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US consumer prices climbed in August to their fastest pace since January, government data showed on Thursday (September 11), even as analysts believe the Federal Reserve will press ahead with an interest rate cut next week. The rise highlights growing cost-of-living pressures on households as President Donald Trump’s tariffs ripple through the economy, complicating the Fed’s goal of keeping prices stable.&nbsp;The Labour Department reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.9% in August from a year earlier, up from 2.7% in July and in line with forecasts. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.4%, doubling July’s pace. Core inflation—which excludes volatile food and energy costs—jumped 3.1% from last year, pointing to broader price pressures.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/how-the-us-bill-proposing-a-25-per-cent-tax-on-outsourcing-impacts-indian-it-giants-1757584696442">How the US bill proposing a 25 per cent tax on outsourcing impacts Indian IT giants</a>&nbsp;Trump has reimposed a 10% tariff on most US trading partners since returning to the White House in January, while also levying steep duties on steel, autos, and other sectors. Economists warn the full effect on consumers will build gradually as companies restock at higher import prices. Despite the uptick, markets expect the Fed to cut interest rates at its September 16–17 meeting, likely by 25 basis points—the first reduction since last December.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/mahindra-thar-crash-in-delhi-who-will-pay-the-damages-to-the-car-showroom-1757591954338">Mahindra Thar crash in Delhi: Who will pay the damages to the car, showroom?</a>&nbsp;The IMF also flagged signs of cooling demand and slowing job creation, saying the Fed has room to start lowering borrowing costs to support the economy. Rising food, energy, and housing expenses are straining households, said Heather Long of Navy Federal Credit Union, warning that “the middle-class squeeze from tariffs is here.” She pointed out steep annual jumps in everyday goods: coffee up 21%, audio gear 12%, and furniture 10%—all tied to higher import costs.&nbsp;

US consumer inflation hits 7-month high, but Fed still expected to cut rates

US consumer prices climbed in August to their fastest pace since January, government data showed on Thursday (September 11), even as analysts believe the Federal Reserve will press ahead with an interest rate cut next week. The rise highlights growing cost-of-living pressures on households as President Donald Trump’s tariffs ripple through the economy, complicating the Fed’s goal of keeping prices stable. The Labour Department reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.9% in August from a year earlier, up from 2.7% in July and in line with forecasts. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.4%, doubling July’s pace. Core inflation—which excludes volatile food and energy costs—jumped 3.1% from last year, pointing to broader price pressures. Also Read: How the US bill proposing a 25 per cent tax on outsourcing impacts Indian IT giants Trump has reimposed a 10% tariff on most US trading partners since returning to the White House in January, while also levying steep duties on steel, autos, and other sectors. Economists warn the full effect on consumers will build gradually as companies restock at higher import prices. Despite the uptick, markets expect the Fed to cut interest rates at its September 16–17 meeting, likely by 25 basis points—the first reduction since last December. Also Read: Mahindra Thar crash in Delhi: Who will pay the damages to the car, showroom? The IMF also flagged signs of cooling demand and slowing job creation, saying the Fed has room to start lowering borrowing costs to support the economy. Rising food, energy, and housing expenses are straining households, said Heather Long of Navy Federal Credit Union, warning that “the middle-class squeeze from tariffs is here.” She pointed out steep annual jumps in everyday goods: coffee up 21%, audio gear 12%, and furniture 10%—all tied to higher import costs.

US inflation rose to 2.9% in August, its highest since January, but the Fed is still expected to cut rates next week amid signs of a weakening job market

US consumer inflation hits seven-month high, but Fed still expected to cut rates

The Indian currency, the Rupee, dropped to an all-time low against the US dollar on Thursday. The rupee dropped to 88.44 to the US dollar. The currency slipped past its prior low of 88.36, which it hit last Friday. With the dropping of the rupee, most of the imports bought with the dollar will become more expensive.<h2>Why did the rupee plummet?</h2>The Indian rupee's drop is being seen as an impact of the US tariffs against Asia's third-largest economy after China and Japan.&nbsp;Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports to the US because of New Delhi's oil and weapons trade. The tariff has threatened lakhs of jobs in the labour-intensive sectors like gems and jewellery.&nbsp;The tariff has dampened the investor sentiment, putting pressure on the currency. Foreign investors have withdrawn a net of $11.7 billion from Indian debt and equity markets so far this year.&nbsp;The steep tariffs have hurt India's growth, clouding the path for the rupee.&nbsp;Exporters are facing uncertainty over order flows, while importers have been forced to hedge more aggressively, distorting the demand-supply balance and resulting in the weakening of the currency.&nbsp;The rupee's weakness is in contrast to its regional peers, most of which have managed to find support from expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, reported Reuters.&nbsp;Abhishek Goenka, founder and CEO of IFA Global, said that the weakness in the rupee will likely persist due to the impact of the tariff.

The Indian currency, the Rupee, dropped to an all-time low against the US dollar on Thursday. The rupee dropped to 88.44 to the US dollar.

The Indian currency, the Rupee, dropped to an all-time low against the US dollar on Thursday. The rupee dropped to 88.44 to the US dollar. The currency slipped past its prior low of 88.36, which it hit last Friday. With the dropping of the rupee, most of the imports bought with the dollar will become more expensive. Why did the rupee plummet? The Indian rupee's drop is being seen as an impact of the US tariffs against Asia's third-largest economy after China and Japan. Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports to the US because of New Delhi's oil and weapons trade. The tariff has threatened lakhs of jobs in the labour-intensive sectors like gems and jewellery. The tariff has dampened the investor sentiment, putting pressure on the currency. Foreign investors have withdrawn a net of $11.7 billion from Indian debt and equity markets so far this year. The steep tariffs have hurt India's growth, clouding the path for the rupee. Exporters are facing uncertainty over order flows, while importers have been forced to hedge more aggressively, distorting the demand-supply balance and resulting in the weakening of the currency. The rupee's weakness is in contrast to its regional peers, most of which have managed to find support from expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, reported Reuters. Abhishek Goenka, founder and CEO of IFA Global, said that the weakness in the rupee will likely persist due to the impact of the tariff.

The rupee's weakness is in contrast to its regional peers, most of which have managed to find support from expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut.

Why did the Indian rupee drop to an all-time low against the US dollar?

A ritual after buying a car proved costly for a woman in Delhi who crashed her brand-new car as she accidentally drove off the first floor of the showroom. The incident took place in Delhi's Nirman Vihar with Maani Pawar, 29. Taking delivery of her Mahindra Thar, she wanted to crush a lemon with the car's tyres. However, she accidentally pressed the accelerator a tad too hard. The car, driven by Pawar, broke through the glass of the first floor of the showroom and plunged onto the pavement.&nbsp;Maani Pawar and an employee who was seated inside the vehicle sustained minor injuries in the accident. They were discharged from the hospital after treatment. A video of the car after the crash went viral.&nbsp;Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania said that the woman is a resident of Ghaziabad's Indirapuram. She and her husband, Pradeep, had purchased the car. No complaint was filed.<h2>The big question, however, is who will pay the damages to the car and the showroom. &nbsp;</h2>According to India's car rules, a vehicle cannot be delivered to the customer without a valid insurance. If the policy was issued before the accident, the customer will be liable for damages, which she can claim from the insurance company.&nbsp;Under the law, car owners are required to buy third-party insurance. Such an insurance doesn't cover one's own damage, but only the damage wreaked by the policyholder.&nbsp;This insurance also helps the policyholder in case of bodily injuries to a third person due to an accident. The claim amount for property damage is capped at Rs 7.50 lakh.&nbsp;So the driver can get as much as this amount through third-party insurance. Any damage to the showroom can be covered through the third-party insurance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Showrooms are generally insured. So the owner can claim the damages from her own insurance.&nbsp;As per the Motor Vehicles Act, this is the minimum insurance mandatory for insurance cover available for third-party loss.&nbsp;Insurance companies deem the insurance void in cases of criminal activity or illegal racing; damage caused to the vehicle because of not following the traffic rules; damage from driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance; damage caused to the vehicle when the policy was not active, or intentional damage.&nbsp;Also, if the policy wasn't in force at the time of the accident, the holder will be liable for paying the damage without any help from the insurance company.&nbsp;The driver can get the entire value of the car if the repair cost is very high.

A ritual after buying a car proved costly for a woman in Delhi who crashed her brand-new car as she accidentally drove off the first floor of the showroom. 

A ritual after buying a car proved costly for a woman in Delhi who crashed her brand-new car as she accidentally drove off the first floor of the showroom. The incident took place in Delhi's Nirman Vihar with Maani Pawar, 29. Taking delivery of her Mahindra Thar, she wanted to crush a lemon with the car's tyres. However, she accidentally pressed the accelerator a tad too hard. The car, driven by Pawar, broke through the glass of the first floor of the showroom and plunged onto the pavement. Maani Pawar and an employee who was seated inside the vehicle sustained minor injuries in the accident. They were discharged from the hospital after treatment. A video of the car after the crash went viral. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania said that the woman is a resident of Ghaziabad's Indirapuram. She and her husband, Pradeep, had purchased the car. No complaint was filed. The big question, however, is who will pay the damages to the car and the showroom. According to India's car rules, a vehicle cannot be delivered to the customer without a valid insurance. If the policy was issued before the accident, the customer will be liable for damages, which she can claim from the insurance company. Under the law, car owners are required to buy third-party insurance. Such an insurance doesn't cover one's own damage, but only the damage wreaked by the policyholder. This insurance also helps the policyholder in case of bodily injuries to a third person due to an accident. The claim amount for property damage is capped at Rs 7.50 lakh. So the driver can get as much as this amount through third-party insurance. Any damage to the showroom can be covered through the third-party insurance. Showrooms are generally insured. So the owner can claim the damages from her own insurance. As per the Motor Vehicles Act, this is the minimum insurance mandatory for insurance cover available for third-party loss. Insurance companies deem the insurance void in cases of criminal activity or illegal racing; damage caused to the vehicle because of not following the traffic rules; damage from driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance; damage caused to the vehicle when the policy was not active, or intentional damage. Also, if the policy wasn't in force at the time of the accident, the holder will be liable for paying the damage without any help from the insurance company. The driver can get the entire value of the car if the repair cost is very high.

Mahindra Thar crash in Delhi: The driver is identified as 29-year-old Maani Pawar. She is a resident of Ghaziabad's Indirapuram.&nbsp;

Mahindra Thar crash in Delhi: Who will pay the damages to the car, showroom?

The United States is planning to propose a bill that allows taxing American firms 25 percent for using foreign outsourcing services. The bill, if passed, will hit the Indian IT sector, which provides IT services to many bigwigs in the US market. It is expected that the bill will not likely pass in its current form. However, it might set the tone for how American companies view outsourcing.&nbsp;US Republican Senator Bernie Moreno introduced the HIRE Act last week, which proposes taxing companies that hire foreign workers and&nbsp;ignore Americans for jobs. He proposed that the revenue generated from levying these taxes should be used to develop the US workforce. The bill also seeks to bar firms from claiming outsourcing payments as tax-deductible expenses.&nbsp;The Indian IT industry, worth $283 billion, has been thriving for three decades and is a part of India's remarkable growth story. India's IT giants export&nbsp;software services to foreign clients. However, the industry is currently struggling as its US clients have deferred non-essential tech spending due to inflation and Donald Trump-induced tariff uncertainty.<h2>What experts said about outsourcing tax</h2>EY India's compliance head, Jignesh Thakkar, told Reuters that the HIRE Act proposes sweeping changes that could alter the economics of outsourcing and significantly increase the tax liability associated with international service contracts.&nbsp;He said if it passed, the bill could take the tax liability on outsourcing to as high as 60 per cent.&nbsp;Arun Prabhu, partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said that the bill seeks to make companies less competitive and profitable by levying an artificial cost.&nbsp;HFS Research President Saurabh Gupta, talking about the impact of the proposed bill, said that clients will simply take longer to sign, longer to renew, and longer to commit "transformation dollars".&nbsp;Alcorn Immigration Law CEO Sophie Alcorn said the bill will face backlash in the US, particularly from companies that rely on outsourcing.&nbsp;She said there could also be litigation to challenge several aspects of the bill if it becomes law.&nbsp;Everest Group partner Yugal Joshi said new setups and expansion may be impacted if the proposed tax is imposed.&nbsp;The experts, however, pointed out that the paucity of human capital in the United States can only be addressed through outsourcing.

The United States is planning to propose a bill that allows taxing American firms 25 percent for using foreign outsourcing services.

The United States is planning to propose a bill that allows taxing American firms 25 percent for using foreign outsourcing services. The bill, if passed, will hit the Indian IT sector, which provides IT services to many bigwigs in the US market. It is expected that the bill will not likely pass in its current form. However, it might set the tone for how American companies view outsourcing. US Republican Senator Bernie Moreno introduced the HIRE Act last week, which proposes taxing companies that hire foreign workers and ignore Americans for jobs. He proposed that the revenue generated from levying these taxes should be used to develop the US workforce. The bill also seeks to bar firms from claiming outsourcing payments as tax-deductible expenses. The Indian IT industry, worth $283 billion, has been thriving for three decades and is a part of India's remarkable growth story. India's IT giants export software services to foreign clients. However, the industry is currently struggling as its US clients have deferred non-essential tech spending due to inflation and Donald Trump-induced tariff uncertainty. What experts said about outsourcing tax EY India's compliance head, Jignesh Thakkar, told Reuters that the HIRE Act proposes sweeping changes that could alter the economics of outsourcing and significantly increase the tax liability associated with international service contracts. He said if it passed, the bill could take the tax liability on outsourcing to as high as 60 per cent. Arun Prabhu, partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said that the bill seeks to make companies less competitive and profitable by levying an artificial cost. HFS Research President Saurabh Gupta, talking about the impact of the proposed bill, said that clients will simply take longer to sign, longer to renew, and longer to commit "transformation dollars". Alcorn Immigration Law CEO Sophie Alcorn said the bill will face backlash in the US, particularly from companies that rely on outsourcing. She said there could also be litigation to challenge several aspects of the bill if it becomes law. Everest Group partner Yugal Joshi said new setups and expansion may be impacted if the proposed tax is imposed. The experts, however, pointed out that the paucity of human capital in the United States can only be addressed through outsourcing.

