the chart may be signalling. The platform automatically identifies: • Fibonacci retracements and extensions — key levels marked in real time • RSI, MACD, moving averages and momentum confirmation • Support and resistance zones as they form • Chart patterns — flags, wedges, breakouts and breakdowns • Volume and price-action signals revealing larger market participation Retail investors can ask it what the chart is saying and get an answer based on live data and technical indicators. Why was Kwala Intel founded? The founder of Kwala Intel has been himself a trader who knows what retail traders face in reality and are never sure when to hold or when to exit. There are several tips platforms that recommend a buy, target and stop-loss, but nothing more. SEBI’s data proves that nine out of ten traders lose, year after year. “Earlier, people invested for the long term. Today everyone wants quick money. We understand that. But quick money without intelligence is just gambling. What traders need is a live, intelligent companion that explains what support is forming and what the chart is saying. That is why we built Kwala Intel,” said the founder. Kwala Intel’s platform costs less than Rs 4 a day—cheaper than a cup of roadside tea, and cheaper than the brokerage on many bad trades. The average losing F&O trader lost Rs 1.17 lakh in FY26 alone. Kwala Intel costs less in an entire year than what the average trader loses in a single morning. The bigger picture SEBI’s five-year data tells a clear story, as even after participation fell, 87.7% of those who remained kept losing. The real problem remains decision quality, risk management, information gaps and behaviour—an intelligence gap. Kwala Intel was built to close this very gap. India’s retail trading revolution brought crores of new participants into the market. Now, for the first time, there is a platform built to make sure they don’t have to trade blind. Disclaimer: Trading in equity derivatives involves substantial risk. SEBI data cited pertains to individual traders in the equity F&O segment. Readers should exercise independent judgment before making investment decisions.

Kwala Intel’s AI-powered market intelligence platform studies live market feeds, performs full technical analysis, and explains what the chart may be signalling. The platform is aimed at helping individual traders bridge the information and decision-making gap.

India gets its first AI-powered platform for retail traders, will help them end their losing streak

Defying the uncertainty in global trade, high energy prices and geopolitical tensions, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rose to 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of financial year 2027 (FY27), beating all estimates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the growth as “exemplary”.&nbsp;As per government data released on Monday, the GDP growth in the April-June quarter was higher than 7 per cent estimated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), showing resilience despite a challenging global environment.&nbsp;The GDP growth in the April-June quarter was lower than the preceding one, which came in at 8.6 per cent, but was higher than the 6.9 per cent of the same quarter last financial year.&nbsp;&nbsp;The stronger-than-expected growth is even more significant as it comes despite various pressures like geopolitical tensions, elevated energy prices and uncertainty over global trade.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/islam-superior-to-all-other-religions-says-karnataka-minister-basavaraj-rayareddy-bjp-demands-apology-1788123594820">‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology</a>&nbsp;<h2>High domestic demand a key support for economic activity</h2>&nbsp;High domestic demand remained a key support for economic activity, while government capital expenditure, manufacturing, construction and exports also contributed to growth.The June-quarter performance follows a 7.8% growth in the January-March quarter of FY26.&nbsp;&nbsp;Manufacturing and construction were among the areas supporting the economy during the quarter. Stronger industrial activity towards the end of the quarter also provided support to overall growth.The figures highlight the importance of India’s domestic economy amid global tensions, tariff wars and geopolitical realignments, as a relatively large domestic consumer market helped cushion the economy from the weakness in global demand and trade.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072">Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&amp;K</a>&nbsp;The data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reveals that sectors including financial, real estate, IT and professional services boosted India’s growth in the first quarter of FY27.&nbsp;<h2>‘Doomsayers doomed, India bloomed’</h2>&nbsp;Hailing the GDP growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India’s exemplary GDP growth of 7.8% during Q1 of FY 2026-27 is a herculean feat.”&nbsp;&nbsp;“Doomsayers were doomed and India bloomed...yet again!”, he further wrote in a post on X.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">India’s exemplary GDP growth of 7.8% during Q1 of FY 2026-27 is a herculean feat. The collective strength of our people ensured India delivered such growth despite oil price shocks and supply chain issues in the midst of global uncertainties. Doomsayers were doomed and India…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2094384211960721459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had claimed in June that a massive “economic tsunami” is coming.&nbsp;&nbsp;Addressing an event at the Congress headquarters, Rahul Gandhi said, “A massive economic tsunami is coming, prices are rising and this is just the beginning. India will witness an economic crisis you have never seen before. This is happening, and no one can stop this.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-nepal-floods-himachal-identifies-67-vulnerable-glacial-lakes-plans-early-warning-systems-for-4-high-risk-ones-1788107314977">After Nepal floods, Himachal identifies 67 vulnerable glacial lakes, plans early warning systems for 4 high-risk ones</a>&nbsp;Real GDP, or GDP at Constant Prices, in Q1 was estimated at Rs 81.36 lakh crore, as against Rs 75.46 lakh crore in the same quarter last year, bringing the growth rate to 7.8 per cent.&nbsp;Nominal GDP, which represents the value of goods and services without accounting for inflation, witnessed a growth of 10.3 per cent in Q1 FY27, against a growth of 8.1 per cent during the same period in the last financial year.&nbsp;Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman credited India’s growth to the “hard work” of Indians.“The credit for this strong performance goes to the people of India and their hard work. Reforms undertaken by the NDA Government, together with an agile management of the economy, are bearing results,” she wrote in a post on X.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Estimated growth of real GDP in Q1 of FY 2026–27 is 7.8%. Nominal GDP in Q1 of FY 2026–27 is estimated to have grown by 10.3%, while Real GVA has recorded growth of 8.2%. The credit for this strong performance goes to the people of India and their hard work. Reforms undertaken…&mdash; Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) <a href="https://x.com/nsitharaman/status/2094379212958277636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

She further said that the NDA government was “committed to further expanding economic opportunities for all our citizens.”

The stronger-than-expected GDP growth is even more significant as it comes despite various pressures like geopolitical tensions, elevated energy prices and uncertainty over global trade. High domestic demand remained a key support for economic activity.

Defying the uncertainty in global trade, high energy prices and geopolitical tensions, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rose to 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of financial year 2027 (FY27), beating all estimates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the growth as “exemplary”. As per government data released on Monday, the GDP growth in the April-June quarter was higher than 7 per cent estimated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), showing resilience despite a challenging global environment. The GDP growth in the April-June quarter was lower than the preceding one, which came in at 8.6 per cent, but was higher than the 6.9 per cent of the same quarter last financial year. The stronger-than-expected growth is even more significant as it comes despite various pressures like geopolitical tensions, elevated energy prices and uncertainty over global trade. Also Read: ‘Islam superior to all other religions,’ says Karnataka minister Basavaraj Rayareddy; BJP demands apology High domestic demand a key support for economic activity High domestic demand remained a key support for economic activity, while government capital expenditure, manufacturing, construction and exports also contributed to growth. The June-quarter performance follows a 7.8% growth in the January-March quarter of FY26. Manufacturing and construction were among the areas supporting the economy during the quarter. Stronger industrial activity towards the end of the quarter also provided support to overall growth. The figures highlight the importance of India’s domestic economy amid global tensions, tariff wars and geopolitical realignments, as a relatively large domestic consumer market helped cushion the economy from the weakness in global demand and trade. Also Read: Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&K The data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reveals that sectors including financial, real estate, IT and professional services boosted India’s growth in the first quarter of FY27. ‘Doomsayers doomed, India bloomed’ Hailing the GDP growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India’s exemplary GDP growth of 7.8% during Q1 of FY 2026-27 is a herculean feat.” “Doomsayers were doomed and India bloomed...yet again!”, he further wrote in a post on X.

The stronger-than-expected GDP growth is even more significant as it comes despite various pressures like geopolitical tensions, elevated energy prices and uncertainty over global trade. High domestic demand remained a key support for economic activity.

‘Doomsayers doomed’: India’s GDP grows 7.8% in first quarter, domestic economy gives boost amid global tensions

The office of Dr. Subhash Chandra has issued a detailed statement on the settlement order in his personal insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), saying that social media reactions over the past three days have created a “wrong perception” of the matter.&nbsp;Dr. Chandra’s office said the statement intends to explain the financial position of the personal guarantor and the repayment plan prepared during the insolvency proceedings.&nbsp;According to the statement, the total amount disbursed by the lenders listed in the proceedings was approximately Rs 4,808 crore. Borrowers had repaid Rs 3,803 crore, leaving an outstanding balance of about Rs 998 crore. However, claims filed against the personal guarantor amounted to Rs 5,311 crore.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nclt-case-dr-subhash-chandra-denies-reports-of-rs-22-000-crore-loan-urges-media-to-correct-facts-1787841820299">NCLT case: Dr Subhash Chandra denies reports of Rs 22,000-crore loan, urges media to correct facts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I have seen &amp; observed social media posts since past 3 days on the issue. Some of the posts also included hashtags like <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PaiseVapasKaro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PaiseVapasKaro</a>.There has been a wrong perception &amp; understanding about the matter. Hence,I am giving a detailed account of the entire matter. <a href="https://t.co/UbL5xXFq6L">pic.twitter.com/UbL5xXFq6L</a>&mdash; Subhash Chandra (@subhashchandra) <a href="https://x.com/subhashchandra/status/2094048435175608384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the statement, Dr Chandra signed personal guarantees aggregating ₹22,000 crore. Of these, guarantees worth around ₹4,800 crore were signed when funds were borrowed by the respective entities. The remaining guarantees, it said, were signed after defaults had occurred.The statement emphasised that the underlying loans were taken by various companies and not by Dr Chandra in his personal capacity and it presented a lender-wise account of the claims submitted in the personal insolvency proceedings initiated by Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the figures shared by Dr Chandra’s office, lenders covered in the statement had collectively disbursed ₹4,808 crore to the borrowing entities. Of this, the borrowers had repaid ₹3,803 crore, leaving a balance of ₹998 crore.However, claims totalling ₹5,311 crore were filed against Dr Chandra as the personal guarantor. Following the settlement or payment of claims amounting to ₹1,049 crore, the remaining claims stood at ₹4,262 crore, the statement said.

