Eastern Herald

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming through its Insider program, letting players stream their owned game library with pre-session ads and no monthly subscription required. Sessions are capped at one hour, as the company targets players who won't pay a Game Pass fee.

US initial jobless claims fell to 187,000 last week, the lowest figure since November 1969, sharply undercutting the consensus forecast of 215,000. The reading arrives despite oil near $100, a technology-sector selloff, and the weakest monthly payrolls gain the labor market has posted in years.

Two of Israel's largest commercial banks are severing Palestinian correspondent-banking ties this autumn, with Discount Bank exiting September 1 and Hapoalim following in October. Palestinian monetary authorities warn formal financial channels will collapse with no activated fallback in place.

Amazon is integrating its Luna cloud gaming service into Prime Video, starting with Fallout 4 as the launch title. The move puts cloud gaming in front of more than 200 million Prime subscribers who already open the app for movies and television, betting on discovery where a standalone app failed.

Wildfires swept through southwestern France on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 20,000 people at the height of the summer tourist season. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius as campgrounds emptied and emergency services deployed air tankers across the worst-hit departments.

OpenAI relaunched ChatGPT Health on Wednesday, extending the Apple Health-connected feature to all US users 18 and older across every service tier. The relaunch follows a lackluster January pilot, but the central privacy question remains: HIPAA does not apply to data users share with ChatGPT.

Glasgow opened the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday as the smallest edition in thirty years, with five major sports dropped and a 150 million budget testing whether the institution can survive by contracting. No nation has yet committed to hosting the 2030 edition.

The US House passed its 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act 216-212 on Wednesday, the narrowest margin in the bill's history, as seven Republicans joined Democrats in opposing provisions expanding US-Israel military technology cooperation. The measure heads to a Senate where Democrats have already blocked debate on an earlier version.

Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed Japan's latest claims about Russian nationals as fabrications, rejecting Western intelligence-based reporting that alleged a GRU network operated from Tokyo commercial cover. The statement arrives as bilateral tensions spike over naval drills and missile deployments.

Vance Boelter, 59, received two consecutive life sentences plus 40 additional years on Wednesday for killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband on June 14, 2025, and wounding state Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The judge called it the longest sentence of his career.

Not long ago, paying for something online was simple. You entered your card details or used a digital payment service, completed thetransactionand moved on. Today, millions of people take a different route. Instead of spending money directly, they firstpurchasea virtual currency, whether thats V-Bucks in Fortnite, Coins on TikTok or Bits on Twitch. Virtual tokens have quietly become one of the internets most successful business models. They simplify small transactions, encourageparticipationand

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed its five venues for the 2027 Ashes on Thursday, handing Hampshire's Rose Bowl a landmark debut against Australia while Old Trafford and Headingley were left out. The series runs from Trent Bridge on June 18 through to The Oval from July 29.

One hundred and twenty British millionaires, including Gary Lineker, wrote to PM Andy Burnham on Thursday asking him to tax the wealthy more. They proposed a 2% annual levy on assets above 10 million that they say could raise 24 billion a year.

The Ebola death toll in DR Congo crossed 1,000 on Wednesday, in under ten weeks faster than any Ebola outbreak ever recorded. The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, as Africa CDC's director warned it could become the worst outbreak ever documented.

The 83rd Venice Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 lineup, led by Florian Zeller's Bunker and Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine in competition, with the Oasis reunion documentary and Alex Gibney's Elon Musk film in non-fiction.

Patrick Kane, 37, has returned to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year, $16 million deal, including a full no-move clause. The three-time Stanley Cup champion spent three seasons with Detroit before signing with the franchise where he built his historic career.

General Dan Caine, the United States' top military officer, confirmed a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-35 near Luhansk on July 8, the first air-to-air kill in the conflict. The Su-35 pilot reportedly survived the engagement, and no footage or wreckage has been made public.

Trump declared on Truth Social that the US-Saudi nuclear cooperation deal is subject to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, a condition that was not in the original agreement. Saudi Arabia has not responded, and Congress must vote on it before it can take effect.

Tyreek Hill posted a workout video Thursday admitting he still has no power in his left leg, ten months after a dislocated kneecap and torn ACL ended his Miami Dolphins season. At 32 and seven months into free agency, no NFL team has offered the former All-Pro receiver a contract.

Sergey Lavrov told Marco Rubio at the ASEAN summit in Manila on Thursday that US arms deliveries to Ukraine were 'unacceptable,' even as Russia launched 168 attack drones at Ukrainian cities overnight, killing three people in Pavlohrad and wounding dozens more.