US Republican Senator Bernie Moreno introduced the HIRE Act. It proposes a 25 per cent tax on outsourcing. If passed, the law will impact Indian IT companies.

How the US bill proposing a 25 per cent tax on outsourcing impacts Indian IT giants

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the nodal body that handles all matters linked to a person's provident fund, will likely discuss the EPFO 3.0 initiative, which is aimed at providing bank-like facilities for members. The new initiative&nbsp;will enable PF account holders to use a chunk of their provident funds for making ATM withdrawals and UPI payments.&nbsp;The meeting will likely take place&nbsp;on October 10-11. The labour and employment minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, will likely chair the meeting. The agenda, however, is not yet finalised, reported ET.&nbsp;The EPFO central board&nbsp;can raise the minimum pension from Rs 1000 per month to Rs 1500-2500.&nbsp;The government&nbsp;might roll out some benefits of the proposed initiative for nearly 80 million users before Diwali.&nbsp;The decision will be taken in order to boost domestic consumption.&nbsp;Earlier this month, the central government, to boost domestic consumption, lowered the Goods and Services Tax by eliminating the 12 per cent and 28 per cent GST slabs and placing the items in these categories in 5 per cent and 18 per cent tax brackets.<h2>Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation structure</h2>EPFO's Central Board of Trustees makes decisions regarding the provident funds. It has representatives of employees, trade unions, the state government, and the central government as members.&nbsp;&nbsp;The proposal to allow withdrawal from EPFO might be opposed by trade bodies as they contend that PF is meant to be a retirement corpus.Under the Employees’ Provident Fund &amp; Miscellaneous Provisions Act, account holders can claim money up to Rs 5 lakh for exigencies. They can apply on the EPFO portal. If approved, the money gets credited within three days.&nbsp;PF advance can be claimed for purposes like marriage, illness, buying land for houses, buying houses, etc.&nbsp;

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the nodal body that handles all matters linked to a person's provident fund, will likely discuss the EPFO 3.0 initiative, which is aimed at providing bank-like facilities for members.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the nodal body that handles all matters linked to a person's provident fund, will likely discuss the EPFO 3.0 initiative, which is aimed at providing bank-like facilities for members. The new initiative will enable PF account holders to use a chunk of their provident funds for making ATM withdrawals and UPI payments. The meeting will likely take place on October 10-11. The labour and employment minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, will likely chair the meeting. The agenda, however, is not yet finalised, reported ET. The EPFO central board can raise the minimum pension from Rs 1000 per month to Rs 1500-2500. The government might roll out some benefits of the proposed initiative for nearly 80 million users before Diwali. The decision will be taken in order to boost domestic consumption. Earlier this month, the central government, to boost domestic consumption, lowered the Goods and Services Tax by eliminating the 12 per cent and 28 per cent GST slabs and placing the items in these categories in 5 per cent and 18 per cent tax brackets. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation structure EPFO's Central Board of Trustees makes decisions regarding the provident funds. It has representatives of employees, trade unions, the state government, and the central government as members. The proposal to allow withdrawal from EPFO might be opposed by trade bodies as they contend that PF is meant to be a retirement corpus. Under the Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, account holders can claim money up to Rs 5 lakh for exigencies. They can apply on the EPFO portal. If approved, the money gets credited within three days. PF advance can be claimed for purposes like marriage, illness, buying land for houses, buying houses, etc.

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation news: The EPFO central board&nbsp;can raise the minimum pension from Rs 1000 per month to Rs 1500-2500. The meeting might take place in October.&nbsp;

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation meeting over ATM withdrawals, UPI likely next month

As immigration becomes more complex and expensive, Indian software firms are reducing their dependence on H-1B work visas for hiring in the United States. Top companies have reduced the issuance of these visas by a massive 46 percent over the past five years.&nbsp;According to official data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and LTIMindtree have slashed the issuance of these visas by an average&nbsp;of 46 per cent, reported ET.<h2>Why are Indian companies cutting H-1B visas?</h2>TCS has sponsored 5,505 such visas, becoming the second-largest H-1B sponsor, only behind Amazon.&nbsp;Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, and IBM have also cut H-1B issuance between FY21 and FY25. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, the biggest tech companies in the world, attract top talent from India as they are the biggest H-1B sponsors.&nbsp;OpenAI and Anthropic, which are spearheading research on artificial intelligence, are also sponsoring foreign talent. Though their numbers are not comparable to those of the other tech bigwigs.&nbsp;Russell A Stamets, Partner at Delhi-based immigration advisory firm Circle of Counsel, told ET that the traditional models of labor and productivity are being upended by major technological change equivalent to the industrial revolution.&nbsp;He said that the wholesale restructuring of the nature of work has set in.&nbsp;He said that these companies had relied on exporting cheap labour abroad. Now, they are vulnerable to existential threats from AI large language models and political uncertainties. He claimed such companies are extremely vulnerable because of a lack of genuine innovation.&nbsp;These companies have been automating and hiring local talent amid rising protectionism and the growing prominence of artificial intelligence.&nbsp;This is because artificial intelligence is challenging the outsourcing model of business.&nbsp;Companies like ChatGPT, Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft have already made many job roles redundant.&nbsp;Many domestic and global IT companies have laid off thousands of workers over the past five years.

As immigration becomes more complex and expensive, Indian software firms are reducing their dependence on H-1B work visas for hiring in the United States. 

As immigration becomes more complex and expensive, Indian software firms are reducing their dependence on H-1B work visas for hiring in the United States. Top companies have reduced the issuance of these visas by a massive 46 percent over the past five years. According to official data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and LTIMindtree have slashed the issuance of these visas by an average of 46 per cent, reported ET. Why are Indian companies cutting H-1B visas? TCS has sponsored 5,505 such visas, becoming the second-largest H-1B sponsor, only behind Amazon. Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, and IBM have also cut H-1B issuance between FY21 and FY25. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, the biggest tech companies in the world, attract top talent from India as they are the biggest H-1B sponsors. OpenAI and Anthropic, which are spearheading research on artificial intelligence, are also sponsoring foreign talent. Though their numbers are not comparable to those of the other tech bigwigs. Russell A Stamets, Partner at Delhi-based immigration advisory firm Circle of Counsel, told ET that the traditional models of labor and productivity are being upended by major technological change equivalent to the industrial revolution. He said that the wholesale restructuring of the nature of work has set in. He said that these companies had relied on exporting cheap labour abroad. Now, they are vulnerable to existential threats from AI large language models and political uncertainties. He claimed such companies are extremely vulnerable because of a lack of genuine innovation. These companies have been automating and hiring local talent amid rising protectionism and the growing prominence of artificial intelligence. This is because artificial intelligence is challenging the outsourcing model of business. Companies like ChatGPT, Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft have already made many job roles redundant. Many domestic and global IT companies have laid off thousands of workers over the past five years.

Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and LTIMindtree have cut down the issuance of such visas over the past five years. Here's why the Indian IT companies taking these decisions.&nbsp;

Why are Indian software giants cutting H-1B visa reliance

Larry Ellison has overtaken Elon Musk to become the wealthiest individual on the planet, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. The 81-year-old Oracle co-founder now holds an estimated net worth of $393 billion, up by a record-breaking $101 billion in a single day following Oracle Corp.’s impressive quarterly report. This dramatic increase in Ellison’s fortune stems from Oracle’s booming stock, which surged by 40% to $338 per share after the company shared an optimistic outlook for its cloud computing services. At around 10:10am in New York, Ellison’s holdings — around 1.16 billion Oracle shares — boosted him past Musk, whose wealth stood at $385 billion at the time.&nbsp;Ellison’s rapid ascent follows a string of strong performances by Oracle, especially in the AI and cloud computing space. The company’s shares have more than tripled since ChatGPT went public in late 2022, fueled by surging demand for computing infrastructure from AI-focused firms. A significant boost came when Oracle struck a massive 4.5-gigawatt data center deal with OpenAI in July. Major clients like Nvidia and TikTok (owned by ByteDance) have further positioned Oracle as a serious contender against long-time cloud heavyweights like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/who-is-larry-ellison-business-magnate-who-threatens-musk-s-world-richest-crown-1757509331796">Who is Larry Ellison, business magnate who threatens Musk's 'world-richest' crown?</a><h3>Who Is Larry Ellison?</h3>Larry Ellison is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle, a major software company best known for its database products. The firm is now gaining major ground in cloud services, a market largely dominated by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.&nbsp;Raised in Chicago after being adopted as an infant, Ellison dropped out of both the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. He later moved to California and worked as a programmer at Ampex, where he helped develop a database project for the CIA — a prototype for what would become Oracle. In 1977, Ellison and two colleagues launched the company that would evolve into Oracle Corp. It went public in 1986, just one day before Microsoft’s IPO. Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014, taking on the roles of chairman and CTO.&nbsp;Today, Ellison owns more than 40% of Oracle. His personal investment portfolio includes stakes in Tesla, a sailing team, luxury properties across the U.S., the Indian Wells tennis tournament, and even the Hawaiian island of Lanai.<h3>Oracle’s Cloud Surge</h3>Oracle’s recent success is closely tied to the AI boom and increasing enterprise demand for cloud infrastructure. Aiding its momentum are political connections — particularly Ellison’s strong support for Donald Trump. Since Trump’s return to office in January, Oracle has seen an uptick in visibility and potential government-backed opportunities.&nbsp;The company is a key player in the $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure program introduced by the current administration and is also a top contender to acquire the U.S. arm of TikTok, a move supported by Trump but still awaiting Chinese regulatory approval.

From college dropout to no.1: Larry Ellison overtakes Elon Musk to become world’s richest man

Larry Ellison has overtaken Elon Musk to become the wealthiest individual on the planet, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. The 81-year-old Oracle co-founder now holds an estimated net worth of $393 billion, up by a record-breaking $101 billion in a single day following Oracle Corp.’s impressive quarterly report. This dramatic increase in Ellison’s fortune stems from Oracle’s booming stock, which surged by 40% to $338 per share after the company shared an optimistic outlook for its cloud computing services. At around 10:10am in New York, Ellison’s holdings — around 1.16 billion Oracle shares — boosted him past Musk, whose wealth stood at $385 billion at the time. Ellison’s rapid ascent follows a string of strong performances by Oracle, especially in the AI and cloud computing space. The company’s shares have more than tripled since ChatGPT went public in late 2022, fueled by surging demand for computing infrastructure from AI-focused firms. A significant boost came when Oracle struck a massive 4.5-gigawatt data center deal with OpenAI in July. Major clients like Nvidia and TikTok (owned by ByteDance) have further positioned Oracle as a serious contender against long-time cloud heavyweights like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Also Read: Who is Larry Ellison, business magnate who threatens Musk's 'world-richest' crown? Who Is Larry Ellison? Larry Ellison is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle, a major software company best known for its database products. The firm is now gaining major ground in cloud services, a market largely dominated by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Raised in Chicago after being adopted as an infant, Ellison dropped out of both the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. He later moved to California and worked as a programmer at Ampex, where he helped develop a database project for the CIA — a prototype for what would become Oracle. In 1977, Ellison and two colleagues launched the company that would evolve into Oracle Corp. It went public in 1986, just one day before Microsoft’s IPO. Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014, taking on the roles of chairman and CTO. Today, Ellison owns more than 40% of Oracle. His personal investment portfolio includes stakes in Tesla, a sailing team, luxury properties across the U.S., the Indian Wells tennis tournament, and even the Hawaiian island of Lanai. Oracle’s Cloud Surge Oracle’s recent success is closely tied to the AI boom and increasing enterprise demand for cloud infrastructure. Aiding its momentum are political connections — particularly Ellison’s strong support for Donald Trump. Since Trump’s return to office in January, Oracle has seen an uptick in visibility and potential government-backed opportunities. The company is a key player in the $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure program introduced by the current administration and is also a top contender to acquire the U.S. arm of TikTok, a move supported by Trump but still awaiting Chinese regulatory approval.