&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr Chandra maintained that the difference between the amount described as payable and the claims submitted by lenders would need to be reconciled between the lenders and the respective borrowing entities.He further said he had discussed the matter with the borrowers and had received assurances that the remaining ₹4,262 crore would be settled after reconciliation with the lenders.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nclt-case-dr-subhash-chandra-says-claims-not-true-and-inaccurately-represent-facts-over-reports-of-rs-22-000-crore-loan-1787913325091">NCLT case: Dr Subhash Chandra says 'claims not true and inaccurately represent facts' over reports of 'Rs 22,000 crore loan'</a>&nbsp;Dr Chandra’s office added that the borrowing entities had also raised money from foreign funds, domestic funds, non-banking financial companies and corporates. It claimed that most of these borrowings had either been settled or were in the process of being settled.Dr Chandra urged lenders to engage directly with the borrowing entities, reconcile the outstanding accounts and recover the amounts due from them&nbsp;The statement came after posts circulated online, some carrying hashtags such as #PaiseVapasKaro and #PaisaWapasKaro.&nbsp;The statement added that other borrowings from foreign funds, domestic funds, NBFCs and corporates were also being settled or were backed by adequate assets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Essel Group Chairman Dr. Subhash Chandra (<a href="https://x.com/subhashchandra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@subhashchandra</a>) announces an Instagram Live on Monday, August 31, from 9 am onwards, where he will directly address the recent NCLT proceedings and his personal insolvency case<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/SubhashChandraLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SubhashChandraLive</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Askmeanything?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Askmeanything</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/AskMeDirectly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AskMeDirectly</a>… <a href="https://t.co/5k3IgtuW00">pic.twitter.com/5k3IgtuW00</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2093966232399782332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Dr. Chandra also announced an Instagram Live on Monday, August 31, from 9 am onwards, where he will directly address the recent NCLT proceedings and his personal insolvency case.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The statement said that the difference between the amount described as payable and the claims submitted by lenders would need to be reconciled. Dr Chandra discussed with the borrowers and received assurances that the remaining ₹4,262 crore would be settled after reconciliation with lenders.

The office of Dr. Subhash Chandra has issued a detailed statement on the settlement order in his personal insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), saying that social media reactions over the past three days have created a “wrong perception” of the matter. Dr. Chandra’s office said the statement intends to explain the financial position of the personal guarantor and the repayment plan prepared during the insolvency proceedings. According to the statement, the total amount disbursed by the lenders listed in the proceedings was approximately Rs 4,808 crore. Borrowers had repaid Rs 3,803 crore, leaving an outstanding balance of about Rs 998 crore. However, claims filed against the personal guarantor amounted to Rs 5,311 crore. Also Read: NCLT case: Dr Subhash Chandra denies reports of Rs 22,000-crore loan, urges media to correct facts

The statement said that the difference between the amount described as payable and the claims submitted by lenders would need to be reconciled. Dr Chandra discussed with the borrowers and received assurances that the remaining ₹4,262 crore would be settled after reconciliation with lenders.

Borrowers will settle ₹4,262 crore after reconciliation: Dr Subhash Chandra

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday (Aug 28) said that the oil agreement announced by US President Donald Trump could generate more than $209 billion in taxes for Venezuela. This comes as Caracas prepares to open 17 strategic oil fields to private operators, particularly US companies.Rodriguez described the arrangement as a major step towards reviving Venezuela's battered energy industry after years of underinvestment, mismanagement, and sanctions.In a statement shared on Telegram, Rodriguez said the agreement would bring more than $100 billion in investment into the country's oil sector. "The agreement will allow for a significant increase in oil production with the participation of private operators," Rodriguez said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-venezuela-oil-deal-65-billion-barrels-us-control-1787964008355">Trump claims 'biggest oil deal in world history' with Venezuela, says US will control majority of 65 billion barrels</a><h2>17 oil fields, 65 billion barrels</h2>According to Rodriguez, the plan covers 17 strategic fields with a proven potential of 65 billion barrels of oil. She said the investments would go towards recovering and modernising Venezuela's hydrocarbons industry and rebuilding strategic infrastructure."This initiative is the result of the strengthening of relations between Venezuela and the United States, and it will facilitate a significant flow of investment aimed at the recovery and reconstruction of strategic infrastructure for the development of our hydrocarbons industry," she said.Rodriguez noted that the project was expected to generate more than $209 billion in taxes for the Venezuelan state. She also linked the deal to broader economic and energy objectives, saying it could support Venezuela's economic growth while contributing to "the energy security of our hemisphere" and greater balance in international markets.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canada-trade-war-trump-orders-lake-ontario-renamed-lake-america-canada-hits-back-1787878478524">US-Canada trade war: Canada hits back as Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America'</a><h2>Trump seeks more Venezuelan oil</h2>Trump announced the agreement on Friday, saying the United States would secure majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves through a partnership with private companies.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the arrangement as a win for both countries and said it could draw nearly $100 billion in private investment into Venezuela.Rubio also argued that increased Venezuelan production could help bring down gasoline prices in the United States.<h2>Venezuela seeks to revive oil output</h2>Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves, but its production remains well below its potential. The country currently produces around 1.25 million barrels of crude a day.The proposed agreements are expected to be signed next week and would grant new exploration and production rights to several companies, with American firms expected to play a major role.

Venezuela has revealed what it stands to gain from the oil deal with the US. As Caracas prepares to open 17 strategic fields to private operators, the government says the deal could unlock a huge tax windfall.

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday (Aug 28) said that the oil agreement announced by US President Donald Trump could generate more than $209 billion in taxes for Venezuela. This comes as Caracas prepares to open 17 strategic oil fields to private operators, particularly US companies. Rodriguez described the arrangement as a major step towards reviving Venezuela's battered energy industry after years of underinvestment, mismanagement, and sanctions. In a statement shared on Telegram, Rodriguez said the agreement would bring more than $100 billion in investment into the country's oil sector. "The agreement will allow for a significant increase in oil production with the participation of private operators," Rodriguez said. Also read | Trump claims 'biggest oil deal in world history' with Venezuela, says US will control majority of 65 billion barrels 17 oil fields, 65 billion barrels According to Rodriguez, the plan covers 17 strategic fields with a proven potential of 65 billion barrels of oil. She said the investments would go towards recovering and modernising Venezuela's hydrocarbons industry and rebuilding strategic infrastructure. "This initiative is the result of the strengthening of relations between Venezuela and the United States, and it will facilitate a significant flow of investment aimed at the recovery and reconstruction of strategic infrastructure for the development of our hydrocarbons industry," she said. Rodriguez noted that the project was expected to generate more than $209 billion in taxes for the Venezuelan state. She also linked the deal to broader economic and energy objectives, saying it could support Venezuela's economic growth while contributing to "the energy security of our hemisphere" and greater balance in international markets. Also read | US-Canada trade war: Canada hits back as Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America' Trump seeks more Venezuelan oil Trump announced the agreement on Friday, saying the United States would secure majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves through a partnership with private companies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the arrangement as a win for both countries and said it could draw nearly $100 billion in private investment into Venezuela. Rubio also argued that increased Venezuelan production could help bring down gasoline prices in the United States. Venezuela seeks to revive oil output Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves, but its production remains well below its potential. The country currently produces around 1.25 million barrels of crude a day. The proposed agreements are expected to be signed next week and would grant new exploration and production rights to several companies, with American firms expected to play a major role.

Venezuela has revealed what it stands to gain from the oil deal with the US. As Caracas prepares to open 17 strategic fields to private operators, the government says the deal could unlock a huge tax windfall.

$209 billion for Venezuela? Delcy Rodriguez reveals what Caracas stands to gain from Trump's oil deal

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Aug 28) announced that his administration had struck what he described as a massive oil agreement with Venezuela that would give the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of the country's proven petroleum reserves.Trump called it "the biggest oil deal in world history", while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the arrangement would bring nearly $100 billion in private investment into Venezuela.The Venezuelan government had not immediately confirmed the deal.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-decodes-two-thirds-of-ships-crossing-hormuz-are-now-dark-what-does-that-mean-1787645012571">WION Decodes: Two-thirds of ships crossing Hormuz are now 'dark'. What does that mean?</a><h2>Trump says deal will boost US oil reserves</h2>Announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Trump said the arrangement would more than double US oil reserves. He said Rubio and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had reached the agreement with Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez through a partnership involving private companies."This Transaction will greatly strengthen the already growing relationship between Venezuela and the United States!" Trump wrote.

Rubio said the agreement was another example of Trump's "America First" approach. "For the Venezuelan people, this deal will bring nearly $100 billion in private investment, support thousands of high-paying jobs, and drive the reconstruction of Venezuela's economy," Rubio wrote on X.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-women-problem-white-women-abandoning-republicans-ahead-of-2026-midterms-shows-report-1787906287196">Trump's women problem? White women abandoning Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms, shows report</a>He also said the deal would secure stable reserves and low-cost oil in the Western Hemisphere while helping bring down gasoline prices in the US.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This deal is a huge win for both the American and Venezuelan people. It demonstrates how President Trump&#39;s bold foreign policy is driving America First wins: securing stable reserves and low-cost oil in our Hemisphere and lowering gas prices here at home. For the Venezuelan… <a href="https://t.co/SMSRYGWmVb">https://t.co/SMSRYGWmVb</a>&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href="https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2093472965404860812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Deal follows talks over major Venezuelan oil fields</h2>The announcement follows reports that Washington and Caracas had been discussing a much larger arrangement involving Venezuelan oil production.Previously, Axios reported that the two countries were negotiating over a dozen productive oil fields holding around 90 billion barrels of proven reserves, or roughly a third of Venezuela's total proven reserves of 300 billion barrels.Under the reported structure, private companies, including US firms, would receive ownership stakes and develop the fields, with more oil revenue flowing back to Venezuela.Trump's announcement referred to majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven reserves, but the material provided does not explain how that figure relates to the previously reported 90 billion barrels.The deal also comes after the US ousted and captured longtime Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January. His former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, remained as interim leader on condition that she cooperate with Washington.&nbsp;

Donald Trump says the US has secured a massive new oil deal with Venezuela. He has described it as the biggest in history, but what exactly does Washington get, and what does Caracas stand to gain? All details below.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Aug 28) announced that his administration had struck what he described as a massive oil agreement with Venezuela that would give the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of the country's proven petroleum reserves. Trump called it "the biggest oil deal in world history", while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the arrangement would bring nearly $100 billion in private investment into Venezuela. The Venezuelan government had not immediately confirmed the deal. Also read | WION Decodes: Two-thirds of ships crossing Hormuz are now 'dark'. What does that mean? Trump says deal will boost US oil reserves Announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Trump said the arrangement would more than double US oil reserves. He said Rubio and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had reached the agreement with Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez through a partnership involving private companies. "This Transaction will greatly strengthen the already growing relationship between Venezuela and the United States!" Trump wrote.

Donald Trump says the US has secured a massive new oil deal with Venezuela. He has described it as the biggest in history, but what exactly does Washington get, and what does Caracas stand to gain? All details below.

