Construction has begun on a sprawling $15 billion artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam, India. Google announced the project as its largest AI center outside the United States.

Bikash Koley, Google's vice president for global infrastructure, said the project represents a "$15 billion blueprint to deliver a full stack AI ecosystem." The campus will include a gigawatt-scale data center to power services like Gemini and Google Search.

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh called the launch part of a "journey to build India's most coveted AI and deep-tech hub." Visakhapatnam is also being developed as a landing point for submarine internet cables linking India to Singapore.

Two Indian crew members were injured after shrapnel struck the bridge of the Togo-flagged tanker MT Chiron 7 near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Coast Guard warning shots were fired near the vessel, but authorities said the tanker was not directly targeted. Injuries are minor.

West Bengal prepares for the second phase of voting on Wednesday across 142 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have been campaigning heavily, with clashes reported between party workers.

Source: www.dw.com