Oracle's Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison becomes the world's richest person with $393B after a record $101B daily gain, driven by Oracle's booming cloud business and AI demand, surpassing Elon Musk

US Producer Price Index (PPI) unexpectedly declined in August, according to new data from the Department of Labour, driven by falling energy costs and a dip in trade service margins. The Producer Price Index (PPI) dropped by 0.1% from the previous month, defying forecasts of a 0.3% rise. This marks the first monthly decline since April. On a yearly basis, PPI rose 2.6%, showing a slowdown from July’s annual pace. A significant contributor to the monthly drop was lower service prices, particularly in trade services, the Labor Department noted.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/who-is-larry-ellison-business-magnate-who-threatens-musk-s-world-richest-crown-1757509331796">Who is Larry Ellison, business magnate who threatens Musk's 'world-richest' crown?</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump quickly reacted to the data on his Truth Social platform, declaring “No Inflation!!!” and renewed his push for immediate interest rate cuts. He criticised Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell again, calling him “a total disaster” for not acting faster. In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, “Just Out: No Inflation!!! ‘Too Late” must lower the RATE, BIG, right now. Powell is a total disaster, who doesn’t have a clue!!! President DJT&nbsp;The figures come at a critical time, with the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision just a week away. While elevated inflation has previously complicated rate cuts, cooling producer prices and a softening job market have strengthened expectations of a 25-basis-point rate reduction. Excluding volatile categories like food, energy, and trade services, core PPI still showed a 0.3% increase for the month and a 2.8% annual rise—the highest since March.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-accident-zelensky-accuses-russia-deliberately-targeting-poland-calls-for-joint-european-air-defence-system-1757503422121">‘No accident’: Zelensky accuses Russia ‘deliberately targeting’ Poland, calls for joint European air defence system</a>&nbsp;Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, said the report poses “no obstacle” to a rate cut, suggesting that price pressures appear less concerning than previously thought. Economists now await the Consumer Price Index report due Thursday (September 11), which could provide further clarity on inflation trends.

Trump calls Fed chief Jerome Powell ‘a total disaster’ after producer prices drops unexpectedly

US Producer Price Index (PPI) unexpectedly declined in August, according to new data from the Department of Labour, driven by falling energy costs and a dip in trade service margins. The Producer Price Index (PPI) dropped by 0.1% from the previous month, defying forecasts of a 0.3% rise. This marks the first monthly decline since April. On a yearly basis, PPI rose 2.6%, showing a slowdown from July’s annual pace. A significant contributor to the monthly drop was lower service prices, particularly in trade services, the Labor Department noted. Also Read: Who is Larry Ellison, business magnate who threatens Musk's 'world-richest' crown? President Donald Trump quickly reacted to the data on his Truth Social platform, declaring “No Inflation!!!” and renewed his push for immediate interest rate cuts. He criticised Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell again, calling him “a total disaster” for not acting faster. In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, “Just Out: No Inflation!!! ‘Too Late” must lower the RATE, BIG, right now. Powell is a total disaster, who doesn’t have a clue!!! President DJT The figures come at a critical time, with the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision just a week away. While elevated inflation has previously complicated rate cuts, cooling producer prices and a softening job market have strengthened expectations of a 25-basis-point rate reduction. Excluding volatile categories like food, energy, and trade services, core PPI still showed a 0.3% increase for the month and a 2.8% annual rise—the highest since March. Also Read: ‘No accident’: Zelensky accuses Russia ‘deliberately targeting’ Poland, calls for joint European air defence system Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, said the report poses “no obstacle” to a rate cut, suggesting that price pressures appear less concerning than previously thought. Economists now await the Consumer Price Index report due Thursday (September 11), which could provide further clarity on inflation trends.

US producer price index unexpectedly fell in August, driven by weaker energy and trade prices, boosting expectations for a Fed rate cut and prompting fresh Trump criticism

Larry Ellison, Oracle's co-founder, is threatening Tesla founder Elon Musk's crown as the world's richest person. Ellison has made more money than anyone else this year, with Oracle's stock surging today in the US.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Larry Ellison's net worth was $295 billion, second only to Elon Musk, whose net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, was $384 billion.&nbsp;Larry Ellison, 81, has gained $103 billion this year, the highest by any billionaire. This value is more than Starbucks' entire market value of $95 billion.&nbsp;Fuelled&nbsp;by AI spending, Oracle's stock has gained 45 per cent this year. Over the past three years, Ellison's net worth has tripled -- from $80 billion in October 2022. The shares of the software giant have also increased from $70 to over $240.&nbsp;According to Business Insider, Ellison's stake in Oracle could be around $370 billion. It said that Bloomberg has a significantly lower estimate of Ellison's wealth because he's pledged about a quarter of his Oracle shares as collateral for personal loans.<h2>Who is Larry Ellison?</h2>Larry Ellison is the chairman, chief technology officer, and cofounder of Oracle. He owns roughly 40 per cent of the company. He relinquished the post of CEO in 2014 after helming the company for nearly four decades.&nbsp;He lives on the Hawaiian island of Lanai. He reportedly bought the land for $300 million. He also owns around 50 per cent of the media company, Paramount Skydance.&nbsp;Larry Ellison also held Tesla's 1.5 per cent shares and was on the board of the Musk-led company. However, he resigned. The status of his shareholding isn't clear as of now.

Larry Ellison, Oracle's co-founder, is threatening Tesla founder Elon Musk's crown as the world's richest person. 

Larry Ellison, Oracle's co-founder, is threatening Tesla founder Elon Musk's crown as the world's richest person. Ellison has made more money than anyone else this year, with Oracle's stock surging today in the US. On Tuesday, Larry Ellison's net worth was $295 billion, second only to Elon Musk, whose net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, was $384 billion. Larry Ellison, 81, has gained $103 billion this year, the highest by any billionaire. This value is more than Starbucks' entire market value of $95 billion. Fuelled by AI spending, Oracle's stock has gained 45 per cent this year. Over the past three years, Ellison's net worth has tripled -- from $80 billion in October 2022. The shares of the software giant have also increased from $70 to over $240. According to Business Insider, Ellison's stake in Oracle could be around $370 billion. It said that Bloomberg has a significantly lower estimate of Ellison's wealth because he's pledged about a quarter of his Oracle shares as collateral for personal loans. Who is Larry Ellison? Larry Ellison is the chairman, chief technology officer, and cofounder of Oracle. He owns roughly 40 per cent of the company. He relinquished the post of CEO in 2014 after helming the company for nearly four decades. He lives on the Hawaiian island of Lanai. He reportedly bought the land for $300 million. He also owns around 50 per cent of the media company, Paramount Skydance. Larry Ellison also held Tesla's 1.5 per cent shares and was on the board of the Musk-led company. However, he resigned. The status of his shareholding isn't clear as of now.

Fuelled&nbsp;by AI spending, Oracle's stock has gained 45 per cent this year. Larry Ellison owns around 40 per cent stake in the US-based company.&nbsp;

Who is Larry Ellison, business magnate who threatens Musk's 'world-richest' crown?

US President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs on several countries, claiming the trade deficit was harming the nation's economy. However, the US President's confrontational approach has harmed the economy more, according to&nbsp;experts. The country's cardboard manufacturing has plummeted, indicating that the masses are not ordering enough goods, and consumer spending has dried up amid the uncertainty&nbsp;triggered by Trump's geopolitics and economic policies.<h2>What can a simple cardboard box say about the economy?</h2>Cardboard boxes are used in the delivery of most goods, including home appliances&nbsp;and even pizzas. When the demand for cardboard boxes drops, it is an early indicator of a drop in consumer spending, signaling an economic slowdown.&nbsp;While GDP is tracked quarterly, box production drops immediately when the demand for stuff drops in the economy. This provides a real-time indicator of the economy, DW reported in an explainer video.&nbsp;In the US, the Federal Reserve monitors cardboard prices for an early indication of the state of the economy.&nbsp;The US demand for cardboard fell during the 2008 recession. It also fell during the pandemic. It, however, took off when the US government sent out stimulus cheques.&nbsp;The US cardboard box sales have now dried up, the German publication added.&nbsp;Adam Joshephson, packaging expert, Sakonnet Research, told DW that discretionary spending has dropped significantly in the US. He added that spending on artificial intelligence and government spending, along with spending on essentials&nbsp;like health care, housing, and insurance, have propped up the economy.&nbsp;Experts call this phenomenon the cardboard box recession.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tarek Hassan, an economist at Boston University, told DW that Trump's assessment&nbsp;that the trade deficit essentially puts the US at a disadvantage is economically flawed.&nbsp;"If I have a huge deficit with the supermarket, I go there every week, and give them money, and they give me goods. And they never buy anything from me," he said.&nbsp;"There are tariffs, there is&nbsp;uncertainty, there are mass deportations, a lot of stuff that makes it harder to produce things. That is cooling the economy down. What's keeping us going is this massive boom in AI investment," he explained.

US President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs on several countries, claiming the trade deficit was harming the nation's economy.

US President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs on several countries, claiming the trade deficit was harming the nation's economy. However, the US President's confrontational approach has harmed the economy more, according to experts. The country's cardboard manufacturing has plummeted, indicating that the masses are not ordering enough goods, and consumer spending has dried up amid the uncertainty triggered by Trump's geopolitics and economic policies. What can a simple cardboard box say about the economy? Cardboard boxes are used in the delivery of most goods, including home appliances and even pizzas. When the demand for cardboard boxes drops, it is an early indicator of a drop in consumer spending, signaling an economic slowdown. While GDP is tracked quarterly, box production drops immediately when the demand for stuff drops in the economy. This provides a real-time indicator of the economy, DW reported in an explainer video. In the US, the Federal Reserve monitors cardboard prices for an early indication of the state of the economy. The US demand for cardboard fell during the 2008 recession. It also fell during the pandemic. It, however, took off when the US government sent out stimulus cheques. The US cardboard box sales have now dried up, the German publication added. Adam Joshephson, packaging expert, Sakonnet Research, told DW that discretionary spending has dropped significantly in the US. He added that spending on artificial intelligence and government spending, along with spending on essentials like health care, housing, and insurance, have propped up the economy. Experts call this phenomenon the cardboard box recession. Tarek Hassan, an economist at Boston University, told DW that Trump's assessment that the trade deficit essentially puts the US at a disadvantage is economically flawed. "If I have a huge deficit with the supermarket, I go there every week, and give them money, and they give me goods. And they never buy anything from me," he said. "There are tariffs, there is uncertainty, there are mass deportations, a lot of stuff that makes it harder to produce things. That is cooling the economy down. What's keeping us going is this massive boom in AI investment," he explained.

Donald Trump's tariff is hampering domestic consumption in the United States. What can a simple cardboard box say about the economy?

Donald Trump's tariff offensive triggered a 'cardboard box recession'?

Apple on Tuesday launched its iPhone 17 series, including the Apple iPhone 17 Air, the company's slimmest offering ever. Apart from the four phones, the US-based company also announced the Apple Watch Series 11 and an updated Apple Watch SE 3. What are the features and prices of the watches?<h2>Apple Watch Series 11</h2>Apple Watch Series 11 is the thinnest watch in the lineup, which has the new Ionex glass display. According to Apple, the display is two times more scratch-resistant than previous models.&nbsp;Apple Watch Series 11 also has the latest 5G modem for the cellular option, which has improved the power efficiency of the watch.&nbsp;Watch 11 will ship with the new watchOS 26.&nbsp;The watch has features like heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and heart rate tracking. It can also identify&nbsp;signs of hypertension. However, it is pending clearance for use in 150 nations. It also gives a sleep score based on data like sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions. Its battery can last for up to 24 hours. Its colours include Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Space Gray.<h2>Apple Watch SE 3</h2>Apple Watch SE 3 is powered by Apple's S10 chip. It has features like Always-On display and gestures. It can provide a media playback of up to 18 hours. It also supports fast charging and an extended battery life.<h2>Apple Watch Ultra 3</h2>Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the company's flagship offering in the wearable sector. The device can give a battery backup of 42 hours. The Ultra 3 is available in black and grey colours.&nbsp;Watch SE 3 is priced at Rs 25,990 for the 40 mm, GPS version.&nbsp;Apple Watch Series 11 starts at Rs 46,900 in India.&nbsp; Apple Watch Ultra 3 is priced at Rs 89900.

Apple Watch prices: Apple Watch Series 11 is the thinnest watch in the lineup, which has the new Ionex glass display.

Apple on Tuesday launched its iPhone 17 series, including the Apple iPhone 17 Air, the company's slimmest offering ever. Apart from the four phones, the US-based company also announced the Apple Watch Series 11 and an updated Apple Watch SE 3. What are the features and prices of the watches? Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch Series 11 is the thinnest watch in the lineup, which has the new Ionex glass display. According to Apple, the display is two times more scratch-resistant than previous models. Apple Watch Series 11 also has the latest 5G modem for the cellular option, which has improved the power efficiency of the watch. Watch 11 will ship with the new watchOS 26. The watch has features like heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and heart rate tracking. It can also identify signs of hypertension. However, it is pending clearance for use in 150 nations. It also gives a sleep score based on data like sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions. Its battery can last for up to 24 hours. Its colours include Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Space Gray. Apple Watch SE 3 Apple Watch SE 3 is powered by Apple's S10 chip. It has features like Always-On display and gestures. It can provide a media playback of up to 18 hours. It also supports fast charging and an extended battery life. Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the company's flagship offering in the wearable sector. The device can give a battery backup of 42 hours. The Ultra 3 is available in black and grey colours. Watch SE 3 is priced at Rs 25,990 for the 40 mm, GPS version. Apple Watch Series 11 starts at Rs 46,900 in India. Apple Watch Ultra 3 is priced at Rs 89900.

Apple Watch prices: Apple Watch Series 11 is the thinnest watch in the lineup, which has the new Ionex glass display.

Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 prices in India revealed

The final deadline for the filing of the Income Tax Return is fast approaching. The deadline set by the Income Tax Department is 15 September 2025. Failing to file the ITR before the date may attract a penalty. The Finance Ministry has already extended the deadline from July 31 to September 15. However, it may not be extended further for taxpayers who don't require an audit.&nbsp;The ministry's reminder on September 7 said that the extension of the due date gives additional time to taxpayers to meet their compliance obligations. Those who don't meet the requirement may face penalties for missing the ITR filing deadline.&nbsp;The documents said that filing ITR within the deadline would help avoid penalties, ensure faster processing of refunds, and serve as an official&nbsp;financial record for availing loans.&nbsp;“Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is an important compliance requirement under the Income Tax Act. It enables individuals and entities to declare their income, report taxes paid, and claim refunds where applicable. Timely filing helps avoid penalties, ensures the faster processing of refunds, and also serves as an official financial record for availing loans, obtaining visas, and fulfilling other financial requirements,” ET quoted the document as saying.&nbsp;Manas Chugh, chartered accountant, Oslan Consultants, told ET that the government appears determined to stick to the deadline for individuals whose Income Tax Returns don't warrant an audit of their accounts.&nbsp;He said taxpayers shouldn't avoid delaying the filing of the return.As of September 8, 2025, for AY 2025-26, 5 crore taxpayers had already filed their returns. 4.72 crore returns had been verified.&nbsp;For assessment year 2024–25, a record 7.28 crore ITRs were filed. The previous year, &nbsp;6.77 crore ITRs were filed, logging a 7.5 per cent year-on-year growth.&nbsp;The Finance Ministry has said that a majority of taxpayers are now opting for the New Tax Regime.&nbsp;Kinjal Bhuta, CA and lawyer, direct tax &amp; international tax litigation, said the government might extend the regional deadlines due to interruptions.&nbsp;She said the Income Tax deadline extension may take place because of recent inclement weather in some states.<h2>How much is the penalty for not filing Income Tax?</h2>A charge of Rs 5000 will be imposed on those who file their income tax return after the deadline. A late fee of Rs 1000 will be levied on those whose total income is less than Rs 5 lakh.

The final deadline for the filing of the Income Tax Return is fast approaching. The deadline set by the Income Tax Department is 15 September 2025. Failing to file the ITR before the date may attract a penalty.

The final deadline for the filing of the Income Tax Return is fast approaching. The deadline set by the Income Tax Department is 15 September 2025. Failing to file the ITR before the date may attract a penalty. The Finance Ministry has already extended the deadline from July 31 to September 15. However, it may not be extended further for taxpayers who don't require an audit. The ministry's reminder on September 7 said that the extension of the due date gives additional time to taxpayers to meet their compliance obligations. Those who don't meet the requirement may face penalties for missing the ITR filing deadline. The documents said that filing ITR within the deadline would help avoid penalties, ensure faster processing of refunds, and serve as an official financial record for availing loans. “Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is an important compliance requirement under the Income Tax Act. It enables individuals and entities to declare their income, report taxes paid, and claim refunds where applicable. Timely filing helps avoid penalties, ensures the faster processing of refunds, and also serves as an official financial record for availing loans, obtaining visas, and fulfilling other financial requirements,” ET quoted the document as saying. Manas Chugh, chartered accountant, Oslan Consultants, told ET that the government appears determined to stick to the deadline for individuals whose Income Tax Returns don't warrant an audit of their accounts. He said taxpayers shouldn't avoid delaying the filing of the return. As of September 8, 2025, for AY 2025-26, 5 crore taxpayers had already filed their returns. 4.72 crore returns had been verified. For assessment year 2024–25, a record 7.28 crore ITRs were filed. The previous year, 6.77 crore ITRs were filed, logging a 7.5 per cent year-on-year growth. The Finance Ministry has said that a majority of taxpayers are now opting for the New Tax Regime. Kinjal Bhuta, CA and lawyer, direct tax & international tax litigation, said the government might extend the regional deadlines due to interruptions. She said the Income Tax deadline extension may take place because of recent inclement weather in some states. How much is the penalty for not filing Income Tax? A charge of Rs 5000 will be imposed on those who file their income tax return after the deadline. A late fee of Rs 1000 will be levied on those whose total income is less than Rs 5 lakh.

Income Tax Return Deadline 2025: The Finance Ministry may or may not extend the deadline for the filing of the income tax returns. Here's what experts say about the income tax. &nbsp;

Income Tax 2025: When is the ITR deadline? What's the penalty for violators?

Apple launched its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday. The company upgraded the iPhone 17 the most and introduced a completely new phone -- Apple iPhone Air. The gigantic updates to the vanilla iPhone and the new phone - billed as Apple's thinnest ever - were the highlights of Apple's 'Awe Dropping'&nbsp;launch&nbsp;event.<h2>Here's a look at what's new in the Apple iPhone Air and Apple iPhone 17</h2>&nbsp;Apple iPhone Air, the first of its kind, is the company's thinnest smartphone. It is paired with an A19 Pro chip, which also powers Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, the company's flagship devices. The iPhone Air will start at just $1,000 in the US. However, in India, it will be more expensive.&nbsp;Apple iPhone 17's front camera has been upgraded across the lineup. It has a new sensor and a wider field of view, which helps in taking selfie videos and photos. This new front camera can also help people vlog for YouTube or other social media websites. This new sensor helps people take landscape photos and other selfie orientations without having to rotate their phone.&nbsp;Apple's new iPhone Air also provides an option to users to record videos using the front and back cameras simultaneously. Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max's back cameras are improved -- both cameras have added zoom capabilities.&nbsp;The company doesn't specify battery capacities because it banks on software optimisation. However, the batteries of all the phones in Apple's lineup have been upgraded. Apple iPhone Air will be the most power-efficient iPhone yet.&nbsp;Also, Apple iPhone Air will be the phone with no physical SIM. It will only support an e-SIM.&nbsp;All Apple phones will come with its latest operating system, iOS 26, which will feature incremental AI advances.&nbsp;All Apple iPhones will have a feature called Center Stage for their front-facing cameras.<h2>Here's a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-iphone-17-iphone-17-air-iphone-17-pro-iphone-17-pro-max-prices-of-all-variants-1757483219043">list of prices of Apple Phones in India.&nbsp;</a></h2><ol><li>Apple iPhone 17 starts at Rs 82,900.</li><li>Apple iPhone 17 Air starts at Rs 1,19,900.</li><li>Apple iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900.</li><li>Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900. All Apple phones have a base storage of 256 GB.</li></ol>

Apple launched its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday. The company upgraded the iPhone 17 the most and introduced a completely new phone -- Apple iPhone Air. 

Apple launched its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday. The company upgraded the iPhone 17 the most and introduced a completely new phone -- Apple iPhone Air. The gigantic updates to the vanilla iPhone and the new phone - billed as Apple's thinnest ever - were the highlights of Apple's 'Awe Dropping' launch event. Here's a look at what's new in the Apple iPhone Air and Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone Air, the first of its kind, is the company's thinnest smartphone. It is paired with an A19 Pro chip, which also powers Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, the company's flagship devices. The iPhone Air will start at just $1,000 in the US. However, in India, it will be more expensive. Apple iPhone 17's front camera has been upgraded across the lineup. It has a new sensor and a wider field of view, which helps in taking selfie videos and photos. This new front camera can also help people vlog for YouTube or other social media websites. This new sensor helps people take landscape photos and other selfie orientations without having to rotate their phone. Apple's new iPhone Air also provides an option to users to record videos using the front and back cameras simultaneously. Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max's back cameras are improved -- both cameras have added zoom capabilities. The company doesn't specify battery capacities because it banks on software optimisation. However, the batteries of all the phones in Apple's lineup have been upgraded. Apple iPhone Air will be the most power-efficient iPhone yet. Also, Apple iPhone Air will be the phone with no physical SIM. It will only support an e-SIM. All Apple phones will come with its latest operating system, iOS 26, which will feature incremental AI advances. All Apple iPhones will have a feature called Center Stage for their front-facing cameras. Here's a list of prices of Apple Phones in India. Apple iPhone 17 starts at Rs 82,900. Apple iPhone 17 Air starts at Rs 1,19,900. Apple iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900. All Apple phones have a base storage of 256 GB.

Apple iPhone 17, Apple iPhone 17 Air, Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max have been launched by the US-based company in its Awe Dropping Event. Apple has upgraded the batteries and cameras for the iPhones.

Apple iPhone 17 series launched: Here's what new in the fresh lineup

Apple launched the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday at its Awe Dropping event, bringing forth four models – iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and&nbsp;iPhone 17 Pro Max. The company&nbsp;upgraded the displays, camera systems, processors, and storage options of its latest offerings. Apple said at the event that all models support Apple Intelligence and added on-device generative features to the iOS experience. The phones are available for pre-order and will be widely available after September 19.<h2>Here are the launch prices of the iPhone 17 series phones</h2><h3>Apple iPhone 17</h3>Apple iPhone 17 is the most upgraded&nbsp;phone in the company's lineup. The phone's base storage has been upgraded to 256 GB from 128 GB. iPhone 16 was criticised for having a 60 Hz display in 2025. The phone's latest iteration, however, sports&nbsp;a Pro Motion, 120 Hz display. It is available in black, white, blue, sage, and purple colours. The price of the base variant is Rs 82,900. The 512 GB variant costs&nbsp;Rs 1,02,900.<h3>Apple iPhone Air</h3>Apple iPhone Air replaces Apple iPhone's Plus Models. It is the thinnest phone ever designed by Apple. iPhone Air's features include a titanium body, Ceramic Shield 2 protection, and a 6.5-inch ProMotion always-on display. It is powered by Apple's flagship chip - A19 Pro. The 256GB variant of the phone is priced at Rs 1,19,900. Its 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,39,900, and its 1 TB variant costs Rs 1,59,900.<h3>Apple iPhone 17 Pro</h3>The price of the base variant of Apple iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900. The phone's base storage is 256 GB. The 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,54,900, and the 1 TB variant costs Rs 1,74,900.&nbsp;Apple iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the A19 Pro chip. It has a vapor chamber cooling system. Apple iPhone 17 Pro also&nbsp;has a triple camera setup led by a 48MP camera system, including a 100mm telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, expandable to 8x with Apple Fusion.<h3>iPhone 17 Pro Max&nbsp;</h3>iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's flagship phone.&nbsp; It offers the largest battery in any iPhone yet. Its new features include a powerful A19 Pro chip and vapor chamber cooling. It has a 48MP triple camera system, including a telephoto lens with 48x digital zoom.&nbsp;The base variant of the phone costs Rs 1,49,900. The 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,69,900. The 1 TB variant costs Rs 1,89,900 and the 2 TB variant costs Rs 2,29,900.

Apple launched the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday at its Awe Dropping event, bringing forth four models – iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple launched the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday at its Awe Dropping event, bringing forth four models – iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The company upgraded the displays, camera systems, processors, and storage options of its latest offerings. Apple said at the event that all models support Apple Intelligence and added on-device generative features to the iOS experience. The phones are available for pre-order and will be widely available after September 19. Here are the launch prices of the iPhone 17 series phones Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 is the most upgraded phone in the company's lineup. The phone's base storage has been upgraded to 256 GB from 128 GB. iPhone 16 was criticised for having a 60 Hz display in 2025. The phone's latest iteration, however, sports a Pro Motion, 120 Hz display. It is available in black, white, blue, sage, and purple colours. The price of the base variant is Rs 82,900. The 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,02,900. Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air replaces Apple iPhone's Plus Models. It is the thinnest phone ever designed by Apple. iPhone Air's features include a titanium body, Ceramic Shield 2 protection, and a 6.5-inch ProMotion always-on display. It is powered by Apple's flagship chip - A19 Pro. The 256GB variant of the phone is priced at Rs 1,19,900. Its 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,39,900, and its 1 TB variant costs Rs 1,59,900. Apple iPhone 17 Pro The price of the base variant of Apple iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900. The phone's base storage is 256 GB. The 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,54,900, and the 1 TB variant costs Rs 1,74,900. Apple iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the A19 Pro chip. It has a vapor chamber cooling system. Apple iPhone 17 Pro also has a triple camera setup led by a 48MP camera system, including a 100mm telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, expandable to 8x with Apple Fusion. iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's flagship phone. It offers the largest battery in any iPhone yet. Its new features include a powerful A19 Pro chip and vapor chamber cooling. It has a 48MP triple camera system, including a telephoto lens with 48x digital zoom. The base variant of the phone costs Rs 1,49,900. The 512 GB variant costs Rs 1,69,900. The 1 TB variant costs Rs 1,89,900 and the 2 TB variant costs Rs 2,29,900.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max's maximum storage is bumped up to 2 TB. Apple iPhone 17's base storage has been increased to 256 GB. Here's complete information about the prices of all variants of Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max prices of all variants revealed

Bajaj Auto, one of India's top two-wheeler and three-wheeler makers, has slashed the prices of its products, days after the centre announced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts. The company has fully passed on the rates to its customers. The revised prices will come into effect on September 22, when the fresh GST rates take effect.&nbsp;The prices of Bajaj's three-wheelers will be slashed by up to Rs 24,000. The prices of the motorcycles the company offers will be cut by Rs 20,000. The benefits will also be extended to the bikes made by KTM.<h2>GST Reforms</h2>Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last Wednesday slashed the 12 per cent and 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax slabs. In a decision aimed at providing more disposable money in the hands of the masses to boost domestic consumption, the government placed most of the items in the eliminated slabs into the 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabs.&nbsp;For small cars (under 4000mm and 1200 cc), the GST has been lowered from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. Utility vehicles have been placed under the sin good category (40 per cent). Most of the car companies in India have announced a reduction in prices.&nbsp;Motorcycles with engines under 350 cc will attract 18 per cent GST. Whereas, two-wheelers with engines over 350 cc will attract 40 per cent GST.&nbsp;"The government's decision to reduce GST for most two-wheelers and three-wheelers is a bold step forward, which will unlock their demand and set the industry on a firm growth path. At Bajaj Auto, we are delighted to support the initiative, making our vehicles more affordable just as the festive season begins," the company's Executive Director, Rakesh Sharma, told Money Control.

