Indonesia Masters 2026: Sindhu, Lakshya advance; Srikanth goes down in pre-quarters

Photo credit: Badminton Photos/BWF

Jakarta, (IANS) Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu progressed to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters 2026, where she will face top seed Chen Yu Fei inJakarta on Friday, as men's singles star Lakshya Sen and women's singles player Anmol Kharb also advanced to the next stage.

Former World Championship silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth, and men's doubles pair Hariharan Amsakarunan/M.R Arjun, too exited the BWF World Tour event.

With Chen leading their head-to-head 7–6, the quarterfinals against Sindhu on Friday promise to be closely fought. Sindhu booked her spot with a 21-19, 21-18 win over Denmark’s Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt in 43 minutes.

Seventh seed Lakshya Sen also advanced and will take on Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul after a dominant 21-10, 21-11 victory over Hong Kong's Jason Gunawan in another 43-minute battle.

Anmol Kharb challenged former world No.1 and Olympic bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara by winning the first game 21-16 before bowing out. Men's singles contingent Kidambi Srikanth and men's doubles Hariharan Amsakarunan/M R Arjun exited the tournament.

Earlier, Sindhu faced a tough first-round match but ultimately secured a straight-games victory over Japan's Manami Suizu in the opening round of the Indonesia Masters here on Wednesday. Sindhu had a surprising start in the first game, trailing 2-11 at the mid-game break. She had to defend four game points but managed to win the game 22-20, scoring six consecutive points. In the second game, she led throughout but couldn't establish a comfortable lead over Suizu until she ultimately won 21-18.

Meanwhile, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, who made it to the finals of the Malaysia Masters and Syed Modi International last year, faced Japan's Koki Watanabe in an exciting first-round match and edged out his Japanese opponent with a 21-15, 21-23, 24-22 victory.

After a strong start with aggressive shot-making in the opening game, Srikanth's game faltered in the second as he made errors, giving Watanabe a chance to catch up. In the third, he led 7-4 but made several errors and couldn't fully dominate Watanabe. Ultimately, in key moments, Srikanth's aggressive strokeplay helped him secure the win, keeping Watanabe at bay.

Last week, Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and H.S Prannoy made early exits from last week's India Open 2026, a HSBC BWF World Super 750 event. Lakshya Sen reached the furthest before ending his campaign in the quarterfinals. He kept pace with Lin Chun-Yi till the very end but fell short in the final exchanges as he went down in three games to end the host’s challenge.Sen won the opening game against Lin but then struggled from the faster side of the court to go down 17-21, 21-13, 21-18 in the men’s singles quarterfinals. Indonesia Masters 2026: Sindhu, Lakshya advance; Srikanth goes down in pre-quarters | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 23, 2026

Huawei betting big on telecoms’ Agentic AI revolution

Posted by Harry Baldock: The Chinese tech giant says AI agents will not only help telcos become more efficient, but will open crucial new revenue streams 

For many years now, the global telecommunications industry has been racing to achieve the somewhat amorphous goal of ‘digital transformation’, focused on replacing hardware with software, shift workloads to the cloud, and incorporate digital technologies. Today, in the age of AI, this digital transformation has become a mere stepping stone to a far more paradigmatic shift for telcos: the move towards comprehensive digital intelligence, incorporating AI and automation throughout operations. 

For Huawei, this is less a change in direction than it is the natural next step of digital strategy. Digitalisation of telco functions offered the industry a huge wealth of data, as well as the operational agility to begin using it effectively. Huawei first introduced a formal AI strategy back in 2018, aiming to use AI as a catalyst for this data boom across the telco sector. At that time,  AI served primarily as a reporting or analytical tool, offering insights and limited automation.   

Fast forward to 2025, and rapid advances in AI technology have seen the development of AI agents, fully collaborative operational partners capable of making data-driven decisions and acting upon them fully autonomously. The agentic AI revolution is already underway and, according to Huawei, telcos cannot afford to be left behind.   

Digital twins and Agentic AI combine for intelligent networks 

Huawei’s core AI strategy in the agentic AI era is built upon the powerful, synergistic convergence of two key technologies: digital twins and agentic AI.  

This fusion establishes a new operational paradigm where human expertise works in close collaboration with specialised, multi-layered AI agents. The digital twin acts as a virtual, real-time, and highly accurate replica of the physical network, creating a risk-free environment for experimentation.  

This virtual playground allows AI to explore complex scenarios, model failures, and test automated decisions without ever impacting live services. The AI then uses this simulation capability to move beyond simply reactive fault resolution, instead becoming a fully autonomous, intelligent system capable of accurately predicting faults, self-healing, and self-optimising in real time.  

This powerful combination, creating a new operating model for telcos, was at the heart of Huawei’s demonstrations at this year’s MWC Barcelona, including breakthroughs for both fixed and 5G networks. 

A multi-agent framework for O&M 

Operations and maintenance (O&M) is an area where this combination is particularly effective, with Huawei leveraging this dual strategy to achieve unprecedented levels of automation. The company’s approach is predicated on an AI multi-agent framework, where specialised intelligent agents operate and communicate across different network domains (e.g., transport, core, and RAN). These agents are tasked with specific functions, such as fault detection in a single domain or performance optimisation, but collaborate closely, using the predictive and simulation capabilities of the digital twin to contextualise their actions and resolve cross-domain issues. 

This collaborative structure enables a complete closed-loop automation chain, which Huawei describes as ‘perception–analysis–decision–execution’. The agents work in real time to intelligently detect subtle anomalies, rapidly demarcate complex cross-domain faults, precisely localise the root cause of issues, and initiate automated closed-loop handling.  

For operators, the benefits are significant. Faults can be identified and resolved in seconds rather than minutes, resulting in a much improved experience for customers. One customer reported consumer churn was reduced by 57% after incorporating these agents. 

AI with OSS/BSS 

The benefits of AI agents extend far beyond network management. AI agents can also be tailored for critical Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operational Support Systems (OSS) roles, driving up efficiencies and even generating new revenue streams.  

Huawei’s work in this area is built on its unified LLM Engine agent platform, which hosts numerous specialised agents. Human engineers can use simple language to present a problem to the agents on this platform and built-in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities ensure that the agents answer the prompt using predefined data sets. This not only ensures the answers generated represent best practice, but also ensures data security, providing greater control over the data these agents interact with.  

Alongside lightweight analytics models, these agents can assist in complex, mission-critical decision-making processes. They transform cumbersome, multi-step business workflows into streamlined, intelligent interactions. 

