Afghan businesses seek new trade links at Iran construction expo
Afghan business representatives are seeking new trade and investment opportunities at Iran’s 26th International Building Industry Exhibition,...
McDonald's plans to significantly expand its investments in artificial intelligence by 2027, with India expected to play a central role in data governance, engineering, and platform development, a senior executive said on Friday.
The fast-food chain, which has operated in India since 1996, runs hundreds of outlets across the country and recently opened a global office in Hyderabad. The company aims to make this its largest base outside the United States. “We’re still in the early stages, so it’s difficult to quantify the exact investment,” said Deshant Kaila, head of Global Business Services operations, during an event in Hyderabad.
McDonald’s is currently testing AI to validate customer orders in 400 restaurants, helping to catch errors before food is handed over. The technology is expected to be deployed across 40,000 global outlets by 2027, according to Durga Prakash, head of technology for global offices.
The company is also using AI for sales forecasting, pricing strategies, and product analysis, and is developing a personalised mobile app to be used worldwide. Kaila said the company’s India expansion will focus on strengthening its AI capabilities, with spending directed more toward technology and infrastructure than workforce growth.
McDonald’s is also considering opening a global office in Poland, similar to its existing hubs in India and Mexico, according to Prakash.
Earlier this year, the state government of Telangana announced that McDonald’s would establish a global capability centre in Hyderabad, set to employ 2,000 people. These centres in India, once known for cost-effective outsourcing, have evolved to provide a range of high-level services, including operations, finance, and R&D to global firms.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
Once associated mainly with Muslim-majority countries, Islamic finance has become a global industry. Its assets reached around $5.98 trillion in 2025, according to ICD–LSEG, as more countries explore Shariah-compliant finance.
Azerbaijan exported goods worth $17.372 million to Armenia between January and July 2026, according to data from the State Customs Committee, as commercial ties between the two South Caucasus neighbours showed signs of expansion.
Online fast-fashion platform Shein lost a London copyright lawsuit against rival Temu on Thursday over photographs used to promote some products.
Norway’s $2.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund has revealed a 0.05 per cent stake in SpaceX worth $1.22 billion, marking its first reported holding in Elon Musk’s space company.
U.S. data analytics firm Palantir Technologies has reported a 93 per cent year-on-year jump in second-quarter revenue, even as the company faces continued criticism over its work with Israel's military and allegations linking its technology to the war in Gaza.a.
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