Trump claims 'biggest oil deal in world history' with Venezuela, says US will control majority of 65 billion barrels

India's foreign exchange reserves rose sharply by $12.42 billion in the week ended August 21, taking the total reserves to $729.33 billion, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).&nbsp;The rise was mainly driven by an increase in foreign currency assets, while gold reserves also posted a strong weekly gain.&nbsp;The $12.42 billion weekly increase came primarily from sustained foreign currency inflows. These followed the RBI's measures in June to attract overseas deposits and foreign currency borrowings. The central bank accumulated part of these inflows in its reserves.&nbsp;In rupee terms, India's total foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 69.81 lakh crore as of August 21.&nbsp;The reserves have increased by $38.22 billion from the end of March 2026 and by $38.61 billion over the past year. This shows a sustained improvement in India's external reserve position.&nbsp;Foreign currency assets (FCAs), the largest component of India's foreign exchange reserves, increased by $9.48 billion during the week to $591.33 billion.&nbsp;On a year-on-year basis, FCAs were higher by $9.08 billion. In rupee terms, FCAs rose by Rs 1.08 lakh crore during the week to Rs 56.60 lakh crore.&nbsp;Gold reserves also contributed significantly to the weekly increase. The value of gold held as part of India's reserves rose by $2.80 billion to $114.22 billion during the week.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/race-to-power/us-midterms-companies-close-to-trump-prepare-for-possible-democratic-takeover-of-house-race-to-power-1787931360846">US midterms: Companies close to Trump prepare for possible Democratic takeover of House | Race to Power</a><h3>Reserves cross previous record</h3>India's previous record forex reserve level of $728.494 billion was reached in the week ended February 27. Geopolitical tensions that followed led to several weeks of decline in reserves as the rupee came under pressure and the RBI intervened in the forex market through dollar sales.&nbsp;The latest increase has pushed India's reserve buffer further above the end-March level, with gains recorded across foreign currency assets, gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and the IMF reserve position.&nbsp;RBI data also showed that foreign currency assets rose by Rs 1.08 lakh crore, while gold holdings increased by Rs 30,022 crore during the week ended August 21.

India's foreign exchange reserves surged by $12.42 billion to a record $729.33 billion in the week ended August 21, driven mainly by higher foreign currency assets and gold reserves.

India's foreign exchange reserves rose sharply by $12.42 billion in the week ended August 21, taking the total reserves to $729.33 billion, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The rise was mainly driven by an increase in foreign currency assets, while gold reserves also posted a strong weekly gain. The $12.42 billion weekly increase came primarily from sustained foreign currency inflows. These followed the RBI's measures in June to attract overseas deposits and foreign currency borrowings. The central bank accumulated part of these inflows in its reserves. In rupee terms, India's total foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 69.81 lakh crore as of August 21. The reserves have increased by $38.22 billion from the end of March 2026 and by $38.61 billion over the past year. This shows a sustained improvement in India's external reserve position. Foreign currency assets (FCAs), the largest component of India's foreign exchange reserves, increased by $9.48 billion during the week to $591.33 billion. On a year-on-year basis, FCAs were higher by $9.08 billion. In rupee terms, FCAs rose by Rs 1.08 lakh crore during the week to Rs 56.60 lakh crore. Gold reserves also contributed significantly to the weekly increase. The value of gold held as part of India's reserves rose by $2.80 billion to $114.22 billion during the week. Also Read: US midterms: Companies close to Trump prepare for possible Democratic takeover of House | Race to Power Reserves cross previous record India's previous record forex reserve level of $728.494 billion was reached in the week ended February 27. Geopolitical tensions that followed led to several weeks of decline in reserves as the rupee came under pressure and the RBI intervened in the forex market through dollar sales. The latest increase has pushed India's reserve buffer further above the end-March level, with gains recorded across foreign currency assets, gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and the IMF reserve position. RBI data also showed that foreign currency assets rose by Rs 1.08 lakh crore, while gold holdings increased by Rs 30,022 crore during the week ended August 21.

India's foreign exchange reserves surged by $12.42 billion to a record $729.33 billion in the week ended August 21, driven mainly by higher foreign currency assets and gold reserves.

India’s forex reserves touch record high of $729.33 billion, rise $12.42 billion

Essel Group Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra on Thursday disputed several figures and claims that have appeared in certain media reports over an NCLT loan-settlement order. He said in a statement that several reports suggesting that he had personally borrowed money or had guaranteed loans worth Rs 22,000 crore were incorrect, and urged media outlets to present the facts accurately.&nbsp;Dr Chandra issued an official statement saying that he is issuing a press release in the interest of all stakeholders. “I have to state that certain vested media houses are spreading wrong information about my personal insolvency matter in NCLT. I urge all media platforms to publish the facts and to remove any misinformation that is incorrectly interpreted from the Court order.”&nbsp;Dr Chandra said that he had not borrowed any money from any lender and was involved in the matter only in his capacity as a personal guarantor for borrowing entities associated with the Essel Group. He said that the total claims against him in the personal insolvency proceedings, filed by lenders objecting to the repayment plan, stood at Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore as suggested in some reports.&nbsp;Besides, Rs 620 crore of the Rs 3,992 crore claims has already been settled, he said, adding that the borrowing entities have offered a further settlement of Rs 1,063 crore to the lenders concerned.&nbsp;Dr Chandra said that the borrowing entities for which he had provided personal guarantees had repaid nearly Rs 43,000 crore against total company dues of around Rs 45,000 crore as of January 24, 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;The borrowing entities have assured that they will settle any remaining amount.&nbsp;He also rejected reports regarding his personal net worth, saying that the market capitalisation of Essel Group companies had been incorrectly treated as his individual wealth.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Certain vested media houses are spreading wrong information about my personal insolvency matter in NCLT,” he said.&nbsp;He said the amounts quoted in reports were taken from documents showing claims filed in the case.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Rs 43,000 crore repaid by borrowing companies</h2>&nbsp;He said the companies for which he had given personal guarantees had total outstanding borrowings of around Rs 45,000 crore as of January 24, 2019.“Out of this, they have returned close to Rs.43000 crores since that day,” Dr Chandra said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr Chandra also referred to his declaration of assets made in Parliament in 2016, when he had declared total assets worth Rs 39.08 crore. He questioned how a bank could have accepted a personal net worth of Rs 45,888 crore in 2017 when his parliamentary declaration a year earlier had shown assets worth Rs 39.08 crore.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dr Subhash Chandra said he had not borrowed money from any lender and was involved in the matter only in his capacity as a personal guarantor for borrowing entities associated with the Essel Group. He said that the total claims against him  stood at Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore.

Essel Group Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra on Thursday disputed several figures and claims that have appeared in certain media reports over an NCLT loan-settlement order. He said in a statement that several reports suggesting that he had personally borrowed money or had guaranteed loans worth Rs 22,000 crore were incorrect, and urged media outlets to present the facts accurately. Dr Chandra issued an official statement saying that he is issuing a press release in the interest of all stakeholders. “I have to state that certain vested media houses are spreading wrong information about my personal insolvency matter in NCLT. I urge all media platforms to publish the facts and to remove any misinformation that is incorrectly interpreted from the Court order.” Dr Chandra said that he had not borrowed any money from any lender and was involved in the matter only in his capacity as a personal guarantor for borrowing entities associated with the Essel Group. He said that the total claims against him in the personal insolvency proceedings, filed by lenders objecting to the repayment plan, stood at Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore as suggested in some reports. Besides, Rs 620 crore of the Rs 3,992 crore claims has already been settled, he said, adding that the borrowing entities have offered a further settlement of Rs 1,063 crore to the lenders concerned. Dr Chandra said that the borrowing entities for which he had provided personal guarantees had repaid nearly Rs 43,000 crore against total company dues of around Rs 45,000 crore as of January 24, 2019. The borrowing entities have assured that they will settle any remaining amount. He also rejected reports regarding his personal net worth, saying that the market capitalisation of Essel Group companies had been incorrectly treated as his individual wealth. “Certain vested media houses are spreading wrong information about my personal insolvency matter in NCLT,” he said. He said the amounts quoted in reports were taken from documents showing claims filed in the case. Rs 43,000 crore repaid by borrowing companies He said the companies for which he had given personal guarantees had total outstanding borrowings of around Rs 45,000 crore as of January 24, 2019. “Out of this, they have returned close to Rs.43000 crores since that day,” Dr Chandra said. Dr Chandra also referred to his declaration of assets made in Parliament in 2016, when he had declared total assets worth Rs 39.08 crore. He questioned how a bank could have accepted a personal net worth of Rs 45,888 crore in 2017 when his parliamentary declaration a year earlier had shown assets worth Rs 39.08 crore.

Dr Subhash Chandra said he had not borrowed money from any lender and was involved in the matter only in his capacity as a personal guarantor for borrowing entities associated with the Essel Group. He said that the total claims against him &nbsp;stood at Rs 3,992 crore, not Rs 22,000 crore.

NCLT case: Dr Subhash Chandra denies reports of Rs 22,000-crore loan, urges media to correct facts

A British-based cryptocurrency executive wanted in the US on wire fraud and market manipulation charges could be extradited to the US to stand trial after losing his legal challenge against being sent there. Manpreet Kohli, a 45-year-old Indian national and former chief executive of cryptocurrency company Saitama, was arrested in London in 2024 after US prosecutors accused him and more than a dozen others of carrying out widespread fraud.Saitama promoted a token on the Ethereum blockchain that at one point reached a market value of $7.5 billion. Prosecutors alleged that Kohli and his co-conspirators publicly claimed to be buying and holding Saitama tokens while privately selling them for millions of dollars in profit. Kohli is alleged to have made around $20 million.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oh-my-god-we-ve-found-other-agents-investigators-discover-not-one-or-two-almost-700-openai-ai-agents-went-rogue-hacked-hugging-face-1787793202974">'OH MY GOD!': Investigators find 688 OpenAI AI agents behind Hugging Face hack</a>The case followed an FBI investigation in which the agency, for the first time, created its own digital token as part of an operation to uncover cryptocurrency-related crime. Kohli challenged his extradition on several grounds, including concerns that US authorities would not have adequate measures in place to prevent him from taking his own life while in custody.However, Judge Samuel Goozee rejected his challenge on August 19 and referred the case to British ministers to decide whether his extradition should proceed. Such decisions are usually considered a formality.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foreign-espionage-attacks-against-german-companies-surge-to-37-bitkom-report-reveals-1787768951594">Foreign espionage attacks against German companies surge to 37%, report reveals</a>In his ruling, Goozee said there were "clearly appropriate arrangements" in place during Kohli's transfer and within the US prison system to manage his mental health and reduce the risk of suicide to an acceptable level.Kohli remains free on £200,000 ($272,420) bail and can appeal against the ruling.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepal-floods-157-dead-400-missing-us-india-china-world-bank-mobilise-aid-1787791144479">Nepal floods: 165 dead, 400 missing; US, India, China, World Bank mobilise aid</a>

Former Saitama CEO Manpreet Kohli lost his legal challenge against UK-to-US extradition over alleged $20 million wire fraud and market manipulation charges stemming from an FBI sting operation.