New revenue streams with business agents 

• Leveraging a comprehensive AI-Native strategy, agents in the BSS domain can also see AI agents deployed across a range of revenue-generating contexts. For example:  
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): agents predict churn risk, and suggest hyper-personalised product bundles, moving marketing from mass campaigns to precise, data-driven targeting. In addition, in the B2B business domain, agents help account managers gain insights into lead opportunities, prepare materials for high-level visits, generate solutions, forecast profitability, and review contract risks, significantly improving business processing efficiency and accelerating business growth.  
• Convergent Billing System (CBS):  offering Design Agents can reduce the time to market for packages, significantly accelerating operators’ business innovation and revenue realisation. Throughout the billing process, Huawei CBS enables Intelligent Bill Run Management, Intelligent Invoice Agent, Intelligent Dispute Resolution, and Intelligent Dunning and Payment. CBS deeply integrates AI into the entire billing and business operations process this creates a zero-confusion billing experience for end-users, solidifying the foundation for sustainable business growth driven by superior 
• customer experience. Artificial Intelligence Contact Center (AICC):  AI is available for agents to help drive higher productivity and an enhanced employee experience, AI performs two broad functions, real-time call guidance and robotic process automation, through capabilities like post-call summarisation, suggest scripts to agents for targeted response, support agents with the right information through knowledge recommendations, AI-powered voice/chat/video bots for outbound marketing and leverages AI-powered insights about customers’ product and channel preferences to provide personalised marketing messages.  
• Mobile Money: agents assist in fraud detection and complex transaction monitoring, assuring security while streamlining customer enrolment and service usage. 

Ultimately, we are seeing AI used to streamline core business processes, reduce the time-to-market for new services, and drive substantial new revenue streams through more precise commercial execution. For Huawei, agentic AI will form the foundation of a new telco operating and business model, one in which autonomous intelligence drives efficiency, resilience, and, crucially, sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market. 

A benchmark for digital intelligence transformation in telecoms 

Huawei’s recent recognition at the World Communication Awards reinforces that its vision for digital intelligence is already taking shape with global operators. The company secured the Silver Award for Total Experience, demonstrating how intelligent agents can transform enterprise engagement and service assurance. By reducing business processing time and speeding up repair cycles, these agents enable faster, more responsive interactions for enterprise customers.   

The second Silver Award, in the Best Digital Transformation Programme category, points to structural change within network operations. By combining automated diagnostics with closed-loop execution, operators are cutting manual workloads and accelerating fault resolution, while strengthening the commercial foundations for new digital services.   Together, the wins underline how far Huawei has come since first introducing its AI strategy in 2018. What began with analytics and automation has evolved into collaborative AI agents that elevate customer experience, reshape O&M, and drive commercial outcomes. For operators pursuing digital intelligence, these awards signal a mature and scalable model for AI adoption, and a glimpse of the new operating model the industry is moving toward.  Huawei betting big on telecoms’ Agentic AI revolution

Read More........ → January 20, 2026

Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years

IANS Photo

Tokyo, (IANS): As the adoption of electric vechicles enters top gear globally amid rising petrol-diesel prices, Japanese auto-maker Nissan on Monday said it will invest $17.6 billion (2 trillion Yen) in developing new EVs and battery technology over the next five years.

Unveiling the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' plan, the company announced it will launch 23 new electrified models, including 15 new EVs, aiming for 50 per cent electrification mix, by fiscal year 2030.

"We will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities. We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society," said Makoto Uchida, Nissan CEO.

Over the next 10 years, Nissan aims to deliver exciting, electrified vehicles and technological innovations while expanding its operations globally.

The vision supports Nissan's goal to be carbon neutral across the life cycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.

With the introduction of 20 new EV and e-POWER equipped models in the next five years, Nissan intends to increase its electrification sales mix across major markets by fiscal year 2026, including Europe by more than 75 per cent of sales, Japan by more than 55 per cent of sales, China by more than 40 per cent of sales and the US by 40 per cent of EV sales in fiscal year 2030.

"With our new ambition, we continue to take the lead in accelerating the natural shift to EVs by creating customer pull through an attractive proposition by driving excitement, enabling adoption and creating a cleaner world," said Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta.

Representing the next stage of Nissan's electrified future, the company also unveiled three new concept cars that offer enhanced experiences through sophisticated technology packaging.

Nissan aims to launch EV with its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) by fiscal year 2028 and ready a pilot plant in Yokohama as early as fiscal year 2024.

With the introduction of breakthrough ASSB, Nissan will be able to expand its EV offerings across segments and offer more dynamic performance.

"By reducing charging time to one-third, ASSBs will make EVs more efficient and accessible. Further, Nissan expects ASSB to bring the cost of battery packs down to $75 per kWh by fiscal year 2028 and aims to bring it further down to $65 per kWh to achieve cost parity between EV and gasoline vehicles in the future," the company announced.

Nissan intends to increase its global battery production capacity to 52 GWh by fiscal year 2026, and 130 GWh by fiscal year 2030.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from news agency feeds and has not been edited by The Morung Express.Source: IANS Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 15, 2026

Diversity in Workplace

Diversity in Workplace.(photo:IANSLIFE)

New Delhi, (IANSlife) The current state of the planet may be among its most tumultuous in recent memory. Every ingrained standard in life and the workplace has been rattled and tested over the last two years. A number of new orders arose and disintegrated. The secret to surviving in the modern world is to adapt to anything new that comes along. In order to survive the upheaval of the previous two years, organisations had to reinvent themselves.

The business world has made significant efforts to securely navigate through the turbulent waters of recent times, from adopting new work cultures and upskilling the workforce to extensively investing in R&D and offering new products & services. Nevertheless, not every organisation was successful, despite their best efforts. Unfortunately, a lot of organisations either completely failed or suffered serious harm. What, then, was the difference? The answer to this query is workplace diversity.

Significance of diversity in the workforce

Any organisation can greatly benefit from workplace diversity, especially during trying times. Many organisations give little attention to diversity, while others have very limited views of it. Diversity includes having workers from various cultural and racial origins as well as having adequate or equal representation of both genders (or other genders) in the workforce. Additionally, demographic diversity is a key component.

The workplace is safer and more encouraging for everyone to offer their best effort when there is a good balance of all the genders in the workforce. This enables an organisation to take corrective action by better understanding the problems faced by persons of various genders (and orientations). People of different genders frequently approach a subject from a variety of perspectives. In this manner, an organisation can work with as many different viewpoints as possible to complete a task or resolve a problem. This aids any organisation in avoiding future social, legal, or cultural issues.

Diversity goes beyond gender diversity

Imagine a situation where an organisation is forced to hunt for new markets to sell its goods or services due to a regional economic collapse. Organisations with members from various cultural or racial origins will find it simpler to explore new terrain in such circumstances. People from various backgrounds provide more expertise about emerging markets, increasing the likelihood that an organisation will locate and establish itself in one.

Groupthink behaviour is among the most hazardous things for any organisation. Groupthink and similar thinking have been documented in organisations with homogeneous workforces. Groupthink behaviour frequently exhibits a highly limited view of the world and results in negative outcomes. A diverse workforce has a lower propensity for this type of behaviour. Groupthink is avoided by the diverse perspectives that people of different sexes, races, age groups, and cultures contribute to each scenario.

For every organisation, having people from all age groups is also crucial. Teams with elder members add stability, maturity, and experience while those with younger members add dynamism and adaptability. People in their middle years serve as a bridge between the aforementioned two quite dissimilar generations. All of these components must be present for any business to run smoothly.

