The Economic Times

In a groundbreaking move, Google Cloud is now hosting its avant-garde AI models in India, empowering local businesses to carry out data processing and AI within the country. This transition is largely driven by the pursuit of digital sovereignty and signifies India's emergence as a crucial player in Google's global AI landscape. Indian companies will benefit from greater regulatory assurance and enhanced operational efficiency.

Erling Haaland's girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen has an estimated net worth of $300,000. Their combined household wealth is projected to reach approximately $100.3 million in 2026. Haaland's fortune stems from his lucrative Manchester City contract and endorsements. Johansen's earnings come from her past football career and business ventures. The couple maintains a private lifestyle despite their significant financial standing.

Prime Minister Modi and President Subianto inaugurated the Prambanan Temple restoration project. This significant site showcases centuries-old cultural connections between India and Indonesia. The 9th-century Hindu temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its intricate reliefs narrate the Ramayana epic and local legends. Conservation efforts continue to preserve this remarkable historical landmark.

Household food expenses face continued pressure from elevated tomato and cooking gas prices. Vegetable oil costs also contribute to the rising expense of preparing meals at home. Higher broiler prices add to non-vegetarian thali costs due to supply constraints. Month-on-month, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali costs saw an increase in June. Future price moderation depends on seasonal crop arrivals and global energy markets.

President Donald Trump stated the Iran MoU is over, yet negotiations may continue. He also expressed unhappiness with NATO regarding Greenland and Iran. Trump spoke these remarks alongside Mark Rutte before a NATO summit. He indicated a reluctance to deal with the Iranians, calling them sick people. These comments were made while addressing reporters in Ankara.

India and the ASEAN bloc reviewed free trade agreement progress on Tuesday. The Joint Committee urged expediting finalization of outstanding chapters under the agreement. Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached $128 billion in 2025-26. The India-ASEAN free trade agreement in goods was signed in 2009.

OpenAI will launch its GPT-5.6 model family starting July ninth. These new models offer improved reasoning and coding capabilities for users. GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, and Luna cater to diverse user needs and tasks. Enhanced safety features and cybersecurity improvements are also included in the release.

India's central bank has reiterated its preference for a cryptocurrency policy leaning towards prohibition, warning that crypto assets and stablecoins could threaten financial stability and monetary sovereignty, according to internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.

Announcing ambitions can sometimes reduce the drive to achieve them. Receiving praise for intentions creates a false sense of accomplishment. This psychological effect stems from the brain experiencing a premature reward. Research shows public acknowledgment can widen the intention-behavior gap. Therefore, focusing on action over announcement is crucial for success.

Ankur Warikoo advises young professionals to liquidate choices leading to debt. He stresses taking responsibility for financial decisions and exercising choices. For unavoidable debt, he urges hard work and earning more to pay it off. Warikoo shared his own journey of clearing significant debt over a decade. He emphasizes focusing on solutions rather than complaining about financial burdens.

Russian forces are camouflaging supplies and using jamming systems to disrupt Ukrainian drone operations. These tactics aim to counter Ukraine's effective mid-strike drone campaigns behind front lines. Ukraine's drone commanders report Russia is deploying advanced jamming devices to block Starlink connections. Military supplies are now hidden in civilian vehicles and smaller convoys are used.

Meta muse image: Meta has launched Muse Image, an advanced AI model for image creation. This new tool allows users to generate and edit visuals using text and photos. It integrates into Meta AI, enhancing apps like Instagram and WhatsApp. Muse Image offers sketch-based editing and new AI effects for stories. The company also previewed Muse Video, signaling future video generation capabilities.

Quebec actor Marc Messier, known for 'Broue' and 'La petite vie', has died. He passed away at the age of 78 after a brief illness. Messier enjoyed a celebrated career spanning over five decades in entertainment. He received multiple awards and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. His legacy endures through his extensive contributions to Quebec's performing arts.

Mumbai weather today: Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the state's heavy rainfall situation. He assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance from the central government during their phone call. Mumbai experienced torrential rain, causing disruptions to local train services and inconveniencing commuters.