Bajaj Auto, one of India's top two-wheeler and three-wheeler makers, has slashed the prices of its products, days after the centre announced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts. 

Bajaj Auto, one of India's top two-wheeler and three-wheeler makers, has slashed the prices of its products, days after the centre announced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts. The company has fully passed on the rates to its customers. The revised prices will come into effect on September 22, when the fresh GST rates take effect. The prices of Bajaj's three-wheelers will be slashed by up to Rs 24,000. The prices of the motorcycles the company offers will be cut by Rs 20,000. The benefits will also be extended to the bikes made by KTM. GST Reforms Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last Wednesday slashed the 12 per cent and 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax slabs. In a decision aimed at providing more disposable money in the hands of the masses to boost domestic consumption, the government placed most of the items in the eliminated slabs into the 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabs. For small cars (under 4000mm and 1200 cc), the GST has been lowered from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. Utility vehicles have been placed under the sin good category (40 per cent). Most of the car companies in India have announced a reduction in prices. Motorcycles with engines under 350 cc will attract 18 per cent GST. Whereas, two-wheelers with engines over 350 cc will attract 40 per cent GST. "The government's decision to reduce GST for most two-wheelers and three-wheelers is a bold step forward, which will unlock their demand and set the industry on a firm growth path. At Bajaj Auto, we are delighted to support the initiative, making our vehicles more affordable just as the festive season begins," the company's Executive Director, Rakesh Sharma, told Money Control.

Bajaj slashes prices of motorcycles after GST reduction: The revised prices will come into effect on September 22, when the fresh GST rates take effect.

New GST Rates 2025: Bajaj announces reduction in prices of two-wheelers, three-wheelers

Jaguar Land Rover, which manufactures premium SUVs, has decided to pass on the benefit of the GST cuts to its customer base by announcing massive price cuts on its three cars – Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery. The Tata-owned British company has slashed the prices of its luxury vehicles by a whopping Rs 30.40 lakh.&nbsp;Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week announced the GST Council's decision to do away with two Goods and Services Tax (GST) slabs – 12 per cent and 28 per cent. The government has decided to place the goods and services in these two categories to lower 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabs. The decision was taken to provide more disposable money in the hands of the masses to boost domestic consumption.&nbsp;The automobile sector has also greatly&nbsp;benefited from GST reforms, as all the passenger vehicle categories will witness lower GST. For small cars (under 4000mm and 1200 cc), the GST has been lowered from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. Utility vehicles have been placed under the sin good category (40 per cent). However, the flat 40 per cent tax is lower than the previous 48 per cent tax, including cesses.&nbsp;The centre's decision has clearly lowered the prices of the luxury vehicles as well.<h2>Discounts on Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery</h2>&nbsp;Range Rover- From Rs 4.60 lakh to Rs 30.40 lakhDefender- From Rs 7 lakh to Rs 18.60 lakhDiscovery- From Rs 4.50 lakh to Rs 9.90 lakh&nbsp;"The GST rationalisation on luxury vehicles is a welcome move for customers and for the industry. This move will provide much-needed impetus, reinforcing our confidence in and commitment to India's luxury market," said Rajan Amba, Managing Director, was as quoted saying by MoneyControl.&nbsp;The new price will take effect on September 9. GST rates will take effect from September 22.

Jaguar Land Rover, which manufactures premium SUVs, has decided to pass on the benefit of the GST cuts to its customer base by announcing massive price cuts on its three cars – Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery.

Jaguar Land Rover, which manufactures premium SUVs, has decided to pass on the benefit of the GST cuts to its customer base by announcing massive price cuts on its three cars – Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery. The Tata-owned British company has slashed the prices of its luxury vehicles by a whopping Rs 30.40 lakh. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week announced the GST Council's decision to do away with two Goods and Services Tax (GST) slabs – 12 per cent and 28 per cent. The government has decided to place the goods and services in these two categories to lower 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabs. The decision was taken to provide more disposable money in the hands of the masses to boost domestic consumption. The automobile sector has also greatly benefited from GST reforms, as all the passenger vehicle categories will witness lower GST. For small cars (under 4000mm and 1200 cc), the GST has been lowered from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. Utility vehicles have been placed under the sin good category (40 per cent). However, the flat 40 per cent tax is lower than the previous 48 per cent tax, including cesses. The centre's decision has clearly lowered the prices of the luxury vehicles as well. Discounts on Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery Range Rover- From Rs 4.60 lakh to Rs 30.40 lakh Defender- From Rs 7 lakh to Rs 18.60 lakh Discovery- From Rs 4.50 lakh to Rs 9.90 lakh "The GST rationalisation on luxury vehicles is a welcome move for customers and for the industry. This move will provide much-needed impetus, reinforcing our confidence in and commitment to India's luxury market," said Rajan Amba, Managing Director, was as quoted saying by MoneyControl. The new price will take effect on September 9. GST rates will take effect from September 22.

GST Rates 2025, Jaguar Land Rover prices: The automobile sector has also greatly&nbsp;benefited from GST reforms, as all the passenger vehicle categories will witness lower GST.

GST Rates 2025: You can buy another car with discount amount extended by Land Rover | Details

Apple will release its Apple iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday in its annual keynote. The event, dubbed Awe Dropping, will be streamed live from the company's California office, where it will release several of its products and will likely shed light on its artificial intelligence vision. AI was the company's focus in last year's address. However, it couldn't deliver on its AI promise and is deemed behind rival Samsung in this sector of the smartphone business.&nbsp;Apple hasn't officially released the agenda for the event. However, it is expected that it will release its latest line of iPhones. Many experts believe that Apple, the market leader in the premium smartphone sector, is lagging behind its rivals, chiefly Samsung, in the race to provide cutting-edge generative AI features.<h2>Apple's AI conundrum&nbsp;</h2>Market tracker Canalys said in an analyst note that there is a perception that Apple is late to the AI party, which presents a challenge.&nbsp;It added that Android, which is backed by Google, leads Apple in AI integration. It said Apple's slower rollout of first-party AI features has created adoption gaps.&nbsp;Apple introduced its "Apple Intelligence" AI features late last year, but the features underwhelmed users -- particularly the long-awaited improvements to its Siri voice assistant, which remained disappointingly basic.&nbsp;Unconfirmed reports say Apple is looking to partner with Google to leverage its search and AI expertise.&nbsp;Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said in a note that he will be surprised if any major announcement regarding Apple's AI strategy is made.&nbsp;He also said that Apple's incremental innovation approach with the iPhone 17 will start reaching its limits, "especially for those who are hungry for more innovation".&nbsp;Apple may also introduce the iPhone 17 Air, its thinnest smartphone ever. With the move, Apple is positioning thinness, rather than screen size, as the new premium differentiator. It could also pave the way for the foldable version of the smartphone.&nbsp;Samsung has made strides in the foldable space, as it introduced the seventh edition of the Samsung Fold earlier this year.&nbsp;"Apple is navigating a delicate balance between its two largest markets – the US and China – amid rising trade tensions," Canalys said.

Apple will release its Apple iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday in its annual keynote. The event, dubbed Awe Dropping, will be streamed live from the company's California office, where it will release several of its products and will likely shed light on its artificial intelligence vision.

Apple will release its Apple iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday in its annual keynote. The event, dubbed Awe Dropping, will be streamed live from the company's California office, where it will release several of its products and will likely shed light on its artificial intelligence vision. AI was the company's focus in last year's address. However, it couldn't deliver on its AI promise and is deemed behind rival Samsung in this sector of the smartphone business. Apple hasn't officially released the agenda for the event. However, it is expected that it will release its latest line of iPhones. Many experts believe that Apple, the market leader in the premium smartphone sector, is lagging behind its rivals, chiefly Samsung, in the race to provide cutting-edge generative AI features. Apple's AI conundrum Market tracker Canalys said in an analyst note that there is a perception that Apple is late to the AI party, which presents a challenge. It added that Android, which is backed by Google, leads Apple in AI integration. It said Apple's slower rollout of first-party AI features has created adoption gaps. Apple introduced its "Apple Intelligence" AI features late last year, but the features underwhelmed users -- particularly the long-awaited improvements to its Siri voice assistant, which remained disappointingly basic. Unconfirmed reports say Apple is looking to partner with Google to leverage its search and AI expertise. Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said in a note that he will be surprised if any major announcement regarding Apple's AI strategy is made. He also said that Apple's incremental innovation approach with the iPhone 17 will start reaching its limits, "especially for those who are hungry for more innovation". Apple may also introduce the iPhone 17 Air, its thinnest smartphone ever. With the move, Apple is positioning thinness, rather than screen size, as the new premium differentiator. It could also pave the way for the foldable version of the smartphone. Samsung has made strides in the foldable space, as it introduced the seventh edition of the Samsung Fold earlier this year. "Apple is navigating a delicate balance between its two largest markets – the US and China – amid rising trade tensions," Canalys said.

Apple Awe Dropping Event: Apple introduced its "Apple Intelligence" AI features late last year, but the features underwhelmed users.

Apple Awe Dropping event: What analysts say on Apple's AI conundrum

The central government has reportedly asked car and two-wheeler manufacturers to display posters showing a comparison of their products before and after the lowering of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).<h2>GST rate cut 2025</h2>The centre has eliminated the 12 per cent and 28 per cent GST slabs and introduced a new 40 per cent slab. It has placed most of the items under these slabs into the 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabs. Products like luxury cars and tobacco products, which are categorised as 'sin' goods, have been placed under the 40 per cent slab.&nbsp;The centre's initiative will lower the prices of most of the goods and services affecting the common man, including cars and two-wheelers. Small cars, defined as those under 4000 mm in length and with engines of less than 1200 cc, will attract only 18 per cent GST as opposed to 28 per cent. Utility vehicles will attract 40 per cent GST; however, the overall tax will be lower than the previous 48 per cent tax.<h2>What the Centre has said</h2>The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Business Standard reports, has routed the instructions through the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and automobile firms are now getting posters designed.&nbsp;It isn't clear whether the cost of printing and distributing these posters will be borne by companies, dealers, or divided between the two companies.&nbsp;Industry sources told the newspaper that the automobile industry will be spending at least Rs 20-30 crore for this activity. These posters will be placed at dealerships this week. However, luxury car companies will not be required to display them.&nbsp;Top companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors, Toyota, and Kia have announced that they will pass on the entire GST benefit to customers.

The central government has reportedly asked car and two-wheeler manufacturers to display posters showing a comparison of their products before and after the lowering of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The central government has reportedly asked car and two-wheeler manufacturers to display posters showing a comparison of their products before and after the lowering of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST rate cut 2025 The centre has eliminated the 12 per cent and 28 per cent GST slabs and introduced a new 40 per cent slab. It has placed most of the items under these slabs into the 5 per cent and 18 per cent slabs. Products like luxury cars and tobacco products, which are categorised as 'sin' goods, have been placed under the 40 per cent slab. The centre's initiative will lower the prices of most of the goods and services affecting the common man, including cars and two-wheelers. Small cars, defined as those under 4000 mm in length and with engines of less than 1200 cc, will attract only 18 per cent GST as opposed to 28 per cent. Utility vehicles will attract 40 per cent GST; however, the overall tax will be lower than the previous 48 per cent tax. What the Centre has said The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Business Standard reports, has routed the instructions through the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and automobile firms are now getting posters designed. It isn't clear whether the cost of printing and distributing these posters will be borne by companies, dealers, or divided between the two companies. Industry sources told the newspaper that the automobile industry will be spending at least Rs 20-30 crore for this activity. These posters will be placed at dealerships this week. However, luxury car companies will not be required to display them. Top companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors, Toyota, and Kia have announced that they will pass on the entire GST benefit to customers.

GST Rate Cut 2025: Top companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors, Toyota, and Kia have announced.

