The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Friday issued a major update on the launch of its new portal for the verification and re-evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets. The board confirmed thatPost-Result Activities portal will now be launched on June 1, after previous reports claimed that...
India's electricity grid has achieved a significant milestone by becoming majority renewable, with renewables accounting for over 51.5% of demand in July 2025 and installed solar capacity reaching 150.26 GW by March 2026; however, the primary challenge now lies in managing this dominant, variable renewable energy source, which traditional infrastructure designed for centralized, one-way power flow cannot address, necessitating an "intelligence layer" on top of existing hardware. This intelligence, powered by AI and enabled by the deployment of over 25 million smart meters, is crucial for real-time visibility and control, optimizing distributed generation, battery storage, and electric vehicles by predicting demand, managing charging and discharging cycles, and enabling predictive maintenance for solar plants, which can reduce operational costs by up to 40% and significantly improve the effective capacity of existing assets without requiring new installations, a strategy vital for meeting India's 2030 target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity and for accessing better financing terms as lenders increasingly prioritize operational consistency demonstrated through data.
An expedition cruise on the MV Hondius to Antarctica, carrying 88 passengers and 59 crew, became an international public health concern when passengers fell ill with a severe respiratory illness, later identified as the Andes strain of hantavirus, which has a rare documented capacity for person-to-person transmission. The outbreak, which resulted in three deaths by May 2nd, prompted global contact tracing, advisories, and quarantine measures, highlighting the heightened vigilance in global health responses post-COVID-19 and the critical role of specialized quarantine facilities like those at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC, whose expertise from past outbreaks shaped their readiness for such events, emphasizing the need for rapid, effective, and expert-led responses to emerging infectious diseases.
Indian equity markets experienced a significant downturn in May, with the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 both closing down for their third consecutive session and registering monthly losses of 2.8% and 1.9% respectively, driven by concerns over below-normal monsoon rainfall potentially impacting farm output and rural demand, unresolved optimism surrounding a US-Iran ceasefire extension leading to foreign investor caution, and an MSCI emerging markets index rebalancing that triggered forced selling by passive funds. While sectors like Power Grid and IndiGo saw substantial declines, Tech Mahindra and Infosys performed well, and on a monthly basis, Adani Enterprises surged significantly after fraud charges were dropped against Gautam Adani, contrasting with declines in Reliance Industries and ONGC, and despite significant foreign institutional investor outflows and a weakening rupee, the currency showed resilience, closing higher against the dollar, with market participants now awaiting the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy decision.
On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, celebrated annually on May 29th, India's Major Abhilasha Barak is set to receive the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award for her significant contributions to women's empowerment and gender sensitization during her deployment with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, making her the third Indian to receive this honor following Major Suman Gawani and Major Radhika Sen. Major Barak, who is also noted as the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army, will be recognized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at an event where the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will also be posthumously awarded to 68 peacekeepers who lost their lives in service, highlighting India's substantial commitment as the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping operations, with nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers having made the ultimate sacrifice.
After 2011, West Bengal will conduct a population census once again after a gap of 15 years, which is going online for the first time. The Suvendu Adhikari government announced preparations ahead of the door-to-door census process, which will take place from August 1 till September 1. The entire...
Yet another crime series based on a Harlan Coben book is on its way soon to Netflix. Created by Robert Hull ("Quantum Leap", "Alcatraz"), the adaptation of the bestselling novelist's 2023 novel "I Will Find You" will begin streaming from June 18. The eight-episode show has assembled some of the...
The Supreme Court has expressed grave concern over the NEET-UG paper leak, questioning the efficacy of existing monitoring systems and expert committees in preventing such a significant breach, particularly in light of over 100 recommended reforms designed to strengthen examination security. During the hearing, a high-level committee headed by former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, which had proposed these reforms, acknowledged that the leak originated during the question-paper setting process and assured the court that vulnerabilities have been identified and addressed with new secure testing frameworks and strengthened NTA processes, including the involvement of domain experts from institutions like IITs. While the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, assured the court that the Prime Minister is personally supervising the matter and that new security measures are being implemented for the upcoming re-examination on June 21, the Supreme Court stressed that procedural improvements are insufficient without clear accountability, emphasizing the need for permanent institutional capacity, a robust framework for secure examinations, and integration of domain expertise to prevent future failures and restore student confidence in the examination system.
