Tamil Nadu government rolls out online registration of select documents
Select documents can be registered online from anywhere round the clock. The Registration Department is planning to make this system mandatory soon
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Select documents can be registered online from anywhere round the clock. The Registration Department is planning to make this system mandatory soon
Apple is expected to use its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8 to make a fresh push into artificial intelligence (AI), with a Siri overhaul that has been long pending, new AI-powered tools and iOS 27 likely to take centre stage.The event comes at a crucial moment for the iPhone maker. Nearly two years after unveiling Apple Intelligence, Apple is still facing criticism for delayed features and a Siri revamp that never fully materialised. Now, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is preparing its biggest Siri upgrade in years as it looks to catch up with rivals such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT and Samsung's Galaxy AI.Also Read: ET at Appleโs Bengaluru developer showcase: The apps headed to WWDC 2026New Siri expected to be the biggest WWDC 2026 announcementAt the heart of Apple's plans is a redesigned Siri that is expected to move beyond simple voice commands and become a more capable AI assistant.The new Siri could gain the ability to understand what's on a user's screen, pull information from emails, notes, calendars and contacts, and perform actions across apps. Users may also be able to issue multiple commands in a single prompt. For instance, asking Siri to check the weather, schedule a meeting and send a message at the same time. Many of these features were originally previewed in 2024 before being repeatedly delayed.Apple is also reportedly working on a dedicated Siri app that would function more like ChatGPT or Gemini. The app could allow users to hold ongoing conversations, upload files and photos for analysis, access chat history and sync conversations across devices through iCloud. Apple is even said to be testing support for third-party AI models including Claude and Gemini alongside ChatGPT.iOS 27 may focus on performance, battery life and reliabilityWhile AI is expected to dominate the keynote, iOS 27 itself may be less about flashy redesigns and more about fixing pain points.Unlike last year's major visual overhaul with "Liquid Glass" design, Apple is reportedly focusing on performance improvements, better battery life, fewer bugs and faster response times. The company is also believed to be laying the groundwork for a foldable iPhone expected later this year through under-the-hood changes in the operating system.Apple is also expected to introduce a new AI-focused "Search or Ask" experience, making it easier for users to search their device, launch apps and interact with Siri from a single interface.Also Read: Will your iPhone get iOS 27? These four models may miss out on Appleโs next major software updateAI writing tools and photo editing upgrades could arrive with iOS 27The update could bring a range of new AI features across the iPhone, iPad and Mac.These include a Grammarly-like grammar checker built into iOS, AI-powered writing assistance through a new "Write with Siri" feature, smarter shortcuts that can be created using natural language, AI-generated wallpapers and upgraded photo editing tools capable of expanding images, improving quality and removing unwanted objects more effectively.Apple is also expected to enhance Visual Intelligence, its answer to Google's Lens. The feature could gain the ability to recognise nutrition labels, extract contact information and provide more contextual information about objects seen through the camera.Wallet, Safari and AirPods could get useful upgradesBeyond AI, Apple is reportedly working on a handful of practical upgrades aimed at everyday users.These include a built-in bill-splitting feature in Wallet and Messages, custom digital pass creation in Wallet, a redesigned Safari start page, improved AirPods controls and updates to fitness and heart-rate tracking on the Apple Watch.The company is also said to be improving notification management, adding more customisation options to the Camera app and making several changes aimed at improving the overall experience across its devices.Also Read: Apple to let users choose rival AI models across iOS 27 features: ReportWhy WWDC 2026 could be Apple's most important AI event yetFor Apple, however, the real focus will be Siri.The assistant has largely remained unchanged while competitors have transformed their products into conversational AI platforms capable of reasoning, planning and completing complex tasks. WWDC 2026 could be Apple's attempt to show that it is finally ready to compete in that race โ and deliver some of the AI features it first promised users nearly two years ago.Whether Apple can close the gap with ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI rivals remains to be seen, but June 8 could offer the clearest look yet at the company's long-term AI strategy.
While 94% of the surveyed schools had separate toilets for girls, the lack of basic menstrual hygiene support systems, and non-availability of water and soap were cited as major hurdles
A Russian drone struck a spent nuclear fuel storage facility in Ukraine's Chornobyl exclusion zone, officials reported. While authorities confirmed radiation levels remained normal, President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a deliberate act of recklessness targeting critical infrastructure. This incident adds to a pattern of Russian actions endangering nuclear safety, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of systemic nuclear blackmail.
