Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated that the company’s Gemini app has increased its monthly active users (MAUs) to 950 million and has tripled its daily active users over the previous year as it continues to grow its artificial intelligence (AI) solutions throughout its consumer and business lines.

According to Pichai’s blog post, the fast increase in Gemini app usage has been driven by new AI-powered tools such Daily Brief and the customized Gemini Spark assistant, which is currently offered in the US and many other international regions.

Since its wider introduction last October, AI Mode has surpassed 1 billion monthly active users globally, according to him, who also emphasized the rising use of Google’s AI-powered Search experience. While sending billions of clicks to websites each week, the feature is increasing search activity.

Google has started working on Gemini 4, the company’s next-generation AI model, while also increasing its AI model portfolio with the introduction of Gemini 3. 6 Flash, Gemini 3. 5 Flash Cyber, and Gemini 3. 5 Flash-Lite.

Pichai states that over 9 million developers create apps each month using Google’s AI models, and that the company’s APIs process about 22 billion tokens per minute, up from 16 billion in the prior quarter.

Nearly 90% of Fortune 100 businesses are currently utilizing Gemini Enterprise, which is significantly contributing to the rapid development of Google Cloud, and the organization is also seeing widespread corporate adoption.

Cloud revenue increased by 82% from the prior year, reaching $514 billion due to a rise in demand for enterprise AI solutions and AI infrastructure.

Pichai stated that the company’s AI investments are transforming its operations across Search, YouTube, Cloud, and developer platforms, and Alphabet also disclosed a 24 percent increase in revenue year over year.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) hosted a Technology Transfer Event here, where four indigenous technologies were licensed to industry and an IoT-enabled rural water service, measurement, and monitoring system was commercially launched.

According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, the event, which was planned by CSIR‑Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR‑CSIO), Chandigarh, also included an award for royalties from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Panchkula, for authorized production of indigenous defense technologies.

Pump Academy Private Limited, Bengaluru, was given the right to manufacture the Induction Motor Stethoscope (MSCOPE), Portable & Universal Motor-cum-Pump Performance Monitor (PU-MPPM), and i-Power Quality Analyser (IPQA).

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Panchkula, received the beam combiner assembly and optical module for the head-up display (HUD) for SU-30 aircraft programs.

Prof. Shantanu Bhattacharya, Director of CSIR-CSIO, concurrently unveiled the commercial introduction of the Cost-Effective IoT-Enabled Water Service Delivery, Measurement, and Monitoring Sensing System designed for rural implementation via Biometry Technologies Pvt. Ltd. allows for sophisticated monitoring of rural areas’ water quality, amount, and service delivery.

He emphasized the laboratory’s growing innovation and technology commercialization ecosystem by giving an overview of the technology transfers and royalty accomplishments.

CSIR-CSIO has consistently reinforced its efforts to commercialise technology, according to Bhattacharya, who also noted that during FY26, the lab earned Rs 1. 67 crore in royalties from BEL for the authorised manufacturing of native military avionics technologies.

The technologies include head-up display (HUD), drogue lights, taxi landing lights, HUD I-level tester and boresight alignment tool technologies. He stressed that the success demonstrates CSIR-CSIO’s ongoing collaboration with Indian industry and increasing involvement in domestic defence manufacturing.

Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary of DSIR and Director General of CSIR, praised the lab’s efforts to expedite technology development, raise external cash flow (ECF), broaden industry relationships, and improve technology transfer.

In order to turn research into products and procedures that create value for the industry while providing concrete benefits to society, she stressed that the successful commercialization of native technologies is at the core of CSIR’s purpose.

ANDPL (Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited), the special purpose vehicle leading the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), on Tuesday introduced “Dharavi Didi,” an AI-powered interactive platform that operates around the clock and is designed to give residents access to official and authenticated information regarding one of India’s biggest urban redevelopment projects.

As the reconstruction project moves forward, the AI companion has been developed to satisfy the growing need for trustworthy knowledge.

