Technology

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Global crude oil prices surged more than 6 per cent on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was effectively over following a fresh round of American military strikes on Iran, intensifying concerns over energy supplies from West Asia.

International oil benchmark Brent crude climbed as much as 6.52 per cent or $4.69 to trade near $80 a barrel. Similarly, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced more than 6 per cent or $4.85 to around $75 a barrel.

Speaking in Ankara on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, Trump told reporters that the US had carried out fresh strikes against Iran overnight in response to what he described as Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum...They are sick people. They're led by sick people. They are vicious, violent people and if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it. As far as I am concerned, it's over. I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars. We make a deal...Everyone's agreed. No nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside and talk to the press. They say we never even talked about it. There's something wrong with them. They're cuckoo. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

Trump also described Iranian leaders in strongly critical terms and said he no longer wished to pursue negotiations with Tehran, expressing scepticism about the prospects of any future agreement.

His remarks came amid renewed tensions in the region following a series of attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

The sharp rise in crude prices weighed on investor sentiment, with Indian equity markets witnessing broad-based selling.

As of 3 pm, Sensex fell around 1,900 points or more than 2 per cent to 76,259, while Nifty was down nearly 600 points or over 2 per cent at 23,805.

The latest rally in crude prices marked a sharp reversal from earlier expectations of abundant supply after OPEC+ announced higher production quotas and major Middle Eastern producers increased output.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee weakened by 20 paise to 95.16 against the US dollar in early trade. The domestic currency opened at 95.15 against the greenback.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) India is rapidly strengthening its position as one of the world's leading manufacturing destinations and is emerging as a major beneficiary of the ongoing realignment of global supply chains, according to a report released by industry body ASSOCHAM on Tuesday.

The report said the post-COVID global manufacturing landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with companies increasingly diversifying production beyond China by adopting China+1, nearshoring and friendshoring strategies to build more resilient supply chains.

Analysing the world's 10 largest manufacturing economies, which together account for nearly 65 per cent of global manufacturing output, the report identified India as one of the emerging manufacturing leaders due to its improved performance relative to the global average in the post-pandemic period.

India's average manufacturing growth increased from 3.44 per cent during the pre-pandemic period (2016-19) to 4.15 per cent in 2022-25, moving from below the global average to nearly two percentage points above the world benchmark, it added.

In the post-pandemic period, India joined the United States, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in outperforming the global benchmark. Before the pandemic, only China, Mexico and Russia recorded manufacturing growth above the global average.

"The global manufacturing landscape is undergoing a gradual but important shift. Companies are no longer looking at efficiency alone; they are equally focused on resilience and diversification. India's improving manufacturing performance reflects the impact of sustained reforms and growing investor confidence," said Nirmal K. Minda, President, ASSOCHAM.

The report attributed India's rising competitiveness to expanding domestic demand, infrastructure development, improved logistics, growing investor confidence under the China+1 strategy, and government initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, industrial corridors and PM Gati Shakti.

It said these measures have enhanced India's attractiveness as a preferred destination for global manufacturing investment.

The industry body added that India can further consolidate its manufacturing leadership by accelerating logistics and industrial infrastructure, strengthening domestic supplier ecosystems, improving ease of doing business, promoting Industry 4.0 technologies and leveraging free trade agreements to integrate more deeply into global value chains.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Microsoft has announced another round of job cuts, eliminating around 4,800 positions, or approximately 2.1 per cent of its global workforce, as the technology giant continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) while seeking to improve operational efficiency.

The latest layoffs come amid a broader trend across the technology industry, where companies are balancing massive AI investments with efforts to control costs.

Industry leaders such as Amazon and Meta have also reduced their workforces this year as spending on AI infrastructure continues to rise. Global AI-related investments by major technology companies are expected to surpass $700 billion in 2026.

The announcement follows a challenging first half of the year for Microsoft, with the company's shares declining nearly 23 per cent during the first six months of 2026, marking their weakest first-half performance since 2022.