Sharing a video of his recent meeting with Sarthak Sidhant, Rahul Gandhi lauded the 18-year-old student for questioning the system and pursuing answers.
India's massive entrance exam system faces a digital dilemma. While online tests promise cost savings, speed, and reduced environmental impact, significant digital divides in infrastructure and familiarity pose major hurdles. Ensuring equitable access and preparation for all students remains paramount before a widespread shift can be considered successful.
CMDA convenes stakeholders to enhance Chennaiโs online building planning system, focusing on efficiency and user interface improvements
Anthropic has granted a few Indian organisations access to its AI-powered cybersecurity programme while warning that future AI systems may begin improving themselves.
Sulkhan Singh, a former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) said through encounters the State is normalizing violence, ultimately creating a climate of vigilantism
Can the search for a hotel room lead to a business idea? It did, for Alok Mishra.In 2014, during a trip with his wife, Mishra needed a hotel room for six hours as he did not want to drive late at night. But he was asked to pay for a full day and subjected to a series of intrusive questions despite being marriedโand was finally refused a room. โThat got me thinking that there might be travellers like me who need rooms only for a few hours but have to pay for an entire day. Later, while working in the US, I came across pay-for-use concepts and felt that India needed a more flexible, customer-friendly model,โ he says.That experience led to the launch of Bag2Bag in 2019, an online platform for booking hotels, service apartments, homestays and other accommodations, with a focus on hourly stays.The business started gaining momentum around 2021. Bag2Bagโs hourly-stay revenue has risen from roughly Rs 50 lakh in 2021 to Rs 5-6 crore today. The company has served more than 1 lakh customers, lists over 10,000 properties across India and offers hourly stays at 6,000-7,000 of them. The service is available in more than 50 cities, though Bengaluru and Mumbai remain its strongest markets.Also read | The safe keepers: Inside India's booming locker economyโPeople now understand that this is a practical solution rather than a niche service. One of our biggest achievements has been to help normalise the category. Earlier, hourly stays were often associated with couples seeking privacy,โ he says. โWe deliberately broadened the use case by allowing family bookings, including travellers with children. We wanted people to see hourly stays for what they really areโ a convenient accommodation option.โHOUR OF NEED That convenience is growing as online hotel booking platforms that allow short stays are on the rise. Alongside Bag2Bag, there is Noida-based Brevistay, Bengaluruheadquartered MiStay, Mumbaiโs Hourly Rooms and Qwiksta, all specialising in micro stays. Larger travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Agoda and Goibibo have also introduced hourly booking options.Like Bag2Bag, Brevistay was born out of a travel inconvenience. In 2016, cofounders Prateek Singh, Aditya Naithani, Shubham Agarwal, Avnish Kumar and Nikhil Pathak arrived in Manali at 5 am only to find that hotels would not allow early check-ins without charging for an extra night. The friends went on to cofound the travel tech startup Brevistay, which raised Rs 3 crore in 2023 and today reports revenue of about Rs 18 crore. It has 15 lakh registered users, 4 lakh monthly active users and around 11,000 listed hotels, including brands such as Ginger, Ramada and Blue Motel.LONG JOURNEY Getting there, however, was not easy.Pathak, cofounder and chief technology officer of Brevistay, says, โThe challenge in this segment is not customers but hotels. In 2016, many hoteliers would simply bang the phone on us. Some agreed in principle but didnโt want their properties listed publicly and preferred bookings to come through offline calls. It took us nearly two years before we started seeing meaningful traction and recurring bookings,โ says Pathak.The same resistance greeted MiStay when it launched in 2016. Starting with a pilot in Delhi, MiStay has since expanded to more than 100 cities. Shwetha Sameernath, general manager, business and growth, MiStay, says, โWhen we launched, scepticism was high. Most hotels were uncomfortable with the model, concerned about guest quality and operational challenges. Over time, that changed as hotels began seeing it as a revenue opportunity.โMiStay tackled resistance through education and curation. The company worked to show hoteliers that short stays served a broad and legitimate market of business travellers, transit passengers and day-use guests. It also selectively onboarded premium hotel brands, helping build credibility for the category. โWhen hotels see actual customer segments across varied, legitimate use cases, it builds their confidence that the model wonโt compromise their brand,โ says Sameernath, adding that the concept is now largely normalised.Also read | Major change in buyer behaviour as e-scooters race deeper into BharatPathak says the customer has evolved as well. Brevistay continues to market actively to couples, but he argues that the category should no longer be viewed through that lens. โThereโs nothing illegal happening. In fact, thereโs no law that prevents consenting adults from booking a hotel room. The issue was perception, not legality. What eventually changed minds was revenue,โ he says. โOnce hotels realised they could sell the same room multiple times in a day and generate seven or eight bookings instead of one, the business case became impossible to ignore.