A newly formed digital entity called the "Cockroach Janta Party," created by Abhijeet Dipke on Instagram, rapidly gained millions of views and followers following a Supreme Court Chief Justice's remark likening unemployed youth to "cockroaches," sparking widespread youth engagement and concern within India's political establishment. While some BJP leaders have condemned it as anti-national, its founder claims a vast majority of its 17-28 year-old followers are Indian, highlighting its appeal as a symbolic representation of resilience amidst harsh conditions and a reaction to systemic apathy, particularly concerning unemployment and paper leaks, although the movement faces structural limitations due to its digital-only nature and lack of ground organization, a challenge even established political parties struggle to overcome in translating online visibility into tangible political impact.
Israel's military operations against Hezbollah are expanding beyond its northern border, with the IDF preparing to strike Hezbollah bases within Lebanon, including in Beirut, in response to the group's significant military buildup over two decades, which now includes advanced rockets, UAVs, and FPV drones that challenge the Iron Dome. This escalation, characterized by the recent targeted killing of a Hezbollah missile force head and the creation of buffer zones along the border to protect Israeli civilians from daily drone attacks, is occurring despite American pressure to avoid wider regional conflict, as Israeli officials warn they will act independently if Iran's proxies are not contained, drawing parallels to Hamas's build-up in Gaza. While Israel claims to issue evacuation warnings before strikes and urges civilians to distance themselves from Hezbollah positions deeply entrenched in residential areas, civilian casualties continue to occur, highlighting the tragic difficulty in separating military and civilian spaces as the conflict deepens with no immediate prospect of a ceasefire.
Filmmaker Prosit Roy, who made his directorial debut with Anushka Sharma's supernatural thriller "Pari" and co-directed the first season of "Paatal Lok", is back with a new crime series "Raakh", fronted by actor Ali Fazal. Prime Video, which will launch the show, has announced a June 12 premiere...
During market volatility, investors often struggle with emotional responses driven by an overload of information and weak conviction, rather than the market itself, and while AI cannot predict market movements, its true value lies in improving decision quality by operating within a structured, human-guided ecosystem that strengthens investor conviction and context. This integrated approach, combining a structured planning environment, human judgment for empathy and context, and AI to identify inconsistencies, improve portfolio reviews, and reduce noise, helps investors connect market events to their long-term goals rather than reacting to headlines, ultimately leading to better clarity, conviction, and investment outcomes.
South Korean actor, who was last seen in the acclaimed horror blockbuster "Exhuma", is returning to the web series space with "Notes from the Last Row", which will land on Netflix on June 26. The show sees the "I Saw the Devil" actor's return to long-form storytelling after 2022's Disney+ series...
Mouth breathing, often overlooked and presenting as secondary to other complaints like poor sleep, nasal blockage, fatigue, or altered facial development in children, is surprisingly prevalent in everyday ENT practice and has significant health implications. The nose is designed to warm, filter, and regulate air, functions the mouth cannot replicate, leading to issues such as dry mouth, bad breath, and a parched throat. In children, prolonged mouth breathing during growth can result in structural changes to the face, including a narrower jaw and an elongated profile, while in adults, it is frequently driven by persistent nasal obstruction from conditions like allergies or deviated septums, contributing to poor sleep quality, reduced concentration, and low energy. Fortunately, most cases of mouth breathing are treatable by identifying and addressing the underlying cause, whether through managing nasal inflammation, structural correction, or specific breathing therapies, emphasizing that it should not be dismissed as a mere habit but recognized as a condition with tangible effects on sleep, energy levels, and physical appearance.
