Google’s Gemini app has surpassed 1 billion monthly active users, marking another major milestone for the company’s artificial intelligence business and making Gemini the 14th Google product to reach that level of usage.

CEO Sundar Pichai announced the milestone on Tuesday, describing Gemini as one of Google’s fastest-growing products.

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Gemini Closes The Gap With ChatGPT

The milestone puts Gemini closer to ChatGPT, which surpassed 1 billion monthly active users in June.

Google has been expanding Gemini across its ecosystem, including Search, Workspace, Android and the standalone Gemini app. The latest figure, however, applies specifically to the Gemini app and does not include users accessing Google’s AI through other products.

Google’s AI Mode in Search has also surpassed 1 billion monthly active users globally.

Voice And Image Generation Drive Usage

Google said 63% of Gemini users interact with the assistant through its voice feature. The app is also generating more than 150 million images each day, highlighting the growing use of Gemini beyond traditional text-based conversations.

Gemini’s reach also extends beyond Google’s own platforms, with the company reporting more than 100 million active users on iOS.

Google Continues Expanding Gemini

The latest milestone follows Google’s second-quarter earnings report, when the company said Gemini had more than 950 million monthly users and that daily active users had tripled over the previous year.

Google has continued to introduce new models and features, including Gemini 3.5 Flash, which is designed to improve coding and autonomous AI-agent tasks.

The company is also expected to unveil additional Gemini-powered features for Pixel devices at its upcoming Made by Google event.

Uber has sold its entire stake in Serve Robotics, the autonomous delivery company that spun out of Uber-owned Postmates more than five years ago.

The sale was disclosed in a regulatory filing, marking the end of Uber’s investment in the robotics company after years of backing and partnership.

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From Postmates Division To Independent Company

Serve Robotics began as Postmates X, the robotics division of delivery startup Postmates, which Uber acquired for $2.65 billion in 2020.

The unit became an independent company called Serve Robotics in 2021. Uber remained an investor and later partnered with Serve to bring its sidewalk delivery robots to Uber Eats.

In 2023, the companies expanded the agreement to deploy up to 2,000 Serve robots across multiple U.S. markets.

Partnership Had Already Started To Weaken

Uber’s exit follows signs that the relationship was becoming less closely aligned.

Serve Robotics CEO and co-founder Ali Kashani said delivery volumes through Uber grew for 17 consecutive quarters from early 2022 through the first quarter of 2026. That trend reversed in the second quarter, which he attributed to lower-than-expected robot utilisation.

Kashani also said the two companies had “differing views” on how to scale their shared autonomous fleet, including fleet coordination and merchant integration. At the same time, Serve reported that deliveries through another food delivery partner increased by nearly 50% in a single quarter.

Serve did not expect to renew its partnership with Uber when the current agreement expires in early 2027, according to Kashani.

Uber Continues To Expand Its Autonomous Network

The divestment comes as Uber continues to work with companies developing autonomous vehicles and delivery technology. Serve Robotics is one of more than 30 autonomous vehicle technology companies that Uber has partnered with or invested in over the past several years.

The sale marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two companies, which once worked closely to bring autonomous delivery robots to Uber Eats customers.

Accel has closed a new $550 million India-focused fund, less than two years after raising its previous vehicle, as the venture capital firm increases its bet on the country’s next generation of startups. The fund was oversubscribed and closed within weeks. Accel still has more than 55% of its previous $650 million India fund available for investment.

The new vehicle is part of a wider $3.5 billion global fundraising effort covering the firm’s U.S. and European operations and a $1.35 billion growth fund.

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AI Leads The Next Investment Cycle

Accel expects India’s next startup wave to span AI, consumer internet, fintech, advanced manufacturing and deep tech. Rather than focusing primarily on foundation models, the firm sees opportunities in AI applications, infrastructure and enterprise software built on existing models.

The firm points to RapidClaims as an example. The Accel-backed startup uses AI to automate medical coding for U.S. healthcare providers, combining technology with industry expertise.

Accel also sees growing domestic demand for AI products as a major opportunity. OpenAI and Anthropic have identified India as their largest market outside the U.S., while AI coding platform Cursor has said India is one of its fastest-growing developer markets.

