India and Venezuela on Thursday held high-level talks to strengthen bilateral ties, with a major focus on energy security and boosting economic cooperation across various sectors. During a special MEA briefing on the visit of Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon said the visiting leader was accompanied by a large ministerial delegation and held official discussions, including a working lunch, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tandon highlighted that Venezuela has emerged as India’s third-largest crude oil supplier this month, adding that both sides focused on building a stronger long-term energy partnership. He noted that India and Venezuela share “perfect complementarity” in the energy sector, covering both upstream and downstream activities, with Venezuela viewing India as a reliable long-term demand partner.

Apart from energy, discussions also covered expanding economic engagement in sectors such as mining, animal husbandry, transportation, agricultural equipment, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals. Tandon described Venezuela as a resource-rich nation moving toward sustained economic growth, offering significant opportunities for Indian businesses and investments.

Describing the talks as “businesslike and substantive,” Tandon said the Venezuelan side appreciated India’s consistent support during both difficult and prosperous times. The MEA further stated that Venezuela considers India a preferred partner for the future, reflecting the growing strength and continuity of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Acting President Delcy Rodriguez held wide-ranging discussions on expanding cooperation in energy, trade, investment, healthcare, and the automotive sector. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues and reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the interests of the Global South.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from YouTube/MEA.

The rescue operation launched after a major fire erupted at a restaurant in Malviya Nagar has concluded, and the blaze has been fully brought under control, according to Delhi Divisional Officer Ravinder Singh. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 21 people. Confirming the completion of the operation, DO Ravinder Singh stated, “The rescue mission has been successfully completed. The fire has been completely extinguished, and all victims have been shifted to hospitals.”

Officials said the fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar at around 8:48 am. More than 40 people were rescued from the building during the emergency response. Reacting to the tragedy, Aam Aadmi Party MLA and Leader of Opposition Atishi expressed sorrow and questioned the state of fire safety in Delhi under the BJP government. In a post on X, she said the deaths were deeply painful and extended condolences to the affected families while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Atishi also raised concerns over recurring fire incidents in the capital, asking who would be held accountable for the repeated loss of innocent lives. She alleged that Delhi’s fire safety infrastructure had worsened under the BJP and criticized the lack of accountability following such disasters. Families of those missing continued to search desperately for information. One relative told reporters that his daughter and two granddaughters were untraceable and accused hospital authorities of failing to provide updates.

Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed grief over the incident. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and appreciated rescue personnel involved in relief efforts. He further noted that reports suggesting foreign nationals were among the victims made the tragedy even more distressing.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla demanded immediate administrative action and urged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to review Delhi’s fire safety mechanisms. He emphasized the need to investigate the increasing number of fire incidents and the repeated loss of lives in the city. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal said local police personnel quickly reached the scene and initiated rescue and evacuation operations with the support of eight fire tenders. He confirmed that over 40 people had been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals, while 21 individuals had lost their lives.

Mittal added that search and rescue efforts were continuing, with all concerned agencies deployed to provide assistance to those affected. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as people jumped from upper floors to escape the flames while firefighters battled to contain the blaze. Authorities have now launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire, including possible violations of safety regulations and permission-related lapses.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The results of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026 were announced on Tuesday, with 56,880 candidates qualifying for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other participating institutions. The number of successful candidates has increased by approximately 4.6 percent compared to last year, reflecting a modest rise in the overall qualification count. The examination, regarded as one of India's toughest engineering entrance tests, was conducted for students seeking admission to undergraduate engineering programs at the country's premier IITs. Candidates who cleared the examination will now be eligible to participate in the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling process for seat allotment.

According to official data, nearly 1.8 lakh students appeared for both papers of the examination this year. Of these, 56,880 candidates met the qualifying criteria set by the examination authorities. The increase in the number of qualifiers comes amid continued intense competition for seats at the IITs, which remain among the most sought-after engineering institutions in the country. Every year, lakhs of students prepare for the examination, but only a fraction secure ranks high enough to gain admission to their preferred courses and campuses.

This year's results also highlighted strong performances from candidates across multiple examination zones. The top rank in the Common Rank List (CRL) was secured by Shubham Kumar from the IIT Delhi zone. Among female candidates, Arohi Deshpande emerged as the highest-ranked student. Education experts noted that while qualifying JEE Advanced is a significant achievement, the admission process is far from over. Candidates must now carefully evaluate their options during JoSAA counselling, where factors such as rank, category, seat availability, and branch preferences will determine final allotments.

The results also reflected encouraging participation by female candidates, with more than 10,000 girls qualifying for the examination. The trend is being viewed as a positive sign for gender diversity in engineering and technical education. Following the declaration of results, students can access their scorecards through the official JEE Advanced portal and begin preparing for the counselling process, which is expected to commence shortly. With the results now announced, thousands of successful candidates will turn their attention to securing seats in IITs, marking the next stage of their academic journey toward careers in engineering, technology, and research.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Hindu.

Mumbai cab drivers have expressed concern after the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was increased by ₹2 per kilogram, raising the retail rate to ₹86 per kg. Drivers say the hike will further squeeze their earnings as passenger fares have remained unchanged despite rising operating expenses. The increase comes amid worries over global energy supplies linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The latest revision has added to the financial burden on taxi operators, many of whom say their incomes have not kept pace with mounting costs.

Speaking to ANI, cab driver Faiz Khan said the higher CNG rates are making it increasingly difficult for drivers to make ends meet. He noted that while fuel prices have gone up, fare rates have remained the same, reducing their ability to earn a sustainable income. Another driver, Maan Singh Nikam, criticized the repeated increases in CNG prices, saying they are directly affecting drivers' livelihoods. He argued that fare structures have not been revised despite multiple fuel price hikes, leaving drivers with lower take-home earnings.

Driver Shakeel Ahmed echoed similar concerns, stating that customers are unwilling to pay higher fares even as fuel costs continue to rise. According to him, the growing gap between operating expenses and fixed fares is making it harder for drivers to maintain their income levels. CNG prices in New Delhi were also raised, increasing by ₹2.61 to ₹102.12 per kg. The latest revision marks the fourth consecutive increase in the capital this month.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.