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The US will apply a zero tariff on speciality drugs for rare conditions imported from India and 19 other nations, as a 100% pharma levy takes effect Sept 29. The United States will charge no ad valorem tariff on a defined set of speciality medicines and their ingredients used to treat rare conditions when they arrive from India, alongside 19 other countries. The exemption was set out by the US commerce department in a notice published in the Federal Register. The carve-out comes as Washington prepares to apply a 100% tariff on certain patented pharmaceutical imports and their associated ingredients starting September 29. The commerce department listed the eligible countries as it readied that measure. The levy traces back to April 2, when President Donald Trump signed a proclamation ordering tariffs on imports of patented pharmaceuticals, biologics and their ingredients. The stated aim is to push more drug manufacturing onto US soil. Several categories of high-value medicine qualify for the zero rate. These cover treatments designated for rare diseases, infertility therapies, cell therapies, gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates and pharmaceuticals for animals. The components that go into making these drugs also fall under the zero tariff. Generic drugs sit outside the new regime entirely. According to the department's notice, generic pharmaceutical products and the ingredients tied to them are not covered by the Section 232 pharmaceutical tariffs. The distinction matters for India, a major supplier of medicines to the American market. By sparing both a slice of speciality products and the broad generic segment, the exemptions narrow the reach of the incoming duty for Indian exporters. India pharma exports, US pharmaceutical tariff, speciality drugs, rare disease drugs, Section 232 tariff, Trump pharma tariff, gene therapy imports, patented pharmaceuticals

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Tata Sons plans to remain private, the Nifty slid to a six-month low, and the Supreme Court questioned charges on UPI payments. Three developments are shaping India's business landscape: Tata Sons intends to remain a private company, the Nifty index has fallen to a six-month low, and the Supreme Court has raised questions over charges on UPI transactions. Tata Sons, the holding company at the centre of the Tata Group, is moving to stay private rather than list on the stock market. The decision keeps the conglomerate's principal entity outside the reach of public shareholders and market disclosure that a listing would bring. Nifty falls to six-month low The Nifty, one of India's benchmark equity indices, has dropped to its lowest level in six months. The fall marks a setback for investors and signals renewed pressure across Indian equities. Supreme Court questions UPI charges Separately, the Supreme Court has questioned charges linked to the Unified Payments Interface, the digital payments system used widely across India. UPI underpins a large share of the country's everyday transactions, and the court's scrutiny places the issue of fees on the platform under legal review. The three stories together touch corporate structure, market performance and digital payments regulation, each a significant strand of India's financial system. Further detail on the reasoning behind Tata Sons' decision, the factors driving the Nifty's decline, and the scope of the court's questions on UPI was not immediately available. Tata Sons, Nifty, six-month low, Supreme Court, UPI charges, Indian markets, business news, stock market

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Explore the US energy paradox, comparing shale oil costs, Saudi production, Venezuela's reserves and the petrodollar's influence on global markets. The US Energy Paradox: How Oil Production, Extraction Costs and Petrodollar Power Shape Global Energy Markets Special Report | News National WASHINGTON / DUBAI — The United States occupies a unique position in the global energy landscape. It is the world's largest crude oil producer, yet its domestic oil industry faces production costs and geological challenges that differ significantly from those of major Middle Eastern exporters. Behind this contrast lies a complex relationship between energy security, international trade, strategic reserves and the global financial system. While the United States has expanded its shale oil production, countries such as Saudi Arabia continue to benefit from conventional oil fields that are generally cheaper to operate. At the same time, the US dollar remains central to international oil trading, reinforcing the connection between energy markets and American financial influence. These developments have prompted debate over whether the United States is positioning itself to preserve its own resources while relying on foreign supplies. However, the distinction between documented economic trends and interpretations of a deliberate long-term geopolitical strategy remains important. 1. US Oil Production Dominance: The Shale Revolution The United States produced an average of 13.6 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2025, setting a new annual record and maintaining its position as the world's leading crude oil producer, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The country's production growth has been driven substantially by technological improvements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. Major production regions include: Permian Basin: Located primarily in Texas and New Mexico, it is a major source of US shale oil. Bakken Formation: Located mainly in North Dakota and Montana, it has contributed significantly to American crude production. Eagle Ford Shale: A major oil and natural gas producing formation in South Texas. Unlike conventional oil fields, where petroleum can sometimes flow naturally under underground pressure, shale production requires operators to drill horizontally and fracture rock formations to release trapped hydrocarbons. This process involves substantial investment in drilling equipment, technology, water management, transportation and ongoing well maintenance. The United States had approximately 46 billion barrels of proved crude oil and lease condensate reserves at the end of 2024, according to the EIA. The combination of substantial production and relatively high development requirements creates an important economic distinction: being the world's largest producer does not automatically mean having the world's cheapest oil. 2. The Extraction Cost Gap: America Versus Saudi Arabia and Russia Oil production costs vary according to