India is reportedly considering offering the Extended Range (ER) variant of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Philippines, which previously acquired three batteries of the standard export version in a $375 million deal in 2022. The BrahMos-ER boasts a significantly increased strike range of up to 400 kilometers compared to the 290-kilometer range of the exported variant, allowing the Philippines to deploy its missile batteries closer to the mainland for enhanced deterrence and protection of its Exclusive Economic Zone and vital maritime routes amidst regional security pressures, particularly concerning China. Concurrently, the Indian Army is anticipated to place a substantial order for an 800-kilometer strike variant of the BrahMos, featuring advanced engine modifications and upgrades, which is expected to be cleared by the Ministry of Defence.
Doddalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar has been chosen to lead the Congress government in Karnataka, with senior leader Siddaramaiah stepping down from the Chief Minister position, a decision reached after meetings involving top Congress leadership in Delhi. Shivakumar, who has a long and successful electoral track record, including significant wins against prominent regional leaders and a history of holding important portfolios, is recognized for his strategic acumen, fierce competitiveness, and his role as a troubleshooter for the party, demonstrating his deep commitment to the Congress party's interests.
Fans of ‘The Simpsons’ have something new to look forward to this summer. Disney+ has announced three new exclusive episodes of the long-running animated series, continuing its expansion of original Simpsons content beyond the main television show. The new lineup follows the show's recent milestone...
The article argues that the rise of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence is ushering in a new era of gig work, mirroring pre-Industrial Revolution self-employment and signaling the decline of lifelong, stable jobs with salaries and benefits. This shift presents significant challenges for financial planning, particularly for retirement, as self-employed individuals lack the regular income streams and automatic enrollment in pension plans that employees benefit from. The author suggests that financial advisors must adapt by recommending strategies like token SIPs, lump-sum investments during periods of excess income, and building a corpus for custom pension-like products, while emphasizing diversification to mitigate business concentration risk and advising a phased investment approach based on income growth.
The Jana Sena Party's (JSP) aggressive campaign against prominent Telangana political commentator Prof. K. Nageshwar, stemming from his claims about Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan's lobbying efforts, has escalated into a significant regional dispute, sparking Telangana sentiment and drawing parallels to the statehood movement. The controversy intensified following a chaotic press meet by JSP leaders where objectionable language was used against Prof. Nageshwar and another respected journalist, Pasam Yadagiri, leading to widespread criticism and multiple FIRs filed by the JSP in Andhra Pradesh. Despite Prof. Nageshwar's unconditional withdrawal of his comments, the Andhra Pradesh government's continued pursuit of legal action has drawn appeals for case withdrawal from various political figures and has been perceived by many in Telangana as an attack on free speech and an attempt to suppress a prominent Telangana voice by Andhra leaders who have significant stakes in Hyderabad. This situation has created a political advantage for the opposition BRS party, which has amplified the controversy on social media, while also presenting a dilemma for the ruling Congress government in Telangana, which has historically cultivated a pro-media image and is now facing pressure to intervene and resolve the escalating Andhra-versus-Telangana turn the dispute has taken.
Suriya's "Karuppu" has been doing a daily business of nearly 5 crore even on its 14th day, solidifying its position as one of the most profitable ventures in Tamil cinema, having already established in its first week that it's Suriya's highest-grossing film of all time. It now remains to be seen...
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across 15 Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab, with wind speeds potentially reaching 90 kilometers per hour and warnings of severe cyclonic storms and hailstorms expected to bring relief from the current heatwave. This widespread weather disruption is attributed to several cyclonic circulations over the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and North India, coupled with a long trough extending across the country, creating contrasting conditions of intense heat in Rajasthan and Central India and heavy rainfall in the East and South, a forecast corroborated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts which predicts 15 days of rain and devastating storms as the southwest monsoon advances strongly, further evidenced by satellite imagery showing a massive cloud cover moving towards India, with specific predictions for Delhi indicating heavy rains and thunderstorms until June 3, causing a significant temperature drop, while Northwest India is expected to experience rainfall and severe thunderstorms until June 2, and various other states in Northeast, South, and East India are likely to receive light to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms until June 3.
