Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has appointed astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political). This appointment, effective from the date of joining, aims to bolster Vijay's political and administrative team. Vettrivel is known for his association with the actor-turned-politician.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, as Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly, reiterated his call for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma, stating it divides people. He also emphasized the primacy of the Tamil invocation song, "Tamil Thai Vazhthu," at all government events, demanding it not be sidelined.

Facing a widening trade deficit, India's Prime Minister urges reduced gold purchases. Industry bodies propose tapping into the nation's vast household gold reserves. Their plan involves using refined household gold for domestic demand and channeling imported gold into jewellery exports via gold metal loans, aiming to boost working capital and cut imports.

Rahul Gandhi and TMC have sharply criticised the appointment of former chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal as West Bengal's chief secretary by the new BJP government. Critics allege this rewards Agarwal for his role in the recent Assembly elections, questioning the Election Commission's neutrality and the fairness of the polls. The BJP defends the decision, citing service rules.

NEET-UG 2026 exam has been cancelled by the National Testing Agency due to a massive "guess paper" leak, impacting over 22 lakh students. The government has ordered a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. The re-examination dates will be announced soon, with existing registrations carrying forward. This decision aims to protect the integrity of the national examination system.

Wall Street's market sentiment has shifted from 'TACO' (Trump Always Chickens Out) to 'NACHO' (Not A Chance Hormuz Opens), reflecting growing pessimism about the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Investors now anticipate a prolonged period of elevated oil prices and shipping risks, moving away from assumptions of a quick resolution.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured stable fuel and cooking gas supplies, stating the country holds 69 days of crude oil and LNG reserves and 45 days of LPG. Daily LPG production has been significantly increased to 54,000 tonnes amid Middle East geopolitical tensions. Puri also echoed Prime Minister Modi's call for austerity to mitigate economic pressures.

A faction of AIADMK, led by S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugam, has announced support for Chief Minister Vijay's TVK government ahead of a crucial floor test. This move comes amid internal rifts within AIADMK over potential alliances, with the faction opposing any tie-up with DMK. Vijay is working to secure the required majority with support from various parties.

Kiara Advani candidly shared her profound postpartum experience, describing it as a significant emotional and physical reset that reshaped her identity. She emphasized the importance of discussing postpartum struggles openly, highlighting the challenges of self-grace and maintaining one's sense of self amidst the demands of new motherhood. Advani also praised her husband Sidharth Malhotra's supportive role during this transformative period.

General Motors has laid off over 600 IT employees, signaling a significant shift towards AI-focused hiring. The automaker is replacing traditional IT roles with specialists in AI development, data engineering, and cloud infrastructure. This strategic 'skills swap' aims to build AI systems internally, rather than just integrating AI tools, reflecting a broader industry trend.