geology, technology, labour, infrastructure, taxation and the definition of cost being measured. Conventional oil fields in the Middle East generally benefit from geological conditions that allow companies to extract petroleum at lower operating costs than many shale projects. Saudi Arabia's large conventional fields have historically provided a significant cost advantage. However, the frequently quoted figures of just a few dollars per barrel generally refer to lifting costs, rather than the complete cost of exploration, development, transportation and government expenditure. US shale producers face a different economic structure. Their profitability depends on drilling productivity, well decline rates, capital expenditure, oil prices and access to pipelines and processing facilities. Russia also has a diverse production base, with costs varying considerably between mature fields, newer developments and remote regions. International sanctions, restrictions on technology access, shipping complications and insurance arrangements can increase the total cost of bringing Russian oil to international buyers. The central economic issue is that production cost and market price are not the same thing. A country may produce oil cheaply but still sell it at the prevailing international market price, while a higher-cost producer may remain profitable during periods of strong demand. 3. Venezuela: The World's Largest Oil Reserves, but Limited Production Venezuela presents one of the most striking contrasts in global energy economics. The country possesses approximately 303 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves, making it the world's largest holder of proved oil reserves according to the EIA's 2023 assessment. Yet its production remains far below that of the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia. The explanation involves several interconnected challenges. Extra-heavy crude oil A large proportion of Venezuela's petroleum is concentrated in the Orinoco Belt, where the oil is exceptionally thick and difficult to extract and process. Unlike lighter crude, extra-heavy oil often requires specialised production techniques, additional processing and, in some cases, blending with lighter hydrocarbons to make it suitable for transportation and refining. Deteriorating infrastructure Years of underinvestment, equipment deterioration, operational difficulties and shortages of technical expertise have affected the country's oil industry. Its state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), has faced substantial financial and operational constraints. International sanctions US sanctions and restrictions on investment and technology access have further complicated Venezuela's ability to restore production capacity and attract international partners. The country's experience demonstrates that underground reserves alone do not guarantee energy dominance. Access to capital, technical expertise, functioning infrastructure and stable commercial arrangements are equally important. 4. The Strategic Debate: Is America Preserving Its Own Oil? One interpretation of US energy policy suggests that the country benefits from consuming or importing lower-cost foreign crude while preserving more expensive domestic shale resources for future use. The argument is based on a straightforward economic principle: if a country has access to cheaper supplies from international markets, it may have an incentive to avoid extracting higher-cost domestic resources until market conditions justify production. However, this should not be confused with a verified government strategy to deliberately exhaust foreign reserves before using American oil. US energy policy has involved multiple objectives, including domestic production, consumer affordability, energy security, exports, employment, environmental regulation and international trade. The United States also exports substantial quantities of crude oil and petroleum products, meaning its energy position cannot be explained simply as a policy of importing foreign oil while keeping domestic reserves untouched. Nevertheless, the debate highlights an important question for the future: how should major economies balance immediate energy demand against the long-term value of their natural resources? 5. The Persian Gulf and America's Security Relationships The Persian Gulf remains strategically important because of its concentration of major oil exporters and its role in international energy transportation. The United States maintains longstanding defence and security relationships with several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and other regional partners. These relationships involve military cooperation, arms sales, intelligence sharing, maritime security and diplomatic engagement. The security arrangements developed over decades have also intersected with energy trade and financial relationships. For Gulf exporters, stable shipping routes and predictable international markets are important to maintaining oil revenues. For the United States and other major economies, uninterrupted energy supplies are important to economic stability. However, the relationship is not a simple exchange in which military protection is provided solely in return for dollar-denominated oil sales. Regional security, defence cooperation, investment, diplomacy and shared economic interests all contribute to these partnerships. 6. The Petrodollar System: How Oil Supports the Dollar's Global Role The term petrodollar describes US dollars earned through international petroleum sales and the broader financial relationships associated with those revenues. Since the 1970s, the dollar has played a central role in international oil pricing and settlement. This position creates several economic advantages for the United States. International demand for dollars: Countries and businesses involved in global energy trade frequently require access to dollar-based financial markets. Deep financial markets: The United States offers highly developed capital markets, including US Treasury securities, which international institutions use for investment and reserves. Currency network effects: When major commodities are priced in a widely used currency, businesses may continue using that currency because it simplifies contracts, financing and risk management. Investment flows: Oil-exporting countries can reinvest surplus revenues in international financial markets, including American assets. Nevertheless, the dollar's international position cannot be attributed to oil alone. The size of the US economy, the liquidity of its financial markets, institutional arrangements and its role in international trade are also important factors. Furthermore, dollar-denominated oil trading does not mean every oil transaction must be settled in dollars or that all oil exporters invest their proceeds in US government debt. The petrodollar system is therefore better understood as one component of a much larger international financial structure. 