Author: Sreelatha M

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Corporate

Google to invest $40 billion in Texas

Google has announced a massive $40 billion investment in Texas to expand its artificial intelligence and cloud computing capacity by 2027. The multi-year plan marks one of the company’s biggest infrastructure commitments in the US and positions Texas as a major hub for its next phase of AI growth.

The investment includes building three new data center campuses across West Texas, one in Armstrong County and two in Haskell County. One of the Haskell sites will be developed alongside a solar and battery storage facility, reflecting Google’s push to power AI infrastructure with cleaner energy. The company will also scale up its existing data center operations in Midlothian and the Dallas–Fort Worth region.

As AI workloads surge, Google is also focusing on securing long-term power supply. The company plans to add over 6,000 MW of new energy capacity through partnerships with energy developers. In addition, it has launched a $30 million Energy Impact Fund to support energy-efficiency and community projects across Texas.

To meet rising demand for skilled labour, Google will support electrical training programmes statewide, aiming to prepare more than 1,700 electrician apprentices by 2030. The company expects the investment to generate thousands of jobs over the next few years.

CEO Sundar Pichai said the Texas build-out will “power the new era of AI innovation,” while Texas Governor Greg Abbott welcomed the project as a major vote of confidence in the state’s business environment.

The move comes as global tech giants race to expand data center capacity to support AI models, cloud services, and advanced computing needs. While the scale of the investment highlights Texas’s growing importance in the AI economy, it also raises questions around energy consumption, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability.

Also Read: Trump drops tariffs to ease food prices

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Technology

OnePlus 15 debuts in India at ₹72,999

OnePlus has introduced its latest flagship, the OnePlus 15, in India, starting at ₹72,999 for the 12 GB + 256 GB model. The premium 16 GB + 512 GB variant is priced at ₹79,999. The smartphone is available online through the OnePlus website, app, Amazon India, and offline at major retailers like Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales.

The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and incorporates a unique three-chip design,  a dedicated touch-response chip and a separate Wi-Fi chip, designed to enhance performance and connectivity. It sports a 6.78-inch QHD+ LTPO OLED display with a 165 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,800 nits.

Battery performance is driven by a 7,300 mAh battery, supporting 120 W wired fast charging and 50 W wireless fast charging, promising all-day usage with rapid top-ups. The phone is also built to withstand tough conditions, carrying IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications for dust and water resistance.

Photography enthusiasts can expect a triple 50 MP rear camera setup with main, telephoto, and ultra-wide lenses. Video recording supports 4K at 120fps, along with LOG format and real-time LUT previews for detailed, professional-style footage.

The OnePlus 15 runs OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16, and introduces the Plus Mind feature, which uses AI to summarize content, assist with travel planning, and offer tools like AI-powered writing and voice recording.

As part of the launch, buyers can get up to ₹4,000 off with select bank cards, trade-in discounts for older OnePlus phones, and complimentary OnePlus Nord Buds 3.

With its combination of high-end hardware, AI enhancements, and advanced photography capabilities, the OnePlus 15 aims to make a strong impact in India’s premium smartphone segment.

Also Read: PhonePe brings ChatGPT into UPI payments

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1 Minute-Read

LG Electronics India Q2 Profit Falls 27%

LG Electronics India reported a net profit of ₹389 crore for Q2 FY26, down 27% from ₹536 crore a year ago, as rising costs offset modest revenue growth.

Total revenue grew 1% to ₹6,174 crore, while expenses rose 3% to ₹5,729 crore, compressing margins. EBITDA stood at ₹547–548 crore, with a margin of 8.9%, down from 12.4% previously.

Segment-wise, Home Appliances & Air Solutions remained flat at ₹3,947 crore, and Home Entertainment rose 3% to ₹2,261 crore.

The company cited softer demand ahead of GST cuts but expects improvement in Q3 as festival-season sales and channel inventories stabilize.

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Corporate

Suraj Estate launches ₹1,200‑cr Mumbai commercial hub

Suraj Estate Developers has taken a significant step in expanding its commercial presence with the launch of ‘One Business Bay’, a premium workspace project valued at ₹1,200 crore. The development is located on Senapati Bapat Marg, an emerging business corridor in South‑Central Mumbai, offering excellent connectivity via western and central railway lines, and soon, the Mahim‑BKC connector.

The project, designed by celebrated architect Hafeez Contractor, features 182 premium office spaces alongside retail outlets, restaurants, cafés, and a double‑height “E‑Deck” for collaborative work and relaxation. Spanning 2.09 lakh sq ft, One Business Bay combines modern design with sustainability, including UV‑protected double‑glazed facades, advanced air filtration systems, central air-conditioning, and a target Gold LEED certification.

According to Rahul Thomas, Whole-Time Director at Suraj Estate, the project reflects rising demand from institutional and corporate tenants seeking well-designed, sustainable workspaces in Mumbai’s key micro-markets. The company has already launched projects worth approximately ₹1,600 crore in the current financial year.

The market responded positively as the company’s stock jumped nearly 6% intraday on the BSE following the announcement, signaling investor confidence in its commercial growth strategy.

With One Business Bay, Suraj Estate is betting on a new wave of premium commercial spaces in a strategically connected business belt, blending modern design, sustainability, and convenience for Mumbai’s evolving corporate landscape.

Also Read: Adani Cement’s big green leap with TNFD adoption, a first in India

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Corporate

Adani Cement’s big green leap with TNFD adoption, a first in India

Adani Cement has taken a big step toward greener growth, becoming the first Indian cement company to adopt the global Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. With this decision, the maker of Ambuja and ACC cement joins a small group of global leaders who are choosing to place nature and biodiversity at the centre of business strategy.

