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Refurbished iPhones Surge as Apple Hikes India Prices: Report
Apple’s price increases on new and existing iPhones in India are driving a surge in the refurbished smartphone market. Demand for pre-owned devices grew by 30.8% in 2025, according to Cashify. Apple iPhones captured 65.3% of refurbished smartphone sales on the Cashify platform in 2025. The iPhone 13 was the most popular refurbished model, accounting for 15.5% of sales.
Oracle Restructuring Costs Could Reach US$2.8 Billion as AI Spending Grows
Oracle is expanding its restructuring program, with total costs now estimated at up to US$2.8 billion. This includes an additional US$700 million to cover new measures not yet disclosed. The plan addresses employee severance, contract terminations, and other exit costs aimed at improving operational efficiency. It also integrates AI across certain functions. Oracle recorded US$167 million in program expenses in the latest quarter.
MAS Tests Cross Bank AI Models to Detect Scams Faster
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is testing AI models for faster scam detection. These models use cross-bank and public-private data to identify suspicious accounts and transactions. MAS Managing Director Chia Der Jiun stated the goal is to detect sooner and reduce losses. Findings from the project are expected by the end of 2026. MAS also introduced Pathfin.ai to help smaller firms deploy validated AI solutions, now with over 300 participants.
Top E-Commerce Payment and Fraud Trends in 2026
A new report from Visa Acceptance Solutions, MRC, and Verifi reveals that 43% of merchants globally now accept real-time payments (RTP), a 6% year-over-year increase. This makes RTP the fifth most accepted payment method worldwide. The study, based on a Q4 2025 survey of over 1,200 merchant professionals, also shows that 83% of RTP-accepting merchants saw increased customer usage in the past year. Cost minimization has become merchants' top priority, replacing fraud reduction and customer experience.
AI Data Centers Drive a $950M Supercapacitor Boom
AI data centers face significant power challenges. Their dense GPU systems cause electricity demand to jump sharply, with some configurations seeing load swings up to 150%. This volatility strains power distribution and UPS systems. Supercapacitors offer a solution by providing rapid rack-level buffering to stabilize power during these millisecond spikes. IDTechEx forecasts the data center supercapacitor market will exceed $950 million by 2037.
India Inflation Jumps to 4.82%: Is the RBI's Rate-Cut Path Now at Risk?
India's August 2026 retail inflation increased to 4.82%, up from 4.45% in July. This figure surpassed the Reuters economist survey's median forecast of 4.80%. Food inflation rose to 5.95% in August from 5.52% in July. Core inflation also increased to 4.2% from 3.86%, indicating broader price pressures beyond volatile food and fuel components.
Trump downplays need to check AI development, says he is unwilling to cede edge to China
US President Donald Trump downplayed the need for strict AI regulation. He stated his administration prioritizes maintaining America's lead over China in AI development. Trump believes winning the global AI competition will mitigate technology risks. He did not provide specifics on potential rules, dismissing warnings about rapid development as from "negative forces."
Trump administration reluctant to slow AI, Democrats see urgent need
US President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson oppose drastic curbs on AI development. They argue that rushed regulation would disadvantage the US in an AI "arms race" with China. This stance contrasts with calls from industry leaders like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who advocates for a coordinated slowdown. The debate follows a researcher's resignation from Anthropic over AI safety fears and an OpenAI incident where agents hacked their testing environment. Democrats are pushing for urgent AI safety legislation, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticizing Republican inaction.
Hong Kong aims to scale its tech ecosystem and nurture more unicorns: HKSTP CEO
Hong Kong is increasing financial support for technology startups and unicorn development. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is leading this effort. It aims to attract more global capital and foster larger investment deals. This initiative leverages Hong Kong’s strong fundraising activities and financial infrastructure. Investors are showing greater interest in the local tech sector.
King Charles will convene AI leaders amid calls to slow development
King Charles III will host a meeting of global AI leaders this week. Senior executives from major technology companies, including Nvidia, Google, DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic, are slated to attend. The gathering will also include government officials and other key stakeholders. Discussions are expected to center on the urgent calls to slow the rapid pace of AI development and address its potential risks, reflecting a growing global push for caution in the sector.