7. Can the US Dollar Remain Dominant as Energy Markets Change? The global energy landscape is evolving. China and India have become major participants in international energy trade, while several countries are exploring alternative payment arrangements to reduce their dependence on the dollar. Some Gulf exporters have also expressed interest in diversifying their commercial and financial relationships. These developments have generated discussion about alternative currencies, including the Chinese yuan, in energy transactions. However, diversification does not automatically mean the end of dollar dominance. The dollar continues to benefit from established financial infrastructure, liquidity and widespread international use. The future of the petrodollar will depend on several factors, including geopolitical relationships, financial-market developments, energy demand, trade patterns and the availability of credible alternatives. 8. The Future of Global Oil: Production, Reserves and Economic Power The US energy paradox reveals that oil power is determined by more than the volume of petroleum beneath a country's territory. A nation's influence in the energy market depends on its ability to extract resources economically, maintain production infrastructure, transport supplies, attract investment and participate in international financial systems. The United States has demonstrated how technological innovation can transform previously difficult-to-access resources into a major source of production. Saudi Arabia continues to benefit from large conventional fields and a different cost structure, while Venezuela illustrates the challenges of converting enormous geological reserves into reliable commercial output. Meanwhile, the dollar's role in international energy transactions reinforces the connection between oil markets and global finance. Whether these developments represent a coordinated long-term strategy or the combined outcome of economic incentives and geopolitical decisions remains a subject of debate. What is clear is that the future balance of global energy power will be shaped not only by who owns the oil, but also by who can produce it, finance it, transport it and trade it efficiently. Key Takeaways The United States produced a record 13.6 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2025. US shale production relies on capital-intensive drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Saudi Arabia benefits from a different geological and production-cost structure. Venezuela's enormous reserves have not translated into comparable production because of technical, financial and infrastructure challenges. The petrodollar system supports the dollar's role in global energy markets but is not the sole foundation of US financial influence. The theory that America deliberately preserves its oil while exhausting foreign reserves first remains an interpretation, not an established fact. Editorial Note: This report is an original analysis prepared for News National. Figures refer to the specific reporting periods identified in the article. Production costs vary by methodology and project, and geopolitical interpretations are presented as analysis rather than established government policy.

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Dali Koumbe The Mauritanian Village Where Blindness and Quranic Learning Shape a Unique Community MAURITANIA, WEST AFRICA — In a remote part of southeastern Mauritania lies a village that has attracted attention for an unusual combination of circumstances: a high prevalence of inherited blindness and a strong tradition of Quranic education. Known as Dali Koumbé, and also referred to in academic research as Dali Gimba, the isolated community is located about 60 kilometres from the town of Timbedra in southeastern Mauritania. Reports and research have documented generations of residents affected by blindness, while Quran memorisation remains an important part of community life. A Village Known for Generations of Blindness Dali Koumbé has long been associated with hereditary blindness. A 2015 report described the village as having a population of around 2,000 at the time and reported widespread congenital blindness among residents. Other reports have given considerably smaller population figures, illustrating how estimates have varied over time. A 2019 report by Al Ain News described the village as being around 60 kilometres from Timbedra and reported that more than half of the children were born without sight. The same report cited local and medical observations concerning a hereditary condition affecting several generations of the community. Researchers have also studied Dali Gimba as a community in which blindness has a significant social and cultural role. Anthropologist Saquib Usman's research at the University of Michigan examined how blindness and sight are understood within the village and surrounding region. Quran Memorisation Has a Special Place One of the most remarkable aspects of the village is its tradition of Quranic education. Academic research conducted in Dali Gimba documents groups of children gathering to memorise and recite portions of the Quran. The research describes Quranic study taking place at different times of the day, including early morning, afternoon, after sunset and late into the night. The same research says that Dali Gimba developed a reputation as a place for Quranic study partly because blind instructors were considered particularly strong listeners and examiners. Their memorisation abilities and knowledge of the Quran were highly respected within the community. This is an important distinction: blindness did not prevent members of the community from participating in religious education. In some cases, the skills developed through listening and memorisation became an important part of their role as teachers. Learning Without Sight For Quran students, memorisation depends heavily on repeated listening, recitation and correction. In Dali Gimba, these practices became particularly significant because blind teachers could rely on their exceptional auditory memory and familiarity with recitation. The academic account describes children repeatedly reading and reciting their daily portions from writing tablets, with Quranic learning continuing for several years during childhood. The tradition demonstrates how education can adapt to the circumstances of a