India

Amid Delhi protests, Vijay’s TVK demands scrapping NEET, bringing education under State List

SC issues notice to LS Speaker against approval of Sena (UBT) MPs' merger with Shinde faction

Meta executive mocks Google's Gemini after Llama model tops AI leaderboard

Meta's Alexandr Wang publicly taunted Google's Gemini AI after a performance leaderboard showed Meta's Llama Spark 1.1 ranking higher. The jibe came shortly after Google unveiled Gemini 3.6 Flash, its latest model claiming improved efficiency and output quality over its predecessor. Gemini 3.6 Flash reportedly delivers stronger results in coding precision, computer use, knowledge work, and multimodal tasks. Despite Google's claims, the leaderboard ranking fueled Wang's competitive dig at the search giant. The exchange underscores the intensifying rivalry among major tech companies in the generative AI space.

India's 5.5% Unemployment Rate Masks Youth Employment Quality Concerns

India's official unemployment rate stands at 5.5%, which compares favorably against many global economies. The country adds approximately 19 to 22 lakh net payroll subscribers each month, indicating steady formal job creation. Nearly 60 percent of these new members fall within the 18 to 25 age group, reflecting strong youth participation in the formal workforce. However, experts suggest the headline figure does not fully capture the quality, stability, or adequacy of employment being generated. The underlying concerns around underemployment and job quality present a more complex picture than the unemployment rate alone suggests.

'Discussed trade, tariffs & critical minerals': Jaishankar meets Rubio in Manila

Consumer Commission Orders Paytm to Pay Rs 21,437 for Withheld Flight Refund

A consumer commission has directed Paytm to pay Rs 21,437 after the company failed to pass on a flight cancellation refund to a customer. The airline had already transferred the refund amount to Paytm, but the platform did not ensure the money reached the consumer. The commission ruled that Paytm was guilty of deficiency in service and poor customer handling. As a result, Paytm has been ordered to pay the original ticket amount along with compensation and legal costs.

'Come To Us If You Want Talks': CJP's Message To Centre Amid Protests

Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical movement that began two months ago, has made it clear: the government has to take the lead.

Fertiliser Ships Stranded at Major Indian Ports Amid Kharif Sowing Season

Several fertiliser vessels are currently stranded at major Indian ports, creating supply concerns during the critical kharif sowing season. Ports affected by congestion include Kandla, Mundra, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva), and Chennai. Industry officials attribute the worsening situation partly to vessels being rerouted due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. The bottleneck raises concerns about timely fertiliser availability for farmers who depend on inputs during this key agricultural period.

Vijay's Swan Song 'Jana Nayagan' Set for July 23 Release Amid Strong Buzz

Actor-turned-politician Vijay's final film 'Jana Nayagan', directed by H. Vinoth, is scheduled to release on July 23. The political action drama features a large ensemble cast and was made on a significant budget. The film underwent notable script changes to incorporate local and political themes for its target audience. It faced censor board delays and legal hurdles before receiving an 'A' certificate clearance. Advance bookings have been robust, with trade analysts anticipating a further surge in ticket sales closer to release.

Indian-Origin Scientist Exits US Salk Institute Amid Sexual Misconduct Investigation

Satchidananda Panda, a prominent Indian-origin scientist, has resigned from the Salk Institute in the United States following a sexual misconduct investigation. This marks at least the second time in recent years that the institute has probed Panda over harassment allegations. The Salk Institute, a leading biological research center in California, conducted the inquiry internally. Panda's departure comes as institutions across the scientific community face growing pressure to address workplace misconduct. No further details about the specific allegations or investigation findings have been publicly disclosed.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Accuses Opposition Leader Satheesan of Communal Propaganda on Waqf Issue

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has hit back at opposition leader VD Satheesan over the ongoing Waqf controversy in the state. Vijayan accused Satheesan of deliberately spreading communal propaganda to turn the Muslim community against both the UDF and the state government. The Chief Minister alleged that the opposition leader's statements were misleading and aimed at stoking communalism. Satheesan had earlier slammed Vijayan, claiming the Chief Minister was attempting to mislead Muslims over the Waqf issue.