A British-based cryptocurrency executive wanted in the US on wire fraud and market manipulation charges could be extradited to the US to stand trial after losing his legal challenge against being sent there. Manpreet Kohli, a 45-year-old Indian national and former chief executive of cryptocurrency company Saitama, was arrested in London in 2024 after US prosecutors accused him and more than a dozen others of carrying out widespread fraud. Saitama promoted a token on the Ethereum blockchain that at one point reached a market value of $7.5 billion. Prosecutors alleged that Kohli and his co-conspirators publicly claimed to be buying and holding Saitama tokens while privately selling them for millions of dollars in profit. Kohli is alleged to have made around $20 million. Also read: 'OH MY GOD!': Investigators find 688 OpenAI AI agents behind Hugging Face hack The case followed an FBI investigation in which the agency, for the first time, created its own digital token as part of an operation to uncover cryptocurrency-related crime. Kohli challenged his extradition on several grounds, including concerns that US authorities would not have adequate measures in place to prevent him from taking his own life while in custody. However, Judge Samuel Goozee rejected his challenge on August 19 and referred the case to British ministers to decide whether his extradition should proceed. Such decisions are usually considered a formality. Also read: Foreign espionage attacks against German companies surge to 37%, report reveals In his ruling, Goozee said there were "clearly appropriate arrangements" in place during Kohli's transfer and within the US prison system to manage his mental health and reduce the risk of suicide to an acceptable level. Kohli remains free on £200,000 ($272,420) bail and can appeal against the ruling. Also read: Nepal floods: 165 dead, 400 missing; US, India, China, World Bank mobilise aid

Former Saitama CEO Manpreet Kohli lost his legal challenge against UK-to-US extradition over alleged $20 million wire fraud and market manipulation charges stemming from an FBI sting operation.&nbsp;

Crypto CEO faces extradition to US over $ 20mn fraud case. All about it

Iran is facing fresh US sanctions aimed at putting more pressure on its already strained economy. In the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, shopkeepers say the impact is being felt directly through higher exchange rates, rising costs and pressure on everyday livelihoods.But Tehran says it can withstand the pressure, and is counting on major trading partners such as China and Russia to keep doing business with Iran. At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis, disrupting a vital global shipping route.For Iranian consumers, the sanctions story is ultimately about something much closer to home, the cost of living. Shopkeepers in Bandar Abbas say the fall in the value of the Iranian currency and restrictions on trade are making imported goods more expensive and putting pressure on household budgets.Qasem Shoja, a home appliance salesperson, said, "Under any circumstances, sanctions do inflict blows. The rise in the exchange rate affects life and livelihood, but ultimately, we are Iranians, and Iranians know how to bypass sanctions well."The latest US measures were announced on August 24 by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Washington says countries that continue trading with Iran could eventually risk losing access to the dollar-based financial system.But the new measures stopped short of the most severe options, and the US has not given a timeline or named countries that could be targeted.For businesses in Iran, that uncertainty matters. Importers face higher costs, while retailers have to decide how much of that increase can be passed on to customers already dealing with economic pressure.Omid Baghapour Darayaee, a clothing store owner, said, "In the way that we are under pressure, we are 100% distressed. The youth have many grievances against the officials who, really, really in my opinion, they are traitors. Why? Because they truly do not attend to the people's suffering. To me, being a responsible official means that the person should not rest. They should have iron shoes on their feet and be in the middle of the field, alongside the people."Iran, meanwhile, says sanctions will not force it into isolation. Officials have expressed confidence that major trading partners will resist Washington’s pressure, while shopkeepers say Iranians have learned to work around sanctions.And there is another major economic pressure point: the Strait of Hormuz. Most shipping through the Strait has been disrupted during the conflict.Iran and Oman said Tuesday they had discussed a joint temporary navigation corridor and a plan to clear mines from the Strait.Qasem Shoja also said, "The Strait of Hormuz is our home. It must remain closed unless we permit it, unless it is with our cooperation. We are the ones who, throughout these many years, have demonstrated Islamic clemency to the world and they took their oil for free, they took their goods; now they must interact with us."So, while the sanctions are designed as a tool of economic pressure on Tehran, their effects are also being felt by ordinary businesses and consumers, through currency volatility, trade disruptions and the rising cost of goods. And with Hormuz carrying such a large share of global energy shipments, what happens next could extend well beyond Iran’s borders.

For businesses in Iran, that uncertainty matters. Importers face higher costs, while retailers have to decide how much of that increase can be passed on to customers already dealing with economic pressure.

Iran is facing fresh US sanctions aimed at putting more pressure on its already strained economy. In the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, shopkeepers say the impact is being felt directly through higher exchange rates, rising costs and pressure on everyday livelihoods. But Tehran says it can withstand the pressure, and is counting on major trading partners such as China and Russia to keep doing business with Iran. At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis, disrupting a vital global shipping route. For Iranian consumers, the sanctions story is ultimately about something much closer to home, the cost of living. Shopkeepers in Bandar Abbas say the fall in the value of the Iranian currency and restrictions on trade are making imported goods more expensive and putting pressure on household budgets. Qasem Shoja, a home appliance salesperson, said, "Under any circumstances, sanctions do inflict blows. The rise in the exchange rate affects life and livelihood, but ultimately, we are Iranians, and Iranians know how to bypass sanctions well." The latest US measures were announced on August 24 by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Washington says countries that continue trading with Iran could eventually risk losing access to the dollar-based financial system. But the new measures stopped short of the most severe options, and the US has not given a timeline or named countries that could be targeted. For businesses in Iran, that uncertainty matters. Importers face higher costs, while retailers have to decide how much of that increase can be passed on to customers already dealing with economic pressure. Omid Baghapour Darayaee, a clothing store owner, said, "In the way that we are under pressure, we are 100% distressed. The youth have many grievances against the officials who, really, really in my opinion, they are traitors. Why? Because they truly do not attend to the people's suffering. To me, being a responsible official means that the person should not rest. They should have iron shoes on their feet and be in the middle of the field, alongside the people." Iran, meanwhile, says sanctions will not force it into isolation. Officials have expressed confidence that major trading partners will resist Washington’s pressure, while shopkeepers say Iranians have learned to work around sanctions. And there is another major economic pressure point: the Strait of Hormuz. Most shipping through the Strait has been disrupted during the conflict. Iran and Oman said Tuesday they had discussed a joint temporary navigation corridor and a plan to clear mines from the Strait. Qasem Shoja also said, "The Strait of Hormuz is our home. It must remain closed unless we permit it, unless it is with our cooperation. We are the ones who, throughout these many years, have demonstrated Islamic clemency to the world and they took their oil for free, they took their goods; now they must interact with us." So, while the sanctions are designed as a tool of economic pressure on Tehran, their effects are also being felt by ordinary businesses and consumers, through currency volatility, trade disruptions and the rising cost of goods. And with Hormuz carrying such a large share of global energy shipments, what happens next could extend well beyond Iran’s borders.

For businesses in Iran, that uncertainty matters. Importers face higher costs, while retailers have to decide how much of that increase can be passed on to customers already dealing with economic pressure.