Residents often want clarification on things like whether their homes have been surveyed, whether they qualify for rehabilitation, what paperwork is needed, and how long it will take to get new houses.

Until now, misinformation and misunderstanding were common consequences of relying on unverified sources and informal talks.

Residents may obtain quick Hindi, Marathi, and English answers from Dharavi Didi, which can be reached through Whats App, voice calls, and video calls.

To meet the needs of Dharavi’s many linguistic populations, the business stated that Tamil, Telugu, and Gujarati support would be included in the following months.

The project, according to ANDPL, enhances its current Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) outreach initiatives by expanding formal involvement beyond office hours and field visits.

Residents may access reliable project-related information at any time of day thanks to the AI assistant’s design.

Dharavi Didi is accessible 24/7 to provide straightforward answers in an easy and conversational way, regardless of whether residents want to comprehend surveys, eligibility, necessary documents, or project updates. This is another effort to make authentic information easily available to every Dharavikar, in addition to our continuous Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) efforts.

According to an official with the ANDPL, residents no longer need to wait until office hours to receive responses from official sources.

In order to ensure ease of use, even for first-time digital users, the firm claimed that the platform had been designed with a straightforward interface.

The goal is to increase residents’ confidence in comprehending the redevelopment process and managing each stage by giving them direct access to verified information.

Our objective is to make sure every resident has immediate access to accurate and verified information. The official continued, stating that Dharavi Didi’s purpose is to respond to inquiries with clarity, instill trust through openness, and assist residents in making educated judgments during the redevelopment process.

The term “Dharavi Didi” was chosen to represent the platform’s role as a reliable resource for locals.

In order to assist Dharavikars through what the company refers to as one of the most important changes in their lives, the AI assistant has been designed to act like an elder sister who patiently listens and offers advice.

India is scheduled to host the 16th BRICS health ministers meeting starting on Wednesday. Senior health officials and health ministers from BRICS member nations will attend the meeting in order to advance cooperation on equitable access to high-quality healthcare, pandemic preparedness, digital health, and health security.

Under its BRICS Chairmanship in 2026, India’s dedication to promoting collective action on important global health objectives via the guiding topic of Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability is demonstrated by the three-day meeting in Chandigarh.

Discussions will center on strengthening collaboration in areas like health security, pandemic readiness, digital health, innovation, access to inexpensive medicines, traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, tuberculosis, healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, and robust health systems, according to Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava.

She pointed out that the conference would offer a crucial forum for improving collaboration and information exchange among BRICS nations in order to advance the health objectives of the Global South.

The meeting will include technical experts, high government officials, and health ministers from the 11 BRICS countries, including Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the senior officials’ meeting will start the event on Wednesday, and the BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting, which will be presided over by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, will follow on Thursday.

India will organize a high-level side event on Friday, focusing on utilizing interoperable digital health infrastructure and responsible artificial intelligence to improve continuity of care and build future-ready health systems across BRICS countries.

In an official statement, India said it has maintained current priorities while introducing two new priority areas—BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle and Promotion of Mental Wellness, reaffirming its commitment to preventive and promotive healthcare, building on work completed during previous BRICS Chairships.

With a U/A certificate, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has approved the release of director Vishnu Edavan’s highly anticipated romantic entertainer ‘Hi,’ starring Nayanthara and Kavin.

Seven Screen Studios, the production company, posted on its social media sites to announce the news, saying, “A tale that will steal your heart now has its date locked. ” Headed for theatres on August 14, 2026, and censored with a UA! A Jen Martin music.

Additionally, Kureishi, Adithya Kathir, Sathyan, Radhika, Prabhu, and K Bhagyaraj are just a few of the performers who will be appearing in the movie, which is being co-produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures, and Seven Screen Studios.

The narrative of the movie spans three cities: Chennai, Coimbatore, and Pollachi. Additionally, they state that the picture would be a family-friendly entertainment with no antagonists.