Global Investors Return To India

Accel’s fundraising comes as international venture firms renew their focus on India despite a broader slowdown in venture capital.

Peak XV Partners recently raised $1.3 billion across new India and Southeast Asia funds, while General Catalyst has committed to deploying $5 billion in India over five years.

Accel expects to begin deploying the new India fund in 2027. Until then, it will continue investing from its existing fund.

The firm remains focused on early-stage companies, writing the first institutional cheque in around 80% of the startups it backs. Its portfolio includes Flipkart, Swiggy, Freshworks and Zetwerk.

Larnaca is set to establish a city-to-city partnership with Bahrain’s capital Manama after the Bahraini cabinet approved the proposal, Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras announced on Tuesday.

The agreement would make Larnaca the second Cypriot city to establish a formal partnership with a Gulf city, following Nicosia’s twinning with Doha, Qatar.

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Expanding Larnaca’s International Links

Vyras described the decision as “another important step for our city”, saying it could open new opportunities for cooperation.

The mayor said the initiative is part of Larnaca’s broader strategy to strengthen its international presence, develop new channels of cooperation and reinforce the city’s position in the wider region.

The partnership comes as Cyprus and Bahrain are also expanding bilateral cooperation in defence, shipping, investment, tourism and technology.

Closer Cyprus-Bahrain Cooperation

The proposed city partnership follows broader efforts to deepen ties between Cyprus and Bahrain.

Cyprus Ambassador to Bahrain Andreas Eliades said the two countries were pursuing closer cooperation amid wider regional security developments. He identified maritime security and freedom of navigation as strategic priorities, while highlighting financial services, fintech, technology, logistics and tourism as areas with potential for stronger economic cooperation.

The Larnaca-Manama partnership could provide an additional platform for developing these links at the local level.

Spotify is introducing a new “AI Persona” label for artist profiles that appear to represent AI-generated identities, while limiting how music from those profiles is surfaced across the platform.

The new labels will begin appearing in September, as Spotify expands its efforts to distinguish between real artists, AI-generated identities and music created with AI tools.

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What The AI Persona Label Means

Artists will be able to identify themselves as AI Personas through Spotify for Artists starting August 11. However, Spotify said it will not rely solely on self-disclosure.

The company will also review artist profiles where names and images appear to depict photorealistic AI-generated identities. The initial review will focus on profiles that have reached predefined audience thresholds, allowing Spotify to prioritise more widely heard artists.

Once applied, the “AI Persona” badge will be visible on artist profiles, in Search and alongside tracks in playlists.

AI Personas Will Be Excluded From Recommendations

By default, Spotify will not include labeled AI Personas in its editorial or algorithmic recommendations. Their music will also be excluded from personalised recommendations.

There is one exception: users who deliberately follow an AI Persona can still receive its music in their recommendations. Spotify considers following an artist an explicit indication that a listener wants to hear more from that profile.

The company will also introduce a reporting tool that allows users to flag profiles they believe represent AI Personas but have not yet been labeled.

The Label Applies To The Artist, Not The Music

Spotify stressed that the new designation concerns an artist’s public identity rather than whether their music was made using AI.

Artists can use AI in different ways as part of the creative process, and the company will continue providing information about how individual tracks were created through features such as AI Credits and SongDNA.

Artists will also be able to appeal an AI Persona label if they believe it has been applied incorrectly.

Spotify Tightens Its Approach To AI Music

The new policy builds on Spotify’s broader efforts to address AI-generated content. The company previously introduced systems to identify and label AI music using industry-standard techniques and banned unauthorised AI voice clones and deepfakes.

At the same time, Spotify continues to develop AI-powered products, including Prompted Playlists, AI DJ and its AI-powered music assistant.

The company is also preparing to introduce AI-generated remixes and covers following recent licensing agreements with UMG and Merlin. The new AI Persona labels are intended to help users distinguish those features from profiles that present themselves as AI-generated artists.

Spotify’s move comes as the music industry grapples with the rapid growth of AI-generated content and concerns about low-quality material flooding streaming platforms.