Earlier this year, Microsoft had already offered voluntary buyouts to nearly 9,000 employees in the United States, representing about seven per cent of its domestic workforce. The company has traditionally made workforce adjustments near the end of its fiscal year in June as it prepares budgets and spending plans for the new financial year.

While Microsoft's Azure cloud computing business has continued to benefit from strong demand for AI services, the company is facing mounting costs associated with expanding its data centre infrastructure. Until April, Azure was the exclusive cloud provider for OpenAI's models, helping drive strong growth in Microsoft's cloud business. However, the significant investments required to support AI services have increased pressure on the company's cash flows.

Despite the financial strain, Microsoft remains optimistic about its AI business. In April, the company forecast quarterly Azure revenue above Wall Street expectations and projected capital expenditure of $190 billion for 2026, substantially higher than analysts' estimates. The company is scheduled to announce its latest financial results later this month.

The rapid adoption of AI is also reshaping Microsoft's traditional software business by automating routine tasks, while rising memory chip prices driven by demand for AI data centres have increased production costs. Those higher costs have prompted Microsoft to raise Xbox console prices at a time when demand for the gaming hardware has remained subdued.

--IANS

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Washington, July 2 (IANS) A bipartisan congressional panel this week examined a series of legislative proposals aimed at strengthening American leadership in artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors and other critical technologies, as lawmakers from both parties warned that the United States faces growing competition from China.

At a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, Republican lawmakers stressed the need for faster deployment of emerging technologies, stronger domestic manufacturing and protection of critical supply chains.

Democrats agreed that maintaining US technological leadership is essential, but argued that cuts to research funding threaten the country's long-term competitiveness.

Opening the hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis said leadership in emerging technologies would shape both America's economy and national security.

"Leadership in these fields will determine not only our economic competitiveness, but also our ability to safeguard our national security and maintain our strategic advantage over our adversaries," he said.

"We can't let them do that. We must respond by fostering innovation here at home, supporting research and development, and creating an environment where American companies can continue to compete and succeed."

Republicans highlighted legislation covering robotics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technologies and memory chips, arguing that the US must accelerate innovation to stay ahead of geopolitical rivals.

Representative Jay Obernolte said the US "cannot allow our adversaries, such as China, to overtake our position through aggressive, state-driven industrial strategies."

He said the hearing was intended to evaluate policies needed to "position America's technological leadership and global competitiveness."

Democrats, however, repeatedly argued that the Trump administration's reductions in federal research spending were undermining those same goals.

Representative Kathy Castor said, "China has overtaken the United States in total R&D spending, while the administration has cancelled or frozen more than 7,800 research grants."

"We can pass every bill on this list, but if we keep starving our labs, then we are just naming technologies for China to implement," she said.

Representative Frank Pallone echoed those concerns, saying the administration had "illegally frozen more than 7,800 federal research grants" while warning that China was advancing "an integrated industrial strategy." He said studies estimate the research cuts could cost the US economy as much as "$1 trillion in GDP."

Industry witnesses also warned that China is rapidly expanding its technological capabilities.

Jason Fiorillo, Chief Legal Officer at Boston Dynamics, said China now has "more than 140 humanoid robot manufacturers" supported by state-backed programmes.

"The physical AI race is well underway, with strategic implications for US manufacturing, energy, public safety, and national security," he said.

"It is time for a national robotics strategy," Fiorillo added, urging Congress to pass the proposed National Commission on Robotics Act.

Neil Chilson, Head of AI Policy at the Abundance Institute, warned that China is emerging as the global leader in open-source artificial intelligence.

"China is giving its AI technology away; it's releasing open-weight AI models that are cheap, capable, and they're fast becoming the world's default," he said.

He argued that US-built open models "are a vital source of competition, innovation and even security," and backed legislation intended to strengthen American leadership in the field.

Dr Jedidah Isler, Chief Science Officer at the Federation of American Scientists, said technological leadership ultimately depends on sustained investment in scientific research and talent.