The globe is changing at an unprecedented rate, but people are also becoming more sensitive to things like religion, culture, and legacy. Businesses must take great care to avoid offending any faith or community when launching any new product or service, marketing initiative, or public relations campaign. A workforce with diverse cultures and values can internally alert management to any such error before it becomes widely known. In the event that such an error is made and a community is insulted, the appearance of someone from that community can help to diffuse the situation.Nearly all business executives recognise the value of diversity in the workplace, and historically the most successful organisations have been those that include a good mix of employees from all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Recent economic and pandemic instability and pandemic have restored this ancient knowledge's legitimacy. Diversity in Workplace | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 15, 2026

India’s GDP growth likely to scale 7.5 per cent in FY 26: SBI report

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): While the 7.4 per cent GDP growth rate projected for FY 26 in the first advance estimates of the Ministry of Statistics "is quite expected and reasonable", the actual figure is eventually likely to be higher at around 7.5 per cent, an SBI Ecowrap report released on Wednesday stated.

"We believe that GDP growth for FY26 would be around 7.5 per cent with an upward bias. The second advance estimates, incorporating additional data and revisions, are scheduled to be released on February 27, 2026. So, all these numbers are expected to change with the base revision to 2022-23," the SBI report said.

On the expenditure side, the heads that have positively contributed include the government consumption with a growth of 5.2 per cent in real terms, it said.

Exports have also held their ground with positive growth of 6.4 per cent. Private consumption growth was a tad lower at 7 per cent, possibly due to a slowdown in the agriculture sector. Per capita consumption expenditure registered a growth of 6.1 per cent. Uptick in government consumption, and traction in services has held up the demand in FY26, cushioning the impact of external headwinds, the report further said.

Capital formation, which slowed last year, has recovered in FY26. The real growth in capital formation at 7.8 per cent was higher by 70 basis points (bps) from last year’s growth. The nominal capital formation growth was also higher, indicating a revival in investment demand, the SBI report observed.

Imports have registered a growth of 9 per cent in nominal terms but a growth of 14.4 per cent in real terms. However, this is expected to moderate in FY27, given the outlook on energy prices, the report pointed out.The fiscal deficit at the end of November 25 stood at Rs 9.8 lakh crore or 62.3 per cent of the budget estimate (BE). Although the tax revenue is likely to be lower than the budgeted for FY26, non-tax revenue will be on the higher side, thereby not impacting the overall receipts much. Total expenditure is also expected to be lower, leading to a fiscal deficit of Rs 15.85 lakh crore compared to the budgeted Rs 15.69 lakh crore. With the new higher GDP figure, the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP is likely to remain unchanged at 4.4 per cent, the report added. India’s GDP growth likely to scale 7.5 per cent in FY 26: SBI report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 09, 2026

India on track to meet 500 GW non-fossil power target by 2030: MNRE Secretary

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India is on course to achieve its ambitious target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, with a strong pipeline of renewable energy projects already in place, a top government official has said.

India currently has around 260 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, Santosh Sarangi, Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said while speaking to NDTV Profit.

This means the country needs to add about 240 GW more over the next few years, a goal he said is well within reach.

Sarangi explained that solar power will form the biggest share of upcoming capacity additions, contributing nearly 160 GW.

“Wind energy is expected to add around 30 GW, while the rest will come from a mix of small and large hydro projects and nuclear power. Nuclear energy is likely to add about 8 to 10 GW by 2030,” he stated.

“India could even exceed the 500 GW target if large-scale data centre projects move ahead as planned,” Sarangi added.

He added that electricity demand from data centres is rising rapidly, and many carbon-intensive industries are also looking to shift towards cleaner energy as part of their decarbonisation efforts.

Meanwhile, the government in last month informed that India saw highest-ever renewable energy capacity addition in 2025 at 44.51 GW (till November) which is nearly double as compared to the 24.72 GW during the same period last year.

The total renewable energy installed capacity reached 253.96 GW in November 2025, which is an increase of over 23 per cent as compared to the 205.52 GW in November 2024.The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said on December 29 said that capacity addition is 34.98 GW, compared to the 20.85 GW during the same period last year. India on track to meet 500 GW non-fossil power target by 2030: MNRE Secretary | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 07, 2026

Romania Hits 94% Recycling After Launching Largest Return Plan in the World

A recycling depot operated by RetuRO, Romania’s plastic return system organizer – credit Eduard Voicu / RetuRO

If you had to guess where in the EU you would find the most sophisticated and effective recycling system for beverage containers, how long before you’d say Romania?

Beating out Scandinavia, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, the Romanian government’s private-public partnership with the logistics firm RetuRO, has led to an incredible 94% collection rate of plastic, glass, and metal containers in just two years.

The method is simple, but a RetuRO executive said that its secret to success comes from the fact that there was no existing recycling system already working that had to be overwritten: it was a fresh idea.

Fresh, but not new. Each retailer that sells products which come in recyclable containers are given a tax credit for the cost of installing return infrastructure like reverse vending machines and other installations. Then, the customer, when they buy each item, are charged a deposit that is returned with a few cents extra when they return the items.

With all the extras, one Transylvanian woman was able to buy food for her cats for the whole week.

“We are the largest fully integrated deposit return system globally,” said Gemma Webb, the chief executive of RetuRO, the company running the system in a public-private partnership.

Even though product return rates are as high as 94% in some months, those products as a proportion of the country’s total recyclable waste remains small; less than 15%. As far as that is from seeing the recyclability of all waste, it’s still awfully far from where the country has come.

Between 2011 and 2021, recycling rates for plastic, glass, and metal beverage containers hovered around 11-12%, and rarely changed. Only 1% of all materials recycled or thrown away eventually made it back into the economy, according to the Guardian.

Romanians returned some seven-and-a-half billion beverage containers between November 2023 and the end of September 2025, 4 billion of which were polyethylene terephthalate, the ubiquitous “PET” plastic that permeates world society. One study found that 90% of surveyed Romanians had used the system at least once.The Guardian reported that the plastic contained in a single PET plastic beverage container can produce 25 more over the materials lifespan if properly recycled. Romania Hits 94% Recycling After Launching Largest Return Plan in the World

Read More........ → January 06, 2026

Ola Electric faces tough year as market share drops over 50 pc in 2025

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India’s electric two-wheeler market saw a major shift in 2025, with last year’s leader Ola Electric losing a large part of its market share, while traditional auto companies strengthened their position.

Ola Electric’s market share dropped sharply to 16.1 per cent in 2025 from 36.7 per cent in 2024.

Despite overall demand for electric two-wheelers improving, the company sold 1,96,767 vehicles during the year, according to data from the government-run Vahan portal.

The sharp fall highlights the growing challenges Ola Electric faced through the year. Ola Electric’s troubles were also linked to operational issues, including customer complaints related to service delays and inconsistent deliveries.

Meanwhile, Bhavish Aggarwal-run electric two-wheeler maker reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 418 crore in second quarter of the current financial year (Q2 FY26).