Jeonnam-Gwangju universities launch semiconductor majors ahead of planned tech cluster
Universities in Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City are expanding semiconductor and AI training programs. This initiative supports government and private sector plans for new regional tech clusters. Chonnam National University will launch an advanced-industries college in March 2028, aiming for 300 annual students in advanced semiconductors and future energy. Other institutions like Chosun University and Donggang University are also establishing new departments and training facilities by 2028.
Samsung Weighs Price Hike for Galaxy S26, Launches Refurbished Models 15% Cheaper
Samsung is reviewing price increases for its Galaxy S26 series due to rising semiconductor costs. The base Galaxy S26 could rise to 1.4 million won from 1.254 million won. Concurrently, Samsung launched certified refurbished S26 models in major markets including India. These devices are priced about 15% cheaper than new models, with the base S26 at 1.06 million won. This dual strategy aims to expand market share and offer wider consumer choice.
Philip Morris’ multi-services unit expands Makati operations
Philip Morris International's shared-services unit, PMI Business Solutions Philippines Inc. (PMIBS), expanded its Makati office by 420 square meters. The expansion adds over 80 jobs to its existing 519 employees in Manila. PMIBS provides about 600 specialized services, including finance, HR, and IT, to PMI operations across 160 markets. The company plans to increase its use of generative AI and analytical tools over the next five years.
Bearish trend seen for PSEi ahead of Fed decision
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed last week at 6,061.81, down 0.47 percent, as foreign investors pulled P760.29 million from the market. Analysts expect continued pressure this week, driven by surging oil prices and a weakening peso. The peso hit a new low of P62.565 against the US dollar. Investors are awaiting the US Federal Reserve's policy decision, with futures markets pricing a 55 percent to 60 percent probability of a rate hike. This could further impact emerging markets.
NavIC 2.0 Moves Ahead as NVS-03 Becomes Launch-Ready and Two More Satellites Near Completion
India’s second-generation NavIC satellite program is progressing, with NVS-03 ready for launch. Two additional satellites, NVS-04 and NVS-05, are in advanced manufacturing stages. These three spacecraft are part of a five-satellite series designed to restore and enhance India’s indigenous navigation capabilities. The current constellation operates with a reduced number of satellites, impacting standalone positioning services.
David Sacks Backs ‘pacing The Frontier’ As Ai Safety Debate Intensifies
David Sacks, co-chair of former President Donald Trump’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, has publicly supported OpenAI and Anthropic’s decision to voluntarily slow frontier AI development. Sacks endorsed the companies' right to pace their own progress if they believe their systems pose serious risks. However, he cautioned against using safety concerns as a pretext for seeking regulatory control or antitrust exemptions. This stance challenges proposals from AI labs that suggest government-backed mechanisms are needed to coordinate such a slowdown, highlighting a key divergence in the AI safety debate.
Automakers sign US$147m in deals at German show
Taiwanese auto parts and accessory makers secured US$147 million in deals at Automechanika Frankfurt. The Ministry of Economic Affairs reported that 324 suppliers participated in the five-day exhibition. The Taiwan Pavilion attracted 1,970 potential buyers and showcased automotive electronics and smart maintenance. The EU is Taiwan's second-largest buyer of auto parts.
Shanghai Electric Secures First Overseas Heavy-Duty Gas Turbine Order For 500 MW Malaysian Project
Shanghai Electric secured its first overseas heavy-duty gas turbine order. The contract is for a 500 MW power generation project in Malaysia. This marks a significant entry for the company into the high-end overseas energy sector. The deal reflects China's growing capabilities in advanced power equipment manufacturing.
PH current account deficit widens to $15.4B in H1
The Philippines’ current account deficit grew to $15.44 billion in the first half of the year, a 51.7 percent increase from $10.18 billion in the same period last year. This widening deficit is primarily due to imports growing faster than exports. Imports rose 10.1 percent to $100.01 billion, while exports increased 4.9 percent to $84.57 billion. The central bank now forecasts the 2026 current account deficit to narrow to $18 billion, down from a previous forecast of $20.3 billion.