community. Rather than treating blindness as an absolute barrier to learning, the village developed an educational culture in which listening, memorisation and oral transmission were especially important. A Community Living With a Serious Health Challenge Behind the inspirational stories, however, Dali Koumbé also faces serious social and medical challenges. Reports have described limited access to healthcare, education and other essential services. Residents have sought greater medical assistance and facilities, particularly because of the number of people affected by blindness. A 2019 report cited medical opinions linking the condition affecting many residents to hereditary genetic factors. It also discussed retinal disorders as one possible explanation for some cases. These medical explanations are important because the precise cause of the condition should not be reduced to folklore or religious interpretation without scientific evidence. Faith, Acceptance and Community Life Stories circulating online about Dali Koumbé often focus on the spiritual perspective of its blind residents. Some videos portray villagers as deeply content with their circumstances and emphasize their faith, Quran memorisation and hope of meeting their Creator. These themes reflect the religious interpretation presented in such material, but individual statements from videos should be attributed to the speakers rather than presented as independently established facts. What can be documented is that Quranic education has historically played a significant role in the community and that blind Quran teachers have held respected positions in the local educational tradition. More Than a Story About Blindness Dali Koumbé's story is therefore more complicated than the description of a "village of blind people." It is a story about education, faith, inherited disease, adaptation and community resilience. Residents have had to develop ways of navigating daily life in an environment where many people cannot see. At the same time, Quranic memorisation has provided an important educational and cultural tradition. The village's experience also raises broader questions about access to healthcare and education for remote communities affected by inherited conditions. What Dali Koumbé Teaches the Outside World The story of Dali Koumbé has attracted international attention partly because it challenges common assumptions about disability. Blindness can create enormous practical difficulties, particularly where medical services are limited. Yet the experience of the community also shows that people can develop alternative skills and social systems around their circumstances. For generations of Quran students, listening and memorisation became central educational tools. Blind teachers became valued for their ability to listen carefully and evaluate recitation. The result is a community where physical limitations and religious education have become closely intertwined. A Story of Faith, Education and Resilience Dali Koumbé remains one of the more unusual communities documented in Mauritania. Its history combines a serious hereditary health problem with a strong tradition of Quranic learning. The village should not simply be viewed as a curiosity or a "mystery." Its story involves real families, medical challenges, educational traditions and the everyday efforts of people adapting to circumstances that have shaped their community for generations. For those who encounter the story through social media videos, the most important lesson may not be about blindness itself. It is about how education, faith, community support and human adaptability can continue even in extremely difficult circumstances. Location: Dali Koumbé / Dali Gimba, southeastern Mauritania, West AfricaNearest reported town: TimbedraCountry: MauritaniaRegion: Sahel / Sahara region of West AfricaNotable feature: High prevalence of hereditary blindness and a documented tradition of Quranic education and memorisation. Sources and verification This article is based on published reporting and academic research concerning Dali Gimba/Dali Koumbé. The University of Michigan's research documentation records Quranic schooling and the role of blind Quran instructors in the community. Contemporary reporting has separately documented the village's hereditary blindness, healthcare challenges and residents' efforts to obtain assistance.

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Hundreds of protesters have pitched tents in central Madrid to demand action on housing costs and evictions, with demonstrations spreading to Barcelona. Hundreds of protesters have pitched tent encampments in central Madrid to demand that the government act on soaring housing costs and rising evictions. The demonstrations have since spread to Barcelona, widening the reach of the campaign. The protesters used the camps to press two linked demands: relief from housing costs that they say have climbed out of reach, and stronger protection for people facing eviction. By occupying central public space with tents, they turned the shortage of affordable homes into a visible, physical presence in the heart of the capital. Spain is confronting a severe shortfall in housing supply. The country currently faces a deficit of 750,000 homes, a gap between the number of homes available and the number people need. The central bank has warned that the situation is set to deteriorate. It cautioned that the shortage could exceed one million homes by 2028 if current trends continue, pointing to a widening gap in the years ahead rather than a problem that is easing. The move of the protests from Madrid to Barcelona signals that frustration over housing is not confined to a single city. The encampments have brought demonstrators into direct, sustained contact with the streets of two of Spain's largest urban centres, keeping the demands for government action in public view. Madrid housing protest, Spain housing crisis, tent encampment Madrid, Barcelona protests, Spain home shortage, evictions Spain, Bank of Spain housing deficit