โThe use cases have expanded too. Back in 2017, couples accounted for nearly 90% of Brevistayโs bookings. Today, that figure is down to 50-60%. Business travellers, transit passengers, tourists looking to freshen up between journeys, students travelling for exams and people attending interviews or meetings have all emerged as important customer segments.Hotels, meanwhile, have had to adapt operationally. Mishra says the biggest challenge is that traditional hotel system was never designed for flexible check-ins and check-outs. Bag2Bag addressed this by developing its own software platform for partner hotels. โOnce they realised they could monetise idle inventory and generate additional revenue from rooms that would otherwise remain empty, adoption became much easier,โ he says.REVENUE CHECKS IN For Sameernath, the turning point was the entry of premium hotel brands. โToday, acceptance has grown across the ecosystem. Channel managers and property management systems are evolving to support slot-based bookings, and customers increasingly treat hourly booking as the natural way to reserve a room for less than a day,โ she says.Also read | Indian tourists go viral for all wrong reasons. Here's how not to become the next horror storyMishra has observed another interesting shift. Reliability and brand trust are becoming increasingly important. โWhether itโs a three-star or a five-star property, even if a branded hotel costs 20-25% more, customers prefer it because they know what theyโre getting,โ he says. The economics are compelling for hotels too. Sameernath points out that average hotel occupancy in India is under 65%, while daytime occupancy can fall to as low as 30% as guests check out in the morning and new arrivals come in much later. Platforms like MiStay help hotels monetise those idle hours by attracting guests who would never have booked a full-day room. โFor hotels near airports or railway stations, the upside is even greater. A room priced at Rs 8,000 for a full night could earn Rs 3,500-4,000 for a daytime slot and another Rs 6,000 for the nightโgenerating `10,000-plus from the same room in a single day,โ she says.CHANGING PERCEPTION MiStay today works with brands like IHG, Pride, Ramada, The Park, Radisson and Novotel IHG, while Brevistay is in discussions with Hyatt. Sameernath says that on the demand side, once customers experience flexible booking, they donโt go back. Their repeat rate reflects this, as 48% of MiStayโs monthly business comes from repeat guests โThe pay-per-use model in hospitality is the same transformation that happened in transport. You no longer book a cab for a full day; you pay for the distance. Hotels are heading the same way,โ she says.Pathak believes the next wave of growth will be driven by younger travellers. โTheyโre vocal about spending time with their partners and donโt carry the hesitation earlier generations did. In metros, the industry has largely moved beyond the old perceptions, and hourly stays are increasingly viewed as a convenience product rather than something unusual.โThe customer, it seems, has reached the destination. The hospitality industry needs to arrive.ChallengesPersistent social stigmaTrust and safety concernsBranded hotels worried about perceptionComplexities in managing multiple check-ins and check-outsLack of awareness among travellersOpportunitiesRise in domestic travel and frequent short tripsGrowth of bleisure (business + leisure) travelYounger consumers demanding flexibilityTech platforms making discovery and booking seamlessHotels looking to monetise vacant rooms
The CBI has conducted searches at six locations in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Delhi-NCR in connection with an alleged Rs 661 crore fraud involving the siphoning of government funds from departments of the Haryana government and the Chandigarh administration, officials said on Sunday. The searches were carried out on Friday at premises linked to senior Haryana cadre public servants and Noida-based Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd and its director as part of an ongoing probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds parked with IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank, an official statement said.Also read: IDFC First Bank fraud was isolated case involving collusion: KPMG According to the agency, the fraud affected eight departments of the Haryana government and two departments of the Union Territory of Chandigarh - Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST)."During investigation evidences have surfaced suggesting that the public servants had colluded with bank officials and had facilitated in opening of accounts, transfer of funds and subsequent diversion thereof," the statement said. The agency alleged that the public servants received undue advantages for facilitating the transactions and failing to act against the irregularities. The investigating agency also alleged that Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd received proceeds of crime in its bank account, which were later transferred to the personal account of its director. "Incriminating documents, digital devices, property documents and other relevant material were seized during the search operations," the agency said. The probe stems from one case taken over from the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and two cases originally registered by the Economic Offences Wing police station in Chandigarh.Also read: CBI files first chargesheet in Haryana Rs 504 crore fund diversion caseThe cases relate to alleged criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of government funds and related offences committed in connivance with bank officials and public servants, the agency said.The CBI said it has already filed its first chargesheet before a special court in Panchkula detailing the alleged role of public servants from the Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd and Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad.The chargesheet also outlined the alleged modus operandi used to siphon off government funds parked with the IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank, it said. The investigation is continuing and additional chargesheets will be filed against other accused found involved in the case, it added.