Cyprus and Bahrain are looking to strengthen cooperation in defence, maritime security and investment as Nicosia seeks to deepen its links between the European Union and the Gulf region.

Cyprus Ambassador to Bahrain Andreas Eliades said closer coordination had become increasingly important amid ongoing regional security developments.

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Stronger Defence And Security Links

Speaking to Bahraini newspaper Al Watan, Eliades pointed to recent security developments in the Gulf, including attacks by Iran on Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

He said Cyprus had used its EU Council presidency to support dialogue and consultations between EU member states and regional partners.

Bilateral ties received a boost following President Nikos Christodoulides’ official visit to Bahrain and the opening of Cyprus’ embassy in Manama. Nine agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed during the visit, covering defence, higher education, culture, tourism, diplomatic training and search and rescue.

Eliades said Cyprus now has diplomatic missions in all six GCC capitals, positioning the country as a potential “bridge” between Europe and the Gulf.

Shipping And Economic Cooperation

Maritime security is another area where the two countries see room for closer cooperation. Eliades highlighted freedom of navigation as a strategic priority for both Cyprus and Bahrain.

Economic ties could also expand across financial services, fintech, technology, logistics and tourism. According to Eliades, Cyprus can offer Bahraini companies a route into the European single market, while Bahrain can provide Cypriot businesses with a platform for expanding into Gulf markets.

He described the outlook for bilateral relations as “very promising”, adding that the new embassy in Manama marked “a new chapter” in relations between Cyprus and Bahrain.

Hotel occupancy in Larnaca fell by 15% in July compared with the same month last year, with the local hotel association linking the decline to continued uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

Larnaca Hotel Association chairman Marios Polyviou said the tourism market remained difficult to predict, with hoteliers keeping their expectations for August modest.

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July Bookings Remain Below 2025 Levels

Hotels in Larnaca ended July with occupancy 15% lower than in the same month of 2025, Polyviou told the Cyprus News Agency.

August bookings have so far reached around 75% capacity, compared with 90% at the same point last year. Hoteliers are nevertheless hoping that last-minute reservations will help narrow the gap.

Israel remains Larnaca’s largest tourism market. According to Polyviou, flights from Israel began recovering in the second half of July, returning to around 25 flights per day to Larnaca Airport, roughly the level recorded last year.

The UK is the city’s second-largest tourism market, followed by Germany, Poland and Greece.

UK Tour Operators Could Support The Market

Polyviou pointed to agreements between Larnaca hotels and UK tour operators TUI UK and Jet2 as an important source of support for the local tourism sector.

He said the deals could significantly benefit the Larnaca market and expressed hope that tourist arrivals would increase substantially in 2027.

The outlook for September remains uncertain, however, as demand continues to depend heavily on developments in the Middle East. Polyviou said current bookings suggest September should not perform worse than last year, although he cautioned against making firm predictions.

Tourism Revenue Down In First Half

The wider tourism picture also reflects the pressure on Cyprus. According to the Cyprus Statistical Service, tourism revenue fell by 16% in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

Polyviou noted that the impact of the regional conflict could be more significant than the headline figures suggest. January and February had been particularly strong, with tourism up by 15% compared with the same two months of 2025.

The decline that followed therefore points to a more challenging second half of the year for Larnaca’s tourism sector.

A new free mobile app is giving people in Cyprus a way to report signs of wildfires, receive nearby alerts and access fire-safety information through a single interactive map.

Called SafeIsland CY, the platform was launched by TechIsland and Brickworks Games in collaboration with Kitas Weather. It is currently available on iOS and Android as part of an initial pilot programme.

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How SafeIsland CY Works

Users can report smoke or fire by placing a pin on the map and adding a photo or short description. The app also displays active community reports and sends alerts about nearby incidents.

Kitas Weather will administer the platform during the pilot, provide updates and help review and verify information submitted by users.

The app is designed particularly for rural, mountainous and other high-risk areas, where residents may spot smoke, road disruptions or changing weather conditions before information becomes widely available.

By bringing these observations together on a live map, SafeIsland CY aims to make local information easier to share and access during the early stages of a potential wildfire.

