India

IAS Officer Vijay Vardhan Cleared UPSC After Failing 35 Government Exams

Vijay Vardhan, now an IAS officer, had a long and difficult road to success marked by 35 failed government examination attempts. Despite repeated setbacks, he persisted in his efforts and eventually cleared the UPSC examination. He was first selected as an IPS officer in 2018 and later secured an IAS position in 2021 with a strong rank. His journey has become a source of inspiration for thousands of aspirants navigating India's highly competitive civil services landscape.

Does E20 petrol reduce mileage of your car, bike? Centre answers

India's Crude Oil Stocks Hit Near 1-Year High at 104 Million Barrels

India's crude oil inventory rose sharply to 104 million barrels by end of June, up from 90.5 million barrels in late April, according to analytics firm Kpler. The significant build-up came as Indian refiners scrambled to secure alternative crude supplies from global markets. The move was triggered by the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz during a regional conflict, which put nearly 40% of India's crude imports at risk. Refiners acted swiftly to offset the supply disruption by diversifying their sourcing. The stockpile now stands at its highest level in almost a year.

PM to Inaugurate Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan, Seen as Boost to Local Economy

Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan on the following day. The project is being positioned as a significant step toward strengthening India's self-reliance in the energy sector. The refinery is expected to provide a major economic boost to the state of Rajasthan. Authorities have also highlighted the project as a symbol of development-focused governance.

Europe's Heat-Retaining Homes Struggle to Cope With Intense Heatwaves

Europe is experiencing severe heatwaves that are exposing a critical flaw in its traditional residential architecture. Homes across northern and central Europe were historically designed to trap warmth during cold winters, using materials like stone, brick, thick insulation, and multi-pane windows. As temperatures rise sharply, these same features are now causing extreme indoor heat and discomfort for residents. The heatwaves have brought renewed attention to the urgent need for climate-adaptive housing solutions across the continent.

Marathons, Triathlons and Ultra-Runs Draw Growing Crowds Across India

India's endurance sports scene is expanding well beyond its traditional niche of dedicated runners and cyclists. Road races are seeing record participation, and run clubs are multiplying as younger Indians take up marathons, triathlons, and ultra-runs. Athletes such as IRONMAN triathlete Renee Noronha and ultra-runner Sufiya Sufi are firsthand witnesses to this cultural shift in fitness. Both have spoken about the discipline, patience, and consistent training that endurance sports require from participants.

UN Warns El Nino to Strengthen Significantly Between July and September

The United Nations has issued a warning that El Nino conditions have already begun and are expected to intensify rapidly in the coming months. The weather phenomenon is forecast to develop into a strong event by September. The strengthening of El Nino raises the likelihood of heatwaves occurring across multiple regions worldwide. Authorities are urging preparedness as the climatic event is expected to have widespread meteorological consequences.

Pakistan's Indus Waters Treaty Pressure on India Reflects Its Own Desperation

Pakistan has been escalating rhetoric and issuing threats toward India over the Indus Waters Treaty, but New Delhi has shown no signs of reconsidering its position. Analysts suggest that Pakistan's aggressive posturing stems from its own vulnerability and helplessness over water security rather than any position of strength. India has remained unmoved by Islamabad's pressure tactics, indicating the threats are having little diplomatic effect. Pakistan's strategy of using intimidation to gain leverage over water rights appears to be backfiring, with observers noting it reveals weakness rather than resolve.

July 3 Is a Federal Holiday in the US: Here's What's Open and Closed

The United States will celebrate its 250th Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with the preceding Friday, July 3, designated as a federal holiday. Most retail stores and postal services are expected to remain open as usual on that day. Banks will also be operational, though some may observe adjusted hours. The stock market will remain closed for the holiday. State DMV offices and city government buildings may have varying closures, and residents are advised to check their local schedules in advance.

J&K Issues Advisory Urging Pilgrims to Pre-Register for Amarnath Yatra

The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a strict advisory coinciding with the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra. Authorities have made it clear that pilgrims must complete advance registration before travelling to the Union Territory. The advisory aims to regulate the flow of devotees undertaking the annual pilgrimage. Officials have urged prospective pilgrims not to travel to J&K without completing the mandatory registration process.

79% of India Faces Monsoon Deficit Even as Rains Cause Destruction

India is experiencing a paradoxical weather situation as the 2024 monsoon season unfolds. Between June 1 and July 1, approximately 79% of the country's geographical area across 29 states recorded either a 'Deficit' or 'Large Deficit' in rainfall. Despite the overall shortfall, certain regions have simultaneously been hit by catastrophic rainfall events. This dual crisis highlights the uneven and erratic distribution of monsoon rains across the country.