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AIADMK chief Palaniswami targeted Vijay's personal life in Dharapuram as the TVK fired back ahead of Tamil Nadu's October 6 bypolls in two Assembly seats. The by-election contest for two Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu has turned sharply personal, with AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami attacking Chief Minister and TVK leader Vijay over his private life during a campaign appearance in Dharapuram, one of the AIADMK's strongholds. Palaniswami cast the October 6 bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram as a fight for justice and urged voters to hand the ruling TVK a firm defeat. His central grievance was the TVK's decision to field two former AIADMK legislators who resigned days after this year's Assembly election results and crossed over to the governing party. Raising what he framed as questions of family values, Palaniswami challenged Vijay's public image directly. "He says that he'd be a brother, uncle and one among the family. One should live with the wife and children with affection. Are you qualified to say this? Punch dialogues on stage are not enough. One should live it and demonstrate in real life. We do that," the AIADMK chief said. The TVK responded quickly and pointedly. Party spokesperson M Sathya Kumar accused Palaniswami of resorting to personal jibes rather than examining why several of his own leaders had defected. He said the "Dravidian party takes things personally" and maintained that Vijay had never made personal remarks against opposition figures. Sathya Kumar also went after the AIADMK's electoral standing since the death of former chief minister Jayalalithaa. "EPS hasn't won elections after Jayalalithaa's death. That's why AIADMK cadre switch to TVK," he said, tying the party's alleged decline directly to Palaniswami's leadership. The two defectors at the centre of the fight The dispute centres on the two former AIADMK MLAs who quit shortly after the Assembly results and joined the TVK. Their switch drew allegations of horse-trading, which the ruling party has denied. Both seats they represented are now up for grabs, and the AIADMK is fighting to hold on to constituencies it won at the general election. For the AIADMK, retaining Madurantakam and Dharapuram is a matter of prestige. The DMK, meanwhile, is contesting without several of its earlier alliance partners, a number of whom have since joined the TVK or extended support to it. Why the rural test matters for the TVK The bypolls carry particular weight for the TVK. The party made strong gains in several urban pockets during the 2026 Assembly election but performed less well in rural areas. It is now trying to broaden its base in rural constituencies, where local and caste equations weigh heavily on outcomes. Winning both seats would reinforce the TVK's standing as a minority government and set the tone for five more vacant Assembly constituencies, where by-elections are expected later. The results are also likely to be read as a verdict on the performance of the Vijay-led administration. Alongside its rural push, the TVK is working to portray the AIADMK as a fading force under Palaniswami and to draw over its traditional supporters. The exchange over defections and family values reflects that broader contest for the AIADMK's voter base. Vijay opened his campaign in Dharapuram last week and is due to return to the constituency on Wednesday, keeping the bypoll rivalry in the spotlight in the days before voting. Tamil Nadu bypolls, Edappadi K Palaniswami, Vijay TVK, AIADMK, Dharapuram, Madurantakam bypoll, October 6 by-elections, M Sathya Kumar

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The Sensex has fallen to a six-month low, dropping 5% over the past month and wiping out around Rs 17 lakh crore in investor wealth. India's benchmark Sensex has fallen to a six-month low, capping a steep slide that has erased about Rs 17 lakh crore in investor wealth. The index is down roughly 5% over the past month. The drop marks one of the sharper monthly declines for the index in recent memory and pushes it back to levels last seen half a year ago. The Rs 17 lakh crore figure reflects the fall in the combined market value of listed shares over the period. A 5% retreat in a single month signals broad-based selling across the market rather than weakness in a handful of stocks. The move to a six-month low means the gains built up earlier in the year have largely been given back. For investors, the scale of the loss is significant. Rs 17 lakh crore represents a substantial cut to portfolio values across retail and institutional holders alike, and the return to a six-month low resets the benchmark to a lower base. The headline numbers - a six-month low, a 5% monthly fall and Rs 17 lakh crore wiped out - capture the extent of the current downturn on the Sensex. Further detail on the drivers behind the sell-off was not immediately available. Sensex, stock market crash, BSE Sensex, investor wealth, Indian stock market, market losses, Sensex six-month low

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India’s AI revolution accelerates as Reliance and Adani invest billions in data centres, sovereign computing, green energy and AI infrastructure India’s AI Revolution Reliance and Adani Push the Country Toward the Intelligence Era India is entering a new phase of its technology journey as artificial intelligence moves from being primarily a software-industry technology to becoming a major infrastructure, energy, computing and business priority. The growing involvement of large Indian conglomerates, particularly Reliance Industries and the Adani Group, is adding significant private-sector capital to the country’s AI infrastructure ambitions. The development comes as India is simultaneously expanding government-backed AI computing capacity, domestic foundation models and semiconductor capabilities. In August 2026, the government said the IndiaAI Mission had expanded shared computing capacity to more than 45,000 GPUs, while indigenous foundation-model development was also progressing. Reliance and Adani Enter India’s AI Infrastructure Race For years, India was recognised as a major software and IT-services market, but much of the underlying AI computing infrastructure was concentrated outside the country. That equation is changing. Reliance is building AI computing infrastructure through its Reliance Intelligence initiative, while the Adani Group has announced an ambitious programme combining renewable energy and hyperscale data centres. These investments could influence several parts of the technology ecosystem, including: AI data centres GPU computing Cloud infrastructure Renewable-energy generation AI model development Edge computing Enterprise AI AI services for startups Robotics and industrial automation Data localisation and sovereign computing The result could be a shift from India being primarily an AI user and software-services provider toward becoming a larger builder of AI infrastructure. The “Jio Effect 2.0”: Making AI More Accessible Reliance is positioning its AI strategy around an idea similar to the transformation that took place in India's telecommunications industry after Jio's entry. The company has argued that AI should become affordable and widely accessible