Iran feels the heat of fresh sanctions, Tehran says can withstand pressure

The US on Monday (Aug 24) launched the “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign to isolate Iran financially. However, the threatened secondary sanctions on countries and businesses dealing with the Islamic Republic have not yet been imposed. Washington has instead warned third parties to cut Iran-related activity or face sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would give countries a “cure period” but warned that action could move quickly.Bessent described the campaign as an “economic onslaught” and an “economic D-Day”.&nbsp;<h2>A gradual action plan to put pressure on Iran</h2>The first phase sanctioned more than 60 individuals, entities and vessels and expanded sanctions risk across five sectors: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Targets were linked to Iran’s oil revenues, nuclear and missile technology procurement and cyber operations.Bessent warned that no one is above the reach of US sanctions. He also said the administration did not want to “blow up the global financial system”, adding the US was initially giving countries an opportunity to change course. Secondary sanctions could target foreign banks, companies, vessels and other facilitators involved in Iran-related oil, finance, shipping and other restricted activity. The most severe consequence could be exclusion from the US financial system and loss of access to dollar transactions and correspondent banking.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-block-every-source-of-revenue-for-iran-scott-bessent-announces-damaging-new-sanctions-after-warning-of-economic-d-day-for-tehran-1787591064504">'We will block every source of revenue for Iran': Scott Bessent announces new sanctions after warning of ‘economic D-Day’ for Tehran</a><h2>China is the biggest concern for US when it comes to Iran trade</h2>China is the world’s largest buyer of Iranian oil. Most Iranian crude exports go to China, particularly independent “teapot” refineries — smaller, privately owned Chinese refineries that operate outside the major state-controlled oil companies and have been important buyers of discounted Iranian crude. The US has already sanctioned several Chinese teapot refineries, shipping companies and vessels involved in Iran’s oil trade. But the latest sanctions did not target major Chinese financial institutions, despite Washington warning that Chinese banks could face consequences.China has resisted unilateral US sanctions and has used yuan settlements, domestic financial channels and opaque shipping networks to maintain Iran trade. Any broader secondary sanctions could therefore hit Chinese refiners, banks, traders and shipping companies.The move could further complicate US-China trade relations. Targeting major Chinese banks would carry much wider financial consequences, which helps explain Washington’s cautious approach so far.<h2>How vulnerable is India to Iran-related US actions?</h2>India has historically had significant economic ties with Iran, but its exposure has fallen sharply since the US reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil. India largely stopped importing Iranian crude after 2019, reducing the risk to its overall economy. India-Iran trade is now much smaller than before 2019, with recent trade largely centred on non-oil goods. India has traditionally run a trade surplus with Iran through exports including rice, tea, pharmaceuticals and other products.The risk to India is therefore lower than to China, particularly because India has diversified its energy supplies and has previously adjusted its Iran trade to comply with US sanctions.However, Indian private companies could still be exposed. The sectors identified by Bessent — shipping, finance, gold, aviation, technology and digital assets — overlap with areas where Indian-linked entities have previously faced US sanctions for Iran-related activity.Indian banks and companies with US-dollar exposure, correspondent banking relationships or significant international operations are likely to be particularly cautious. They may avoid transactions involving designated Iranian banks and entities even without being directly sanctioned.India’s remaining economic interests in Iran, including trade in agricultural and pharmaceutical products and its strategic involvement in Chabahar Port, could therefore face greater US scrutiny.For India, the bigger immediate risk is likely to be individual companies rather than the Indian economy as a whole. New US measures could pressure firms involved in residual Iran-related shipping, finance, technology or other restricted activities.India’s diversified energy sources, reduced oil dependence and strategic partnership with Washington provide some cushion against broader economic disruption.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bessent-repeats-trump-s-economic-d-day-threat-as-iran-warns-us-allies-of-act-of-war-1787539908590">US Treasury Secretary Bessent repeats Trump's 'Economic D-Day' threat as Iran warns US allies of 'act of war'</a><h2>Pakistan is stuck in the middle: Low trade with Iran but high dollar dependency</h2>Pakistan’s trade with Iran is smaller and more informal, covering oil, wheat, rice, livestock and medicines. Cross-border commerce uses barter and local-currency arrangements, limiting exposure to the formal dollar system. Nevertheless, Pakistani banks, traders, transport companies and other facilitators could face secondary-sanctions risks if they handle prohibited Iran-related transactions.Pakistan's vulnerability, however, &nbsp;comes from its dollar shortages, dependence on the IMF and exposure to international financial institutions.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-tougher-iran-sanctions-make-large-scale-war-less-likely-tehran-condemns-economic-terrorism-1787242779961">US says tougher Iran sanctions make large-scale war less likely; Tehran condemns 'economic terrorism'</a><h2>Turkey, Iraq and UAE maintain trade relations with Iran</h2>Turkey and Iraq have significant economic ties with Iran. Iraq has long traded Iranian gas for electricity, while Turkey remains an important importer of Iranian gas. The UAE has been a major hub for Iran-related trade, finance and logistics, although it has recently suspended many financial and economic transactions with Iran. Businesses and financial intermediaries in these countries could face scrutiny if they continue facilitating sanctioned activity.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-warns-nations-giving-any-economic-lifeline-to-iran-1787336156058/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-warns-nations-giving-any-economic-lifeline-to-iran-1787336156058/embed</a><h2>How effective are sanctions? Iran’s trade network extends far beyond its immediate neighbours</h2>Secondary sanctions do not automatically stop all trade. They increase the cost and risk of doing business with Iran, encouraging companies and banks to self-comply or develop alternative payment and shipping channels. The US does not need to sanction an entire country to impose economic pressure. It can target specific banks, companies, vessels and individuals that facilitate Iran-related activity. Those entities could then lose access to US dollars, correspondent banking and the wider US-linked financial system.Enforcement could therefore be selective, with the greatest pressure falling on businesses that still depend heavily on the US financial system.But dealing a blow to Iranian trade is not easy. It has survived decades of sanctions by using shadow fleets, exchange houses, front companies and financial intermediaries across Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe, Russia, China and the Gulf. Washington has already identified parts of this network, but Operation Economic Outcast suggests enforcement could widen further.Operation Economic Outcast could become a global economic pressure campaign rather than a measure confined to Iran.&nbsp;Its impact on China, Pakistan and India will depend on how aggressively Washington moves from warnings and diplomacy to actual secondary sanctions in the coming days and weeks.

America's “Operation Economic Outcast” targets Iran’s economic lifelines, with secondary sanctions threatening countries and businesses. China, India and Pakistan could face pressure over Iran trade and finance. How badly could they be hit?

The US on Monday (Aug 24) launched the “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign to isolate Iran financially. However, the threatened secondary sanctions on countries and businesses dealing with the Islamic Republic have not yet been imposed. Washington has instead warned third parties to cut Iran-related activity or face sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would give countries a “cure period” but warned that action could move quickly. Bessent described the campaign as an “economic onslaught” and an “economic D-Day”. A gradual action plan to put pressure on Iran The first phase sanctioned more than 60 individuals, entities and vessels and expanded sanctions risk across five sectors: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Targets were linked to Iran’s oil revenues, nuclear and missile technology procurement and cyber operations. Bessent warned that no one is above the reach of US sanctions. He also said the administration did not want to “blow up the global financial system”, adding the US was initially giving countries an opportunity to change course. Secondary sanctions could target foreign banks, companies, vessels and other facilitators involved in Iran-related oil, finance, shipping and other restricted activity. The most severe consequence could be exclusion from the US financial system and loss of access to dollar transactions and correspondent banking. Also read: 'We will block every source of revenue for Iran': Scott Bessent announces new sanctions after warning of ‘economic D-Day’ for Tehran China is the biggest concern for US when it comes to Iran trade China is the world’s largest buyer of Iranian oil. Most Iranian crude exports go to China, particularly independent “teapot” refineries — smaller, privately owned Chinese refineries that operate outside the major state-controlled oil companies and have been important buyers of discounted Iranian crude. The US has already sanctioned several Chinese teapot refineries, shipping companies and vessels involved in Iran’s oil trade. But the latest sanctions did not target major Chinese financial institutions, despite Washington warning that Chinese banks could face consequences. China has resisted unilateral US sanctions and has used yuan settlements, domestic financial channels and opaque shipping networks to maintain Iran trade. Any broader secondary sanctions could therefore hit Chinese refiners, banks, traders and shipping companies. The move could further complicate US-China trade relations. Targeting major Chinese banks would carry much wider financial consequences, which helps explain Washington’s cautious approach so far. How vulnerable is India to Iran-related US actions? India has historically had significant economic ties with Iran, but its exposure has fallen sharply since the US reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil. India largely stopped importing Iranian crude after 2019, reducing the risk to its overall economy. India-Iran trade is now much smaller than before 2019, with recent trade largely centred on non-oil goods. India has traditionally run a trade surplus with Iran through exports including rice, tea, pharmaceuticals and other products. The risk to India is therefore lower than to China, particularly because India has diversified its energy supplies and has previously adjusted its Iran trade to comply with US sanctions. However, Indian private companies could still be exposed. The sectors identified by Bessent — shipping, finance, gold, aviation, technology and digital assets — overlap with areas where Indian-linked entities have previously faced US sanctions for Iran-related activity. Indian banks and companies with US-dollar exposure, correspondent banking relationships or significant international operations are likely to be particularly cautious. They may avoid transactions involving designated Iranian banks and entities even without being directly sanctioned. India’s remaining economic interests in Iran, including trade in agricultural and pharmaceutical products and its strategic involvement in Chabahar Port, could therefore face greater US scrutiny. For India, the bigger immediate risk is likely to be individual companies rather than the Indian economy as a whole. New US measures could pressure firms involved in residual Iran-related shipping, finance, technology or other restricted activities. India’s diversified energy sources, reduced oil dependence and strategic partnership with Washington provide some cushion against broader economic disruption. Also read: US Treasury Secretary Bessent repeats Trump's 'Economic D-Day' threat as Iran warns US allies of 'act of war' Pakistan is stuck in the middle: Low trade with Iran but high dollar dependency Pakistan’s trade with Iran is smaller and more informal, covering oil, wheat, rice, livestock and medicines. Cross-border commerce uses barter and local-currency arrangements, limiting exposure to the formal dollar system. Nevertheless, Pakistani banks, traders, transport companies and other facilitators could face secondary-sanctions risks if they handle prohibited Iran-related transactions. Pakistan's vulnerability, however, comes from its dollar shortages, dependence on the IMF and exposure to international financial institutions. Also read: US says tougher Iran sanctions make large-scale war less likely; Tehran condemns 'economic terrorism' Turkey, Iraq and UAE maintain trade relations with Iran Turkey and Iraq have significant economic ties with Iran. Iraq has long traded Iranian gas for electricity, while Turkey remains an important importer of Iranian gas. The UAE has been a major hub for Iran-related trade, finance and logistics, although it has recently suspended many financial and economic transactions with Iran. Businesses and financial intermediaries in these countries could face scrutiny if they continue facilitating sanctioned activity. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-warns-nations-giving-any-economic-lifeline-to-iran-1787336156058/embed How effective are sanctions? Iran’s trade network extends far beyond its immediate neighbours Secondary sanctions do not automatically stop all trade. They increase the cost and risk of doing business with Iran, encouraging companies and banks to self-comply or develop alternative payment and shipping channels. The US does not need to sanction an entire country to impose economic pressure. It can target specific banks, companies, vessels and individuals that facilitate Iran-related activity. Those entities could then lose access to US dollars, correspondent banking and the wider US-linked financial system. Enforcement could therefore be selective, with the greatest pressure falling on businesses that still depend heavily on the US financial system. But dealing a blow to Iranian trade is not easy. It has survived decades of sanctions by using shadow fleets, exchange houses, front companies and financial intermediaries across Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe, Russia, China and the Gulf. Washington has already identified parts of this network, but Operation Economic Outcast suggests enforcement could widen further. Operation Economic Outcast could become a global economic pressure campaign rather than a measure confined to Iran. Its impact on China, Pakistan and India will depend on how aggressively Washington moves from warnings and diplomacy to actual secondary sanctions in the coming days and weeks.

America's “Operation Economic Outcast” targets Iran’s economic lifelines, with secondary sanctions threatening countries and businesses. China, India and Pakistan could face pressure over Iran trade and finance. How badly could they be hit?