Mumbai: Beneath a busy flyover in India's financial capital Mumbai, a row of pastel-coloured shipping containers houses an unlikely school serving some of the city's most marginalised children.Despite laws guaranteeing free schooling for children aged six to 14, poverty and migration continue to keep many out of classrooms, particularly in sprawling cities like Mumbai where many families survive through low-paying informal work.Crippling urban poverty also means young children selling knick-knacks on streets are still a fairly common sight at crowded traffic intersections in big Indian cities.But the non-profit that runs the free school is determined to educate its underprivileged cohort, many of whom come from homeless families that barely eke out a living.Wedged between gleaming skyscrapers and busy roads, the "Signal Shala", or traffic signal school, caters to several dozen children who have been left out of the formal education system, according to Bhatu Sawant, founder of the initiative."These children can't go to (a regular) school. So (I thought) let's do this. Let's bring the school to them," Sawant, 45, told AFP.Also read | Major change in buyer behaviour as e-scooters race deeper into BharatIndia runs one of the world's largest public school systems, but government data for 2024-25 still identified nearly 1.2 million children as "out of school", a catch-all categorisation that covers both those who have never been to school or dropped out.Free mealsFor Sawant, India's government-run schools are simply "not flexible enough for these children", while private ones charging exorbitant fees are out of the question.The signal school operates from repurposed air-conditioned containers placed on a narrow strip of land beneath a flyover, where classes and play unfold amid the constant rumble of traffic overhead.Its approach is tailored to the realities of street life.Every morning, the school bus drives through the cramped lanes of Mumbai's slums, picking up students -- a lifeline for parents who can't afford transportation.When the children file in, the first order of business is a shower, as many have no easy access to bathing facilities.Lockers are provided for books and uniforms that otherwise cannot be kept safe or clean while living in slums or on the streets.Three meals are provided free, with school hours longer than normal.Also read | Indian tourists go viral for all wrong reasons. Here's how not to become the next horror storyClasses are split by ability rather than age, with teachers adapting lessons for children who may never have held a pencil before.Older students are also taught basic skills like sitting still, speaking clearly and staying focused.The challenges are particularly acute when it comes to kids from the semi-nomadic Pardhi community, who often do not speak the local language."When the children came here, they didn't know what the days of the week were, what the 12 months were or what the seasons were," said teacher Tejasvi Borade, as the container walls rumbled from the steady stream of cars passing above.Robotics and AIFor the students, the school serves as a sanctuary from the harshness of the real world."I feel very happy seeing the school bus," said 12-year-old Pooja Pawar, whose parents take on odd jobs at construction sites."The school clothes feel nice. The breakfast is good... In school, we make cake... and dance."For others, it represents an opportunity long denied.Balaji Laxman, who once sold tissues at traffic lights to earn a few hundred rupees -- the equivalent of several US dollars -- a day, said the classrooms represent a chance to imagine a different future."I want to become a doctor," Laxman, 12, said with a shy smile.While the school steers many children towards vocational pathways, Sawant said the broader ambition is to ensure they are not left behind in a rapidly changing world."We have to prepare them for the 21st century," said Sawant, who has set up two similar schools on the outskirts of Mumbai which have robotics labs among other facilities."They should know robotics, AI, computers, 3D printing," said the educator who relies on private and corporate donations for funding, with the government helping with the infrastructure."Everything that elite class children are doing well in, they should know all of that."
