The West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again found itself in the middle of a political controversy following an alleged protocol lapse during the recent visit of President Droupadi Murmu. The issue emerged after the President attended the 9th International Santal Conference held on Saturday, which was organized by a private group. The controversy quickly gained attention across political circles and media outlets. According to reports, the Chief Mi

Actor turned politician Thalapathy Vijay has once again become the center of political discussions after announcing several welfare schemes during a recent gathering of women cadres of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Mahabalipuram. His speech focused on women’s welfare and included a series of promises that he said would be implemented if his party comes to power in Tamil Nadu. However, the scale of these announcements has sparked a debate in political circles and among the public about their p

OpenAI has announced the launch of GPT-5.4, a new foundation model designed to support complex professional work across a range of industries. The company describes the system as its most capable and efficient frontier model to date, highlighting improvements in performance, reasoning ability and adaptability for real-world applications. The new model arrives as artificial intelligence continues to play a growing role in professional workflows. According to OpenAI, GPT-5.4 is intended to assist users with tasks that require advanced knowledge processing, including software development, financial analysis, research and technical problem solving. The company says the model has been optimized to handle demanding workloads while maintaining efficiency and accuracy. GPT-5.4 has been released in three separate variants, each tailored to different use cases. The standard version is designed to provide balanced performance across a wide range of tasks. A specialized reasoning model, known as GPT-5.4 Thinking, focuses on deeper analytical capabilities and structured problem solving. Meanwhile, GPT-5.4 Pro has been developed as a high-performance version intended for more intensive professional environments that require greater speed and computational power. The launch reflects a broader shift within the artificial intelligence sector as technology companies increasingly build AI systems specifically aimed at professional and enterprise applications. Developers and organizations are adopting advanced AI models to streamline coding processes, improve data analysis and accelerate research workflows. Industry observers note that the development of more specialized AI models could significantly influence how businesses integrate machine learning tools into everyday operations. As companies continue to explore the potential of generative AI and large language models, systems such as GPT-5.4 are expected to play a central role in shaping the next phase of AI-driven productivity and innovation.

For decades, a recurring argument during periods of American involvement in the Middle East has been that such conflicts are driven by access to oil. However, the United States’ position in the global energy landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Once heavily dependent on foreign imports, the country has transformed into one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas, reshaping both global energy markets and geopolitical calculations. Recent figures from th

Vijay, the actor-turned-politician and leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has unveiled his party's election manifesto ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. In his speech delivered in Thanjavur on March 4, 2026, Vijay made bold promises, including free higher education for children of small and marginal farmers, with a focus on families owning less than two acres of land. The announcement is designed to alleviate the financial burden of rising education costs for economically vulnerable farming households. Vijay's party aims to ensure that no member of these families is employed in a government job to be eligible for the benefit, highlighting his focus on empowering rural populations. He also pledged to take strong actions against corruption, positioning TVK as a clean and transparent alternative in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. With these commitments, Vijay seeks to contrast TVK's vision with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which he has heavily criticized, calling it an "evil force" and accusing it of misleading the people on key issues like the NEET examination. The announcement came at a critical juncture, with Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections approaching. Thanjavur, historically significant and a stronghold for the DMK, saw Vijay passionately declare that the upcoming elections are a personal and emotional turning point. Drawing inspiration from regional pride, he linked TVK's election symbol, the "whistle," to the popular "whistle podu" slogan of the Chennai Super Kings IPL team, reinforcing his vision for Tamil Nadu's autonomy. As the election season heats up, Vijay urged voters to rally behind TVK, framing the political battle as a fight for Tamil pride and a brighter future.

World No.1 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has announced her engagement to her partner, Georgios Frangulis, on March 4, 2026. Sabalenka shared a heartfelt clip on Instagram showcasing the emotional proposal, which took place in a romantic setting with flowers and candles. Frangulis, founder of the Oakberry brand, presented Sabalenka with a diamond ring, and the moment was filled with love as Sabalenka accepted the ring with joy and surprise. The announcement was warmly received by the tennis co

India is preparing to buy five additional squadrons of the Russian‑made S‑400 Triumf long‑range air defence missile system, a plan driven by the system’s highly effective performance during last year’s Operation Sindoor. The move aims to significantly bolster the Indian Air Force’s layered air defence network across both eastern and western fronts against evolving aerial threats. Defence ministry sources say the proposal from the Indian Air Force will soon be taken up fo