The revenue from operations of the firm also followed suit and dropped nearly 43 per cent year-on-year to Rs 690 crore in Q2, compared to Rs 1,214 crore in Q2 FY25.

In an earlier exchange filing, the firm said that “For the Auto segment, we expect lower volumes than the Q1 guidance as we continue to focus on margin and cash discipline in a hyper competitive market.

The stock of Ola Electric is also not performing well. Around 1:40 p.m., the company’s shares were down 3.34 per cent at Rs 34.97. Over the past five days, the stock had gained 1.36 per cent.

However, it was down 13.77 per cent over the last one month and had delivered a negative return of nearly 19 per cent in the past six months.

On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the shares were lower by 59.44 per cent, according to official data.

At the same time, established manufacturers with strong dealer networks and better after-sales support gained ground.

TVS Motor Company emerged as the market leader in 2025, capturing a 24.2 per cent share after selling 2,95,315 units.Bajaj Auto followed closely with a 21.9 per cent market share, further tightening competition in the segment. Ola Electric faces tough year as market share drops over 50 pc in 2025 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com.

Read More........ → January 06, 2026

Yiwu: The world’s largest trading hub

A worker loads rolls of steel plate at a steel market in China's Zhejiang province. via AP -

I had the privilege of travelling to Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province with a delegation from the Caribbean, hosted by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What we witnessed was nothing short of breathtaking: the deliberate construction of what China envisions as the largest trading hub in the world – a city that has already earned the title of the "world’s supermarket."

For anyone unfamiliar with Yiwu, think of it as the national showroom of China.

The country is massive, and for foreign businesses, navigating where to start can feel overwhelming. Yiwu solves this by serving as a central starting point: vendors, manufacturers and traders from all over China have permanent setups there.

Once connections are made in Yiwu, those relationships extend into every corner of the country.

From street peddlers to a global marketplace

Yiwu’s rise is a story of grassroots entrepreneurship.

In the late 1970s, poor farmers and traders, forbidden by the state to do business, set up illicit roadside markets to survive.

By 1982, local leaders broke ranks with Beijing and legalised trading under the "Four Allows" policy – allowing farmers to sell, long-distance trafficking, multi-channel competition and the creation of markets.

Fast forward to today, and Yiwu is home to over 75,000 individual booths trading 400,000 products across 40 industries.

It is estimated that nearly 600,000 foreign visitors come annually, with 15,000 foreign traders living permanently in the city.

The numbers behind the "world’s supermarket"

Yiwu’s economy continues to surge. Between January and July 2024, its import and export value hit US$53.1 billion, up 18.1 per cent year-on-year.

Exports reached US$47.0 billion, led by labour-intensive goods like textiles (up 23.5 per cent) and mechanical and electrical products (up 15.6 per cent).

A fashion accessories vendor talks to a customer on the phone at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, eastern China's Zhejiang province. AP PHOTO -

Sporting goods spiked by 37.8 per cent, driven by global events like the European Cup and Olympics.

But perhaps more interesting is Yiwu’s pivot from "sell global" to "buy global."

The city is addressing its 1:10 import-to-export imbalance, aiming to push imports to US$14 billion by the end of 2024 and US$42 billion by 2030.

For Caribbean exporters, that means an opening: Yiwu doesn’t just want to sell to the world – it wants to buy from it.

The future: Yiwu’s global digital trade centre

The crown jewel of Yiwu’s evolution is the Yiwu Global Digital Trade Centre (GDTC) – a CNY 8.2 billion project spanning 1.25 million square metres. It is described as a "sixth-generation market," blending physical trade with cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT and 5G.

At its heart is the "digital brain" – a sci-fi inspired hub that integrates product display, business exchanges and data services.

Already, 30,000 Yiwu merchants use AI daily, producing multilingual videos in English, Spanish and Arabic to promote products. Blockchain underpins transaction trust, offering tamper-proof trade records.

Yiwu is also positioning itself financially with Yiwu Pay, a global payment platform partnered with over 400 banks across 100 countries, designed for the small-value, high-volume transactions typical of e-commerce.

Why this matters for the Caribbean

For small businesses in the Caribbean, Yiwu is a game-changer. Unlike most wholesale hubs that demand massive bulk orders, Yiwu vendors often allow minimum order quantities (MOQs) as low as ten-50 pieces.

Add in the logistics advantage – the ability to consolidate products from dozens of suppliers into one shipment – and Caribbean SMEs can now test products and scale without crippling upfront costs.

At the same time, the risks are clear.

China’s growing influence in the Caribbean has sparked debates around trade imbalances and debt dependencies

In 2020, the region held a US$51.2 billion trade deficit with China.

Countries like Suriname already owe over 14 per cent of GDP in debt to China, complicating IMF negotiations.

This means our engagement with Yiwu must be strategic, not passive.

It cannot be about replacing one dependency with another, but about diversifying supply chains and positioning the Caribbean as both a buyer and a seller in this new global ecosystem.

Final thoughts

Walking through Yiwu’s Global Digital Trade Centre felt like looking into the future of commerce.

This is beyond just a marketplace – it’s China’s bid to redefine global trade.

For the Caribbean, the message is clear: Yiwu offers lower sourcing costs, global logistics, and a path to sell into China’s vast consumer market. But we must engage strategically, aware of the geopolitical stakes.

The global trading map is being redrawn – and if the Caribbean wants a seat at the table, it starts here.

Keron Rose is a Caribbean-based digital strategist and digital nomad currently living in Thailand.

He helps entrepreneurs across the region build their digital presence, monetise their platforms and tap into global opportunities.

Through his content and experiences in Asia, Rose shares real-world insights to help the Caribbean think bigger and move smarter in the digital age.Listen to the Digipreneur FM podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Yiwu: The world’s largest trading hub - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday:

Read More........ → January 05, 2026

critical pivots for Trinidad and Tobago in 2026

AS TRINIDAD and Tobago heads into 2026, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we are not entering a “fresh start” year – we are entering a decision year.

The global environment has shifted in ways that disproportionately affect small countries. Technology is removing jobs faster than they are replaced, governments everywhere are under fiscal pressure, and the cost of living continues to rise. These are not temporary conditions. They are structural changes.

If we want 2026 to be a year of progress rather than pressure, there are five critical pivots we need to make – not someday, but now.

Upgrade understanding of leadership

We often say we want better leadership, but rarely stop to ask what effective leadership actually looks like in today’s world.

Globally, some of the most effective leaders spend less time campaigning and more time preparing their populations for reality. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong regularly addresses issues such as inflation, global conflict, and economic restructuring in a clear, direct way.

He doesn’t avoid difficult topics. He explains them, giving citizens context and direction.

Similarly, Kaja Kallas former prime minister of Estionia demonstrated how leadership in a small country can be globally relevant. Estonia, with a population similar to TT, built digital systems that reduced bureaucracy, increased transparency, and made government more efficient.

Estonia's former prime minister Kaja Kallas.

Kallas spoke openly to citizens about trade-offs, risks, and long-term strategy – treating them as partners, not spectators.