Centre asked car companies to display GST price cut posters? Report makes big claim

Pakistan has created an oppressive surveillance apparatus enabled by Chinese and other foreign technologies, allowing the government to monitor, censor, and intercept the communications of its citizens, Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday (Sep 9). The entire apparatus, according to the human rights body, is operating without legal oversight or transparency, resulting in grave violations of privacy and freedom for millions of Pakistanis. The technologies enable “constant snooping” on citizens’ communications, severely restricting freedom of expression and access to information.<h2>Pakistan citizens spied on: Profiteering out of citizen snooping</h2>Pakistan’s Web Monitoring System and Lawful Intercept Management System "operate like watchtowers, constantly snooping on the lives of ordinary citizens…", said Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard.“This dystopian reality is extremely dangerous because it operates in the shadow… This is nothing short of a vast and profitable economy of oppression,” said Callamard, adding that Pakistani people are paying the highest price.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-creates-new-missile-unit-after-india-standoff-nation-readies-for-future-war-1755173658998/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-creates-new-missile-unit-after-india-standoff-nation-readies-for-future-war-1755173658998/embed</a><h2>Pakistan mass surveillance: What Amnesty International investigation found&nbsp;</h2>After a year-long investigation in collaboration with multiple media and human rights organisations, Amnesty revealed the unlawful expansion of mass surveillance and censorship in Pakistan. Besides China, the technology comes from companies based in Germany, France, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the United States.<h2>Key surveillance systems used by Pakistan to monitor its citizens</h2>The key surveillance systems include the Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0), a national firewall that enables censorship and internet blocking. There is also the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS), which allows Pakistan’s military and intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to intercept phone calls, texts, and internet data.<h2>Who is giving Pakistan the tech to surveil its own people?</h2>The original WMS (referred to as WMS 1.0) used technology from Canadian company Sandvine, now known as AppLogic Networks, which had supplied equipment since 2017 to Pakistani firms such as Inbox Technologies.In 2023, WMS 1.0 was replaced by WMS 2.0, which uses advanced technology from China’s Geedge Networks, combined with hardware and software from US-based Niagara Networks and France’s Thales. Amnesty describes Geedge Networks’ technology as a commercialised version of China’s “Great Firewall”, the extensive censorship system now exported globally.The LIMS system, meanwhile, uses technology from the German company Utimaco, distributed in Pakistan via UAE-based Datafusion.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-plans-high-tech-radars-to-counter-pakistan-s-drone-tactics-post-operation-sindoor-claims-report-1757309051084">India plans high-tech radars to counter Pakistan’s drone tactics post Operation Sindoor, claims report</a><h2>How the web surveillance system is deployed in Pakistan</h2>WMS 2.0 system, according to Amnesty, is capable of blocking internet access and specific content with virtually no transparency. It can block VPNs and censor content considered “unlawful” by Pakistani authorities.The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has mandated that all telecom operators must implement LIMS. This allows the military and ISI to access the private communications and data of millions of citizens.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-are-iranian-sleeper-cells-and-why-is-the-fbi-on-high-alert-1750577232516">Explained: What are Iranian sleeper cells—and why is the FBI on high alert?</a><h2>What Pakistani authorities can see or hear through snooping on their citizens</h2>According to the Amnesty report, more than four million people can be subjected to indiscriminate surveillance at any time through LIMS.Authorities can view phone locations, calls, texts, and — in the case of HTTP traffic — full website content. For HTTPS traffic, they can access metadata such as which website was visited, but not the encrypted content.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-tech-firms-keep-employees-under-extreme-surveillance-391341/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-tech-firms-keep-employees-under-extreme-surveillance-391341/embed</a><h2>No safeguards in Pakistan against mass surveillance</h2>Pakistanis are being subjected to this surveillance within a legal vacuum. Laws such as the Fair Trial Act, which require warrants for surveillance, are often ignored.A journalist interviewed by Amnesty revealed he was under surveillance after exposing government corruption: “Everything is monitored, be it email or calls. After the story, anyone I would speak to, even on WhatsApp, would come under scrutiny.” He added: “I go months without speaking to my family for fear they will be targeted.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-plans-all-seeing-surveillance-camera-network-on-moon-to-secure-lunar-base-696804">China plans ‘all-seeing’ surveillance camera network on moon to secure its lunar base</a><h2>Pakistanis are funding their own surveillance</h2>A startling finding in the report is that these surveillance systems are funded with public money.Amnesty’s technologist Jurre van Bergen stated that both LIMS and WMS 2.0 are funded by taxpayer money, enabled by foreign technology, and used to silence dissent.Calling LIMS “a tool of unlawful and indiscriminate surveillance in practice”, van Bergen said, “The surveillance is causing severe human rights harms against the Pakistani people.” &nbsp;

Amnesty International investigation has revealed the extent of Pakistan’s mass surveillance system, which uses Chinese and other foreign tech to monitor, censor, and intercept citizens’ communications without oversight. And the odd thing is, Pakistanis are paying for it



Pakistan has created an oppressive surveillance apparatus enabled by Chinese and other foreign technologies, allowing the government to monitor, censor, and intercept the communications of its citizens, Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday (Sep 9). The entire apparatus, according to the human rights body, is operating without legal oversight or transparency, resulting in grave violations of privacy and freedom for millions of Pakistanis. The technologies enable “constant snooping” on citizens’ communications, severely restricting freedom of expression and access to information. Pakistan citizens spied on: Profiteering out of citizen snooping Pakistan’s Web Monitoring System and Lawful Intercept Management System "operate like watchtowers, constantly snooping on the lives of ordinary citizens…", said Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard. “This dystopian reality is extremely dangerous because it operates in the shadow… This is nothing short of a vast and profitable economy of oppression,” said Callamard, adding that Pakistani people are paying the highest price. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-creates-new-missile-unit-after-india-standoff-nation-readies-for-future-war-1755173658998/embed Pakistan mass surveillance: What Amnesty International investigation found After a year-long investigation in collaboration with multiple media and human rights organisations, Amnesty revealed the unlawful expansion of mass surveillance and censorship in Pakistan. Besides China, the technology comes from companies based in Germany, France, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the United States. Key surveillance systems used by Pakistan to monitor its citizens The key surveillance systems include the Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0), a national firewall that enables censorship and internet blocking. There is also the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS), which allows Pakistan’s military and intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to intercept phone calls, texts, and internet data. Who is giving Pakistan the tech to surveil its own people? The original WMS (referred to as WMS 1.0) used technology from Canadian company Sandvine, now known as AppLogic Networks, which had supplied equipment since 2017 to Pakistani firms such as Inbox Technologies. In 2023, WMS 1.0 was replaced by WMS 2.0, which uses advanced technology from China’s Geedge Networks, combined with hardware and software from US-based Niagara Networks and France’s Thales. Amnesty describes Geedge Networks’ technology as a commercialised version of China’s “Great Firewall”, the extensive censorship system now exported globally. The LIMS system, meanwhile, uses technology from the German company Utimaco, distributed in Pakistan via UAE-based Datafusion. Also read: India plans high-tech radars to counter Pakistan’s drone tactics post Operation Sindoor, claims report How the web surveillance system is deployed in Pakistan WMS 2.0 system, according to Amnesty, is capable of blocking internet access and specific content with virtually no transparency. It can block VPNs and censor content considered “unlawful” by Pakistani authorities. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has mandated that all telecom operators must implement LIMS. This allows the military and ISI to access the private communications and data of millions of citizens. Also read: Explained: What are Iranian sleeper cells—and why is the FBI on high alert? What Pakistani authorities can see or hear through snooping on their citizens According to the Amnesty report, more than four million people can be subjected to indiscriminate surveillance at any time through LIMS. Authorities can view phone locations, calls, texts, and — in the case of HTTP traffic — full website content. For HTTPS traffic, they can access metadata such as which website was visited, but not the encrypted content. https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-tech-firms-keep-employees-under-extreme-surveillance-391341/embed No safeguards in Pakistan against mass surveillance Pakistanis are being subjected to this surveillance within a legal vacuum. Laws such as the Fair Trial Act, which require warrants for surveillance, are often ignored. A journalist interviewed by Amnesty revealed he was under surveillance after exposing government corruption: “Everything is monitored, be it email or calls. After the story, anyone I would speak to, even on WhatsApp, would come under scrutiny.” He added: “I go months without speaking to my family for fear they will be targeted.” Also read: China plans ‘all-seeing’ surveillance camera network on moon to secure its lunar base Pakistanis are funding their own surveillance A startling finding in the report is that these surveillance systems are funded with public money. Amnesty’s technologist Jurre van Bergen stated that both LIMS and WMS 2.0 are funded by taxpayer money, enabled by foreign technology, and used to silence dissent. Calling LIMS “a tool of unlawful and indiscriminate surveillance in practice”, van Bergen said, “The surveillance is causing severe human rights harms against the Pakistani people.”

Amnesty International investigation has revealed the extent of Pakistan’s mass surveillance system, which uses Chinese and other foreign tech to monitor, censor, and intercept citizens’ communications without oversight. And the odd thing is, Pakistanis are paying for it&nbsp;

PAKISTAN SPYING on its own citizens using Chinese technology, claims Amnesty International investigation report

Apple will launch its Apple iPhone 17 series on Tuesday at the 'Awe Dropping' event. The US-based company is expected to launch four iPhone models – Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The company will also launch the next-generation Apple Watch and its AirPods, one of the most popular earphones. In its keynote address, Apple is also expected to address concerns regarding the company's artificial intelligence initiatives.<h2>How to watch the Awe Dropping Event in India and abroad, and where</h2>The Apple iPhone 17 series will be launched at Apple's headquarters in California's Cupertino. It will be streamed in India at 10.30 PM IST. The event's streaming can be accessed on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, and the company's official YouTube channel.&nbsp;In the United States, Apple's Awe Dropping event can be watched at: 10 AM (PDT), 11 AM (MDT), noon (CDT), 1 PM (EDT). In Canada, the event can be watched at 10 AM (PDT), 11 AM (MDT), noon (CDT), 1 PM (EDT), and 2 PM (ADT).&nbsp;In the United Kingdom, Awe Dropping event can be watched at 6 PM BST. In Europe, it can be watched at 7 PM (CEST). In Japan, it can be watched on September 10 at 2 AM (JST). In Australia, the address can be watched at 1 AM, (AWST), 2.30 AM (ACST) and 3 am (AEST).<h2>What to expect at Apple's Awe Dropping event?</h2>Apple is expected to change the design of the Apple iPhone 17 series. The iPhone 17 will have a 6.3-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It can also have a new 24 MP front-facing camera.&nbsp;The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to undergo a design change with a horizontal camera bar and a lighter aluminium build. The storage of the Pro models will start at 256 GB. iPhone 16 Pro's storage was 128 GB.&nbsp;The iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple’s top-tier model, might accommodate a bigger battery. Apple iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the Plus model and will be the company's slimmest phone ever. It can have a 6.6-inch display and a single rear camera.

Apple will launch its Apple iPhone 17 series on Tuesday at the 'Awe Dropping' event. The US-based company is expected to launch four iPhone models – Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

Apple will launch its Apple iPhone 17 series on Tuesday at the 'Awe Dropping' event. The US-based company is expected to launch four iPhone models – Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The company will also launch the next-generation Apple Watch and its AirPods, one of the most popular earphones. In its keynote address, Apple is also expected to address concerns regarding the company's artificial intelligence initiatives. How to watch the Awe Dropping Event in India and abroad, and where The Apple iPhone 17 series will be launched at Apple's headquarters in California's Cupertino. It will be streamed in India at 10.30 PM IST. The event's streaming can be accessed on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, and the company's official YouTube channel. In the United States, Apple's Awe Dropping event can be watched at: 10 AM (PDT), 11 AM (MDT), noon (CDT), 1 PM (EDT). In Canada, the event can be watched at 10 AM (PDT), 11 AM (MDT), noon (CDT), 1 PM (EDT), and 2 PM (ADT). In the United Kingdom, Awe Dropping event can be watched at 6 PM BST. In Europe, it can be watched at 7 PM (CEST). In Japan, it can be watched on September 10 at 2 AM (JST). In Australia, the address can be watched at 1 AM, (AWST), 2.30 AM (ACST) and 3 am (AEST). What to expect at Apple's Awe Dropping event? Apple is expected to change the design of the Apple iPhone 17 series. The iPhone 17 will have a 6.3-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It can also have a new 24 MP front-facing camera. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to undergo a design change with a horizontal camera bar and a lighter aluminium build. The storage of the Pro models will start at 256 GB. iPhone 16 Pro's storage was 128 GB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple’s top-tier model, might accommodate a bigger battery. Apple iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the Plus model and will be the company's slimmest phone ever. It can have a 6.6-inch display and a single rear camera.

Apple Awe Dropping Event: In the event, the US-based company is expected to launch Apple iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Iphone 17 Air will replace the Plus model.

Apple Awe Dropping Event: Where to watch? Timings in US, India, Canada, Japan

Apple, one of the largest tech companies in the world, will organise the 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9, where it will launch its Apple iPhone 17 series and other products. Apart from the regular Apple iPhone 17, the company is expected to launch Apple iPhone 17 Pro, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a slim iteration of the Apple iPhone 17.<h2>Apple Awe Dropping event schedule</h2>The event will be telecast live to the world on September 9. In India, the expected time of the live streaming and telecast is 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time.&nbsp;Apple executives will apprise the world about their latest products from Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, California.&nbsp;Live streaming can be seen on Apple's official website, Apple TV, and YouTube.<h2>Which devices can be launched?</h2>Apple iPhone 17, Apple iPhone 17 Air, Apple iPhone 17 Pro, and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max will be launched tomorrow. Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, AirPods Pro 3, AirTag 2, New Apple TV 4K, and HomePod Mini 2 are expected to be launched as well.&nbsp;Notably, Apple might discontinue its Apple iPhone Plus model because of tepid sales.&nbsp;Apple can provide a 120 Hz display for its base iPhone series.&nbsp;The phone can also sport a new A19 processor.&nbsp;Apple iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the thinnest Apple iPhone ever with a 5.5 mm display. Apple's premium models can switch back to aluminium. They will sport A 19 Pro chip.&nbsp;Apple has been facing an intense challenge from Samsung and its Chinese rivals. Samsung's S25 series, especially &nbsp;Galaxy S25 Ultra, has been very successful.&nbsp;Apple is also behind Samsung as far as artificial intelligence is concerned. The company will attempt to reverse the trend this year.

Apple, one of the largest tech companies in the world, will organise the 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9, where it will launch its Apple iPhone 17 series and other products.