'Operation Economic Outcast': How India, China, Pakistan could be hit by US 'Economic D Day' moves against Iran

India-based Vedanta Software, a publishing-technology firm, has launched an artificial-intelligence-based solution to one of the issues facing digital newspaper publishers around the world – converting a print page into a navigable, clickable version.&nbsp;AI Automapping integrates with the company’s flagship platform, Epaper CMS Cloud, which is adopted by publishers to build digital replica editions of their print newspapers. It was released Aug. 15 and automates the process of creating the "area maps" - the clickable zones that link text and images on a digital page to the corresponding articles, allowing readers to tap or click through a page just as they would flip through print.&nbsp;Traditionally, this mapping has been done manually, page by page — a process that can takehours for a full edition. Vedanta Software says AI Automapping reduces that to minutes, using AI to analyze page layouts and generate the mapping automatically. Publishers can process an entire edition with a single click.&nbsp;The tool is currently free during a public beta period, after which it will move to a credit-based pricing model. Publishers can sign up for AI credits at ai.vedantasoftware.com.&nbsp;“There are several repetitive tasks in digital newspaper publishing that require significant manual effort and consume valuable time,” said Ankur Gupta, founder of Vedanta Software. “Our objective is to use technology and artificial intelligence to automate such processes whereverpossible. AI Automapping is an important step in that direction, and it reflects a broader shift we're seeing across the publishing industry toward AI-assisted workflows.”&nbsp;The launch is part of a wider push by Vedanta Software to bring automation into its publishing tools as newsrooms globally look to reduce production time and operational costs. The company says it is continuing to expand its AI capabilities across its product suite.&nbsp;Vedanta Software is a publishing-technology firm based in India, working with more than 500 newspaper and digital publishers across one of the world's largest news markets — from small regional publishers to large media houses — with technology built to support publishing in multiple languages and scripts. Alongside Epaper CMS Cloud, its platform for creating digital replica editions of print newspapers, its products include Newsportal CMS, built for digital news portals, and a free WordPress plugin that lets publishers integrate their e-paper editions directly with WordPress-based news websites. The company was recognized as Software Company of the Year 2025 by Excellency Iconic Awards and India's Top Job Creator 2025 by Apna. Vedanta Software's publishing technology has also been featured by the International News Media Association (INMA) in its coverage of Sach Kahoon's efforts to tackle e-piracy. More information is available at vedantasoftware.com.

India-based Vedanta Software has launched AI Automapping, a tool that automates the creation of clickable zones on digital newspaper pages. Integrated with Epaper CMS Cloud, the AI solution cuts page-mapping work from hours to minutes, helping publishers streamline e-paper production.

India-based Vedanta Software, a publishing-technology firm, has launched an artificial-intelligence-based solution to one of the issues facing digital newspaper publishers around the world – converting a print page into a navigable, clickable version. AI Automapping integrates with the company’s flagship platform, Epaper CMS Cloud, which is adopted by publishers to build digital replica editions of their print newspapers. It was released Aug. 15 and automates the process of creating the "area maps" - the clickable zones that link text and images on a digital page to the corresponding articles, allowing readers to tap or click through a page just as they would flip through print. Traditionally, this mapping has been done manually, page by page — a process that can take hours for a full edition. Vedanta Software says AI Automapping reduces that to minutes, using AI to analyze page layouts and generate the mapping automatically. Publishers can process an entire edition with a single click. The tool is currently free during a public beta period, after which it will move to a credit-based pricing model. Publishers can sign up for AI credits at ai.vedantasoftware.com. “There are several repetitive tasks in digital newspaper publishing that require significant manual effort and consume valuable time,” said Ankur Gupta, founder of Vedanta Software. “Our objective is to use technology and artificial intelligence to automate such processes wherever possible. AI Automapping is an important step in that direction, and it reflects a broader shift we're seeing across the publishing industry toward AI-assisted workflows.” The launch is part of a wider push by Vedanta Software to bring automation into its publishing tools as newsrooms globally look to reduce production time and operational costs. The company says it is continuing to expand its AI capabilities across its product suite. Vedanta Software is a publishing-technology firm based in India, working with more than 500 newspaper and digital publishers across one of the world's largest news markets — from small regional publishers to large media houses — with technology built to support publishing in multiple languages and scripts. Alongside Epaper CMS Cloud, its platform for creating digital replica editions of print newspapers, its products include Newsportal CMS, built for digital news portals, and a free WordPress plugin that lets publishers integrate their e-paper editions directly with WordPress-based news websites. The company was recognized as Software Company of the Year 2025 by Excellency Iconic Awards and India's Top Job Creator 2025 by Apna. Vedanta Software's publishing technology has also been featured by the International News Media Association (INMA) in its coverage of Sach Kahoon's efforts to tackle e-piracy. More information is available at vedantasoftware.com.

India-based Vedanta Software has launched AI Automapping, a tool that automates the creation of clickable zones on digital newspaper pages. Integrated with Epaper CMS Cloud, the AI solution cuts page-mapping work from hours to minutes, helping publishers streamline e-paper production.

Indian software firm launches AI tool to automate digital newspaper production

A political debate is raging in India about the rise in sugar prices, which the government is attributing to festive demand and lower sugarcane yields, even as sugar-linked stocks hit 52-week highs on Monday (Aug 24). Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have blamed the rise in sugar prices on the use of sugarcane-derived products to produce ethanol for blending in petrol. The E20 petrol programme, under which 20 per cent ethanol is blended with 80 per cent petrol, was a planned policy rollout rather than a direct consequence of fuel import disruptions. However, India's energy security concerns were complicated by the Iran-US war, the Russia-Ukraine war and disruptions to energy transhipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is increasingly looking unsustainable, with the government stepping in to allow duty-free imports of sugar to address concerns over tight supplies.<h2>Is the diversion of sugar for ethanol blending in petrol the real cause of sugar price hikes?</h2>India does use sugar and sugarcane byproducts for its ethanol blending programme. Sugarcane-based feedstocks for ethanol include direct cane juice, syrup, and B-heavy and C-heavy molasses.But recent reports say that other sources such as maize and surplus rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), as well as damaged foodgrains, account for the larger share of ethanol production. Around 32 per cent of the ethanol supplied to oil marketing companies for blending with petrol comes from sugarcane-based feedstocks, while the grain-based share is larger, at roughly 68 per cent.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/e10-or-e20-should-consumers-get-a-choice-1786974307957/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/e10-or-e20-should-consumers-get-a-choice-1786974307957/embed</a><h2>Govt pushes back on claims linking ethanol blending with sugar price rise</h2>India's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has repeatedly said it is incorrect to attribute the recent increase in sugar prices to the diversion of sugar for ethanol production. The share of sugar diverted for ethanol fell from 12 per cent in 2022-23 to 9 per cent in 2025-26, per the government. Nearly three-fourths of India's ethanol production now comes from grains, particularly maize.The government insisted that lower-than-expected domestic production of sugar is to blame for the rising prices. Sugar production during the current season is expected to be around 30.6 million tonnes, against an initial estimate of around 34.3 million. Production was affected by Red Rot and Top Borer diseases in sugarcane, as well as waterlogging caused by excessive rainfall. Festive-season demand, tighter global supplies and speculation and hoarding are adding to the pressure.International sugar prices have also risen by more than 16 per cent in recent months, adding to the pressure on domestic prices. The West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) and other industry representatives have said declining sugarcane output and stockpiling are contributing to the current crisis, rather than ethanol blending alone.'Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/e20-petrol-row-puri-says-only-four-contaminated-samples-found-rahul-gandhi-steps-up-attack-1786122960349">E20 petrol row: Puri says only four contaminated samples found, Rahul Gandhi steps up attack</a><h2>Nothing new: Sugar prices have always been politicised</h2>With several politicians directly having stakes in the sugar industry, price fluctuations have always been a political issue. The AAP and Congress have seen an opportunity to accuse the government of diverting sugar towards ethanol for the E20 blending programme, arguing that this has reduced sugar availability and contributed to the spike.It should be noted that, in the past few years, millions of tonnes of sugar have been diverted towards ethanol in the food-versus-fuel trade-off, in which it can be more profitable to use the commodity in the energy industry.This season, around 3 million tonnes of sugar are estimated to have been diverted towards ethanol. But the brighter side for farmers and mills is that higher sugar prices can make sugar production more profitable. The government has also said that diverting surplus sugar towards ethanol has helped improve the financial health of sugar mills and facilitated timely payments to farmers. As of August 20, 97 per cent of sugarcane dues for the 2025-26 season had been paid.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-s-behind-rising-sugar-prices-in-india-government-breaks-silence-says-ethano-not-to-blamel-1787370008114">What's behind rising sugar prices in India? Government breaks silence, says 'ethanol...'</a><h2>The stock price spikes of sugar-linked firms</h2>Sugar stocks rallied sharply on Monday, with several companies hitting their 52-week highs. Shares of Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar, Avadh Sugar &amp; Energy, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Dhampur Sugar Mills, Dwarikesh Sugar Industries, Magadh Sugar &amp; Energy, Mawana Sugars, Ponni Sugars, Ugar Sugar Works and Uttam Sugar Mills all hit their respective 52-week highs. Some stocks rose by as much as 12 per cent in intraday trade, reflecting investor optimism over the sector's near-term outlook amid rising sugar prices and tighter domestic supplies.The rally is supply-and-demand driven, particularly after the government tightened stockholding limits. Sugar mills may also shift their preference towards sugar production over ethanol as higher sugar prices improve returns.The government has assured consumers that there are enough sugar stocks to meet domestic demand, yet it has also allowed duty-free imports of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar until October 31. The move highlights concerns over tight supplies ahead of the festive season.The government has also taken measures such as imposing a 400-tonne stock limit on sugar dealers from August 1 to November 30, while bulk consumers will not be allowed to hold sugar stocks exceeding 15 days of consumption from September 1. These measures are aimed at preventing hoarding and artificial shortages.

India's sugar prices are rising amid festive demand and lower production. The political debate is continuing on whether the price rise has to do with  E20 ethanol blending in petrol. The government is pushing back