The lesson here is simple: we cannot demand better leadership if we don’t understand what effective, future-focused leadership looks like globally. Exposure matters. Standards matter.

Shift from job-seeking to value creation

For decades, conversations about employment in TT have centred on job availability. That model is breaking down.

Governments everywhere are digitizing, automating, and cutting costs. Clerical and administrative roles – once a reliable pathway to stability – are shrinking. The idea that the state can absorb everyone who needs a job is no longer realistic.

The pivot required is from job-seeking to value creation.

When you develop a skill that solves a problem – whether in design, accounting, marketing, education, technology, or operations – income is no longer tied to one employer. Three solopreneurs collaborating on a project can generate revenue without forming a traditional company or waiting for an opening.

Work in 2026 will be project-based, collaborative, and skills-driven. Preparing for that reality is no longer optional.

Run every business idea through forex lens

Here’s a question we don’t ask often enough: Does this earn foreign exchange?

As long as most of our economic activity revolves around buying and selling to each other locally, growth will always be capped. A population of 1.4 million people places a hard limit on demand.

Foreign exchange isn’t just about overseas travel – it pays for food imports, fuel, medicine, technology, and business continuity. When forex is scarce, everyone feels it.

Service exports offer the most viable path forward. Digital work, consulting, teaching, creative services, and remote professional skills allow individuals to earn globally while living locally. When enough people earn forex, household resilience improves – and so does national resilience.

Treat mobility as a strategy, not a failure

We currently train more teachers than there are teaching jobs available locally. That mismatch has created frustration and stagnation.

Globally, however, English-speaking teachers are in demand – particularly across Asia. Countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand actively recruit educators.

Too often, we compare salaries without comparing cost of living. A lower salary in Vietnam or Thailand can still result in better savings and quality of life than earning more on paper in a high-cost country. Rent, transportation, food, and healthcare matter just as much as income.

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This doesn’t have to be permanent. Think of it as career acceleration: gain experience, earn foreign exchange, broaden perspective, then decide what comes next. That isn’t brain drain — it’s skill and capital accumulation.

Redefine what risk really means

For years, risk meant leaving a stable job or trying something new. Today, that definition has flipped.

The real risk now is doing nothing – staying in stagnant industries, relying on a single employer, and hoping things return to how they were before the covid pandemic.

They won’t.

Automation, lay-offs, and rising costs are forcing change whether we’re ready or not. The safest strategy in 2026 is no longer comfort – it’s adaptability.

Calculated risks – learning new skills, exploring global markets, diversifying income — are no longer reckless. They are prudent.

2026 will test mindset, flexibility, and resolve.

The people who navigate it best won’t be the ones who waited for rescue. They’ll be the ones who adjusted early, thought beyond borders, and took responsibility for building their own economic security.For TT, the future won’t be decided by hope alone – it will be shaped by how willing we are to pivot now. 5 critical pivots for Trinidad and Tobago in 2026 - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Read More........ → January 04, 2026

France Bans Forever Chemicals in Cosmetics, Fashion, and Ski Wax

Christin Hume – Unsplash

Being that many of the so-called “forever chemicals” are involved in making products water-resistant, a French ban on their use in the textile, fashion, and cosmetics industries should serve to greatly reduce the nation’s population to their exposure.

There are hundreds of forever chemicals often called per or poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). They are used in the manufacturing of non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, waterproof treatments, ski wax, fire-fighting equipment, and much more.

Their exposure has been linked to numerous health conditions, from cancer to birth defects, and their presence has been recorded in most human organs, and in every Earthbound environment assayed for them, including the summit of Everest.

The French lower-house, the National Assembly, adopted the bill put forward by the Green Party with 231 votes to 51 in February of last year, following a green light from the Senate. 14 of the deputies tested their hair and presented the results on the floor as a demonstration—all of the samples contained forever chemicals.

Signed by President Emmanuel Macron, it entered into effect at the start of the year, and comes with a provision that will see the government routinely testing for PFAS in civic water supplies.

The legislation bans the chemicals’ use in clothing, cosmetics, ski wax, but fell short of including non-stick pan coatings. “Essential” emergency equipment was also exempt from the ban.

A ban in Denmark along similar lines will come into effect in July.Many of the known PFAS were banned in a UN treaty signed during the Stockholm Convention of 2001. 150 Member States ratified the treaty, but certain notable producers declined to do so. The European Union has been studying a possible ban on the use of PFAS in consumer products. France Bans Forever Chemicals in Cosmetics, Fashion, and Ski Wax

Read More........ → January 03, 2026

New Year celebrations sweep across India amid tight security and festive fervour

Tourists celebrate and dance on Mall Road on New Year’s Eve in Manali, Kullu on December 31, 2025. (IANS Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): India welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, countdown parties and festive gatherings, as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incident.

In major metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate, Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, authorities across the country issued traffic advisories, guidelines for restaurants and hotels, and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places.

Despite chilling conditions in Delhi, Connaught Place and Vasant Vihar saw a steady influx of revellers, with families and groups gathering in markets and open spaces ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Speaking to IANS in Connaught Place, a tourist said, "I have come from Punjab to celebrate the New Year here, and I hope this year is good for everyone."

"It is cold, but we are happy to welcome 2026 here with our friends," another said.

Officials said that in areas expecting heavy crowds in the national capital, the police put comprehensive security arrangements in place to prevent any untoward incidents and to maintain law and order.

Security arrangements on the ground in Delhi were closely monitored by several senior officials, including six Assistant Commissioners of Police and one Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. As many as 1,469 police personnel were deployed across Delhi’s West District alone to ensure public safety during the celebrations.

In Rajasthan, stringent traffic safety measures were also implemented, including the setting up of checkpoints, inspection of vehicles and strict action against those found driving under the influence of alcohol.

In Maharashtra, eateries, restaurants, hotels, orchestra bars and pubs were permitted to operate till 5 a.m. on January 1 as part of the New Year celebrations.

In Bengaluru, around 20,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth New Year’s Eve celebrations, as more than ten lakh people were expected to gather at various locations across the city for the festivities.Even as people in the eastern parts of the world began bidding farewell to 2025, popular hill destinations such as Shimla and Manali witnessed a huge rush of tourists and revellers, braving the biting cold to ring in the New Year amid the mountains. New Year celebrations sweep across India amid tight security and festive fervour | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 02, 2026

'Indian National AI Olympiad 2026' registrations open to nurture school-level AI talent

(Photo: AI generated image/IANS)

New Delhi, (IANS) ACM India, the Indian arm of the Association for Computing Machinery, on Saturday announced the launch of the 'Indian National AI Olympiad 2026' -- a nationwide initiative to identify and nurture exceptional school-level talent in Artificial Intelligence.

Registration for the INAIO 2026 test for Indian students pursuing Classes IX to XII, to be conducted online on January 18, 2026, is open until December 31, 2025.

Test results will help candidates born after August 2, 2006, qualify for IOAI 2026 in Abu Dhabi from August 2–8, 2026, ACM India said in a statement.