Apple, one of the largest tech companies in the world, will organise the 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9, where it will launch its Apple iPhone 17 series and other products. Apart from the regular Apple iPhone 17, the company is expected to launch Apple iPhone 17 Pro, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a slim iteration of the Apple iPhone 17. Apple Awe Dropping event schedule The event will be telecast live to the world on September 9. In India, the expected time of the live streaming and telecast is 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time. Apple executives will apprise the world about their latest products from Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, California. Live streaming can be seen on Apple's official website, Apple TV, and YouTube. Which devices can be launched? Apple iPhone 17, Apple iPhone 17 Air, Apple iPhone 17 Pro, and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max will be launched tomorrow. Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, AirPods Pro 3, AirTag 2, New Apple TV 4K, and HomePod Mini 2 are expected to be launched as well. Notably, Apple might discontinue its Apple iPhone Plus model because of tepid sales. Apple can provide a 120 Hz display for its base iPhone series. The phone can also sport a new A19 processor. Apple iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the thinnest Apple iPhone ever with a 5.5 mm display. Apple's premium models can switch back to aluminium. They will sport A 19 Pro chip. Apple has been facing an intense challenge from Samsung and its Chinese rivals. Samsung's S25 series, especially Galaxy S25 Ultra, has been very successful. Apple is also behind Samsung as far as artificial intelligence is concerned. The company will attempt to reverse the trend this year.

Apple iPhone 17 launch event is called the Awe Dropping event. It will be streamed on Apple TV, Apple's official website, and YouTube. In India, the Awe Dropping event will start at 10.30 PM.&nbsp;

Apple iPhone 17 launch event schedule, list of products, other details | Check full information

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran revealed on Monday how much damage US President Donald Trump's tariffs can cause to the Indian economy, saying the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could be reduced by 0.5 percentage points. He said he, however, hopes that the penal tariff is a "short-lived phenomenon".&nbsp;"Depending upon how long it lasts, even in this financial year, it may translate into a GDP impact of somewhere between 0.5% to 0.6%,” he told Bloomberg TV in an interview.<h2>What CEA Nageswaran said on the Indian economy</h2>Nageswaran, however, said that if the tariff stretches into the next year, the impact of the tariff could grow and become larger, spiralling into a major risk for India.&nbsp;Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports because New Delhi has been buying Russian oil and weapons. The Trump administration has accused India of funding Russia's war in Ukraine by buying Moscow's oil. New Delhi says that by buying discounted Russian oil, it has been safeguarding the interests of its people.&nbsp;The tariffs have made the Indian exports more expensive than their regional rivals like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The tariffs have threatened jobs in the labour-intensive sectors, including textiles and jewellery.&nbsp;The CEA said the government's growth forecast is between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent for the financial year 2025-2026.&nbsp;He said that the recent GST and inflation cuts will prove to be tailwinds for the economy and will boost "disposable incomes and spending".&nbsp;Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced the GST Council's decision to discontinue the 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates. Most of the items under these categories will be moved to the 5 per cent and 18 per cent GST slabs.

Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran revealed on Monday how much damage US President Donald Trump's tariffs can cause to the Indian economy, saying the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could be reduced by 0.5 percentage points.

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran revealed on Monday how much damage US President Donald Trump's tariffs can cause to the Indian economy, saying the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could be reduced by 0.5 percentage points. He said he, however, hopes that the penal tariff is a "short-lived phenomenon". "Depending upon how long it lasts, even in this financial year, it may translate into a GDP impact of somewhere between 0.5% to 0.6%,” he told Bloomberg TV in an interview. What CEA Nageswaran said on the Indian economy Nageswaran, however, said that if the tariff stretches into the next year, the impact of the tariff could grow and become larger, spiralling into a major risk for India. Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports because New Delhi has been buying Russian oil and weapons. The Trump administration has accused India of funding Russia's war in Ukraine by buying Moscow's oil. New Delhi says that by buying discounted Russian oil, it has been safeguarding the interests of its people. The tariffs have made the Indian exports more expensive than their regional rivals like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The tariffs have threatened jobs in the labour-intensive sectors, including textiles and jewellery. The CEA said the government's growth forecast is between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent for the financial year 2025-2026. He said that the recent GST and inflation cuts will prove to be tailwinds for the economy and will boost "disposable incomes and spending". Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced the GST Council's decision to discontinue the 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates. Most of the items under these categories will be moved to the 5 per cent and 18 per cent GST slabs.

Donald Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports because New Delhi has been buying Russian oil and weapons. CEA V Anantha Nageswaran said that the impact of the tariffs could grow.

CEA V Anantha Nageswaran predicts Donald Trump's tariff's impact on Indian economy

India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries affected by recent subsea cable disruptions in the Red Sea, which caused significant internet outages across Asia and the Middle East. Service providers like Etisalat and Du were impacted, and Microsoft reported increased latency for users of its Azure cloud services in the Middle East. Given the location and timing of the disruptions, some observers have questioned whether the Houthi rebels may be involved, particularly in the broader context of the Israel–Hamas war in the region. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged to support this theory. Why are the Red Sea cables crucial for global communications? Could this be another facet of the war? Here is what you need to know:&nbsp;<h2>How the Red Sea cable cuts are being felt</h2>The undersea cables were severed near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (Sep 6). Following the disruption, internet traffic has been rerouted through alternative cables and satellite systems, resulting in slower connectivity and delayed response times, especially due to the longer and more congested routes now being used. Repairs to deep-sea cables can take several weeks, given the logistical and technical complexity.&nbsp;Microsoft said the fibre cable cuts can take time to repair, adding it would ‘continuously monitor, rebalance, and optimise routing to reduce customer impact.’Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-indian-navy-chief-admiral-r-hari-kumar-terms-red-sea-situation-fragile-683080">Indian Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar terms Red Sea situation fragile</a><h2>Previous Houthi attacks on maritime assets on Red Sea</h2>In March 2024, a Houthi missile strike sank the Belize-registered ship Rubymar. Its anchor dragged along the seabed and damaged several subsea cables, including Seacom, AAE-1, and EIG. These cables collectively handled around 25 per cent of regional internet traffic.While the Houthis have demonstrated the capability to damage subsea infrastructure, there is currently no official attribution linking them to this weekend's disruptions. The group has denied targeting undersea cables in past incidents, including similar cases in February and March 2024.Amid the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, the Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on Red Sea shipping in order to pressure Israel and its Western allies. This context has fuelled speculation about their possible involvement in the recent cable cuts, but no clear evidence has emerged.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-red-sea-tensions-and-its-potential-impact-on-indias-export-and-oil-trade-681608">Rising Red Sea tensions and its potential impact on India's export and oil trade</a><h2>Why the Red Sea internet cables are critical for global communications</h2>The Red Sea is a strategic chokepoint for global internet traffic, hosting a cluster of undersea cables linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. These cables are essential for cloud computing, high-speed financial transactions, and international communications.The region around Red Sea currently hosts 14 active subsea cables, with six more under construction. Over 90 per cent of data traffic between Asia and Europe travels through this corridor.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-houthi-conflict-houthis-claim-to-strike-israeli-linked-tanker-in-red-sea-1757146244157/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-houthi-conflict-houthis-claim-to-strike-israeli-linked-tanker-in-red-sea-1757146244157/embed</a><h2>Two key cables affected in recent incidents&nbsp;</h2>The South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) operated by Tata Communications connects Southeast Asia to Europe via the Middle East. The India–Middle East–Western Europe (IMEWE) cable, managed by a consortium led by Alcatel-Lucent, links India to Europe through the Middle East. These high-capacity, low-latency cables are critical to maintaining stable global internet connectivity. Disruptions in this region ripple across multiple continents<h2>High-tech communications affected in a fragile world</h2>The weekend sea cable cuts raised suspicion against the Houthis, though no direct evidence has been presented. This means this could very well have been an accident. But regardless of the cause, the disruption highlights the fragility of the global internet infrastructure and the strategic importance of the Red Sea, in a fragile world hit by conflicts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This weekend's subsea internet cable disruptions in the Red Sea cut connectivity across Asia and the Middle East. While suspicion surrounds Houthi involvement amid the Israel–Hamas conflict, no evidence confirms sabotage. Can internet be another front for war?



India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries affected by recent subsea cable disruptions in the Red Sea, which caused significant internet outages across Asia and the Middle East. Service providers like Etisalat and Du were impacted, and Microsoft reported increased latency for users of its Azure cloud services in the Middle East. Given the location and timing of the disruptions, some observers have questioned whether the Houthi rebels may be involved, particularly in the broader context of the Israel–Hamas war in the region. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged to support this theory. Why are the Red Sea cables crucial for global communications? Could this be another facet of the war? Here is what you need to know: How the Red Sea cable cuts are being felt The undersea cables were severed near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (Sep 6). Following the disruption, internet traffic has been rerouted through alternative cables and satellite systems, resulting in slower connectivity and delayed response times, especially due to the longer and more congested routes now being used. Repairs to deep-sea cables can take several weeks, given the logistical and technical complexity. Microsoft said the fibre cable cuts can take time to repair, adding it would ‘continuously monitor, rebalance, and optimise routing to reduce customer impact.’ Also read: Indian Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar terms Red Sea situation fragile Previous Houthi attacks on maritime assets on Red Sea In March 2024, a Houthi missile strike sank the Belize-registered ship Rubymar. Its anchor dragged along the seabed and damaged several subsea cables, including Seacom, AAE-1, and EIG. These cables collectively handled around 25 per cent of regional internet traffic. While the Houthis have demonstrated the capability to damage subsea infrastructure, there is currently no official attribution linking them to this weekend's disruptions. The group has denied targeting undersea cables in past incidents, including similar cases in February and March 2024. Amid the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, the Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on Red Sea shipping in order to pressure Israel and its Western allies. This context has fuelled speculation about their possible involvement in the recent cable cuts, but no clear evidence has emerged. Also read: Rising Red Sea tensions and its potential impact on India's export and oil trade Why the Red Sea internet cables are critical for global communications The Red Sea is a strategic chokepoint for global internet traffic, hosting a cluster of undersea cables linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. These cables are essential for cloud computing, high-speed financial transactions, and international communications. The region around Red Sea currently hosts 14 active subsea cables, with six more under construction. Over 90 per cent of data traffic between Asia and Europe travels through this corridor. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-houthi-conflict-houthis-claim-to-strike-israeli-linked-tanker-in-red-sea-1757146244157/embed Two key cables affected in recent incidents The South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) operated by Tata Communications connects Southeast Asia to Europe via the Middle East. The India–Middle East–Western Europe (IMEWE) cable, managed by a consortium led by Alcatel-Lucent, links India to Europe through the Middle East. These high-capacity, low-latency cables are critical to maintaining stable global internet connectivity. Disruptions in this region ripple across multiple continents High-tech communications affected in a fragile world The weekend sea cable cuts raised suspicion against the Houthis, though no direct evidence has been presented. This means this could very well have been an accident. But regardless of the cause, the disruption highlights the fragility of the global internet infrastructure and the strategic importance of the Red Sea, in a fragile world hit by conflicts.

This weekend's subsea internet cable disruptions in the Red Sea cut connectivity across Asia and the Middle East. While suspicion surrounds Houthi involvement amid the Israel–Hamas conflict, no evidence confirms sabotage. Can internet be another front for war?&nbsp;

Subsea cable cuts in the Red Sea hit internet in India, Middle East: Could this be another front in the Israel–Hamas war?

The Supreme Court on Monday transferred three writ petitions by online money game companies pending in three high courts to itself. The petitions, filed by the gaming companies, were pending before the Delhi High Court, the Karnataka High Court, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 ("Online Gaming Act"), which prohibits online money games and activities linked to them.&nbsp;The Supreme Court said that any such petition filed before the high courts stands transferred to the Supreme Court for hearing. The court acted on a petition filed by the central government seeking the consolidation of petitions.&nbsp;Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan wrote in the order that the high courts are directed to transfer the entire record of the petitions within one week digitally.&nbsp;"This is at the instance of the Union of India with the following prayers. We transfer as prayed for is allowed. The proceedings from the Karnataka, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts stand transferred to this Court. Respective High Courts are directed to transfer the entire records with all interlocutory applications filed within 1 week. Let this transfer be done digitally to save time," the bench was quoted as saying by Live Law.<h2>What is the Online Gaming Act 2025?</h2>The central government last month passed the Online Gaming Act 2025 in the parliament, seeking a ban on money games. The law's provisions include a fine of Rs 1 crore, or jail term, or both for those guilty of promoting online money gaming. The law, however, spares those seeking to play such games.&nbsp;The online gaming companies had appealed to the government not to pass the legislation, arguing that many of these games were skill-based and that thousands of people stood to lose their jobs.&nbsp;After the bill became a law, many companies challenged it before the Delhi High Court, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and the Karnataka High Court.&nbsp;The petitioners submitted before the courts that the Act prohibits even those games which involve skills and not mere chance, especially e-sports.&nbsp;The bill was passed on August 21 and received the Presidential Assent on August 22.

The Supreme Court on Monday transferred three writ petitions by online money gaming companies pending in three high courts to itself.