Supreme Court upholds bail for Sonam Raghuvanshi in husband murder case

The Supreme Court has refused to stay the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of arranging her husband's murder. The Meghalaya government had filed a plea seeking cancellation of her bail, but the apex court rejected it, finding a minor legal citation error to be insufficient grounds. Sonam is currently residing in Shillong in compliance with her bail conditions. The trial court had originally granted her bail citing procedural lapses in the arrest notification process.

GSEB HSC Science Supplementary 2026: Only 27.36% Students Pass Out of 16,120

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) has announced the HSC Science Supplementary Exam results for 2026. Of the 16,120 students who sat for the examination, only 4,411 managed to pass, reflecting a pass rate of 27.36%. Girls performed better than boys across both Group A and Group B categories. Regular students fared significantly better compared to repeat candidates in the supplementary examination.

Sakshi Jain tops CA Foundation May 2026 exam with 92.75% score

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has declared the results for the CA Foundation May 2026 examination. Sakshi Jain from Nashik claimed All India Rank 1, scoring 371 out of 400 marks (92.75%). Ayanabbas Ajani and Radha Unmesh Mulay secured the second and third ranks respectively, with slim score differences among the top performers. The exam was conducted across 609 centres in India and overseas, drawing over 90,000 candidates. A total of 18,124 candidates cleared the exam, resulting in an overall pass rate of 20.09%.

Two Bengaluru Daycare Workers Arrested for Abusing Toddlers

Two caregivers at a daycare centre in Bengaluru have been arrested for allegedly abusing young children in their care. The abuse came to light after a complainant shared disturbing videos this week. The footage showed children as young as two years old being placed inside the drum of a front-loading washing machine. Authorities acted swiftly following the circulation of the videos. The case has sparked widespread outrage over child safety standards at daycare facilities.

ICAI CA Foundation May 2026 Results Out; Only 1 in 5 Candidates Clear Exam

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced the results of the CA Foundation Examination held in May 2026. Of the 90,217 candidates who sat for the exam, 18,124 passed, reflecting an overall pass rate of 20.09%. Male candidates recorded a pass percentage of 20.88%, slightly higher than the 19.24% achieved by female candidates. Sakshi Jain secured the top rank with 371 marks, with Ayanabbas Ajani and Radha Unmesh Mulay finishing second and third respectively. The examination was conducted across 609 centres in India and abroad, and results are accessible on the official ICAI portal.

Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 to reach FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16

Switzerland advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after a commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria. Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye sealed the win for the Swiss side. The result marks Switzerland's fourth consecutive appearance in the World Cup knockout stages. Despite this consistency, the team has not won a last-16 match since 1938 and will be looking to break that drought. Young player Johan Manzambi has been a notable standout, playing a key role in Switzerland's strong tournament run.

SAP freezes hiring and travel to redirect funds toward AI development

European software giant SAP is implementing hiring freezes and suspending non-essential travel as part of a cost-cutting strategy. The company is redirecting these savings toward artificial intelligence development, prioritizing core AI roles and related acquisitions. SAP aims to strengthen its long-term competitiveness as the technology industry increasingly shifts toward AI-driven solutions. These measures follow a major restructuring at the company and mirror a wider industry trend of trimming operational costs to fund AI investment.

Bengaluru Daycare Abuse Case Exposes Critical Gaps in India's Childcare Regulation

Videos allegedly showing toddler abuse at a Bengaluru daycare facility have triggered widespread outrage across India. The incident has drawn attention to the rapid expansion of workplace daycares that has outpaced the development of adequate safety regulations. Young children's inability to report mistreatment makes them especially vulnerable in unregulated care settings. Experts and critics are calling for stricter oversight, better caregiver training, and greater corporate accountability in childcare provision. The case has renewed demands for a comprehensive child protection framework to address systemic gaps in India's daycare sector.

Chennai Police Arrest 5 More Suspects in Rs 35-Crore Bribery Case Linked to TVK MLA

Chennai police have arrested five more individuals in connection with a Rs 35-crore bribery case involving a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA. The case was initiated following a complaint filed by TVK MLA Dr N Ilayaraja. The MLA alleged that a pollster named Thirunavukkarasu approached him, claiming to represent functionaries of a major political party. The nature of the alleged bribery centers on Thirunavukkarasu's purported role as an intermediary acting on behalf of these unnamed party figures. Authorities continue to investigate the case as more arrests are made.