rather than remaining a technology available mainly to large corporations. At the India AI Impact Summit, Mukesh Ambani said Jio's objective was to connect India to the “intelligence era” and reduce the cost of access to AI in a way comparable to the reduction in the cost of mobile data. The potential target market is enormous. AI services could increasingly be used by: Farmers: crop analysis, weather information, market intelligence, agricultural advisory tools and automation. Students: personalised learning, tutoring, language translation and educational content. Small businesses: accounting, customer support, advertising, inventory management and business analytics. Kirana stores: inventory forecasting, digital marketing, customer management and local-language business tools. Hospitals: administrative automation, medical documentation and AI-assisted workflows, subject to applicable medical and privacy safeguards. Schools: educational content generation, administrative systems and language-learning applications. This does not mean every application will automatically become inexpensive or universally available. Cost, connectivity, computing capacity, regulation and the quality of AI systems will remain important factors. Reliance’s ₹10 Lakh Crore AI Commitment One of the biggest announcements came from Reliance. Mukesh Ambani announced that Jio and Reliance would invest ₹10 lakh crore over seven years, beginning in 2026, toward India's AI and intelligence infrastructure. That figure is substantially larger than the ₹1 lakh crore figure sometimes circulated online. The investment plan is intended to cover a broad AI infrastructure ecosystem rather than simply building a consumer chatbot. Reliance has described the programme as including: Gigawatt-scale AI data centres Sovereign computing infrastructure Nationwide edge computing AI services Connectivity infrastructure Green-energy integration AI computing for enterprises and developers The scale of the proposed investment highlights how computing infrastructure is becoming as strategically important as telecommunications infrastructure. Jamnagar Becomes an AI Infrastructure Centre One of the most important locations in Reliance's strategy is Jamnagar, Gujarat. Reliance says it has already begun developing multi-gigawatt AI-ready data-centre infrastructure in Jamnagar. The company's latest disclosures say the first 120 MW of its sovereign AI infrastructure is targeted for commissioning by the end of 2026. Reliance says this initial deployment will use advanced NVIDIA GB300 GPUs and that its computing capacity is designed to scale significantly. The significance of Jamnagar goes beyond computing. AI data centres require enormous quantities of electricity. By combining computing infrastructure with renewable-energy generation, Reliance is attempting to create an integrated energy-and-compute model. Reliance says the Jamnagar AI infrastructure will be powered by clean energy from its renewable-energy platform in Kutch. Meta Partnership Adds Global Dimension Reliance's Jamnagar plans have also attracted major international technology interest. In June 2026, Meta and Reliance announced an agreement for an AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar. Meta said the facility will initially have 168 MW of capacity, which Meta plans to lease, with options to scale. The facility is intended to be supported by renewable energy and desalinated seawater cooling. The partnership is significant because it connects India's expanding data-centre infrastructure with the computing requirements of a global technology company. Reliance has also expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to develop AI-focused cloud infrastructure in Jamnagar. Together, these developments demonstrate that India's AI infrastructure is attracting both domestic investment and international technology partnerships. Adani’s $100 Billion AI Infrastructure Plan The Adani Group has also announced a major AI infrastructure programme. In February 2026, Adani announced a US$100 billion direct investment by 2035 to develop renewable-energy-powered, hyperscale AI-ready data centres. This is another figure that is important to report accurately. The announcement was US$100 billion, rather than ₹1 lakh crore. Adani said the investment could catalyse an additional US$150 billion across areas including server manufacturing, advanced electrical infrastructure, sovereign cloud platforms and supporting industries. The company therefore estimates that the broader AI infrastructure ecosystem could reach approximately US$250 billion over the decade. Adani's strategy links three major requirements of the AI economy: Energy + Computing + Data Centres This model reflects a growing reality of generative AI: advanced AI systems require enormous amounts of electricity and specialised computing infrastructure. Adani’s Data-Centre Expansion Adani's AI infrastructure programme builds on its existing data-centre business. The company said its AdaniConneX platform had a 2 GW national data-centre platform, with an expansion path toward 5 GW. It has also announced partnerships involving Google and other technology companies for large-scale AI infrastructure. The company has previously announced major data-centre plans in states including Maharashtra. In 2024, Adani announced a proposed ₹50,000 crore investment for 1 GW of hyperscale data-centre infrastructure in Maharashtra, with the planned infrastructure designed to use renewable energy. Sovereign AI: Why India Wants Its Own Compute The concept of sovereign AI is becoming increasingly important. Artificial intelligence requires more than software. Large AI models require: GPUs Data centres Electricity High-speed networks Cloud platforms Storage Semiconductor technology Skilled engineers Data If these capabilities are heavily dependent on overseas infrastructure, countries can face strategic and economic vulnerabilities. India's government has therefore been pursuing domestic AI computing and foundation models through the IndiaAI Mission. The government said in 2026 that its strategy was intended to strengthen technological self-reliance across computing infrastructure, foundation models, semiconductors and advanced research. The private-sector investments by Reliance and Adani add another layer to this effort. Edge Computing: Bringing AI Closer to Users Another major part of the AI infrastructure race is edge computing. Traditional cloud computing often sends data to centralised data centres for processing. Depending on the location and application, that can introduce delays. Edge computing moves some processing closer to the user or device. For example, an AI