A political debate is raging in India about the rise in sugar prices, which the government is attributing to festive demand and lower sugarcane yields, even as sugar-linked stocks hit 52-week highs on Monday (Aug 24). Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have blamed the rise in sugar prices on the use of sugarcane-derived products to produce ethanol for blending in petrol. The E20 petrol programme, under which 20 per cent ethanol is blended with 80 per cent petrol, was a planned policy rollout rather than a direct consequence of fuel import disruptions. However, India's energy security concerns were complicated by the Iran-US war, the Russia-Ukraine war and disruptions to energy transhipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is increasingly looking unsustainable, with the government stepping in to allow duty-free imports of sugar to address concerns over tight supplies. Is the diversion of sugar for ethanol blending in petrol the real cause of sugar price hikes? India does use sugar and sugarcane byproducts for its ethanol blending programme. Sugarcane-based feedstocks for ethanol include direct cane juice, syrup, and B-heavy and C-heavy molasses. But recent reports say that other sources such as maize and surplus rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), as well as damaged foodgrains, account for the larger share of ethanol production. Around 32 per cent of the ethanol supplied to oil marketing companies for blending with petrol comes from sugarcane-based feedstocks, while the grain-based share is larger, at roughly 68 per cent. https://www.wionews.com/videos/e10-or-e20-should-consumers-get-a-choice-1786974307957/embed Govt pushes back on claims linking ethanol blending with sugar price rise India's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has repeatedly said it is incorrect to attribute the recent increase in sugar prices to the diversion of sugar for ethanol production. The share of sugar diverted for ethanol fell from 12 per cent in 2022-23 to 9 per cent in 2025-26, per the government. Nearly three-fourths of India's ethanol production now comes from grains, particularly maize. The government insisted that lower-than-expected domestic production of sugar is to blame for the rising prices. Sugar production during the current season is expected to be around 30.6 million tonnes, against an initial estimate of around 34.3 million. Production was affected by Red Rot and Top Borer diseases in sugarcane, as well as waterlogging caused by excessive rainfall. Festive-season demand, tighter global supplies and speculation and hoarding are adding to the pressure. International sugar prices have also risen by more than 16 per cent in recent months, adding to the pressure on domestic prices. The West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) and other industry representatives have said declining sugarcane output and stockpiling are contributing to the current crisis, rather than ethanol blending alone.' Also read: E20 petrol row: Puri says only four contaminated samples found, Rahul Gandhi steps up attack Nothing new: Sugar prices have always been politicised With several politicians directly having stakes in the sugar industry, price fluctuations have always been a political issue. The AAP and Congress have seen an opportunity to accuse the government of diverting sugar towards ethanol for the E20 blending programme, arguing that this has reduced sugar availability and contributed to the spike. It should be noted that, in the past few years, millions of tonnes of sugar have been diverted towards ethanol in the food-versus-fuel trade-off, in which it can be more profitable to use the commodity in the energy industry. This season, around 3 million tonnes of sugar are estimated to have been diverted towards ethanol. But the brighter side for farmers and mills is that higher sugar prices can make sugar production more profitable. The government has also said that diverting surplus sugar towards ethanol has helped improve the financial health of sugar mills and facilitated timely payments to farmers. As of August 20, 97 per cent of sugarcane dues for the 2025-26 season had been paid. Also read: What's behind rising sugar prices in India? Government breaks silence, says 'ethanol...' The stock price spikes of sugar-linked firms Sugar stocks rallied sharply on Monday, with several companies hitting their 52-week highs. Shares of Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar, Avadh Sugar & Energy, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Dhampur Sugar Mills, Dwarikesh Sugar Industries, Magadh Sugar & Energy, Mawana Sugars, Ponni Sugars, Ugar Sugar Works and Uttam Sugar Mills all hit their respective 52-week highs. Some stocks rose by as much as 12 per cent in intraday trade, reflecting investor optimism over the sector's near-term outlook amid rising sugar prices and tighter domestic supplies. The rally is supply-and-demand driven, particularly after the government tightened stockholding limits. Sugar mills may also shift their preference towards sugar production over ethanol as higher sugar prices improve returns. The government has assured consumers that there are enough sugar stocks to meet domestic demand, yet it has also allowed duty-free imports of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar until October 31. The move highlights concerns over tight supplies ahead of the festive season. The government has also taken measures such as imposing a 400-tonne stock limit on sugar dealers from August 1 to November 30, while bulk consumers will not be allowed to hold sugar stocks exceeding 15 days of consumption from September 1. These measures are aimed at preventing hoarding and artificial shortages.

India's sugar prices are rising amid festive demand and lower production. The political debate is continuing on whether the price rise has to do with &nbsp;E20 ethanol blending in petrol. The government is pushing back

India's sugar-linked stocks soar to 52-week highs even as govt inisists rising prices, shortage not linked to ethanol blending for E20 petrol

The Iranian rial fell to a record low of more than 2 million per US dollar on informal markets on Monday (Aug 24). The official central bank rate hovered near 1.5 million. The currency has been weakening over the past few days, trading around 1.86 million per dollar last week and losing more than 7 per cent in under seven days. One toman, the daily monetary unit of Iran, equals 10 rials, which means the dollar surpassed 200,000 tomans for the first time.<h2>Iranian currency is hit hard by sanctions, inflation and now the war</h2>The weakness in the Iranian currency results from damage caused by decades of international sanctions, double-digit inflation and negative economic growth. The situation has only worsened in the past couple of years, first with the Iran-Israel conflict, protests over economic woes, and now the ongoing war with the US and Israel since late February.Iranians are feeling the pinch, with food prices rising sharply. Inflation is expected to reach 70 per cent this year, while the economy is projected to contract by more than 5 per cent.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-us-vs-iran-why-has-iran-s-rial-lost-about-20-000-of-its-value-since-1979-1769421606760">Why has Iran’s rial lost about 20,000× of its value since 1979?</a><h2>Weak currency amid US warning of economic D-Day on Iran</h2>The Iranian rial fell even as the US is preparing for what US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called an “economic D-Day” for Iran. Writing in the Financial Times, Bessent said the objective is to “sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone”. He called it the single greatest financial offensive ever directed at an adversary.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iranian-rial-hits-historic-low-pezeshkian-admits-iran-faces-many-problems-1787547366029/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iranian-rial-hits-historic-low-pezeshkian-admits-iran-faces-many-problems-1787547366029/embed</a><h2>The US is aiming for the greatest coordinated isolation in history</h2>The Trump administration is expected to announce economic measures against Iran later on Monday. US President Donald Trump has termed it a “crushing economic operation” intended to collapse the Iranain regime while minimising large-scale military action. Bessent called it “the greatest coordinated isolation in history” of a nation.The punitive actions could build on the already existing “maximum pressure” on Iran, which includes a US naval blockade and the rescinding of oil-related sanctions waivers.Additional secondary sanctions are expected, targeting countries and companies that continue to do business with Iran. Both oil purchases and money transfers to or from Iran could be hit too. Bessent asked US allies to choose sides, warning that those providing any lifeline to Iran would face economic consequences.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frozen-billions-iran-s-money-and-peace-talks-explained-1776412578739">Frozen billions: Iran’s money and peace talks explained</a><h2>The two-month window to end the war has closed</h2>A 60-day window under a June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran has expired, with both sides exchanging fire throughout those weeks. There was no agreement on the Iran nuclear issue or sanctions relief. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a former key re-export hub, has recently suspended trade with Iran.

Iran’s rial fell past 2 million to the dollar as US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of a massive economic warfare on the Islamic Republic. The “economic D-Day” could include secondary sanctions. The crushing inflation and war are fomenting a crisis

The Iranian rial fell to a record low of more than 2 million per US dollar on informal markets on Monday (Aug 24). The official central bank rate hovered near 1.5 million. The currency has been weakening over the past few days, trading around 1.86 million per dollar last week and losing more than 7 per cent in under seven days. One toman, the daily monetary unit of Iran, equals 10 rials, which means the dollar surpassed 200,000 tomans for the first time. Iranian currency is hit hard by sanctions, inflation and now the war The weakness in the Iranian currency results from damage caused by decades of international sanctions, double-digit inflation and negative economic growth. The situation has only worsened in the past couple of years, first with the Iran-Israel conflict, protests over economic woes, and now the ongoing war with the US and Israel since late February. Iranians are feeling the pinch, with food prices rising sharply. Inflation is expected to reach 70 per cent this year, while the economy is projected to contract by more than 5 per cent. Also read: Why has Iran’s rial lost about 20,000× of its value since 1979? Weak currency amid US warning of economic D-Day on Iran The Iranian rial fell even as the US is preparing for what US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called an “economic D-Day” for Iran. Writing in the Financial Times, Bessent said the objective is to “sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone”. He called it the single greatest financial offensive ever directed at an adversary. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iranian-rial-hits-historic-low-pezeshkian-admits-iran-faces-many-problems-1787547366029/embed The US is aiming for the greatest coordinated isolation in history The Trump administration is expected to announce economic measures against Iran later on Monday. US President Donald Trump has termed it a “crushing economic operation” intended to collapse the Iranain regime while minimising large-scale military action. Bessent called it “the greatest coordinated isolation in history” of a nation. The punitive actions could build on the already existing “maximum pressure” on Iran, which includes a US naval blockade and the rescinding of oil-related sanctions waivers. Additional secondary sanctions are expected, targeting countries and companies that continue to do business with Iran. Both oil purchases and money transfers to or from Iran could be hit too. Bessent asked US allies to choose sides, warning that those providing any lifeline to Iran would face economic consequences. Also read: Frozen billions: Iran’s money and peace talks explained The two-month window to end the war has closed A 60-day window under a June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran has expired, with both sides exchanging fire throughout those weeks. There was no agreement on the Iran nuclear issue or sanctions relief. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a former key re-export hub, has recently suspended trade with Iran.

Iran’s rial fell past 2 million to the dollar as US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of a massive economic warfare on the Islamic Republic. The “economic D-Day” could include secondary sanctions. The crushing inflation and war are fomenting a crisis

2,000,000 rial to a dollar: Iranian currency is on record freefall amid US warning of economic ‘D-Day’

New Zealand's coalition government took its most concrete step yet to curb under-16s' use of social media with the introduction of the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill. Introduced in Parliament on Monday (Aug 24), the bill requires high-risk platforms such as Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X and others, to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts. Particularly targeted are endless-scroll features, algorithmic manipulation and feedback loops, as well as social AI companions.<h2>A stringent bill if passed, with strong penalties</h2>The bill mandates facial age estimation, digital ID and formal identification for age verification, while self-declaration alone is not enough. Platforms must conduct annual child-safety risk assessments covering illegal and harmful content, advertising, profiling and design features.They are also expected to report to a new regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs.The penalties could be as high as 10 per cent of a platform's global annual revenue.The tools for compliance will range from warnings and audits to geo-blocking and criminal sanctions for providing false information.No penalties will be imposed on children or their parents.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/social-media-ban-for-teens-on-the-cards-pm-modi-praises-australia-s-under-16-social-media-ban-says-we-re-taking-lessons-from-you-1783614717670">Social media ban for teens on the cards? PM Modi praises Australia's under-16 ban, says 'we're taking lessons from you'</a><h2>Messaging apps, VPNs are excluded</h2>Excluded from the law's purview are messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Discord, multiplayer games such as Roblox, online music streaming services, educational and health platforms, as well as productivity AI such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. VPNs are also unregulated.<h2>Coalition partners are not in full alignment with the bill. Will it pass?</h2>Government coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First have opposed the bill under the "agree to disagree" provision. The ruling National Party needs Labour's support for it to pass. The first reading of the bill is not expected before Parliament rises ahead of the November election. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has acknowledged that the legislation will not progress before the election, leaving its future uncertain.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-government-stands-by-online-law-defends-social-media-ban-1785744703432/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-government-stands-by-online-law-defends-social-media-ban-1785744703432/embed</a><h2>How tough is the under-16 bill in NZ compared to Australia?</h2>The New Zealand bill is the latest in a series of similar laws and regulations, particularly following Australia's world-first legislation. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, which came into force on 10 December 2025 in Australia, is now facing questions over implementation. The law imposed an under-16 account restriction on similar social media platforms. Penalties can reach A$49.5 million for companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Australian law explicitly prevents platforms from requiring government-issued identification or Digital ID as the only option for age assurance. Users must have a reasonable alternative.According to the Australian government, millions of under-16 accounts have been removed or restricted since the rules came into effect. However, Australia's eSafety regulator has said significant numbers of under-16s remain on social media.New Zealand's bill mirrors Australia's platform list and risk-assessment approach. The main differences are the addition of social AI companions and revenue-percentage-based penalties instead of Australia's fixed maximum fines.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/is-india-planning-australia-like-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16-what-we-know-1771386744225">Is India planning Australia-like social media ban for children under 16? What we know</a><h2>Other countries following suit on teen social media use bans</h2>The UK is considering an Australia-style under-16 ban, which could be effective from early 2027. The regulations could also include restrictions on teen livestreaming and stranger contact for under-18s.France passed an under-15 social media ban in July, but the measure was struck down by the Constitutional Council in August, that cited concerns about disproportionate limits on free expression and inadequate safeguards. A revised bill is likely to come up in 2027.Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Spain are also pushing similar legislation, while Indian authorities are also looking into the issue of teen social media use and addiction.