Aamir Khan exits Ashneer Grover biopic due to creative differences with director

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has reportedly walked away from the upcoming biopic on BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover. His departure is attributed to creative differences with director Rahul Mody. Shraddha Kapoor, who is attached to the project both as an actor and producer, continues to remain on board. The production team is now on the lookout for a younger actor to take on the lead role of Grover. Filming is expected to begin once the new lead is cast.

Girl, 11, drowns in River Thames after wading in at father's side

An 11-year-old girl died after entering the River Thames, having asked her father if she could dip her toes in the water. Her body was recovered following a two-week search operation. An inquest concluded that her death was accidental, caused by immersion in the cold river water. Investigators found no evidence of foul play or involvement by any of her peers. The tragedy has left her family devastated and grieving.

Bhutan Launches Gelephu Mindfulness City to Curb Youth Emigration

Bhutan, long celebrated for its national happiness philosophy, is grappling with a growing wave of youth emigration. To address this, the government has announced plans for Gelephu Mindfulness City, a development project designed to balance economic growth with cultural and environmental values. The initiative aims to create opportunities that encourage young Bhutanese citizens to remain in the country rather than seek prospects abroad. India is supporting the project through infrastructure development and rail connectivity. Authorities hope the city will serve as a model for sustainable development while stemming the outflow of the country's youth.

Audit: One in Four Bengaluru Public Toilets Non-Functional, Hygiene Poor

A recent audit examining 142 public toilets across Bengaluru has revealed serious infrastructure and cleanliness concerns. The findings show that 26% of the surveyed facilities are non-functional, leaving residents without access to working sanitation. Beyond functionality, the audit also flagged poor hygiene conditions across the inspected sites. The report highlights a significant gap in the maintenance and upkeep of public sanitation infrastructure in the city.

Tate Brothers Face 59 Charges as More Women Allege Sexual and Physical Abuse

Newly unsealed court documents have revealed a significant rise in charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate, now totaling 59. Additional women have come forward accusing the brothers of rape and physical abuse. The new allegations emerged as previously sealed legal documents were made public. The case against the Tate brothers continues to expand as more victims report alleged offenses.

16 Delhi Metro Stations Closed Due to Security Concerns During CJP Protest

Sixteen Delhi Metro stations were shut down due to security concerns linked to an ongoing protest in the capital. The demonstration is being held by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. Authorities ordered the closures as a precautionary measure to manage crowd movement and maintain public order. The temporary shutdowns affected commuters across multiple metro lines in the city.

Ex-Agniveers to Get 50% CAPF Quota With Waiver on Written and Physical Tests

Former Agniveers will be eligible for a 50% reservation in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) recruitment. Unlike regular candidates, they will not be required to appear for the written examination. They will also be exempt from the Physical Standards Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET). This preferential treatment distinguishes ex-Agniveers significantly from other CAPF aspirants who must clear all these stages.

Canada joins GCAP as observer amid global race for sixth-gen fighter jets

Canada has joined the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a European sixth-generation fighter jet initiative, as an observer nation. The United States is separately developing its own next-generation aircraft, the F-47, under the Next Generation Air Dominance programme. China is already flight-testing two sixth-generation platforms, the J-36 and J-50, intensifying the global competition. India is pursuing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, which is expected to be operational by 2035. These next-generation fighters are set to feature artificial intelligence integration and the ability to control unmanned aerial platforms.

France's Defence Chief Visits India to Strengthen Military and Strategic Ties

France's chief of defence staff General Fabien Mandon visited India to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership between the two nations. The visit highlights growing defence cooperation, reflected through high-level exchanges and joint military exercises. Recent agreements between the countries include the delivery of Rafale fighter jets and the establishment of helicopter assembly lines in India. Both nations share a commitment to self-reliance and strategic autonomy as guiding principles of their defence relationship. The collaboration covers military, industrial, and strategic dimensions, reinforcing what both sides describe as a trusted partnership.