The MCD's property regularisation drive has seen minimal applications in two months. Many low-income residents find the high charges unaffordable for legalizing their homes. Officials are discussing reducing these charges with the Delhi government. There is no deadline, reducing urgency for residents to apply.

NATO leaders aim to secure Donald Trump's commitment to the alliance. Trump expressed disappointment with allies over the Iran war and military spending. He also raised concerns regarding Greenland's status and Italian Prime Minister Meloni. NATO members are increasing defense spending and demonstrating solidarity. The summit declaration affirms a strong commitment to collective defense.

Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo inaugurated a joint conservation project at Prambanan Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site visit strengthens cultural ties between India and Indonesia. India's Archaeological Survey will lead the conservation and restoration efforts for the temple. The leaders toured the ancient site and reviewed project details together. This initiative highlights India's focus on cultural diplomacy in bilateral relations.

In light of recent setbacks, head coach Gautam Gambhir pointed out the team's insufficient game awareness as a key issue. The Indian T20 squad is undergoing a notable transition, with several established players missing and newcomers stepping in. Gambhir stressed the importance of granting athletes more time to evolve. He urged a greater emphasis on adapting to match conditions and counteracting the strategies of opposing fast bowlers.

Western Railway has dismissed a viral video alleging a train stopped for samosas. The railway clarified the incident involved a goods train, not a passenger service. This goods train was already halted for scheduled engineering work in the Rau yard. The Assistant Loco Pilot stepped out to buy food during this authorized operational stoppage. Western Railway stated the video was deliberately misrepresented to create a false impression.

Surplus FCI grains and sugarcane juice also significantly contribute to the diversified feedstock mix. Policy support for higher blends and new applications is crucial for future growth.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the new VB G RAM G Act. He called it Rozgar Adhikar chori and a centralised scheme. This new law replaces the constitutional right to work. It places a heavy financial burden on state governments. The opposition demands the repeal of this rural employment scheme.

Jofra Archer feels English bowling conditions are normal after playing in India. England secured a significant victory against India in the third T20I match. Indian batters struggled with the challenging UK conditions throughout the series. Archer and Tongue's pace proved effective in dismantling India's batting lineup. The series continues with two more matches scheduled for later this week.

Delhi Laxmi Yojana will provide eligible women Rs 2,500 monthly. The scheme is expected to launch on August 28, Raksha Bandhan day. Preparations are in the final stages with banks for fund disbursement. Women aged 21 to 60 and permanent Delhi residents may be eligible. An online portal is ready for applications after criteria finalization.

Mosquito coils, sprays, and electric mats work, but they also fill your home with chemicals you breathe in every day. These seven plants contain compounds that researchers have studied for their mosquito repelling properties. They won't replace repellents entirely, but they are a natural and useful addition to any Indian home.

Security forces killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist in Shopian on Wednesday. The operation began July 3 in a dense orchard area. Forces maintained a tight cordon for five days with exchanges of fire. The terrorist was identified as Latif and Zakir. This neutralisation occurred during a joint operation with multiple security units.

Quote of the day: Napoleon Bonaparte, a French military genius, believed religion kept common people quiet. He suggested faith prevented the poor from harming the wealthy. This controversial observation highlights religion's role in maintaining social order. However, it ignores religion's many other positive societal functions. Powerful institutions can shape societal beliefs and behaviors through various means.

China has lifted refined fuel export restrictions for the remainder of July. A private refiner, Zhejiang Petrochemical, can now resume its fuel shipments. This follows a four-month halt in its export activities. The world's largest refiner is returning to normal operations after disruptions.

USMNT FIFA staff suspension: Two United States Soccer Federation staff members faced FIFA suspensions before a key match. Sam Zapatka and Frank Pannell were suspended for violating match protocols. These suspensions reportedly stemmed from an earlier game against Bosnia-Herzegovina. FIFA has not publicly explained the disciplinary actions taken against the officials. Fans expressed frustration over FIFA's lack of transparency regarding the suspensions.

