Todays News

  The artificial intelligence landscape has been shaken once again by a Chinese startup's bold move to democratize AI access through aggressive pricing and open-source innovation. Z.ai, formerly known as Zhipu, has launched its revolutionary GLM-4.5 model family, positioning itself as a formidable challenger to established players like OpenAI and even the recently dominant DeepSeek. The Cost Revolution Continues In a sector where pricing wars have become the new battleground, Z.ai has fired the latest salvo with GLM-4.5's remarkably competitive pricing structure. The model costs just $0.11 per million input tokens and $0.28 per million output tokens, significantly undercutting DeepSeek R1's pricing of $0.14 per million input tokens and $2.19 per million output tokens. This represents an impressive 87% cost reduction compared to DeepSeek's output token pricing, making advanced AI capabilities more accessible to businesses and developers worldwide. Technical Efficiency M...

  The hallowed turf of Lord's witnessed high drama both on and off the field as England clinched a nail-biting 23-run victory over India in the third Test, but it was Mohammed Siraj's fiery confrontation with Ben Duckett that dominated headlines and drew the ICC's attention. The Incident That Ignited Controversy India pacer Mohammed Siraj was fined 15% of his match fee following a heated altercation with England opener Ben Duckett during Day 4 of the ongoing third Test at Lord's. The incident occurred when Siraj dismissed Duckett for a run-a-ball 12, with England at 22/1 in their second innings chase of 193. "After the dismissal, Siraj celebrated close to the batter in his follow-through and made contact as Duckett began his walk back," the ICC stated in their official ruling. The confrontation saw both players engage in what appeared to be physical contact, with Siraj delivering an aggressive send-off that clearly crossed the line of acceptable on-field b...

  The Art of Managing Asia's Most Complex Relationship The meeting between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing marks a significant diplomatic milestone—the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to China in five years. This encounter, occurring against the backdrop of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' summit, represents more than just routine diplomatic protocol; it signals a calculated attempt to recalibrate one of Asia's most consequential yet complex bilateral relationships. The Pragmatic Approach to Competition In their discussions, both ministers acknowledged a fundamental reality that has long shaped Asia-Pacific geopolitics: competition between major powers is inevitable, but it need not spiral into destructive conflict. Jaishankar's emphasis that "differences between India and China should not become disputes" and that competition should not escalate into...

  Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, is waking up this week under grey skies and the persistent rhythm of the monsoon. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is set to experience a generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of moderate rainfall , a pattern typical of this time of year but still impactful for daily commuters, office-goers, and those with outdoor plans. Rain Watch: A Wet Monday on the Cards The IMD has forecasted light to very heavy rainfall across parts of West Bengal on July 7, with Kolkata expected to remain on the lighter-to-moderate side of the spectrum. While not a washout, intermittent showers are likely to make their presence felt throughout the day, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. These rains might bring some relief from the heat, but not from the sticky feeling in the air. Temperature & Humidity: Classic Monsoon Discomfort Despite the rain, Kolkata continues to battle high humidity levels. The ...

  As West Bengal prepares for its annual Martyr’s Day rally on July 21—organized by the Trinamool Congress (TMC)—all eyes are turning to potential counter-programming from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sources suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Kolkata this July , days ahead of the TMC event . 🎯 Why July 21 Matters Martyr’s Day commemorates the 1993 Kolkata firing , when clashes during a protest led to the deaths of 13 people—an event later appropriated by TMC as a powerful political symbol . The annual rally is hosted in Dharmatala (Esplanade), drawing vast crowds from across the state, and serves as a rallying cry for Mamata Banerjee’s party ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls . BJP’s Strategic Countermove According to IANS, BJP’s West Bengal unit—now led by Samik Bhattacharya—is actively coordinating with the PMO to organize a rally in Kolkata just before July 21 . The objective is twofold: Energize BJP cadres in the state, building momentum f...

  Critical Supply Chain Disruption Threatens Kolkata's LPG Distribution Network A major security incident unfolded at Indian Oil Corporation Limited's (IOCL) LPG bottling plant in Budge Budge, West Bengal, when truck drivers protesting pending dues allegedly released gas from several cylinders, prompting fears of a potential explosion. The violent protest, which occurred on July 2, 2025, resulted in the arrest of over 70 individuals and raised serious concerns about the safety and security of one of Kolkata's most crucial fuel distribution facilities. The Incident: What Happened at Budge Budge The crisis began as a wage-related dispute between LPG transporters and their drivers at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd's bottling plant at Budge Budge in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district escalated into a protest. Located on the southern outskirts of Kolkata, this facility plays a vital role in the daily LPG supply chain serving millions of households across the metropoli...

  Modi International Tour, India Diplomacy 2025, BRICS Summit Brazil, Ghana PM Visit, Caribbean India Relations, Africa India Partnership, Global South Cooperation, Modi Foreign Policy, India Economic Diplomacy, South-South Cooperation PM Modi Embarks on Historic Five-Nation Tour: A Strategic Diplomatic Masterstroke Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced what promises to be one of his most significant diplomatic endeavors of 2025—an eight-day diplomatic mission spanning five nations across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This ambitious tour, running from July 2-9, underscores India's evolving foreign policy priorities and its commitment to strengthening ties with the Global South. Breaking New Ground: Ghana as the Gateway Modi's first destination is Ghana, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the West African nation in three decades. This historic visit, scheduled for July 2-3, carries profound symbolic weight. "As fellow democracies, it wi...

  Late on June 30, 2025 , the governing body of South Calcutta Law College (SCLC) issued a notification announcing the indefinite suspension of all B.A.LL.B and LL.M classes , and the closure of the campus until further notice—a direct fallout of the shocking gang-rape case involving a first-year student on June 25 . The Incident That Triggered the Shutdown A 24‑year‑old first‑year student was reportedly gang‑raped inside the campus guard’s room late on June 25. Alleged perpetrators include a former student employed on contract, Monojit Mishra (31), and two senior students—Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee—along with a security guard . Police and CBI-style SIT have sealed the guard’s room, union room, a washroom, and entrances to preserve the crime scene . Swift Action & Investigations Underway All four accused were arrested within 12 hours of the incident, and medicolegal and forensic examinations have been completed . Investigators retrieved vital evidence—in...