Vishnu Edavan, who is directing this film for the first time, previously served as associate director for master director Lokesh Kanagaraj on a number of projects, including “Kaithi,” “Master,” and “Vikram. ”

While discussing his movie before, director Vishnu Edavan stated that it would be a complete family film that would highlight the meaning of true love.

This movie has high expectations since it is the first time that Nayanthara and Kavin will be working together.

Jen Martin will compose the music and Rajesh Shukla will film the movie, which is proud of its outstanding technical crew. Philomin Raj will handle the film’s editing, and Shekhar B will be in charge of art direction. Brinda will choreograph the film’s dances, and Dinesh Kasi will choreograph the stunts.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that India was interested in establishing closer links with Panama due to its important location and high level of economic stability, which make it a desirable ally for New Delhi.

During a meeting in New Delhi on Monday with Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez, his Panamanian counterpart, EAM Jaishankar emphasized the eagerness of both parties to deepen their cooperation in his opening statements. He said he hopes Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez’s visit would help promote relations between the two countries in all areas.

The two of us had recently co-chaired the 5th India-SICA Ministerial meeting last September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. However, your current trip strengthens the momentum of high-level meetings we’ve had, and I think both of our leaders and governments are quite eager to broaden and deepen our alliance.

EAM Jaishankar stated, “And we definitely anticipate closer ties with Panama since you provide a very strategic position and great economic stability and potential for a partner like India. ”

He emphasized that Panama and India collaborate closely in the United Nations and other multilateral forums. EAM Jaishankar stated that India appreciates Panama’s desire to collaborate in a variety of industries, including trade, technology, pharmaceuticals, scholarships, and education.

Your logistics infrastructure, which is based around the Panama Canal, serves as a worldwide benchmark, acting as a gateway for the greater Latin American area and as a natural link for us to global trade routes. We appreciate your desire to work together in a number of fields, including technology, education, scholarships, pharmaceuticals, and, of course, trade, which is the most crucial. EAM Jaishankar stated that “as we ourselves accelerate our development towards the quest of Viksit Bharat or developed India by 2047, we do think our bilateral relationship will get more important, we note that you have had a consistently high growth trajectory. ”

He thanked Panama for supporting India’s right to self-defense in the aftermath of the terrorist assault in April 2025 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

I want to express my gratitude to you and the Panamanian government for your display of solidarity and backing for our right to self-defense in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist assault last year, as well as for your very clear condemnation of terrorism in all of its manifestations and forms. Once more, I think your visit adds to the momentum that already exists between our two countries, and I anticipate our conversations today, which I am very certain will contribute to broadening our collaboration.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told Parliament on Monday that there is no plan currently being considered by the government to abolish the long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax on equity transactions for retail and domestic investors.

As part of the annual budget process and legislative reforms, the minister further stated in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha that tax policies, such as capital gains rates, are evaluated regularly after considering macroeconomic parameters.

From Rs 72,249 crore in assessment year (AY) 2024-25, which corresponds to financial year 2023-24, to Rs 1,29,158 crore in AY 2025-26, which corresponds to FY 2024-25, LTCG tax receipts on equity transactions surged. Through LTCG tax, the government collected Rs 2. 01 lakh crore over the course of the two years.

The LTCG tax on equity mutual funds and listed equities has been set at 12. 5%, which applies only to profits over Rs 1. 25 lakh each fiscal year. A long-term capital asset is one that has been kept for over 12 months.

The minister stated that the 12. 5% LTCG tax rate on equity investments is the same for FPIs, domestic investors, and retail investors in response to concerns about whether Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been excluded from paying the levy while domestic and retail investors still do.

For investments in equity, the tax rate of 12. 5% on LTCG is the same for FPIs as it is for local and retail investors. The minister said that the government has rationalized the tax treatment relevant to FPI investments in G-Secs only by exempting such investments from income tax on any interest or capital gain through the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.