The Indian National AI Olympiad, to be proctored live and administered by assessment technology platform HireMee, will serve as an accredited gateway to the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI).

IOAI will offer students global exposure, advanced innovation skills, and world‑class academic opportunities, it added.

Toppers of related Olympiads such as INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad), INOI (Indian National Olympiad in Informatics), PLO (Panini Linguistics Olympiad), and Bebras will receive direct entry into Stage 2 of INAIO.

The multi‑stage structured evaluation model of INAIO is designed to strengthen conceptual understanding of machine learning and develop real‑world modelling abilities, with the Olympiad selecting students to represent India at IOAI.

Key benefits include international recognition, potential scholarships from top universities, and enhanced higher‑education pathways in globally recognised universities, the statement said.

Further, the top three national rankers will receive attractive prizes, as all participants will be awarded digital certificates, the statement noted.

The first 500 applicants to the programme will receive access to HireMee’s Career Navigation Assessment worth Rs 1,599, it added.

Demand for AI and machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI governance specialists is set to surge in 2026, while cybersecurity is being reshaped by AI-driven threats.Around 74 per cent of corporate leaders in India ranked artificial intelligence (AI) among their top three technology adoption choices, according to a recent report. 'Indian National AI Olympiad 2026' registrations open to nurture school-level AI talent | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 31, 2025

India surpasses Europe, US in locomotive production to emerge as world leader

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India has emerged as a global leader in railway locomotive manufacturing, achieving a record production of 1,681 locomotives in the financial year 2024-25, according to a Railway Ministry statement issued on Wednesday.

This milestone surpasses the total locomotive production of regions such as Europe, the United States, South America, Africa, and Australia, reaffirming India’s growing dominance in the global railway sector.

"The continuous rise in locomotive production is a direct result of strategic decisions taken to strengthen the Make in India initiative. Between 2004 and 2014, India produced a total of 4,695 locomotives, with a national annual average of 470. In contrast, from 2014 to 2024, locomotive manufacturing witnessed a significant surge, with 9,168 locomotives produced, raising the annual average to approximately 917," the Railways statement said.

Indian Railways' locomotive manufacturing units have achieved a remarkable milestone by producing 1,681 locomotives in various categories during the financial year 2024-25. This marks an increase of 209 locomotives, or 19 per cent, compared to the 1,472 locomotives produced in the previous financial year 2023-24, the statement said.

This record-breaking production is the highest ever for locomotive manufacturing in the country, reflecting the significant achievements of all units in enhancing railway infrastructure and capacity.

The production of 1,681 locomotives during the year comprised 700 manufactured at the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, 477 produced at Banaras Locomotive Works, 304 made at Patiala Locomotive Works, and 100 locomotives each manufactured at the Madhepura and Marhowrah units located in Bihar.

The majority of the locomotives produced in the country were intended for freight trains. Among the 1,681 locomotives produced in the financial year 2024-25, as many as 1,047 were WAG-9/9H locomotives. These locomotives are a class of heavy-duty, three-phase AC electric locomotives used by Indian Railways for freight operations, known for their high speed and power, and are the only freight-dedicated three-phase AC locomotives in India. They are among the most powerful freight locomotives in India, with the WAG-9H having a higher power rating than the standard WAG-9. The other locomotives include WAG-9 Twin locomotives, of which 148 units were produced during the year, WAP-5 locomotives (2), and WAP-7 locomotives (272).The rest were WAG-12B locomotives, and WDG 4G/6G locomotives, at 100 each and five NRC locomotives. India surpasses Europe, US in locomotive production to emerge as world leader | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 29, 2025

AT&T drops DEI to get $1bn spectrum deal approved

Posted by Harry Baldock: The FCC has approved AT&T’s $1.02 billion spectrum acquisition from UScellular on the condition that the company terminates its DEI initiatives, amid concerns over industry consolidation and its impact on rural connectivity and competition.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved AT&T’s $1.02 billion purchase of spectrum licenses from UScellular, conditional on AT&T’s formal commitment to end its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programmes.

According to the FCC, the acquisition, which transfers 1,250 million MHz-Pops of 3.45 GHz and 331 million MHz-Pops of 700 MHz B/C block licenses, will enhance AT&T’s network coverage, capacity and performance and thus improve the customer experience.

AT&T notified the FCC in a letter that it will terminate DEI activities as part of the conditions tied to the transaction, a move the company said was necessary to obtain regulatory approval. Industry reporting and the FCC statement place this decision squarely within the commission’s recent practice under Chair Brendan Carr of making cessation of DEI programmes a term of certain approvals.

The Rural Wireless Association opposed the deal, arguing it risks further consolidation and could harm competition and roaming options for rural consumers, potentially raising prices for wireless plans. The FCC acknowledged these concerns but concluded the net effect would be to strengthen AT&T’s network performance for customers.

The AT&T transaction follows a broader pattern in which major carriers have agreed to end DEI initiatives to secure FCC clearance: T‑Mobile ended DEI programmes while seeking approval for its purchases of much of UScellular’s retail operations and customers, and Verizon made similar concessions in its approval to acquire Frontier Communications’ assets.

UScellular’s investor release confirms the company has monetised a significant portion of spectrum excluded from earlier transactions with other bidders, and FCC filings provide the regulatory context by mapping MHz‑POP holdings across carriers, data used to assess concentration and potential competitive impacts.The move is the second largescale spectrum purchase for AT&T this year, after the operator bought low-band and mid-band spectrum from EchoStar earlier this year fr $23 billion s AT&T drops DEI to get $1bn spectrum deal approved | Total Telecom

Read More........ → December 24, 2025

Sri Lanka shines at World Travel Market 2025: Showcasing island’s tourism excellence to world

In collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London has marked a remarkable level of participation by the nation’s tourism industry at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, held from 4–6 November 2025 at the ExCel London. A delegation of 92 leading travel and tourism partners represented the island, highlighting its vibrant and rapidly growing tourism sector to an international audience. The Sri Lanka Pavilion provided a dynamic platform for B2B meetings, networking, and collaboration between global travel and hospitality professionals.

During his welcome remarks at the opening of the Sri Lanka Pavilion, High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera expressed his appreciation to all partners and participants, noting that their collective effort created a powerful platform to showcase the island as a premier global destination. He highlighted that over 1.8 million visitors had already been welcomed by Sri Lanka in 2025, with the United Kingdom remaining the second-largest source market, contributing more than 170,000 arrivals by October. The Pavilion was also graced by The Lord Hannett of Everton OBE, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka, who praised the strong partnership between the two nations and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in trade, tourism, and culture. SLTPB Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam noted that Sri Lanka’s renewed focus on sustainable tourism, wellness, and wildlife reflected its commitment to responsible, high-quality growth and meaningful travel experiences.