Houthi forces struck two Saudi crude tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday, setting one ablaze and pushing Brent crude above $100 per barrel for the first time since May. Exxon Mobil warned of dangerously low global inventories as Goldman Sachs lifted its three-month price forecast to $110.

When political unrest erupts, attention turns to crowds in the streets and rapidly changing alliances. Far less visible is the student sitting at home, waiting for an examination that may not take place, and whose losses may outlast the crisis by years.

Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tisha B'Av and prayed openly as more than 3,200 settlers followed under police escort, with Jordan condemning the mass entry as a flagrant violation of the 1994 status quo. Ben-Gvir declared Jews are the 'rightful owners' of the compound, directly challenging three decades of Jordanian religious custodianship.

Just over half of Britons (51%) believe that if people had more opportunities to meet and have conversations with Muslims from different backgrounds, it would make public perceptions of Islam more positive, according to new YouGov polling commissioned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The figure rises to 54% among people with no religion, who believe that greater opportunities to meet and have conversations with Muslims would improve public perceptions of Islam. The findings are released as the

Mumbais luxury housing market is evolving. While location remains a key consideration, todays homebuyers seek more than premium amenities, they value superior craftsmanship, thoughtful design, uncompromising quality and, above all, the credibility of the developer behind the project. Located along the Eastern Waterfront at the cusp of the Atal Setu, SOBHA Inizio is strategically positioned in one of South-Central Mumbais fastest-transforming neighbourhoods. The project enjoys seamless connectivi

Mumbai, July 22, 2026: Tips Music Ltd.(formerly Tips Industries Ltd.), one of Indias leading publicly listed music companies, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, reporting a 21 percent year-on-year increase in revenue driven by sustained growth across its digital and non-digital businesses, alongside continued investments in music content. For the first quarter of FY27, the company reported revenue from operations of 106.5 crore, compared with 88.

21 Locations. One Journey. Using Football to Unite Communities Across Rajasthan. Jaipur, Rajasthan | August 2026 India Khelo Football (IKF), Asias largest grassroots football talent identification platform, has announced the launch of the TYGER-IKF Scout on Wheels Rajasthan 2026, an ambitious four-month roadshow that will travel across 21 cities and villages from August to November 2026, bringing football, education, awareness and community engagement to every corner of the state. Organised in

Apple will launch Apple Upgrade, a Klarna-backed device leasing program, on July 28 in the United States, covering iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches on 36-month terms. The move replaces Apple's 11-year installment financing arrangement and sent Klarna shares up 9 percent.

Industrialist outlines how ethanol can strengthen Indias energy security, empower farmers and reduce crude oil imports, while podcaster Nitin Joshi explores the opportunities and challenges behind the countrys biofuel mission. As India accelerates its transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, ethanol has emerged as one of the countrys most ambitious policy initiatives. While discussions around E20 fuel have gained momentum across social media, a recent in-depth podcast feat

ServiceNow posted $3.88 billion in second-quarter subscription revenue, a 25 percent jump, as CEO Bill McDermott raised annual guidance and outlined an AI agent kill-switch mechanism. The results challenged fears that AI would cannibalize enterprise workflow demand.

Unbanned G+ has become the dominant 2026 search term for browser-based gaming portals that slip past school Wi-Fi firewalls by hosting games on whitelisted platforms like Google Sites. The label covers two separate phenomena, neither of which has any official connection to Google.

Pune, Maharashtra Finding a qualified orthodontic specialist is one of the most important decisions for anyone considering braces, Invisalign, or smile correction. Patients across East Pune are increasingly choosing specialist-led orthodontic care that combines experience, digital technology, and personalized treatment planning. Those searching for theBest orthodontist in viman nagar pune often look beyond proximity and prioritize expertise, ethical care, and long-term treatment outcomes. For m

Hanoi called on Washington to conclude its Section 301 trade investigation favorably after Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Vietnam's foreign minister at the ASEAN summit in Manila. The temporary 10 percent tariff on Vietnamese goods was set to expire Friday, with three separate US probes still unresolved.

European Union ambassadors agreed Wednesday on the 21st sanctions package against Russia, ending weeks of deadlock after Greece secured an exemption for its fleet of Arctic icebreakers chartered to Russia's Yamal LNG project. The deal exposes how far the bloc will bend to maintain unanimity.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who built his career warning against Middle Eastern nuclear proliferation, has not commented on the US-Saudi 123 agreement signed Wednesday. His former cabinet rivals have calling it a strategic failure that could ignite a regional arms race.