New Zealand introduced a bill to restrict under-16s from social media. Age verification will be strictly implemented and social media platforms could face revenue-linked and hefty penalties. But can the coalition government pass it, with elections around the corner in November?

New Zealand's coalition government took its most concrete step yet to curb under-16s' use of social media with the introduction of the Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill. Introduced in Parliament on Monday (Aug 24), the bill requires high-risk platforms such as Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X and others, to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts. Particularly targeted are endless-scroll features, algorithmic manipulation and feedback loops, as well as social AI companions. A stringent bill if passed, with strong penalties The bill mandates facial age estimation, digital ID and formal identification for age verification, while self-declaration alone is not enough. Platforms must conduct annual child-safety risk assessments covering illegal and harmful content, advertising, profiling and design features. They are also expected to report to a new regulator within the Department of Internal Affairs. The penalties could be as high as 10 per cent of a platform's global annual revenue. The tools for compliance will range from warnings and audits to geo-blocking and criminal sanctions for providing false information. No penalties will be imposed on children or their parents. Also read: Social media ban for teens on the cards? PM Modi praises Australia's under-16 ban, says 'we're taking lessons from you' Messaging apps, VPNs are excluded Excluded from the law's purview are messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Discord, multiplayer games such as Roblox, online music streaming services, educational and health platforms, as well as productivity AI such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. VPNs are also unregulated. Coalition partners are not in full alignment with the bill. Will it pass? Government coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First have opposed the bill under the "agree to disagree" provision. The ruling National Party needs Labour's support for it to pass. The first reading of the bill is not expected before Parliament rises ahead of the November election. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has acknowledged that the legislation will not progress before the election, leaving its future uncertain. https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-government-stands-by-online-law-defends-social-media-ban-1785744703432/embed How tough is the under-16 bill in NZ compared to Australia? The New Zealand bill is the latest in a series of similar laws and regulations, particularly following Australia's world-first legislation. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, which came into force on 10 December 2025 in Australia, is now facing questions over implementation. The law imposed an under-16 account restriction on similar social media platforms. Penalties can reach A$49.5 million for companies. The Australian law explicitly prevents platforms from requiring government-issued identification or Digital ID as the only option for age assurance. Users must have a reasonable alternative. According to the Australian government, millions of under-16 accounts have been removed or restricted since the rules came into effect. However, Australia's eSafety regulator has said significant numbers of under-16s remain on social media. New Zealand's bill mirrors Australia's platform list and risk-assessment approach. The main differences are the addition of social AI companions and revenue-percentage-based penalties instead of Australia's fixed maximum fines. Also read: Is India planning Australia-like social media ban for children under 16? What we know Other countries following suit on teen social media use bans The UK is considering an Australia-style under-16 ban, which could be effective from early 2027. The regulations could also include restrictions on teen livestreaming and stranger contact for under-18s. France passed an under-15 social media ban in July, but the measure was struck down by the Constitutional Council in August, that cited concerns about disproportionate limits on free expression and inadequate safeguards. A revised bill is likely to come up in 2027. Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Spain are also pushing similar legislation, while Indian authorities are also looking into the issue of teen social media use and addiction.

New Zealand introduced a bill to restrict under-16s from social media. Age verification will be strictly implemented and social media platforms could face revenue-linked and hefty penalties. But can the coalition government pass it, with elections around the corner in November?

New Zealand under-16 social media ban: The bill moved in parliament has some teeth. But will it pass?

The battle over Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has taken another turn after California Attorney General Rob Bonta called off a planned settlement meeting with Paramount. Bonta has reportedly accused the company of acting in bad faith and said discussions could resume when Paramount is ready to address the state's concerns.<h2>Why did the settlement of the Paramount-Warner meeting fall apart?</h2>California’s attorney general has reportedly scrapped talks scheduled for Monday with representatives of Paramount over the company’s planned $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. As per New York Times report, the &nbsp;parties were due to discuss a potential settlement of California’s lawsuit that is attempting to block the merger and was canceled late on Sunday by Attorney General Rob Bonta.&nbsp;In a statement to the NYT, Bonta accused Paramount of leaking information from a Friday meeting between the two sides. “Not only did Paramount leak the alleged substance of settlement discussions, but they misrepresented these discussions, demonstrating a lack of good faith,” Bonta said in the statement. “As soon as Paramount stops playing games and engages sincerely, my office is happy to meet again.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/new-block-in-paramount-warner-bros-deal-judge-set-merger-trial-in-march-1785899558651">New block in Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal: Judge set merger trial in March</a>&nbsp;At the heart of the dispute is Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a transaction valued at roughly $110 billion. If completed, the deal would bring major entertainment assets under one company, including Paramount+, HBO Max, CBS and a huge library of film and television properties.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/mark-ruffalo-vs-paramount-actor-fires-back-after-studio-calls-his-remarks-antisemitic-1787472113233/amp">Mark Ruffalo vs Paramount: Actor fires back after studio calls his remarks ‘Antisemitic’</a>&nbsp;But a coalition of 12 Democratic state attorneys general, including California, filed suit last month to block the merger, arguing that it would violate anti-trust law and ultimately harm Hollywood by squeezing out competition.<h2>Trouble brewing for both the studios – Paramount and Warner Bros?</h2>California and 11 other states sued in July to stop the transaction, arguing that combining two major Hollywood studios would significantly reduce competition. The states contend that the merged company could control nearly one-third of U.S. theatrical films and a similar share of basic cable programming.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/paramount-warner-bros-merger-court-hears-multi-state-challenge-against-111b-deal-1784343023354">Paramount-Warner Bros merger: Court hears multi-state challenge against $111B deal</a>&nbsp;Paramount, meanwhile, has been pushing to complete the transaction and has argued that the merger would strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive entertainment industry. The company is also facing increasing financial pressure from delays. Under the deal terms, Paramount could face so-called “ticking fees” of about $7 million a day if the transaction remains delayed beyond the relevant deadline. Paramount has separately asked a federal judge to require the states and the Writers Guild of America, which is also challenging the merger, to post a $1.88 billion bond to cover potential losses from delaying the transaction.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/paramount-and-warner-bros-110b-merger-paused-here-s-what-has-happened-1784600744765">Paramount and Warner Bros $110B merger paused, here's what has happened</a>&nbsp;With settlement talks now called off, the Paramount-Warner Bros. battle is once again heading toward the courtroom, unless the two sides manage to rebuild trust and return to negotiations. A federal trial is currently expected in 2027, as per reports, making the coming months crucial for the future of the proposed merger.

The proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger has hit another roadblock as California Attorney General Rob Bonta pulled out of planned settlement discussions with Paramount. Read to know more. 

The battle over Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has taken another turn after California Attorney General Rob Bonta called off a planned settlement meeting with Paramount. Bonta has reportedly accused the company of acting in bad faith and said discussions could resume when Paramount is ready to address the state's concerns. Why did the settlement of the Paramount-Warner meeting fall apart? California’s attorney general has reportedly scrapped talks scheduled for Monday with representatives of Paramount over the company’s planned $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. As per New York Times report, the parties were due to discuss a potential settlement of California’s lawsuit that is attempting to block the merger and was canceled late on Sunday by Attorney General Rob Bonta. In a statement to the NYT, Bonta accused Paramount of leaking information from a Friday meeting between the two sides. “Not only did Paramount leak the alleged substance of settlement discussions, but they misrepresented these discussions, demonstrating a lack of good faith,” Bonta said in the statement. “As soon as Paramount stops playing games and engages sincerely, my office is happy to meet again.” Also Read: New block in Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal: Judge set merger trial in March At the heart of the dispute is Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a transaction valued at roughly $110 billion. If completed, the deal would bring major entertainment assets under one company, including Paramount+, HBO Max, CBS and a huge library of film and television properties. Also Read: Mark Ruffalo vs Paramount: Actor fires back after studio calls his remarks ‘Antisemitic’ But a coalition of 12 Democratic state attorneys general, including California, filed suit last month to block the merger, arguing that it would violate anti-trust law and ultimately harm Hollywood by squeezing out competition. Trouble brewing for both the studios – Paramount and Warner Bros? California and 11 other states sued in July to stop the transaction, arguing that combining two major Hollywood studios would significantly reduce competition. The states contend that the merged company could control nearly one-third of U.S. theatrical films and a similar share of basic cable programming. Also Read: Paramount-Warner Bros merger: Court hears multi-state challenge against $111B deal Paramount, meanwhile, has been pushing to complete the transaction and has argued that the merger would strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive entertainment industry. The company is also facing increasing financial pressure from delays. Under the deal terms, Paramount could face so-called “ticking fees” of about $7 million a day if the transaction remains delayed beyond the relevant deadline. Paramount has separately asked a federal judge to require the states and the Writers Guild of America, which is also challenging the merger, to post a $1.88 billion bond to cover potential losses from delaying the transaction. Also Read: Paramount and Warner Bros $110B merger paused, here's what has happened With settlement talks now called off, the Paramount-Warner Bros. battle is once again heading toward the courtroom, unless the two sides manage to rebuild trust and return to negotiations. A federal trial is currently expected in 2027, as per reports, making the coming months crucial for the future of the proposed merger.

The proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger has hit another roadblock as California Attorney General Rob Bonta pulled out of planned settlement discussions with Paramount. Read to know more.&nbsp;

Paramount-Warner merger faces fresh hurdle as California attorney cancels settlement meeting