President Droupadi Murmu addressed the NEET exam controversy in her speech to Parliament on Thursday, promising a fair investigation and strict punishment for culprits. The exam has been marred by leaked question papers and the awarding of "grace marks" to over 1,500 students. The President acknowledged the irregularities and assured improvements to the exam process. The issue has sparked outrage, with opposition parties protesting and demanding answers. The government's commitment to a fair investigation aims to restore transparency and credibility to the exam process.

Kalki AD 2898, a mythological science fiction film, is generating immense buzz ahead of its release. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. With over 4 million tickets sold worldwide and Rs 55 crore grossed through advance bookings, the film is expected to open with a massive Rs 200 crore at the global box office. Predictions suggest it will cross Rs 500 crore by the first weekend. Prabhas has hailed his role as Bhairava as the best in his career, adding to the hype surrounding this highly anticipated project.

The Kenyan government has launched a plan to eliminate one million house crows by December 31. The invasive species, native to India, has been a nuisance for decades, stealing food from tourists, displacing local bird species, and raiding crops. The Kenya Wildlife Service has developed an action plan with stakeholders to tackle the problem, which has also affected the hotel industry along the coast. The crows' aggressive behavior and rapid breeding have made them a significant threat to the local ecosystem. The government's move aims to protect the environment and promote biodiversity.

Nepal is reeling from severe rains, floods, and landslides, resulting in at least 14 deaths and dozens of injuries. The monsoon season has wreaked havoc across the country, with most deaths reported in the past 24 hours. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, eight people died in landslides, five from lightning strikes, and one from floods. The authority reported 44 incidents on June 26, with two people still missing and 10 injured. The disaster has left a trail of destruction, highlighting the devastating impact of the monsoon season in Nepal.

England's cricket team returns to Guyana after a 14-year hiatus, facing India in the T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday. The team's last visit to the South American mainland was in 2009 for a one-day international against West Indies. Guyana, once a regular stop on England's Caribbean tours, was bypassed for more popular destinations. The highly anticipated match pits defending champions England against India, seeking redemption after last year's 50-over World Cup heartache. India appears strong, determined to end an 11-year global trophy drought. This encounter promises to be an exciting return to Guyana for English cricket.

The Indian stock market reached new heights on Thursday, with the BSE Sensex crossing the 79,000 mark for the first time, reaching a record high of 79,033.91. The NSE Nifty 50 also hit a lifetime high of 23,974.70, breaching its previous record. The Bank Nifty index surpassed the 53,000 mark for the first time. The rally was driven by key heavyweight stocks, with the Nifty 50 gaining 0.32% to 23,945 points and the Sensex adding 0.35% to 78,948.25 points. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Indian stock market, indicating a strong and bullish trend.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will boycott President Droupadi Murmu's address to Parliament on Thursday, protesting the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam. AAP general secretary Sandeep Pathak condemned the BJP for the arrest, announcing the boycott. President Murmu's address will outline the priorities of the new government led by PM Narendra Modi. This will be her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament since the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha. The boycott is a show of solidarity with Kejriwal and a protest against the BJP's alleged political vendetta.

India and France have reached an agreement on the base price for 26 Rafale M fighters, tailored to meet the Indian Navy's specific requirements. The aircraft will feature enhancements such as helmet-mounted displays, low-band frequency jammers, and advanced radio altimeters. The Navy has sought software changes for air-to-sea mode, electromagnetic interference and compatibility adjustments, and upgrades for carrier landings. The first round of cost negotiations has concluded, with further talks aimed at finalizing a contract by year-end. The Rafale M will be capable of operating from both Indian and Russian-origin aircraft carriers.

Sanjana Thakur, a 26-year-old writer from Mumbai, has won the 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her story "Aishwarya Rai". She will receive a £5,000 cash prize. The story reimagines the traditional adoption narrative, following a young woman's search for the perfect mother. Thakur's satire explores themes of family, identity, and urban existence. The judges praised her use of irony, sarcasm, and humor, noting that her story is both "brutal" and "effortless". Thakur is currently pursuing an MFA in Fiction at UT Austin's New Writers Project. Her win marks a significant achievement in the literary world.

India faces England in the Men's T20 World Cup semifinal, seeking revenge for their 2022 loss. England, the defending champions, cruised to victory in their previous encounter, prompting a rethink in India's T20 strategy. This time, India boasts more batting firepower, middle-over options, and attack variation. However, England's Jos Buttler and Phil Salt are in top form, making them a formidable opponent. England aims to become the first team to retain the T20 World Cup, while India seeks their first World Cup win in any format since 2011. The stage is set for a thrilling contest.