"The United States cannot lead in the technology of the future while neglecting the scientific enterprise, and most critically, the people that produce them," she said.

She described technology leadership as "not a subscription service that renews automatically" but "more like a garden that must be cultivated over time."

The hearing examined a package of bills covering robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, connected vehicles, memory chips and semiconductor supply chains.

Several measures received bipartisan support, although lawmakers remained divided over research funding, environmental regulation and the extent of government oversight.

The hearing comes as Washington intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese technology and secure domestic supply chains for strategic industries.

Competition with Beijing has become a rare area of broad bipartisan consensus in Congress, with lawmakers increasingly supporting legislation aimed at strengthening US manufacturing, research and advanced technologies.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 2 (IANS) Adani Electricity observed ‘National Electrical Safety Week 2026’ across its offices and supply areas between June 26-July 2.

During the week, various electrical safety-related educational workshops and programmes were organised for employees and customers.

The theme for the year was “Competency, Compliance, and Caution – Ensuring Electrical Safety.”

“At Adani Electricity, we powered lives responsibly and reaffirmed our commitment to safe practices, a skilled workforce, and vigilant compliance to protect every home and workplace,” according to a company spokesperson.

Last month, Adani Electricity proactively escalated its disaster management readiness in preparation for the monsoon season, aiming to safeguard its 3.15 million customers from potential disruptions.

To address any emergencies that may arise during the monsoon, Adani Electricity activated its Central Disaster Control Centre (CDCC). This pivotal hub will orchestrate response efforts and operate round-the-clock, ensuring swift action and communication throughout the monsoon period, said the leading electricity distribution company in Mumbai.

"Our team is fully prepared to address monsoon season related challenges,” an Adani Electricity spokesperson had said. "With the support of our Quick Response Teams and the Central Disaster Management team, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our consumers and maintaining a reliable power supply,” the spokesperson added.

Seven Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been strategically deployed across the distribution network. These teams are equipped with comprehensive response, recovery, and restoration plans specifically tailored for the challenges posed by the monsoon season, said the company.

To monitor rising water levels, 98 advanced water level sensors are now integrated with the Advanced Distribution Management System at critical locations. This setup enhances the ability to preempt and respond to flood-related electrical issues.

The CDCC will leverage state-of-the-art satellite and wireless technologies, including walkie-talkies and remote devices, to maintain uninterrupted communication across departments and with external authorities. This infrastructure ensures minimal downtime and efficient incident management.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) US-based technology giant Google on Thursday lost its long-running legal challenge against a 4.1-billion euro (about $4.7 billion) European Union antitrust fine after the bloc's highest court upheld the penalty over the company's Android business practices.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has dismissed the appeal filed by Google and its parent company, Alphabet, against an earlier ruling by the EU's General Court, effectively confirming the reduced antitrust fine imposed by the European Commission.

"The appeal brought by Google and its parent company Alphabet against the judgement of the General Court is dismissed, thereby confirming the penalty imposed for Google Search's abuse of a dominant position in the context of the Android operating system," the ECJ said in a statement.

The case dates back to 2018, when the European Commission imposed what was then a record antitrust fine on Google, accusing the company of using Android to strengthen the dominance of its search engine.

According to the Commission, Google required smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and the Chrome browser as a condition for licensing its Play Store.

In addition, it alleged that the company made payments to certain manufacturers and mobile operators on the condition that they exclusively pre-installed Google Search and prevented device makers from selling phones running alternative versions of Android that had not been approved by Google.

In 2022, the EU's General Court largely upheld the Commission's findings but reduced the fine from 4.3 billion euros to 4.1 billion euros after ruling that regulators had not sufficiently established one aspect of the alleged abuse.

Responding to Thursday's verdict, Google said the ruling fails to recognise our significant investment to ensure Android remains open, interoperable and free, according to reports.

The company added that it had already modified its agreements in 2018 to comply with the Commission's original decision and would continue to focus on innovation and openness for users, partners and developers.

The Android case was one of several major antitrust investigations launched by the European Commission into Google's business practices and remains one of the bloc's biggest competition enforcement actions against a global technology company.