Designed To Support, Not Replace, Emergency Services

SafeIsland CY is intended as a public-safety and community-awareness tool rather than a replacement for emergency services. People facing immediate danger should continue to use official emergency channels.

The pilot will allow the teams behind the platform to evaluate how the app performs in real-world conditions, collect feedback and identify improvements to its functionality and operating processes.

Brickworks Games CEO Georgy Beloglazov said the platform was created to use technology nearly to help communities share timely information during potential wildfire risks.

Kitas Weather founder Eric Kitas highlighted the importance of reliable information during periods of heightened fire danger, while TechIsland General Manager Tanya Romanyukha described the project as an example of how technology, community participation and local expertise can support wildfire preparedness.

Privacy And The Pilot Programme

SafeIsland CY has been developed with a privacy-first approach. It does not use background location tracking. Location information is accessed only when a user submits a report, while users choose what information they provide.

The app was developed as part of the TechIsland Wildfire Initiative, established after the devastating wildfires of 2025 to support affected communities and strengthen wildfire prevention, preparedness and response.

SafeIsland CY was first presented publicly on July 23, 2026, during the launch of the initiative in Limassol.

The app is now available free of charge on iOS and Android. Users are encouraged to enable notifications and familiarise themselves with its functions before periods of increased wildfire risk.

Download SafeIsland CY: App Store | Google Play

Cyprus, Greece and Jordan have renewed their trilateral defence cooperation programme, reinforcing coordination between their armed forces as the three countries seek closer collaboration on regional security.

Renewed Defence Framework

The agreement provides for the continuation and further development of cooperation between the three countries’ armed forces under the existing framework, according to the General Staff.

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The programme is aimed at strengthening coordination and joint action while expanding cooperation in defence and security.

The trilateral framework has been in place since 2018 and also covers areas including energy, civil protection, economic relations and regional security.

Focus On Regional Stability

The renewal comes as Cyprus, Greece and Jordan continue efforts to deepen their strategic relationship amid ongoing security concerns across the Levant.

The three countries held their fifth trilateral summit in Amman in May. President Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Jordanian King Abdullah II discussed regional developments and further cooperation.

The leaders highlighted the need for closer coordination on security, energy, migration and maritime routes. Christodoulides described the partnership as “vital for our region” and an important bridge between the European Union and the Middle East.

The summit also covered developments in Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, with the three countries calling for de-escalation and greater regional stability.

The renewed programme is expected to further strengthen cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Jordan, particularly in defence and security.

Sila has secured a $1.4 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Defense to expand production of its silicon-carbon battery material as the U.S. seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese battery supply chains.

Silicon Anodes Offer Higher Energy Density

The funding comes as U.S. automakers and defense companies face challenges securing battery materials from non-Chinese suppliers. Graphite, which is used in most lithium-ion battery anodes, has a supply chain heavily dominated by Chinese producers.

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Sila is among several companies developing silicon-based alternatives to graphite. Other players include Group14 and Amprius.

Silicon anodes can store around 20% to 40% more energy than graphite, potentially enabling longer-lasting batteries or smaller and lighter cells. Those characteristics are particularly attractive for electric vehicles, drones and other mobility and defense applications.

Sila produces its silicon-carbon material at a factory in Moses Lake, Washington, giving it a domestic source that is less exposed to tariffs and geopolitical risks.

The facility began operating in September and currently has annual capacity of about 2 gigawatt-hours of anode material. Sila plans to expand the factory fivefold, which would provide enough material for more than 100,000 EVs.

Pentagon Funding Supports Expansion

In July, Sila raised $300 million to help finance the expansion, bringing its total funding from private investors to more than $1.5 billion, according to PitchBook.

The company already has agreements with Mercedes-Benz and Panasonic. The new Pentagon financing could also help Sila pursue contracts with defense companies as demand for advanced batteries grows.

The Department of Defense announced funding for three other critical-materials companies alongside the Sila loan.

Sunrise Energy Metals will receive a $400 million loan to develop scandium resources, while Niron Magnetics secured $150 million to manufacture rare-earth-free magnets. Strategic Bauxite will receive an $85 million government equity investment to support mining of aluminum-bearing minerals.