The journey from the foundational years of the mid-20th century to the digital ecosystem of modern India highlights an extraordinary shift
Vijay had ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC retail shops across state.
Soaring jet fuel prices driven by conflict in the Middle East are likely to push more airlines into bankruptcy and spur more sector consolidation this year and next, the head of the global airline body said on Saturday. Global airlines are grappling with higher fuel costs driven by the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran, which has choked jet fuel supplies and disrupted key air corridors, forcing costly detours.Also read: Airbus delays XLR deliveries to IndiGo as war hits suppliers Budget carriers have been among โthe hardest hit, โ lacking higher margin โ revenue streams such as premium cabins, high-paying travelers and credit card loyalty programs. The strain is already showing: U.S. budget airline Spirit Airlines collapsed last month, and it will not be the last, said Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, the industry's main trade body. "Unfortunately I think there will be some carriers that will find this high fuel price very difficult to cope with," Walsh told Reuters at IATA's annual summit in Rio de Janeiro, adding he expects some airlines to go out of business and others to be acquired by larger carriers. Even so, the pressure does not spell the end of the low-cost airline model, which continues to thrive outside the United States, where the big three carriers, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American โ Airlines, are squeezing โout budget competitors, Walsh said. "I don't see that the low-cost model is broken, in fact, quite the opposite," he said, highlighting Ryanair's strong performance in Europe as an example. There is one blockbuster deal Walsh does not see happening: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby's audacious โ proposal to buy arch rival American Airlines and create a U.S. aviation behemoth. The idea, which surfaced earlier this year, failed to get done despite Kirby raising it with President Donald Trump. "I don't think that's going to happen. I think the regulatory hurdles would be very significant. I don't know whether that was a genuine effort to pursue consolidation or Scott just trying to stir up some media," Walsh said. MIDDLE EAST AIRLINE WOES The Iran conflict has upended traffic flows through Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, creating acute challenges for Gulf carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad. Walsh said he didn't think the conflict would do permanent damage to the Gulf as an aviation hub given its strategic geographic importance and the value of the popular Gulf carriers, which account for 14% of โglobal capacity. "That capacity cannot be replaced by airlines from other regions around the world," Walsh said. "Once things settle down, I would expect the Gulf carriers to regain their important position in the market." Adding to the strain is the slow pace of aircraft deliveries from Boeing and Airbus, along with engine delays from โ GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, a unit of RTX, limiting airlines' ability to expand fleets and improve efficiency.Also read: Airline chiefs grapple with fuel shock, fare test at Rio summit Walsh said the industry is increasingly frustrated by the delays, particularly as engine makers post strong profits while airlines struggle. He estimates supply chain disruption cost airlines about $11 billion last year. "We're disappointed that they're not moving faster. We're disappointed that they're not sharing the pain that the airline industry is sharing," he said. Aircraft and engine makers have said that much of the delays are out of their control, stemming from post-pandemic supply chain disruptions and political trade disputes. As airlines come under financial strain and climate policies lose momentum in the U.S. under Donald Trump, industry leaders have grown more cautious about meeting a 2050 net zero emissions target. Walsh said IATA is not ready to abandon the goal. "I certainly believe it's more challenging to achieve net zero in 2050 because we've not made the progress that we had expected to see on the development of sustainable fuels," he said.
Thousands of CBSE Class 12 students are demanding grace marks and fee waivers for verification and re-evaluation. They cite technical glitches in the new On-Screen Marking system, leading to low scores and delayed answer sheet access, jeopardizing admissions. Students argue they shouldn't pay for errors originating from the evaluation process itself, impacting their future prospects.