--IANS

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Jaipur, July 1 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday said Rajasthan is rapidly emerging as a key player in India's digital transformation, with the state receiving investment proposals worth over Rs 43,000 crore in the data centre sector.

He added that the government is committed to making Rajasthan the country's preferred destination for investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centres.

Addressing industry leaders during a round-table discussion held after the 29th National Conference on e-Governance at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), the Chief Minister said the state is strengthening its digital infrastructure to realise the vision of 'Viksit Bharat–Viksit Rajasthan 2047' under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said e-governance has significantly improved transparency in citizen-centric services while enabling faster service delivery, reducing both time and costs, improving record management, and supporting evidence-based policymaking.

Highlighting the state's growing digital ecosystem, Sharma said Rajasthan is no longer known only for its tourism and heritage but is becoming an important contributor to India's digital future.

The state has more than 100 universities and nearly 4,000 colleges, producing over 2.5 lakh graduates every year, which he described as Rajasthan's greatest strength.

He said the government's iStart initiative has nurtured more than 8,700 startups, attracting investments exceeding ₹1,000 crore and generating over 48,000 direct jobs.

The state also plans to strengthen collaboration between industry, startups, academia, and government through its proposed AI Centre of Excellence.

The Chief Minister noted that STT GDC has established an AI-ready data centre in Jaipur, while several other companies, including HG Akaya, Nayo Bolt, and Ztudium, have proposed investments in Rajasthan.

Together, these proposals exceed Rs 43,000 crore, reflecting growing industry confidence in the state's digital infrastructure.

He said the government will support investors through adequate land and power availability, a single-window clearance system, and industry-friendly policies.

Rajasthan is also developing progressive policies for emerging sectors such as AI, data centres, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), drones, and geospatial technology.

Sharma said Rajasthan's abundant green energy, competitive operating costs, and transparent governance make it an attractive investment destination.

To encourage startups, the government has removed key barriers in public procurement, including mandatory prior experience and minimum turnover requirements, making it easier for new enterprises to participate in government projects.

He invited entrepreneurs to view Rajasthan not only as an investment destination but also as a long-term partner in research, innovation, employment generation, and the development of future technologies.

During the round-table discussion, industry leaders and experts shared suggestions on AI, data centres, Cloud computing, quantum computing, semiconductors, and the startup ecosystem.

The event was attended by Information Technology and Communication Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, IT & Communication Secretary Ravi Kumar Surpur, senior officials from the Industries and Commerce Department, and representatives from leading technology companies.

--IANS

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Seoul, July 1 (IANS) Hyundai Motor said on Wednesday its global sales declined from a year earlier in June, weighed down by weaker demand both at home and overseas.

South Korea's largest automaker sold 338,313 vehicles worldwide in June, down 5.9 percent from the same month last year, reports Yonhap news agency.

Overseas sales fell 5.8 percent on-year to 280,081 units, while domestic sales declined 6.2 percent to 58,232 units.

In the first half of the year, Hyundai Motor sold 1.96 million vehicles globally, down 4.9 percent from a year earlier.

The company said sales are expected to gradually recover, supported by the launch of the facelifted Grandeur flagship sedan last month and the planned release of the redesigned Avante compact sedan in the second half of the year.

Kia said its global sales increased nearly 10 percent in June from a year earlier, driven by strong demand for its sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

The South Korean automaker sold 295,720 vehicles worldwide last month, up 9.5 percent from a year earlier.

The Sportage SUV remained the company's best-selling model, with 54,058 units sold, followed by the Seltos SUV with 35,007 units and the K4 compact sedan with 22,373 units.

Overseas sales rose 7.6 percent on-year to 240,259 units in June, while domestic sales jumped 18.6 percent to 54,508 units.

For the first half of the year, Kia sold a record 1.63 million vehicles globally, marking its highest-ever first-half sales.

Meanwhile, Renault Korea Motors, the South Korean unit of France's Renault S.A., said its June sales plunged from a year earlier due to weak demand in both the domestic and overseas markets.