Pioneering the Commercial Laundry Revolution in India Anand Dubey is a visionary leader and the driving force behind the modernization of the Indian laundry sector. With over two decades of corporate leadership experience, he has successfully transitioned Indias highly unorganized, traditional laundry practices into a robust, technology-driven retail and industrial powerhouse. Currently serving as the Country Head, India and South Asia for JENSEN Group, Anand is spearheading the next evolution o

The NYT Strands answer for July 23, 2026 (puzzle #872) has a naval theme: 'Ranks in the fleet.' The spangram is NAVY RANKS, with theme words covering military hierarchy from RECRUIT to ADMIRAL.

Gunmen killed five paramilitary soldiers and wounded six civilians in a coordinated attack on a checkpoint in Thailand's Narathiwat province on Wednesday. The assault deepens a two-decade separatist insurgency that has killed more than 7,000 people with no political resolution in sight.

The answers to NYT Connections Sports Edition #668 (July 23, 2026) span four categories: Eastern Conference NBA teams, Minnesota professional franchises, athletes named Scott, and words that follow BOX.

Armed bandits killed at least 20 people in Zamfara State on Wednesday, targeting villagers in northwest Nigeria in broad daylight. The attack deepens a banditry crisis that has persisted through record security budgets and repeated government pledges to eliminate the gunmen.

Jalandhar, July 2026: Tattva Wellness Spa announced the opening of its new destination at Radisson Hotel Jalandhar, on GT Road. This marks Tattva Wellness Spasfirst outlet in Jalandharand brings the brands structured approach to wellness into one of the citys prominent hospitality destinations. For hotel guests, business travellers, and local residents, the spa adds a wellness experience that extends beyond stay and dining, offering a chance to make wellness a priority. The spa features three si

Seasonal hospitality presents one of the industrys greatest operational challenges. Hotels must prepare for months of intense demand within a relatively short trading season while maintaining the service standards expected by guests paying premium rates. For Yasam Ayavefe, this challenge is not simply about managing occupancy. It is about ensuring that every aspect of the guest experience remains consistent, regardless of how busy the destination becomes. At Mileo Mykonos, Yasam Ayavefe has posi

New Delhi : Indias rapidly evolving digital marketplace sector is witnessing the emergence of a new technology-driven platform, IND Classifieds. Based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, the classified app has crossed more than 100k downloads within just six months, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey. Positioning itself as one of Indias fastest-growing classified apps, IND Classifieds aims to transform the way individuals and businesses buy, sell, connect, and discover opportunitie

Mumbai, India As businesses accelerate their digital transformation journeys, the demand for professionals with practical skills and globally recognized certifications continues to grow. Organizations across industries are seeking talent that can adapt to evolving technologies, lead digital initiatives, and deliver measurable business outcomes. Addressing this growing need,Vigyant Hub is committed to empowering students, working professionals, and organizations through industry-focused certifica

The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee convenes this week to rule on whether BPC-157, TB-500, and five other unapproved peptides can be legally dispensed through licensed pharmacies. Half the panel's fourteen members hold financial ties to the peptide industry they are being asked to evaluate.

New Delhi: In a significant interaction reflecting the growing participation of young leaders in national development,Yash Sharma, State Executive Member of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Delhi, met Chirag Paswan, Honble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, to discuss key issues concerning youth development, leadership, employment, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship, and the role of young Indians in shaping the nations future. The meeting served as an opportunity for an engagi

White House OSTP chief Michael Kratsios accused China's Moonshot AI of distilling capabilities from Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 to build Kimi K3, while Treasury's Scott Bessent threatened sanctions. AI researchers say the timeline makes large-scale distillation technically implausible.

WilmerHale's review found the Gates Foundation made no criminal payments tied to Epstein but documented two previously undisclosed meetings. Warren Buffett announced he would end his $47 billion Berkshire stock donation partnership the same week the foundation received legal clearance.

Jonas Vingegaard fractured his collarbone and withdrew from the Tour de France after crashing on Stage 15, ending his bid for a third title. Remco Evenepoel won Stages 15 and 16 in 24 hours as Tadej Pogacar leads by 4:32 heading into the Alpine Trilogy.

Valentin Lavin Romero, mayor of Temoac in central Mexico's Morelos state, was shot dead at his town hall on Wednesday seven months after surviving an earlier assassination attempt. His killing is the third mayoral murder in Mexico in 2026 and the fourteenth since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office.