The company plans to start publishing TNFD-aligned disclosures from FY26. For Adani Cement, this is not just a formal compliance move — it is part of a larger shift towards responsible manufacturing and climate resilience.

Vinod Bahety, CEO of the cement business at Adani Group, described the moment as “pivotal,” noting that the business believes long-term success is possible only when growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental care. He pointed to recent milestones like deploying the world’s first commercial RotoDynamic Heater™ for low-carbon production as signs of the company’s momentum.

Over the past few years, Adani Cement has worked to deepen its sustainability footprint,  from planting more than seven million trees and achieving 12 times water positivity, to expanding its range of green, blended cement, which now forms over 85% of its portfolio. These efforts, the company says, reflect a commitment to building not just infrastructure, but a healthier future.

The TNFD adoption also aligns with national goals on climate action and biodiversity protection. With targets like 30% alternative fuel use and 60% green energy share by FY28, Adani Cement hopes to set a benchmark for the broader industry.

As one of the world’s major cement producers, this step of Adani Cement is expected to encourage others in the sector to prioritise transparency, sustainability and nature-aligned growth.

Also Read: Reliance’s Campa Energy partners with Ajith Kumar Racing

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Beyond

Gold dips ₹12,785/g, Silver rises ₹1,73,100/kg

Gold and silver prices showed mixed movement in India on Friday. Gold slipped slightly, with 24-carat gold trading at around ₹12,785 per gram, down about ₹80 from the previous day. The 22-carat variant also fell a little to roughly ₹11,720 per gram.

Silver, however, moved higher. Prices rose by ₹100 to about ₹1,73,100 per kilogram, continuing its stronger trend seen over recent sessions.

A slightly weaker US dollar in global markets helped limit gold’s downside and added some support to silver. Traders believe that domestic demand, currency movements, and festival-season buying will influence price trends in the coming days.

Market participants say the small decline in gold is due to continued uncertainty over global interest-rate decisions. Higher interest rates usually reduce the appeal of gold, which does not offer any yield. Silver, on the other hand, is getting support from both investor demand and industrial use, helping it hold a firmer tone.

Overall, the precious-metals market remains steady, with silver showing more strength than gold for now. If global cues stay stable, prices are expected to move in a narrow range with mild day-to-day changes.

Also Read: Sensex sheds 300, Nifty below 25,800, muted opening

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Technology

OpenAI launches GPT‑5.1 with smarter, human-like chat

OpenAI has launched GPT‑5.1, the latest version of ChatGPT, designed to make AI conversations feel more natural, human-like, and context-aware.

The update introduces two modes: Instant, optimized for faster and friendlier responses, and Thinking, which handles complex questions with detailed, clear answers.

Users can now customize the AI’s tone and style using six personality presets under the heads – Friendly, Professional, Candid, Quirky, Efficient, and Nerdy,  and adjust warmth, formality, and even emoji use.

GPT‑5.1 also improves instruction-following, reduces technical jargon, and applies adaptive reasoning to balance speed and depth depending on the query.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called it “a nice upgrade,” highlighting enhanced intelligence, conversational style, and usability.

With these changes, GPT‑5.1 aims to make interactions feel more like speaking with a thoughtful human while giving users greater control over responses, whether for professional tasks, education, or casual conversation.

The rollout begins today for paid users, with free users gaining access shortly afterward.

Also Read: Government lifts quality rules on polyester fibre and yarn

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Corporate

Reliance’s Campa Energy partners with Ajith Kumar Racing

Indian motorsport is getting a powerful boost as Ajith Kumar Racing, the brainchild of actor and racer Ajith Kumar, has joined hands with Campa Energy, the energy‑drink brand from Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) , in a partnership that’s about more than sponsorship, it’s about shared dreams.

The collaboration brings together two homegrown champions. Firstly, chasing speed on the track, the other energising people every day. Ajith Kumar Racing has already made waves internationally, finishing third overall at the 2025 Creventic 24H European Endurance Championship. Now, with Campa Energy backing them, the team aims even higher.

For RCPL, it’s a chance to celebrate determination, grit, and performance while supporting India’s rising motorsport talent. Together, the partnership is not just about racing, it’s about showing the world the spirit of India, one fast lap at a time.

Also Read: Cabinet approves ₹45,060 cr plan to boost exports

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Corporate

ReNew to invest ₹82,000 cr in Andhra Pradesh

ReNew Energy Global Plc plans to invest ₹82,000 crore across Andhra Pradesh in a wide range of renewable energy projects. The investment includes a 6 GW solar ingot-wafer plant, a 2 GW pumped-hydro project, a 300 ktpa green ammonia facility, and about 5 GW of hybrid solar-wind-storage projects.

The company has already signed four MoUs with the state government for fresh commitments of ₹60,000 crore, in addition to a previous ₹22,000 crore pledge. ReNew’s existing footprint in the state includes around 717 MW of wind and 60 MW of solar power across ten sites.

 CEO Sumant Sinha said the projects will create a fully integrated clean-energy value chain, supporting India’s push for self-reliance in energy and green technologies.

This massive expansion is expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position as a hub for renewable energy.

Also Read: SpiceJet adds 5 planes, daily flights rise to 176

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1 Minute-Read

Jaishankar meets Rubio at G7, India-US ties strengthen

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Canada.

The leaders discussed enhancing trade, strengthening supply chains, and boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Global challenges, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, were also on the agenda.

Rubio expressed condolences over the recent Delhi blast, which Jaishankar acknowledged. The meeting reflects growing India-U.S. collaboration on economic, security, and strategic issues amid shifting global dynamics.