Parallel to the Sri Lanka Pavilion, a press conference was held on 5 November at WTM, bringing together a significant gathering of UK travel and tourism media, journalists, and PR representatives. The event provided a high-profile platform to share the latest developments in the sector, including government priorities, enhanced air connectivity through Sri Lankan Airlines, and sustainable tourism initiatives. Speakers included High Commissioner Senadheera, SLTPB Chairman, SLTPB Director of Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya, Regional Manager Europe and Americas at Sri Lankan Airlines Chinthaka Weerasinghe, and, BGTW Chair Chris Coe. Also present at the head table were SLAITO President Nalin Jayasundera and, THASL President M. Shanthikumar representing the country’s travel and hospitality sectors.

Visitors to the Sri Lanka Pavilion were treated to a vibrant celebration of the island’s culture and heritage, featuring traditional dance performances and the serving of renowned Ceylon Tea, offering guests an authentic taste of the island’s warmth and hospitality. The Pavilion at WTM 2025 once again reaffirmed the country’s position as a resilient, innovative, and welcoming destination, ready to inspire travellers and strengthen global tourism partnerships. Sri Lanka shines at World Travel Market 2025: Showcasing island’s tourism excellence to world | Daily FT

Read More........ → December 23, 2025

X-energy 'reserves' Doosan forgings

(Image: Doosan Enerbility)

X-energy of the USA - developer of the Xe-100 high temperature gas-cooled small modular reactor - has signed a reservation agreement with South Korean nuclear component designer and manufacturer Doosan Enerbility for key components for its reactors.

The agreement was signed in Washington DC on 11 December by Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, and Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group.

Under the agreement, X-energy pre-emptively secures Doosan Enerbility's forgings. Mid to large-sized forgings, which are required in the manufacturing of the main components of small modular reactors (SMRs), are materials that require a long production lead time. Follow-up agreements on commencing the manufacturing of the SMR forgings and modules are expected to subsequently take place between the two companies.

"As Doosan Enerbility is a leading global supplier of nuclear equipment, equipped with unparalleled capabilities and expertise in this area, it will play a vital role in helping us enter the global market with our Xe-100 reactors," Sell said. "We are proud to be entering into a partnership with Doosan on this major project."

Kim added: "This reservation agreement signed with X-energy is a significant milestone for us, signifying that we are now officially embarking on the manufacturing process. As X-energy's major partner responsible for supplying the main SMR components, we are committed to ensuring full support on the project by strictly adhering to the requirements for product quality and deadline."

The Xe-100 is a pebble bed high-temperature gas reactor capable of a thermal output of 200 MW or (80 MW electrical). It uses fuel made from robust TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) fuel particles which are able to withstand extremely high temperatures without melting. Optimised as a four-unit plant delivering 320 MWe, the reactor can provide baseload power to an electricity system or use its thermal output to support industrial applications with high pressure, high temperature steam.

The first deployment of the Xe-100 is planned for Dow’s Seadrift site on the Texas Gulf Coast, to supply both power and high-temperature heat to industrial-scale operations. X-energy and Amazon have also committed to the goal of more than 5 GW of new nuclear by 2039, starting with a joint plan with Washington state utility Energy Northwest to build up to 12 SMRs near Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station.

In August 2021, Doosan Heavy signed an engineering service contract with X-energy for studies into the manufacture of major components - including the reactor pressure vessel - for the Xe-100. Under the contract, Doosan is supporting the development of the reactor by performing a study for its optimum design in terms of manufacturability. It is also conducting mock-up tests for critical manufacturing processes.

In January 2023, Doosan Enerbility announced it was making an equity investment in X-energy, leading to further strengthening of the partnership.A strategic collaboration agreement was signed in August this year by X-energy, Amazon, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP) and Doosan Enerbility aimed at accelerating the deployment of X-energy's Xe-100 and TRISO-X fuel to meet growing power demands from data centres and artificial intelligence. KHNP, Doosan, and additional Korean industrial partners have agreed to support Amazon and X-energy's plans to deploy more than 5 GW of new nuclear energy across the USA by 2039. X-energy 'reserves' Doosan forgings

Read More........ → December 22, 2025

Paytm wants Sri Lanka to build “world’s most seamless travel corridor” for Indian tourists

Paytm CEO for Travel and COO for Consumer Payments Vikash Jalan – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

• Says modern tourism depends on seamless, invisible payments and destinations become more attractive when travellers do not worry about currency or acceptance
• Notes with UPI acceptance in Sri Lanka, Indian arrivals boosted; opines country could attract 1 m Indians annually if payments become fully frictionless
• Stresses digital payments must reach micro-merchants and SMEs, enabling homestays, guides, tuk-tuk drivers and fishermen to earn instantly, become visible to all
• Suggests creating a national fintech-tourism task force to build a unified digital journey for travellers, make India-Sri Lanka travel corridor most seamless in the region

By Charumini de Silva: Paytm CEO for Travel and COO for Consumer Payments Vikash Jalan on Wednesday urged Sri Lanka to position itself as the “most frictionless, trusted, and convenient overseas destination” for Indian travellers, insisting that digital payments and fintech infrastructure will be just as critical as flights, hotels, and marketing in shaping the country’s next phase of tourism growth.

Speaking at the India-Sri Lanka Tourism Connect forum on the theme “Role of Fintech in Tourism Experiences,” Jalan said modern tourism is increasingly defined by action and ease, not advertising, and that seamless payment experiences are now fundamental to destination choice, visitor satisfaction, and spending levels.

“A traveller shouldn’t have to worry about currency, conversion, or acceptance. When payments disappear into the background, destinations become instantly more attractive,” he pointed out.

He explained that payments are often invisible when they work smoothly, but “painfully visible” when they don’t; affecting not only the individual tourist, but also a destination’s revenue, reputation, and repeat visitation.

A frictionless payment layer, he said, creates a self-reinforcing cycle; destination choices expand, travellers increase, revenues rise, and experience quality improves, helping that destination win in a highly competitive regional market.

Jalan stressed that India’s payments ecosystem is now among the most advanced in the world, driven by Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which processed 85 billion transactions last year, accounting for over 83% of all non-cash retail payments.

“India has gone from ‘cash-first to mobile-first in less than a decade’ and Sri Lanka’s rapid progress in digital payments places it on a parallel track,” he said.

He said over 67% of Sri Lanka’s merchant transactions now run through digital channels, and with UPI acceptance enabled in Sri Lanka in 2024, Indian travellers can simply ‘scan and pay’ as they would at home.

“This changes everything,” Jalan said, pointing to the sharp rise in Indian arrivals.

He noted that Sri Lanka saw 430,000 Indian visitors in 2024, up from 300,000 the previous year, and has already welcomed over 450,000 Indians in the first 10 months of 2025. “If Sri Lanka reaches its projected 3 million annual tourist arrivals, at least 1 million could come from India alone, especially if Sri Lanka becomes a fully frictionless UPI-enabled destination,” he added.

Jalan described the opportunity as transformational, particularly with the next wave of outbound Indian travellers emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. These new travellers are value-conscious, but digitally confident.

“They trust Indian apps, Indian payment systems and Indian digital journeys. If Sri Lanka gets the experience right, it becomes closer than Bangkok, more convenient than Dubai and more interesting than many Southeast Asian markets,” he said.