The Supreme Court on Monday transferred three writ petitions by online money game companies pending in three high courts to itself. The petitions, filed by the gaming companies, were pending before the Delhi High Court, the Karnataka High Court, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 ("Online Gaming Act"), which prohibits online money games and activities linked to them. The Supreme Court said that any such petition filed before the high courts stands transferred to the Supreme Court for hearing. The court acted on a petition filed by the central government seeking the consolidation of petitions. Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan wrote in the order that the high courts are directed to transfer the entire record of the petitions within one week digitally. "This is at the instance of the Union of India with the following prayers. We transfer as prayed for is allowed. The proceedings from the Karnataka, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts stand transferred to this Court. Respective High Courts are directed to transfer the entire records with all interlocutory applications filed within 1 week. Let this transfer be done digitally to save time," the bench was quoted as saying by Live Law. What is the Online Gaming Act 2025? The central government last month passed the Online Gaming Act 2025 in the parliament, seeking a ban on money games. The law's provisions include a fine of Rs 1 crore, or jail term, or both for those guilty of promoting online money gaming. The law, however, spares those seeking to play such games. The online gaming companies had appealed to the government not to pass the legislation, arguing that many of these games were skill-based and that thousands of people stood to lose their jobs. After the bill became a law, many companies challenged it before the Delhi High Court, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and the Karnataka High Court. The petitioners submitted before the courts that the Act prohibits even those games which involve skills and not mere chance, especially e-sports. The bill was passed on August 21 and received the Presidential Assent on August 22.

Online money-gaming law: The Supreme Court of India transfered the petitions filed by gaming companies in the Delhi High Court, the Karnataka High Court, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Online money-game law: Supreme Court transfers 3 High Court petitions to itself

The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion (around $3.5 billion) for violating EU antitrust rules in the advertising technology (adtech) sector, in the fourth major penalty of the tech giant in recent years. What is different this time? Will this lead to more regulatory pressure on the Big Tech giant?<h2>The EU ruling: what happened?</h2>In the ruling on Friday (Sep 5), Google was found to have abused its dominance since 2014 by favouring its own ad exchange, known as 'AdX', and ad-buying practices called “self-preferencing” that disadvantaged competitors, advertisers, and publishers. It asked Google to submit a compliance plan within 60 days. If the plan is found inadequate, the European Commission could impose 'structural remedies', such as divesting parts of its adtech business.Google has vowed to appeal, calling the decision “wrong” and warning that the required changes could harm European businesses.<h2>EU is leading the way in antitrust actions against Google</h2>This latest antitrust fine is part of a series of penalties imposed on Google by the European Union. It was fined €2.42 billion in 2017 for favouring its own price comparison service. In 2018, the EU fined Google €4.34 billion over Android-related abuses. This fine remains the largest penalty on Google to date. In 2019, the EU fined Google €1.49 billion for restrictive advertising contract clauses, but this was annulled by the General Court in 2024 following Google’s appeal.Overall, EU antitrust fines on Google add up to around €8.7 billion.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-fined-381-mn-for-predetatory-gmail-advertising-but-it-s-like-toll-tax-for-alphabet-less-than-0-25-pc-of-its-global-revenue-google-monopoly-1756964314254">Google fined $381 mn for predatory Gmail advertising, but it's like toll tax for Alphabet, less than 0.25 pc of its global revenue</a><h2>How Google faces antitrust fines in the US, but Trump favours it</h2>Antitrust scrutiny of Google is also intensifying in the United States, its home country. In April 2025, a federal judge ruled that Google holds illegal monopolies in online advertising markets, specifically in publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. Remedy hearings are scheduled.Regarding search dominance, US courts have also found Google monopolistic and are proceeding with remedies discussions.Google’s EU fine, while substantial, is modest compared to its global advertising revenue, which was approximately $264.6 billion in 2024, &nbsp;and nearly 75 per cent of its total income. US President Donald Trump criticised the fine as “unfair” and “discriminatory,” threatening a Section 301 trade investigation that could lead to new US tariffs on European goods.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-fines-google-200000000000000000000000000000000-772626/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-fines-google-200000000000000000000000000000000-772626/embed</a><h2>Clamour for Google breakup is growing</h2>Critics argue that fines alone are insufficient to curb Google’s entrenched dominance, especially in the €120 billion European ad tech market. They call for a breakup of Google’s business units to restore competition.The latest EU fine signals a significant shift in antitrust enforcement, moving beyond monetary penalties and towards the possibility of ‘structural remedies’. This could involve forced divestment of Google subsidiary businesses to dismantle its monopoly.<h2>How Google dominates the entire digital advertising supply chain</h2>Google is the most dominant player in the adtech ecosystem, spanning ad exchanges, ad servers, and demand-side platforms. This has led to allegations of ‘self-preferencing’, where Google favours its own services, increasing costs for advertisers and limiting options for publishers.The EU ruling targets this vertical integration directly.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/google-faces-eu-court-blow-in-5-billion-android-antitrust-case-details-here-1750392104721">Google faces EU court blow in $5 billion Android antitrust case: Details here</a><h2>Google breakup next? How will it help advertisers?</h2>If structural remedies are enforced, parts of Google’s adtech infrastructure could be broken up in the EU, potentially increasing competition and innovation.This EU ruling aligns with a global trend towards restructuring Big Tech business models to combat monopolies.But is breaking up Google’s adtech business a good idea? What could competition mean for advertisers? &nbsp;For advertisers and publishers, greater competition could lead to fairer prices, improved transparency, and better tools to monetise content, ultimately benefiting consumers through increased innovation and choice

The EU's €2.95 billion fine on Google for abusing dominance in adtech by favouring its own services is more than just another monetary penalty. It could pave the way for the breakup of its ad business in European Union

The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion (around $3.5 billion) for violating EU antitrust rules in the advertising technology (adtech) sector, in the fourth major penalty of the tech giant in recent years. What is different this time? Will this lead to more regulatory pressure on the Big Tech giant? The EU ruling: what happened? In the ruling on Friday (Sep 5), Google was found to have abused its dominance since 2014 by favouring its own ad exchange, known as 'AdX', and ad-buying practices called “self-preferencing” that disadvantaged competitors, advertisers, and publishers. It asked Google to submit a compliance plan within 60 days. If the plan is found inadequate, the European Commission could impose 'structural remedies', such as divesting parts of its adtech business. Google has vowed to appeal, calling the decision “wrong” and warning that the required changes could harm European businesses. EU is leading the way in antitrust actions against Google This latest antitrust fine is part of a series of penalties imposed on Google by the European Union. It was fined €2.42 billion in 2017 for favouring its own price comparison service. In 2018, the EU fined Google €4.34 billion over Android-related abuses. This fine remains the largest penalty on Google to date. In 2019, the EU fined Google €1.49 billion for restrictive advertising contract clauses, but this was annulled by the General Court in 2024 following Google’s appeal. Overall, EU antitrust fines on Google add up to around €8.7 billion. Also read: Google fined $381 mn for predatory Gmail advertising, but it's like toll tax for Alphabet, less than 0.25 pc of its global revenue How Google faces antitrust fines in the US, but Trump favours it Antitrust scrutiny of Google is also intensifying in the United States, its home country. In April 2025, a federal judge ruled that Google holds illegal monopolies in online advertising markets, specifically in publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. Remedy hearings are scheduled. Regarding search dominance, US courts have also found Google monopolistic and are proceeding with remedies discussions. Google’s EU fine, while substantial, is modest compared to its global advertising revenue, which was approximately $264.6 billion in 2024, and nearly 75 per cent of its total income. US President Donald Trump criticised the fine as “unfair” and “discriminatory,” threatening a Section 301 trade investigation that could lead to new US tariffs on European goods. https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-fines-google-200000000000000000000000000000000-772626/embed Clamour for Google breakup is growing Critics argue that fines alone are insufficient to curb Google’s entrenched dominance, especially in the €120 billion European ad tech market. They call for a breakup of Google’s business units to restore competition. The latest EU fine signals a significant shift in antitrust enforcement, moving beyond monetary penalties and towards the possibility of ‘structural remedies’. This could involve forced divestment of Google subsidiary businesses to dismantle its monopoly. How Google dominates the entire digital advertising supply chain Google is the most dominant player in the adtech ecosystem, spanning ad exchanges, ad servers, and demand-side platforms. This has led to allegations of ‘self-preferencing’, where Google favours its own services, increasing costs for advertisers and limiting options for publishers. The EU ruling targets this vertical integration directly. Also read: Google faces EU court blow in $5 billion Android antitrust case: Details here Google breakup next? How will it help advertisers? If structural remedies are enforced, parts of Google’s adtech infrastructure could be broken up in the EU, potentially increasing competition and innovation. This EU ruling aligns with a global trend towards restructuring Big Tech business models to combat monopolies. But is breaking up Google’s adtech business a good idea? What could competition mean for advertisers? For advertisers and publishers, greater competition could lead to fairer prices, improved transparency, and better tools to monetise content, ultimately benefiting consumers through increased innovation and choice

The EU's €2.95 billion fine on Google for abusing dominance in adtech by favouring its own services is more than just another monetary penalty. It could pave the way for the breakup of its ad business in European Union&nbsp;

Google fined $3.5 billion by EU, but will it lead to breakup of the advertising monopoly of tech giant?

Rolee Agarwal, the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, writing about the importance of Article 265, said that with the recent reforms, the Indian government has demonstrated how it is using "the nudge theory" as a middle path to strengthen tax compliance.&nbsp;The senior IRS officer wrote in an article that by simplifying return-filing, sending pre-filled forms, and providing digital reminders, taxpayers are encouraged to fulfill their obligations, not coerced.&nbsp;"Compliance is strongest where trust is deepest. Our endeavour is to make taxing not a struggle but a seamless part of responsible citizenship," she wrote for Econimic Times, citing the CBDT chairman.&nbsp;She said these behavioural interventions have increased revenues and expanded the tax base. She said the approach has built confidence in taxpayers that the system seeks cooperation rather than confrontation.&nbsp;"The government’s push towards simplification of tax laws—with reduced exemptions, clearer structures, and predictable rates—marks a turning point in taxpayer experience. The introduction of the new Income-tax Act, 2025, aimed at clarity and consolidation, is one of the most significant reforms in decades," she added.&nbsp;The IRS officer stressed that the new system minimizes litigation, cuts down ambiguity, and allows individuals and businesses to comply with tax obligations with ease.&nbsp;She said that by making the law more transparent, India wants a tax regime that feels like a fair duty rather than an obligation.&nbsp;She called the faceless system of assessments and appeals one of the most "transformative reforms".&nbsp;She said the government has eliminated the scope for harassment and reduced discretionary powers by eliminating the physical interface between taxpayers and officials. This move, she added, instilled fairness and transparency in the system.&nbsp;"Evidence shows that faceless assessments have improved compliance, increased revenue collection, and significantly enhanced the public image of the department as being taxpayer-friendly," she added.&nbsp;In the article, she called Article 265 -- an Article of the Constitution of India which states that no tax can be levied or collected except by the authority of law -- the guardian of fiscal justice. She added that the Article ensures that taxation in India is lawful, transparent, and accountable.&nbsp;"With reforms based on nudges, simplification, and faceless governance, the state has successfully deepened trust while enhancing revenues," she said.&nbsp;She, however, said that taxpayers must shun evasion and uphold their role in society by embracing compliance in letter and spirit.

Rolee Agarwal, the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, writing about the importance of Article 265, said that with the recent reforms, the central government has demonstrated how the government is using "the nudge theory" as a middle path to strengthen tax compliance.

Rolee Agarwal, the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, writing about the importance of Article 265, said that with the recent reforms, the Indian government has demonstrated how it is using "the nudge theory" as a middle path to strengthen tax compliance. The senior IRS officer wrote in an article that by simplifying return-filing, sending pre-filled forms, and providing digital reminders, taxpayers are encouraged to fulfill their obligations, not coerced. "Compliance is strongest where trust is deepest. Our endeavour is to make taxing not a struggle but a seamless part of responsible citizenship," she wrote for Econimic Times, citing the CBDT chairman. She said these behavioural interventions have increased revenues and expanded the tax base. She said the approach has built confidence in taxpayers that the system seeks cooperation rather than confrontation. "The government’s push towards simplification of tax laws—with reduced exemptions, clearer structures, and predictable rates—marks a turning point in taxpayer experience. The introduction of the new Income-tax Act, 2025, aimed at clarity and consolidation, is one of the most significant reforms in decades," she added. The IRS officer stressed that the new system minimizes litigation, cuts down ambiguity, and allows individuals and businesses to comply with tax obligations with ease. She said that by making the law more transparent, India wants a tax regime that feels like a fair duty rather than an obligation. She called the faceless system of assessments and appeals one of the most "transformative reforms". She said the government has eliminated the scope for harassment and reduced discretionary powers by eliminating the physical interface between taxpayers and officials. This move, she added, instilled fairness and transparency in the system. "Evidence shows that faceless assessments have improved compliance, increased revenue collection, and significantly enhanced the public image of the department as being taxpayer-friendly," she added. In the article, she called Article 265 -- an Article of the Constitution of India which states that no tax can be levied or collected except by the authority of law -- the guardian of fiscal justice. She added that the Article ensures that taxation in India is lawful, transparent, and accountable. "With reforms based on nudges, simplification, and faceless governance, the state has successfully deepened trust while enhancing revenues," she said. She, however, said that taxpayers must shun evasion and uphold their role in society by embracing compliance in letter and spirit.

Rolee Agarwal, a senior IRS officer, wrote in an article that by simplifying return-filing, sending pre-filled forms, and providing digital reminders, taxpayers are encouraged to fulfill their obligations.

Centre using 'nudge theory' to strengthen compliance: Chief Commissioner of Income Tax