Drivers traveling along Route 22 in North Plainfield should prepare for delays over the next two weeks as lane closures take effect for construction work. Beginning at 9 a.m. today, the left lane and shoulder on both eastbound and westbound sides of Route 22 will be closed between Malcolm Avenue and the Walmart Shopping Center. Officials said the traffic adjustment is necessary to carry out repairs to the concrete median barrier in the area, part of a broader effort to maintain and strengthen ro

Federal authorities are investigating whether a deadly shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas, may have been an act of terrorism after two people were killed and 14 others injured in a late-night attack that has shaken the city. The violence unfolded within hours of US airstrikes against Iran, prompting questions about whether the timing was coincidental or connected to broader geopolitical tensions. Officials have cautioned that the investigation remains in its early stages and that conclusions sho

Protesters gathered Saturday outside the federal building in San Francisco to denounce recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, assembling less than a day after the military action was announced. Demonstrators later marched through downtown streets, chanting anti-war slogans and calling for an end to U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Participants carried signs criticizing military spending, condemning both major political parties, and expressing opposition to immigration enforcement and forei

A nationwide recall has been issued in the United States for more than 3.2 million grill brushes manufactured by Weber after safety officials warned that metal bristles from the brushes can detach and create a serious risk of injury. The recall was announced following multiple complaints that loose wire bristles became stuck in food and were accidentally swallowed, leading to potential internal harm. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall covers six different models of metal

The collapse of the Geneva nuclear talks on February 26, 2026, marked a decisive setback in months of diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. Mediators had earlier indicated that progress was being made, but negotiations ultimately failed after both sides refused to compromise on core demands. Officials confirmed that technical-level discussions were scheduled to continue in Vienna, though the situation deteriorated rapidly following milit

Iran has denied inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency access to several nuclear sites struck during a 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States in June, according to a confidential report circulated among member states. The development has left the UN watchdog unable to verify the status of Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities or confirm the size and location of its enriched uranium stockpile. In its latest assessment, the Vienna-based nuclear monit

Actor Vijay's wife, Sangeeta Sornalingam, has filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage, accusing him of infidelity and cruelty. The couple, who married in August 1999, share two children—Jason Sanjay and Divya Shasha. Sangeeta’s petition for divorce, filed under the Special Marriage Act of 1954, claims that Vijay's extramarital affair with an actress was the main reason for her decision to seek legal separation. In her petition, Sangeeta alleges that she discovered Vijay’s

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic said on Thursday that it will not permit the Pentagon unrestricted access to its technology, pushing back against pressure from US officials who warned of possible action under the Defense Production Act. The dispute highlights growing tensions between private AI developers and the US government over how advanced systems should be deployed in military and intelligence operations. According to the company, the Pentagon had given Anthropic a d

AUSTIN, Texas — Primary elections across Texas are set for Tuesday, and newly released polling suggests several high-profile contests could extend into runoff elections as candidates vie for their party nominations in key statewide races. According to data from the Texas Politics Project, the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate remains highly competitive. The poll indicates that Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a narrow lead with 36% support among likely Republican primary vot

The oldest Quaker meeting house west of Iowa is marking its 140th anniversary with a renewed focus on accessibility, launching a fundraising campaign to modernize the historic property while preserving its architectural heritage. The San Jose meeting house, a longstanding landmark in local and California history, is working to bring its facilities into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as part of a broader commitment to inclusivity and community outreach. The

The United States Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels accused of facilitating illicit Iran oil sales and supporting Tehran’s weapons programs. The action, carried out through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), forms part of Washington’s continuing maximum pressure campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s military capabilities and financial networks. According to the Treasury, the measures

Tensions are rising in Roxbury, New Jersey, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved forward with plans to convert a vacant warehouse into an immigration detention center despite strong opposition from residents and local officials. Community members have staged protests in recent weeks and voiced concerns during town council meetings, arguing the proposed facility raises humanitarian, financial and neighborhood safety issues. Many residents say they oppose the ICE detention

Iranian authorities on Tuesday deployed plainclothes police and armed security personnel across several universities in an effort to contain a fourth consecutive day of student protests directed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The heightened security presence reflects growing concern within the government over expanding campus unrest and the potential for demonstrations to spread further. Clashes were reported at multiple academic institutions, including Tehran’s Univers