application operating through a mobile network could potentially process certain tasks at computing infrastructure located much closer to the user. This can be particularly important for applications involving: Autonomous machines Industrial automation Smart factories Connected vehicles Real-time translation Video analytics Gaming Healthcare systems Retail technology Smart-city infrastructure Reliance has specifically included a nationwide edge-computing layer integrated with its network in its AI strategy. The practical objective is to reduce latency and improve the responsiveness of AI services. Green Energy Becomes Critical for AI AI's computing requirements create another major challenge: electricity consumption. Training and operating advanced AI models can require large quantities of power, while hyperscale data centres operate continuously. This is why renewable energy has become an important part of India's AI infrastructure plans. Reliance says its Jamnagar AI infrastructure will use clean energy from its renewable-energy ecosystem in Kutch. Adani is also positioning renewable power as a central component of its AI data-centre strategy. Its announced US$100 billion programme specifically focuses on renewable-energy-powered AI-ready data centres. The combination of renewable energy and data centres could therefore become one of the defining characteristics of India's AI infrastructure expansion. What It Could Mean for Indian Businesses The development could create opportunities beyond the biggest technology companies. Indian startups could gain access to greater domestic computing capacity. Small and medium-sized businesses could increasingly use AI for: Customer service Marketing Sales Accounting Human resources Software development Translation Data analysis Cybersecurity Business forecasting Manufacturing companies could use AI alongside robotics and industrial automation. Banks and financial companies could deploy AI for customer service, fraud detection and internal operations while complying with financial regulations. The healthcare sector could use AI for administrative and analytical workloads, although medical applications require appropriate professional oversight. AI and the Future of Jobs The expansion of AI will also create a significant workforce challenge. Some repetitive tasks could increasingly be automated, while demand grows for workers who can operate, supervise and integrate AI systems. The impact is therefore unlikely to be limited to technology companies. AI literacy could become increasingly important for employees in: Finance Education Healthcare Manufacturing Retail Agriculture Transportation Media Marketing Government services Rather than treating AI only as a specialist technology, businesses and workers may increasingly need to understand how AI tools affect everyday workflows. From AI to Robotics and Automation The next stage of the technology cycle could extend beyond software. AI systems are increasingly being combined with robotics, sensors, industrial machinery and autonomous systems. This could lead to wider adoption of: Warehouse robots Agricultural robots Manufacturing automation AI-powered inspection systems Autonomous machines Delivery systems Smart industrial equipment However, the pace of adoption will depend on costs, safety standards, regulation, reliability and the availability of skilled workers. India’s AI Opportunity Comes With Challenges Large investments alone will not guarantee an AI transformation. India will also need to address several challenges. 1. Electricity Demand AI data centres require reliable and large-scale electricity supplies. 2. Water and Cooling Data centres generate significant heat and require sophisticated cooling systems. Water use and environmental impact will therefore require careful management. 3. Semiconductor Supply Advanced AI infrastructure depends heavily on specialised chips and global semiconductor supply chains. 4. Skilled Workforce India will need engineers, researchers, data scientists, AI infrastructure specialists and technicians. 5. Data Protection As more AI applications process personal and business information, privacy and data-protection requirements will become increasingly important. 6. Cybersecurity Large AI infrastructure platforms will become valuable targets for cyberattacks, making security a critical component of national and corporate infrastructure. 7. Responsible AI AI systems can produce inaccurate or biased outputs. High-impact applications will require appropriate testing, human oversight and accountability. India’s AI Competition Is Becoming an Infrastructure Race India's AI development is increasingly moving beyond the question of which company has the best AI model. The larger competition is becoming about who can build the infrastructure required to run AI at national scale. That includes: Compute → Data Centres → Energy → Networks → Chips → Models → Applications → Users Reliance is attempting to connect its telecommunications, energy and digital businesses to this emerging ecosystem. Adani is combining its energy, infrastructure and data-centre capabilities with an ambitious AI infrastructure programme. At the same time, India's government is expanding public AI computing capacity and supporting indigenous AI models. The Intelligence Era India's AI transformation is therefore developing on several fronts at once. The government is building national AI capacity. Reliance is investing in sovereign compute, edge infrastructure and AI services. Adani is investing in renewable-energy-powered data centres. Global technology companies such as Meta and Google are partnering with Indian companies to expand AI infrastructure. For Indian citizens and businesses, the most visible effect may eventually be simpler: AI becoming available through everyday applications at lower cost and with greater local-language support. The next few years will determine how quickly that infrastructure becomes useful at mass scale. India's AI story is no longer limited to software engineers in technology hubs. It is increasingly becoming a story about energy, computing, telecommunications, infrastructure, businesses, education, employment and everyday consumers. The transition from the internet era to what Reliance calls the “intelligence era” has begun — and the infrastructure being built today could shape India's technology economy for decades. Source note: Investment and infrastructure figures in this article have been cross-checked against Reliance, Adani, Meta and Government of India material. Figures and plans are company/government announcements and should not be interpreted as guarantees of future completion or economic outcomes.