A concerning rise in ovarian cancer cases, particularly among urban women in India, is being observed in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, despite better access to healthcare. This trend is linked to several factors including lifestyle changes associated with Westernization, such as increased sedentary behavior and delayed childbearing, which lead to more ovulatory cycles. Environmental factors like air pollution and groundwater contamination, containing endocrine disruptors and industrial toxins, are also suspected contributors. While the "incessant ovulation" hypothesis remains a strong biological explanation, experts emphasize that the rise is likely multifactorial in modern urban populations. The challenge is compounded by ovarian cancer's tendency to mimic gastrointestinal issues, often leading to delayed diagnosis, though increased awareness and access to genetic testing and counseling in urban areas are promoting more proactive care and potentially earlier detection.
Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd. experienced a significant surge of nearly 20% in its share price, reaching an intraday high of ₹34.78, driven by a combination of positive financial results and a perceived favorable political development. The company's fiscal year 2026 results revealed a 4% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to ₹1,116 crore and a substantial doubling of consolidated EBITDA to ₹420 crore, alongside a significant turnaround to a consolidated net profit of ₹203 crore, contrasting with a loss in the previous fiscal year. These gains were partly boosted by one-time exceptional gains of ₹238 crore from the settlement of legacy loans, which also led to a sharp reduction in standalone current borrowings from ₹418 crore to ₹77 crore, indicating progress in debt reduction. Politically, the appointment of D.K. Shivakumar as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, whose daughter is married to the son of the late Coffee Day founder, may have contributed to speculative sentiment among investors who perceive this as potentially supportive for the company's ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay concluded his inaugural trip to New Delhi where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss state-specific issues requiring central intervention; however, his failure to meet with top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, despite their alliance, sparked significant speculation in Tamil Nadu, especially given the Congress's crucial support in forming the government. State Congress MP Christopher Tilak attributed the missed meeting to Vijay's busy official schedule, clarifying it was postponed and suggesting potential meetings with Kharge, Sonia, and Rahul Gandhi during the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting on June 11, while also noting that some within the Congress are reportedly displeased with TVK's attempts to attract AIADMK legislators, a move criticized by Congress MP S. Jothimani as "horse-trading" and a potential betrayal of democratic principles.
Following intense thunderstorms and strong winds in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Haryana, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for another round of heavy rainfall, severe squalls with wind speeds up to 70 kmph capable of structural damage, and hailstorms, anticipating waterlogging and traffic disruptions. Concurrently, Patna Meteorological Centre has declared a red alert for storms and rain in numerous Bihar districts including Aurangabad, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, and Nawada, with strong winds expected in Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, and East Champaran, and a predicted drop in temperatures by two to four degrees Celsius over the next three days, although maximum temperatures are forecast to rise slightly in some areas. Despite these severe weather warnings across North and East India, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and coastal Andhra Pradesh today, May 29. Meanwhile, the monsoon has reached India's southern tip and surrounding seas, with conditions favorable for its further advancement into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal within the next two to three days, ahead of Kerala's expected southwest monsoon in early June.
After three months of conflict, the United States and Iran are reportedly nearing a significant agreement that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, extend a ceasefire, and initiate discussions on limiting Iran's nuclear program, although a final deal has yet to be signed by either party. US Vice President JD Vance indicated progress is being made, with both nations negotiating terms for free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the cessation of hostilities including involving Hezbollah, and a potential easing of sanctions in exchange for Iran restoring pre-war ship traffic levels for 30 days. While Iran reportedly seeks to impose fees for passage, which the US opposes, the agreement also outlines the facilitation of an investment fund for Iran's reconstruction and commitments to negotiate the future of enriched uranium and the release of frozen assets.