The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has published new fuel prices that will take effect on August 1, 2026. In July, prices saw a decrease after four consecutive months of growth, which was attributed to the war between the US, Israel, and Iran, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the announced tariffs, Super 98 gasoline will cost 3.6 dirhams per liter, compared to 3.40 dirhams in July. Special 95 gasoline will cost 3.49 dirhams per liter, while the current rate was 3.29 dirhams. Prices for E-Plus 91 gasoline have been set at 3.41 dirhams per liter, an increase from the previous rate of 3.21 dirhams.
Diesel fuel will be sold at a price of 3.8 dirhams per liter, which is higher than the current cost of 3.6 dirhams. Since the start of the Middle East war on February 28, retail fuel prices in the UAE rose by more than 60 percent before decreasing in July.
Monthly changes in gasoline prices in the UAE directly affect household budgets, as fuel is a necessary and regular expense for most families. Even a small price increase over time may require drivers to allocate a larger portion of their income to fuel. Furthermore, the conflict between the US and Iran resumed on July 29. Previously, oil prices sharply rose after US President Donald Trump threatened to 'hit Iran very hard' following Iran's missile attack on a US base in Jordan on July 28.
The Ministry of Finance reported that the Central Government made an additional payment for the transfer of tax revenues to state bodies amounting to 1.09 lakh crore (1.09 trillion rupees), in addition to the standard monthly amount.
The ministry's statement indicated that the Union Government sent this additional tranche to the state bodies on August 1, 2026. This payment supplements the regular monthly transfer, which is scheduled for August 10, 2026.
Currently, 41 percent of taxes collected by the Center are distributed among the states throughout the fiscal year via 14 tranches.
Although young people often focus on obtaining higher education and choosing their first career, saving for old age may not be their top priority. However, the decisions made by young South Africans today determine their future financial security. It is crucial that they possess the necessary skills and tools for retirement savings.
According to recent academic studies, only 24% of South Africans actively save for retirement, and the National Treasury has long indicated that only 6% will be able to retire with sufficient resources for financial stability. Considering the increased life expectancy due to medical advancements and the rising cost of living, three powerful tools for youth are financial literacy, disciplined saving, and the power of compound interest.
Many fear that traditional pension systems may collapse under demographic pressure, and that retirement could become unaffordable due to rising expenses. Some countries are reducing state pension levels for future retirees, forcing the younger generation to fill this gap through private savings. This raises the question: how can young people secure enough funds, and how much is considered sufficient?
Financial literacy represents the greatest resource for a young person aiming to achieve adequate and reliable savings by retirement. Understanding the principles of financial and pension products, as well as being aware of the costs associated with participating in these products, are fundamental requirements for successful investing and saving. Without this knowledge, many young people avoid investing simply because they do not know where to start.
You do not need a large sum to start saving; the most important thing is to start with what you have. Saving from the moment you earn your first income forms healthy lifelong saving habits and is one of the most significant financial decisions. Various studies show that financial constraints are the main barrier preventing youth from participating in formal pension funds. If one learns to live on 95% of their income from the start, saving the remaining 5%, then setting aside money for emergencies or retirement becomes routine and significantly reduces concerns about financial security.
Albert Einstein is known for calling compound interest (interest on interest) the 'eighth wonder of the world.' He explained its enormous financial impact with the following quote: 'He who understands it earns it; he who does not understand it pays it.'
Consider a simple example. If you start regularly contributing 7.5% of your salary to a pension annuity at age 25, assuming an average net return of 10%, investments could grow to an amount providing approximately 75% of your income upon retirement at age 65. Under similar assumptions, if you delay starting savings until age 40, you would need to contribute 19% to achieve a comparable result. This percentage is almost 2.5 times higher, highlighting how much future outcomes depend on today's choices and the high cost of delaying the start of savings.
Global studies demonstrate that Generation Z is increasing its savings through micro-savings and AI-managed applications that automatically round up expenses for saving. These small, regular contributions can have a significant impact over time. Unlike older generations, Generation Z prefers non-linear careers with multiple jobs and places more emphasis on private savings than corporate plans.
Although initially accessing a personal financial advisor may seem unattainable, there are significant advances in online access to financial pension products with managed investment paths. Thanks to investment research information available through these online platforms, financially literate youth can confidently move towards financial security in retirement. Kleinscheldt is the Head of Actuarial Calculations and Products at PSG Wealth.
Narendra Modi laid the cornerstone and unveiled a memorial plaque for the ASIP Technologies semiconductor manufacturing complex in Tarlavada, Vizagapatnam, on Saturday. This semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) project, valued at 250 billion rupees, is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh and South India approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM 1.0).
Andhra Pradesh Governor N. Chandrababu Naidu joined the Prime Minister virtually during the foundation stone laying ceremony. The 30-acre complex, with initial investments exceeding 460 billion rupees, will have an annual production capacity of 96 million chips. The technological partner for the project is the South Korean company APACT Co.
The facility will serve fast-growing sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, data centers, and high-speed communication. ASIP also plans to expand production by investing an additional over 200 billion rupees to scale up advanced semiconductor packaging operations. The project is expected to provide over 1000 direct skilled jobs and 1600 indirect jobs.
Upon commissioning, ASIP will begin production using wire-bond and flip-chip ball grid array (BGA) packaging technologies, with plans to implement advanced 2.5D and 3D packaging capabilities within two to three years.
In his speech, Modi highly praised Andhra Pradesh's IT talent pool, stating that the state is now well-equipped to lead in semiconductor manufacturing. He emphasized that the government intends to support this growing manufacturing story, which is a vital part of the Viksit Bharat mission.
Amitesh Kumar Sinha, CEO of the India Semiconductor Mission, commended ASIP for initiating the project, calling it a significant contribution to India's semiconductor mission. He noted that the advanced semiconductor packaging complex in Vizagapatnam represents a substantial step forward and confirms ISM's commitment to supporting the sector through industry-oriented growth policies.
Venkata Simhadri, Managing Director and CEO of ASIP, stated that laying the foundation stone for the Vizagapatnam complex marks a major milestone for ASIP and its ambition to strengthen India's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. He thanked the Government of India, MeitY, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), and the Government of Andhra Pradesh for their support and trust in the project. He added that together with partner APACT, they are creating advanced assembly, packaging, and testing capabilities in India, fostering skill development, supply chain localization, and the growth of the Andhra Pradesh semiconductor ecosystem.
Song Dong Lee, CEO and President of APACT, noted that the semiconductor industry increasingly requires resilient and diversified supply chains. He emphasized that the partnership with ASIP merges Korean technological expertise with India's engineering talent and manufacturing ambitions. In his view, this facility will be a crucial part of the India Semiconductor Mission and the global semiconductor ecosystem, providing advanced packaging and testing solutions to customers worldwide.
Currently, India imports almost all semiconductor chips used in its electronics industry. The OSAT complex addresses a critical bottleneck in the country's semiconductor value chain, where packaging and testing account for about 30-40 percent of chip production costs.
The company aims to localize a significant portion of its supply chain over the next three to five years by establishing partnerships with academic institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati and IIT Hyderabad. The complex will also feature an in-house semiconductor training center designed to prepare a skilled workforce for India's growing semiconductor sector. Environmental solutions, such as solar power generation and water recycling systems, will be integrated into the project to create a high-standard and environmentally responsible manufacturing operation.