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Chancellor John Healey says the UK is negotiating with Washington and preparing for a possible ban as diesel hits a record 199.33p a litre. The United Kingdom is negotiating with United States authorities to head off a possible halt to American diesel exports and has begun preparing for such a ban, Chancellor John Healey has told BBC News. His comments came after President Donald Trump said at the weekend he was considering blocking diesel shipments, telling reporters: "We're thinking about it very seriously." Speaking on the sidelines of the annual Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Healey described current UK diesel prices as "extreme" and confirmed the government was in discussions with Washington. "We're also making the provision that we may need to and we have our own stocks in the UK," he said. The warning landed the same day pump prices reached a new record. The average price of a litre of diesel hit 199.33p on Monday, according to the RAC, passing the previous peak of 199.09p set in June 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Petrol is also climbing, with a litre currently costing 174.23p. The UK relies on the United States for roughly a third of its diesel imports, and Healey acknowledged that a ban would push prices higher still. US sources indicate Trump is weighing the move to lower costs for American consumers ahead of the country's midterm elections. Why prices are surging The increases stem from supply pressures tied to two conflicts: the US-Israel confrontation with Iran and Russia's war in Ukraine. Over the past seven months, the war involving Iran has severely disrupted the production and transport of wholesale oil across the region, driving up the price of fuels refined from crude. The RAC said diesel prices had entered "uncharted territory," calling the record a reminder of "just how exposed the UK is to events occurring far away." The motoring group's figures underline how quickly overseas instability is feeding through to British forecourts. Healey framed a diplomatic resolution as the ultimate fix. "We work very closely with the Americans," he said. "In the end, we're also working with the Americans where we can try and put in place what will solve this, or at least significantly ease it, which would be a diplomatic settlement [and] an end to the fighting with Iran." Pressure on the October Budget The chancellor said he was "very aware" of the strain on households as he prepares what he called a "breathing space" Budget, due to be delivered on 28 October. The record pump prices arrive at a politically sensitive moment for the government's fiscal plans. A freeze on fuel duty, first introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2022, is set to expire at the end of the year. Under the current schedule, duty would rise by 3p in January and by a further 2p in March, adding to costs already inflated by global supply strains. Healey tied the domestic pressure directly to events in the Middle East. "Fundamentally, what we need is a settlement in the Middle East," he said. "We need an easing of the pressure of costs on business, the costs on households and on ordinary families that we see at the pumps in the most extreme level today for diesel." The BBC has contacted the White House for comment. For now, ministers are working on two tracks at once: pressing for a diplomatic settlement that could ease global fuel prices, while readying domestic stocks in case Trump follows through on his threat and American diesel stops flowing. UK diesel prices, Trump diesel export ban, John Healey, RAC fuel prices, fuel duty freeze, cost of living, Labour Party Conference, petrol prices UK

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Michael Olise scored an 88th-minute gem as a heavily rotated France beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels, giving Zinedine Zidane a second straight win. A heavily rotated France side beat Belgium 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, September 28, with Michael Olise settling the game with a spectacular strike two minutes from full time. The winner came in the 88th minute at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels. The result gave Zinedine Zidane a second victory since taking charge, following France's 1-0 win away in Turkey three days earlier. Both wins were sealed by the same 0-1 scoreline on the road. Zidane made sweeping changes for the trip to Belgium, fielding a much-altered lineup that still looked relaxed and carefree despite the inexperience on the pitch. Three players were handed their first starts for the national team on the same night: Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet and Lucas Da Cunha. That trio of debut starters marked a rare occurrence for France. It was the first time three players made their first starts in a single match since August 11, 2010, when Adil Rami, Aly Cissokho, Charles N'Zogbia, Guillaume Hoarau and Stéphane Ruffier featured among the new faces. Despite the reshuffled team, France carried the greater threat and were rewarded late. Olise's goal, described as a gem, broke Belgian resistance and preserved France's perfect start under their new coach. The back-to-back away wins in Turkey and Belgium have given Zidane an ideal opening to his tenure, achieved while resting or rotating a large portion of the squad. France now sit on two wins from two matches in the campaign. France football, Michael Olise, UEFA Nations League, Belgium vs France, Zinedine Zidane, Stade Roi Baudouin, France national team, Olise goal

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మూడు_రోజుల_తిరుమల_యాత్ర_పక్కా_బ్లూప్రింట్

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A California jury found Apple infringed two Taction Technology haptic-feedback patents and ordered $5.7bn in damages. Apple says it will appeal. A federal jury in the Southern District of California has ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7bn for using patented technology owned by Taction Technology, a San Diego-based company, to power the haptic feedback in its devices. Haptic feedback is the vibration users feel when a notification arrives or a button is pressed. The jury found that Apple infringed two patents held by Taction. It also found that the infringement was not wilful, rejecting Taction's claim that Apple knowingly ignored the patents. Apple said it plans to appeal the verdict, which was returned on Friday. "We're happy the jury found for Taction and vindicated its patent rights," said Lance Yang, an attorney for the company, after the decision. The verdict closes one chapter of a legal fight that started in 2021, when Taction first sued Apple. In its original 31-page complaint, the company argued that Apple was building its commercial success on Taction's work. "Apple is capitalising on Taction's innovation and success by selling devices that infringe Taction's patents," the filing said. It added that Apple was "utilising Taction's patented inventions without license or authority" and that it had brought the case "to remedy Apple's infringement." Taction also alleged that Apple "at a minimum believed there was a high probability that the accused products were covered by Taction's patents, but willfully blinded itself" to those patents and to the infringing nature of the products. The jury did not agree on that point, concluding the violation was not wilful. The case has moved back and forth through the courts. In 2023, a federal judge ruled that Apple had not infringed Taction's patents. An appeals court revived the lawsuit last year, setting the stage for the trial that produced Friday's award. Apple pushed back on the finding by drawing a line between its own hardware and Taction's designs. "Apple's Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology, which Taction's own testing of Apple's products confirmed during trial," the company said in response to the verdict. A verdict during a leadership handover The ruling lands as Apple works through a change at the top. In September, John Ternus took over as chief executive from Tim Cook, who had run the Cupertino, California-based company for 15 years. The handover comes as Apple trails other large technology firms in bringing its artificial intelligence products to market. Investors reacted to the decision. Apple shares fell about 2 percent as trading opened on Monday. Apple patent verdict, Taction Technology, haptic feedback patents, $5.7bn damages, Taptic Engine, iPhone patent case, Apple appeal, John Ternus

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