Delhi residents woke up to rain and a yellow alert for moderate showers. Minimum temperatures across the city settled below normal levels on Wednesday morning. Several weather stations recorded significant rainfall amounts during the past 24 hours. The Air Quality Index for Delhi remained in the satisfactory category. The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 32 degrees Celsius.

Several major US companies, including Intel, IBM, Dell, Honeywell Aerospace, Ford, GE Appliances and De Beers, have urged the US Trade Representative (USTR) to reconsider its proposal to impose additional tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries, including India.

India Meteorological Department issued flash flood warnings for several districts. Heavy rainfall triggered another flash flood in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district. Moderate flash flood risk is likely in parts of Konkan, Goa, and Gujarat. Surface runoff and inundation are possible in saturated soils and low-lying areas. The weather office forecasts very heavy rainfall up to 200 mm.

Connor Murphy bodybuilder: Fitness influencer Connor Murphy's death rumors are circulating widely on social media platforms. Unverified posts claim the bodybuilder died while staying in Thailand recently. However, no official confirmation has been provided by his family or representatives. Murphy gained fame for his workout videos and bodybuilding transformation content online. Fans are urged to await official statements before believing the unconfirmed reports.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards stated they struck US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. This action was a direct response to recent American strikes, according to the statement. The joint operation involved missile and drone attacks on 85 key facilities. Iran also reported shooting down an American MQ-9 drone during the engagement. The IRGC's statement was carried by the state broadcaster IRIB.

Organisations now need trusted communicators to navigate information speed and complexity. Internal and external communication lines are blurring, requiring holistic audience engagement strategies. Employees expect dynamic storytelling and opportunities to share their experiences and connect to purpose. Leaders must understand communications power and limitations for effective reputation management. Future success belongs to those combining judgment, trust, speed, and credibility in critical mom

Mushoku Tensei Season 3 will be the longest single cour in franchise history. Newly revealed Blu-ray details confirm the installment will feature at least fourteen episodes. This new season premiered on July fifth, 2026, with a special two-episode debut. The series continues to adapt the Eris Training Arc, following Rudy's fantasy journey. Studio Bind is handling animation for the highly anticipated third season.

Baruipur rape-murder case: One key accused in a Baruipur rape and murder case was killed in an encounter. The victim's body was discovered stuffed in a sack the day after she went missing. Local protests erupted, leading to property damage and the burning of tires. Police had previously arrested three individuals in connection with the crime. A six-member special investigation team is now probing the incident.

Oregon's attorney general seeks a court order to pause Paramount's acquisition bid for Warner Bros. The state claims Paramount withheld crucial records regarding its lobbying efforts. Paramount states the requested information is irrelevant to antitrust law compliance. Other states are also preparing to sue and block the proposed merger.

In view of the alleged irregularities and complaints related to donations and offerings at Badrinath Dham, and considering the seriousness of the matter, the Uttarakhand Government has constituted a three-member high-level committee on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to conduct a comprehensive inquiry.

European lawmakers are seeking an investigation into FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. This follows the decision to lift a red card suspension for player Folarin Balogun. Lawmakers stated FIFA's rule change mid-tournament was a disgrace and perversion of justice. They believe Infantino and FIFA surrendered to demands from the Trump administration.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Kuwait after visiting Bahrain and Qatar. He thanked Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister for a warm reception and looked forward to engagements. In Bahrain, he reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening the partnership with the Gulf nation. Jaishankar also met with Bahrain's King and discussed bilateral ties and cooperation. Earlier, he concluded his Qatar visit after discussing energy security and trade.

George Orwell's Animal Farm quote highlights power's corrupting influence on revolutionary ideals. The pigs became as oppressive as the humans they overthrew. Eric Arthur Blair, known as George Orwell, wrote about totalitarianism and fascism. His clear and sharp writing remains relevant for understanding power abuse. The quote serves as a reminder to observe leaders' actions after gaining authority.

Most parts of Uttarakhand experienced moderate to heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Falling debris from hills led to the closure of thirty-two roads across the state. Pantnagar recorded the highest rainfall at one hundred and seven millimeters. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are forecast for Wednesday. Isolated heavy rainfall is predicted for several districts on Wednesday.