The three students who were viciously trolled for raising their voice on public platforms against the CBSEโs On-Screen Marking system stand vindicate dafter the Board admitted to flaws in the system
Delhi Police on Saturday issued a clarification on X, dismissing claims circulating on social media that an FIR had been registered against protesters who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar.In its post, Delhi Police stated: "Certain social media posts and news reports are claiming that Delhi Police has registered an FIR against the protesters at Jantar Mantar."The police further clarified: "It is clarified that no such FIR has been registered."Urging people not to spread misinformation, the post added: "Citizens are advised not to believe or circulate unverified information. Please rely only on official updates issued by Delhi Police."The clarification came amid widespread discussion online following the protest organised by the youth-led movement.โ DelhiPolice (@DelhiPolice) Delhi Police denies reports of FIR against CJP protestersThe statement was issued after reports and social media posts suggested that legal action had been initiated against individuals who attended the protest at Jantar Mantar.However, Delhi Police made it clear that no FIR had been registered in connection with the demonstration.The department urged citizens to verify information through official channels before sharing it online, highlighting the importance of preventing the spread of false or misleading claims.Six people detained as precaution during Jantar Mantar protestEarlier in the day, Delhi Police confirmed that six individuals had been detained as a preventive measure to avoid any possible confrontation between rival groups near the protest venue.According to officials, police received inputs indicating the possibility of tensions between supporters and opponents of the online movement.The detentions were carried out to maintain law and order and ensure that the protest concluded peacefully.Officials said the individuals were taken into preventive custody after allegedly attempting to create a disturbance near the demonstration site.No major incidents were reported during the gathering.Heavy security deployed across Delhi for CJP demonstrationDelhi Police implemented extensive security arrangements ahead of the protest.More than 1,000 police personnel were deployed across New Delhi district and other sensitive locations in the national capital.Additional security measures were also put in place at Indira Gandhi International Airport and major border entry points.Senior officers closely monitored the situation, while barricades were installed around Jantar Mantar to regulate movement and maintain separation between groups.The security arrangements were aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing any disruption during the event.Hundreds gather at Jantar Mantar for Cockroach Janta Party protestThe protest was led by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and attracted hundreds of participants, including students and young professionals.Many attendees wore cockroach masks and carried flowers as symbols associated with the movement.Several school students were also seen attending the gathering along with their parents.Participants raised slogans demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.The protest focused on calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over concerns related to examination and recruitment systems.Why students joined the CJP protestThe Cockroach Janta Party emerged as a youth-driven online movement following allegations of irregularities in various examinations and recruitment tests.Supporters have raised concerns regarding examinations such as NEET, CUET, CBSE-linked tests and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment processes.Over the past several weeks, the group has expanded its reach through social media campaigns advocating greater transparency, accountability and reforms in examination systems.The Jantar Mantar gathering marked one of the movement's largest public demonstrations so far.Delhi Police urges public to rely on official informationFollowing the protest, Delhi Police reiterated the importance of relying on verified information from official sources.The department's clarification on X sought to counter rumours about an FIR and prevent misinformation from spreading online.While preventive detentions were carried out to maintain order, police confirmed that no FIR had been registered against protesters participating in the demonstration.Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged citizens to exercise caution before sharing unverified claims on social media.Inputs from agencies
The amendments mandate installation and operation of multiple digital systems, including AIS-140-based Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs), e-SIM connectivity, geo-tagged video inspections, High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), and digital data storage infrastructure
US President Donald Trump has spent years attacking his predecessor Barack Obama for what he called a giveaway to Iran. The image of "pallets of cash" became one of his favorite political talking points, a symbol of what he portrayed as weakness in dealing with Tehran.Yet the irony of the current moment is becoming harder to ignore. As negotiations to end the latest US-Iran confrontation stall, Iran is demanding access to billions of dollars in frozen assets, and the success of any deal may depend on whether Trump agrees to some form of financial relief. The president who built his Iran policy around rejecting Obama's approach may now find himself confronting the same reality that faced previous administrations -- diplomacy with Iran often comes with a price tag.Pay $12 billion now, and $12 billion laterAn indication of how central money has become to the negotiations came from Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in an exclusive interview with CNN. According to Rezaei, the negotiations have reached a deadlock and the responsibility for breaking it lies squarely with Trump. He said Iran wants the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, with $12 billion to be made available immediately after an interim agreement is signed and another $12 billion at a later stage.Also Read | Iran says frozen funds key to progress in US talksRezaei termed the demand not a concession from Washington but as a test of American intentions. "If he wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have with Trump," he told CNN. "This is our own money, not America's money."The significance of the demand extends beyond the amount involved. By publicly linking the prospects of peace to the release of frozen assets, Iran has effectively made financial compensation the central political hurdle in the negotiations.Trump's Obama problemFor Trump, the issue is not as much financial as deeply political. CNN reported that Trump has repeatedly instructed his team that any agreement with Iran must be viewed as stronger than the 2015 nuclear accord negotiated by Obama. Equally important, he wants to avoid anything that resembles the controversial payments that became a focal point of Republican criticism a decade ago.Throughout his political career, Trump has portrayed the Obama administration's handling of Iran as evidence of weak leadership. Recently, he revived his criticism of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, describing it as a horrible deal and insisting that any agreement he reaches will be far better. That political history now threatens to constrain his negotiating options. A deal that includes billions of dollars flowing to Iran could invite immediate comparisons with the very agreement he spent years denouncing.Also Read | Iran retains about 22% of missile stockpile, says TrumpWhat Obama actually didThe comparison is unavoidable because financial relief was also a major feature of the Obama-era approach. The JCPOA, finalized in 2015 after negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 powers, imposed strict limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The agreement capped uranium enrichment, reduced centrifuge capacity and established what experts described as one of the most intrusive inspection regimes ever negotiated.The deal also coincided with the release of $1.7 billion to Iran, a figure that Trump and other critics frequently cited as evidence of appeasement. Critics argued that sanctions relief and financial compensation rewarded Iranian behaviour across the region.Supporters of the agreement took a different view. They argued that much of the money involved consisted of Iranian assets that had already belonged to Iran and that the deal successfully halted Tehran's progress toward a nuclear weapon while providing unprecedented transparency into its nuclear program.Former US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who helped negotiate the agreement, told CNBC that the JCPOA's most important achievement was its extraordinary verification system. Arms control experts similarly maintain that the deal effectively constrained Iran's nuclear ambitions before it unraveled.Why the current situation is more difficultThe irony for Trump is that negotiations now are taking place under conditions far less favorable than those that existed in 2015. After the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, Iran gradually breached many of the agreement's restrictions. It expanded uranium enrichment, accumulated a much larger stockpile of nuclear material and scaled back some transparency measures.Many think that any new agreement must address a more advanced Iranian nuclear programme and a more complicated political environment. There is also the added challenge of rebuilding trust after years of mutual escalation. That reality means economic incentives have become even more important. Tehran is demanding tangible benefits upfront rather than promises of future relief. From Iran's perspective, accepting new restrictions without immediate financial gains would be politically difficult.Trump's search for a political workaroundTrump's advisers are acutely aware of the political risks. According to CNN, administration officials are exploring mechanisms that would allow Iran to receive financial relief without creating the appearance of a direct US payment. One possibility involves third countries such as Qatar releasing funds. Another would permit access to frozen assets while restricting their use to humanitarian purchases such as food, medicine and agricultural goods. There have also been discussions about creating reconstruction funds financed largely by Gulf states rather than the United States.These proposals reflect an important reality. The debate is no longer about whether Iran should receive economic relief at some stage. It is increasingly about how that relief can be structured so that Trump can claim he has not repeated Obama's mistakes. In that sense, the dispute is becoming as much about political messaging as about financial policy.Leverage versus peaceThe White House remains reluctant to surrender what it views as one of its strongest bargaining tools. Trump has publicly insisted that the United States will retain control over frozen Iranian funds until Iran meets Washington's demands. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly emphasised that sanctions relief should follow compliance rather than precede it.The administration's concern is straightforward. Once funds are released, Washington loses a major source of leverage. That leverage could prove critical during the highly technical second phase of negotiations focused on Iran's nuclear program. Iran, however, sees the issue differently. For Tehran, immediate access to frozen assets is evidence that the United States is negotiating in good faith. Without such a gesture, Iranian leaders appear unwilling to commit themselves to a broader settlement. That difference in perspective has created the current impasse.The choice facing TrumpThe strategic dilemma confronting Trump is becoming increasingly clear. He can maintain a hard line and refuse any significant financial concession, preserving political consistency but risking the collapse of negotiations. Or he can accept some form of economic relief for Iran, potentially unlocking a broader peace agreement but exposing himself to accusations that he has embraced a version of the same approach he once condemned.Rezaei's comments to CNN show how central that decision has become. By presenting the release of $24 billion as a test of trust, Iran has effectively challenged Trump to choose between ideological purity and diplomatic pragmatism. For a president who built his Iran policy in opposition to Obama's legacy, that may be the most uncomfortable choice of all. If peace ultimately requires releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, Trump would be seen as eating his words when he had asked Iran for complete surrender.