The government is willing to hear worries brought up by stock market investors about the tax system, including issues regarding LTCG and short term capital gains (STCG) tax, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who stated this in May of this year.

However, she did not promise a lower tax rate.

Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh called for a comprehensive evaluation of pension rules to make sure they match shifting societal circumstances, noting that outdated rules are a significant cause of ongoing pension-related lawsuits.

According to the minister, speaking at the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare’s second National Workshop on Pension Litigation, the government’s goal is to establish a zero-litigation pension system via policy changes, simplified regulations, enhanced grievance resolution, and improved inter-ministerial coordination.

He emphasized that the emphasis of pension management should be on avoiding disputes via timely policy adjustments rather than on settling them once they have gone to court.

Singh stated that frequent litigation usually suggests that specific regulations need to be reevaluated.

The minister said that a reassessment of the underlying policy should be prompted by similar complaints arising in different regions of the nation, rather than being handled as isolated instances.

Saying such measures have made pension policies more inclusive and human while lessening the requirement for drawn-out legal procedures, the minister emphasized recent changes by mentioning the government’s decision to simplify eligibility requirements for providing pension benefits to separated daughters.

Additionally, he stated that a number of family pension clauses inherited from previous administrative frameworks have been changed in recent years to ensure that beneficiaries obtain legitimate benefits without having to resort to judicial action.

Singh urged agencies to examine litigation trends and stakeholder input to pinpoint inadequacies in current legislation, calling for a research-driven strategy to policymaking.

He also emphasized that grievance settlement should be a tool for policy improvement rather than simply a way to resolve complaints.

While stating that grievance platforms based on artificial intelligence have boosted efficiency, the minister added that technology should be accompanied by in-person conversation with pensioners in order to gain a better understanding of their concerns.

Singh also debuted a Compendium of Case Laws on Pension Litigation, a flyer on pension litigation, and the Department’s Special Campaign 3. 0 during the event. These materials are intended to improve litigation management and offer citizen-centric pension services.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners‘ Welfare reports that the number of pension litigation cases on its Litigation Information Management System has decreased by almost 20% in the last year. The Department further stated that the average time for addressing pension complaints via the CPENGRAMS portal has been lowered to under 20 days.

The only goal of the match was scored by Ferran Torres, a former City player, in extra time as Spain, the current European champions, narrowly defeated Argentina in the World Cup final.

Spain’s savior was substitute Ferran Torres, who scored the game-winning goal in extra time as La Roja defeated defending winners Argentina 1-0 at the New York New Jersey Stadium to claim the FIFA World Cup 2026 title.

Torres ultimately broke the stalemate in the 106th minute, following a tense and hotly contested 90 minutes that ended goalless. The forward connected with Nico Williams’ directed knockdown before releasing a powerful left-footed shot past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to secure Spain’s second FIFA World Cup victory, their first since winning the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

Martinez was in superb form throughout the final, denying the European team again and over as Spain controlled the ball for lengthy periods and made the more chances. Argentina, on the other hand, had difficulty creating clear-cut chances because Spain’s disciplined defence had contained captain Lionel Messi.

Argentina was down to ten players for extra time after midfielder Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time, dealing a crushing blow to the defending champions.

Spain maintained their pressure and appeared to have increased their advantage during stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed because of an infraction during the lead-up. But Argentina’s reign as world champions was ended by Luis de la Fuente’s men, who remained composed and finished out the last stages with ease.

Spain finished the competition undefeated and claimed their second World Cup in addition to their 2010 win, completing a remarkable tournament. Argentina, who were crowned champions in Qatar four years ago, came agonizingly close to keeping hold of football’s biggest prize.

In the end, I believe that 47 million people, not just those of us present, scored the goal. Today, our fate was determined, we were meant to triumph. “We’re far from our people today, but we attempted to be as near as possible to them,” stated Torres, who had not scored in the competition before Sunday.