To unlock this potential, Jalan argued that payment acceptance must be universal, extending beyond hotels and big retailers to micro-merchants, homestays, guides, tuk-tuk drivers, craft sellers, fishermen and local eateries.

He outlined how fintech can bring thousands of Sri Lankan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the formal digital economy, making them discoverable and bookable, while enabling transparent pricing and instant settlements.

“Imagine a fisherman in Jaffna getting paid instantly through QR, or a small homestay in Yala earning digitally from Indian travellers. When you solve trust and transparency, participation increases and prices stabilise naturally,” he opined.

He added that digital payments generate valuable insights to personalise tourism offerings whether for families heading to beaches, couples preferring hill country, or younger groups seeking nightlife and adventure. “A mature payments ecosystem allows Sri Lanka to curate experiences at scale,” he said.

Jalan proposed developing a national fintech–tourism task force bringing together Government, tourism authorities, banks, fintech companies and travel platforms to address issues such as cross-border settlements, QR standardisation, and merchant on-boarding and regulatory clarity.

He said this could evolve into a unified marketplace allowing travellers to discover, book, pay and experience everything in one digital journey.

Jalan said fintech is no longer an add-on, but the invisible backbone of modern tourism. “Imagine a traveller who plans on Paytm, lands in Colombo, discovers local gems, moves around easily, pays instantly, books the next experience on the go and returns home already planning the next visit. That is what happens when payments and travel work together,” he said.

“India has fintech. Sri Lanka has the most charming destination. It’s time to connect them and build the world’s most seamless travel corridor,” he added. Paytm wants Sri Lanka to build “world’s most seamless travel corridor” for Indian tourists | Daily FT

Read More........ → December 20, 2025

Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur Brar strike gold in women’s 25m sports pistol in National Shooting C'ship

Photo credit: NRAI

New Delhi, (IANS) Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and ISSF World Cup Final 2025 gold medallist Simranpreet Kaur Brar delivered top-class performances to win gold medals in the senior and junior women’s 25m sports pistol events, respectively, of the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Tughlakabad near New Delhi on Monday.

Manu shot 36 in the final to secure the gold, finishing four hits clear of Divya T.S. of Karnataka, who bagged silver with 32. Anjali Choudhary claimed the bronze medal after hitting 28 targets. Rhythm Sangwan (22) finished fourth, followed by Arshdeep Kaur (18), Annu Raj Singh (14), and Anuja Verma (11) in fifth, sixth, and seventh positions, respectively, while Parisha Gupta did not start in the final.

Earlier, Divya T.S. topped the qualification round with a score of 587-22x, ahead of Anjali Choudhary (582- 19x). Annu Raj Singh finished third with 582-16x, while Manu qualified fourth with 581-19x. Parisha Gupta placed fifth with 581-14x, followed by Rhythm Sangwan (579-17x), with Arshdeep Kaur and Anuja Verma completing the top eight with 578-19x.

In the Junior Women’s 25m Sports Pistol final, Simranpreet Kaur Brar continued her impressive run, shooting 39 to claim the gold medal. Dwaram Pranavi won silver, while Palak of Haryana picked up bronze with 20. Tanu Shree Tomar (19) finished fourth after bowing out in the shoot-off, followed by Sejal Raju Kamble (14), Megana Sadula (11), and Lavanya Kanwar (7). Parisha did not start in the final.

The junior qualification round was topped by Parisha Gupta, with Simranpreet Kaur Brar qualifying second with 578-13x. Palak (575-14x) finished third, followed by Sejal Raju Kamble (575-12x), Tanu Shree Tomar (573-11x), Lavanya Kanwar (572-17x), Megana Sadula (572-13x) and Dwaram Pranavi (572-11x).

In the Women’s Team 25m Sports Pistol event, Maharashtra clinched the gold medal with a combined score of 1726-40x, through Shital Preetam Desai (577-12x), Abhidnya Ashok Patil (575-13x) and Rahi Sarnobat (574-15x). The Army Marksmanship Unit (Anuja Verma, Sejal Raju Kamble, and Anjali Bhagwat) finished second with 1722-44x, while Haryana (Rhythm Sangwan, Vibhuti Bhatia, and Tejaswani) secured the bronze medal with 1718- 43x.

In the Junior Women’s Team event, the Army Marksmanship Unit (Sejal Raju Kamble, Jiya Jakhar, and Anjali Bhagwat) claimed gold with 1714-38x, while Delhi (Parisha Gupta, Kamakshi Kumar, and Naamya Kapoor) secured silver with 1714-36x. Punjab (Simrampreet Kaur Brar, Agam Grewal, and Jasman Kelley) won the bronze medal with 1709-40x.

The championship action continues on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) with the Men’s Skeet finals scheduled in New Delhi, while the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women’s finals will take place at the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy in Bhopal.

Other Results (25m SPW)

Youth Women

Sejal Raju Kamble (Army) - Gold (575-12x)

Lavanya Kanwar (Rajasthan) - Silver (572-17x)

Manvi Jain (Madhya Pradesh) - Bronze (570-14x)

Civilian Championship Women (Individual)

Jaspreet Kaur (Punjab) - Gold (575-17x)

Yashika Goel (Uttar Pradesh) - Silver (573-19x)

Tanisha Dabodia (Delhi) - Bronze (573-15x)

Civilian Championship Women (Team)

Delhi A (Ekta Malik, Kamakshi Kumar, Nayasha Rana) - Gold (1706-40x)

Delhi B (Tanisha Dabodia, Riya Duggal, Khushi Kapoort) - Silver (1703-44x)

Punjab (Jaspreet Kaur, Ishneet Aulakh, Ariha Aggarwal) - Bronze (1693-38x)

Civilian Championship Women (Junior Individual)

Tanu Shree Tomar (Uttar Pradesh) - Gold (573-11x)

Lavanya Kanwar (Rajasthan) - Silver (572-17x)

Dwaram Pranavi (Andhra Pradesh) - Bronze (572-11x)

Civilian Championship Women (Junior Team)

Delhi (Kamakshi Kumar, Nayasha Rana, Khushi Kapoor) - Gold (1695-37x)

Madhya Pradesh (Nancy Solanki, Aaradhya Mishra, Anchal Singh) - Silver (1686-32x)

Tamil Nadu (Vaishnavi Ramdas, Nithila Ivy Darling, Anya Padma Viji) - Bronze (1685-26x)

Senior Master Women

Sheila Kanungo (Maharashtra) - Gold

Pushpa Meghwal (Rajasthan) - Silver

Kunti Malik (Uttar Pradesh) - Bronze

Master Women

Anisa Sayyed (Haryana) - Gold

P. Sofia Lawren (Tamil Nadu) - Silver

Divya Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) - Bronze

Super Master Women

Pushpa Meghwal (Rajasthan) - GoldAbha Dhillan (Uttar Pradesh) - Silver Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur Brar strike gold in women’s 25m sports pistol in National Shooting C'ship | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 19, 2025