The automaker sold 4,651 vehicles last month, down 45.7 percent from a year earlier, the company said in a release.

Domestic sales dropped 32.2 percent on-year to 3,400 units last month, while overseas sales tumbled 45.7 percent to 4,651 units.

Renault Korea's cumulative sales in the first half of this year reached 33,384 units, down a sharp 29 percent from a year earlier.

Domestic sales fell 24.5 percent on-year to 21,187 units in the first six months of this year, while exports dived 35.7 percent to 12,197 units.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) India's skilled youth are not only becoming job-ready but world-ready, with IndiaSkills serving as a platform to transform talent into national pride and global opportunity, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary said on Tuesday while launching the IndiaSkills Competition 2026–27.

With the launch, registrations for the competition have opened on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), providing a transparent and accessible digital platform for young people across the country to participate.

The competition will progress through district, state and regional rounds before culminating in the national competition, where the country's top performers will be selected for advanced training and assessment ahead of representing India at international platforms such as the WorldSkills Competition.

Launching the initiative, Chaudhary said IndiaSkills has evolved beyond being just a competition and has become a platform that transforms skill into aspiration, excellence into opportunity and talent into national pride.

He said India's youth are not only becoming job-ready but world-ready, adding that as industries evolve and technology reshapes the future of work, the country's biggest strength will be its ability to equip young people with globally benchmarked skills, confidence and ambition.

He described IndiaSkills 2026–27 as an invitation to every young aspirant to showcase their capabilities and contribute to India's journey towards becoming the skill capital of the world.

The competition will feature the same 63 future-ready and industry-aligned skills as the previous edition, spanning advanced manufacturing, construction, engineering, digital technologies, hospitality, transportation, creative industries and several emerging sectors.

Since its inception in 2016, IndiaSkills has grown into India's largest skill competition ecosystem.

Participation has expanded from nearly 5,000 registrations across 20 skills in its inaugural edition to more than 3.5 lakh registrations across 63 skills in the recently concluded IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26, with participation from all 36 States and Union Territories.

The competition has also become India's principal talent identification platform for international skill contests. At the WorldSkills Competition 2024 in Lyon, France, India achieved its best-ever global ranking of 13th, securing four bronze medals and 12 Medallions for Excellence. The country further improved its performance by finishing eighth at the WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025.

--IANS

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Seoul, June 30 (IANS) The government plans to lower the resource security crisis warning for crude oil by a notch to Level 2, the vice industry minister said on Tuesday, following the stabilisation of global oil prices amid progress in peace talks between the United States and Iran.

Vice Industry Minister Moon Shin-hak made the remark during a Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office, adding the alert for natural gas will be fully lifted as well, reports Yonhap news agency.

South Korea operates a four-tier national resource security crisis warning system based on the severity of supply disruptions and their impact on the national economy.

The government first issued the lowest alert for crude oil in early March, which was raised to Level 2 later that month and eventually to Level 3 in April. South Korea has also maintained a Level 2 alert for natural gas since April.

Moon said more crude oil is being imported via routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, with the country also securing imports from regions beyond the Middle East, including the U.S.

Consequently, the government will also fully lift the vehicle rotation system, scrapping its original plan to ease the odd-even rule to a five-day rotation.

Meanwhile, South Korean stocks traded slightly higher late on Tuesday morning, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as easing tensions in the Middle East boosted investor appetite.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 8.97 points, or 0.11 percent, to 8,403.62 as of 11:20 a.m., after opening 0.68 percent higher.

Investor sentiment improved after the United States and Iran were set to resume talks in Qatar aimed at easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, alleviating concerns over a prolonged disruption to global oil supplies.

Overnight, Wall Street rebounded sharply as investors returned to tech stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59 percent to close at a record high, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.07 percent and the S&P 500 advanced 1.18 percent.

Crude prices rose modestly as investors monitored implementation of the U.S.-Iran peace framework.

—IANS

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