Physics Wallah CEO Alakh Pandey backs CJP protest, urges Centre to 'listen to students'

King Charles will not live at Buckingham Palace from next year, and will remain at Clarence House, royal officials said on Thursday.Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing a £369 million ($487 million) refurbishment to replace ageing electrical wiring, pipes and heating systems. The 10-year refurbishment project is expected to be completed by next year.The London landmark has served as the primary residence of the British monarchs for nearly two centuries, since Queen Victoria became sovereign in 1837.Buckingham Palace to remain ‘Monarchy HQ’According to Reuters, the royal officials had expected Buckingham Palace to remain the monarch's primary London residence when the refurbishment started in 2017.The palace would, however, remain the primary venue for ceremonial and official functions, including hosting state visits, said James Chalmers, the king's treasurer, known as the Keeper of the Privy Purse.“It is and will remain 'monarchy HQ', the crown jewel of our national buildings, with the sovereign’s standard flying proudly from the roof whenever His Majesty is in London,” he told reporters.Neither Charles nor the late Queen Elizabeth had stayed overnight at the palace since 2019. The king will maintain private rooms there that could be used as accommodation.Chalmers said public access to the palace will be increased, without providing details. As many as 7,00,000 people visit the landmark every year.King Charles among Britain’s top 100 taxpayersKing Charles reportedly paid £12.9 million ($17.0 million) in tax in 2024-25, the royal official said. This places him among Britain’s top 100 taxpayers.It is the first time the figure has been made public. The royal family had promised greater transparency about their finances amid growing scrutiny and criticism since the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.By law, the British king is not obliged to pay income, capital gains or inheritance tax, but Charles has voluntarily done so without disclosing the amounts, as his mother did after 1993.King Charles, like all monarchs since 1399, gets a private income from the vast Duchy of Lancaster estate — £25.2 million in 2025-26 — as well as from his other holdings and investments.Chalmers said the king had paid £11.7 million in tax in 2023-24 and more than £30 million in all since becoming king in 2022.He also receives money from the government, known as the Sovereign Grant, based on a percentage of profits from the Crown Estate, a property portfolio whose revenues the monarch surrenders to state coffers in exchange for an annual payment, to pay for staff, royal palaces and travel.The grant, boosted by soaring profits from the sale of offshore windfarm licences, rose from £86 million in 2024-25 to £132 million the following year and will be £137.9 million in 2026-27.But Chalmers said it would be cut for the first time in 2027-28 to £100 million, “in line with His Majesty’s clear wishes,” a level it will remain at until 2031-32.That makes it almost £60 million higher than in 2016, when the funding formula was changed to pay for the Buckingham Palace refit. "This is not a blank cheque," Chalmers said, adding there were safeguards in place to ensure the amount was proportional.(with Reuters inputs)

IAF airlifted SDRF personnel and relief materials to flood-affected Pitapool, overcoming challenging weather. Authorities are continuing air support operations as rescues unfold, while restoration of road connectivity proceeds despite landslide-blocked routes in six districts due to heavy rainfall.Devastation caused by heavy rainfall and flash floods at the NEEPCO colony, in Keyi Panyor on Wednesday. (ANI)The Arunachal Pradesh government on Wednesday activated emergency air support and launched rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Keyi Panyor district after flash floods struck the Poosa area. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is leading the rescue and relief operations and has facilitated the deployment of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and equipment to affected locations.Search and rescue continuesAccording to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Arunachal Pradesh, the state's Department of Civil Aviation was immediately activated after receiving information about flash floods in the Poosa area and was placed on readiness for rescue and relief operations.Acting on a requisition from the Deputy Commissioner of Keyi Panyor district, the Department of Civil Aviation coordinated with the Eastern Air Command (EAC), Shillong, seeking air support for the evacuation and deployment of rescue personnel and materials.The IAF subsequently launched an air support mission to airlift personnel and relief materials of the SDRF from Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) to Pitapool in Keyi Panyor district.The officials said the IAF team, operating under the guidance of Colonel R. Malhotra of the Ministry of Defence and Group Captain Mukesh Chauhan of the Eastern Air Command, successfully reached Hollongi and proceeded to Pitapool despite challenging weather conditions.The SDRF team and essential rescue materials were transported to the affected area to support ongoing relief efforts.Authorities said additional air support operations have been planned to meet further requirements as rescue and relief activities continue in the district.The Department of Civil Aviation and the Department of Disaster Management expressed gratitude to the Indian Air Force, SDRF personnel and APD Hollongi for ensuring the swift deployment of air support during the emergency.Flash flood in Arunachal PradeshTorrential rain-triggered flash floods caused extensive damage to residential quarters and infrastructure around the NEEPCO colony at Poosa. According to initial reports, around 18 houses and residential quarters sustained varying degrees of damage, although detailed assessments are still underway.Five people were initially reported missing in the aftermath of the disaster. Later on Wednesday, the body of one of the missing, Nirmala Gupta (35), a teacher of VKV NEEPCO, was recovered. The remaining missing persons have been identified as Elesh Marak (13), Balari Marak (30), Tao Anjina (46), and Sourav Kumar.Meanwhile, restoration of road connectivity is progressing on multiple fronts. Two excavators have been deployed from the Pitapool side to clear road blockages towards Potin, while trailer trucks have been arranged from Kra Daadi and Kamle districts. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is continuing road clearance operations from the Kimin side, while Highway Department teams are simultaneously working from the Hoj side.Several stretches between Potin, Pitapool and Poosa remain affected by landslides and debris, though partial connectivity has been restored to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles and rescue teams.Six districts affected by floodThe North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has begun releasing water from the reservoir of the Panyor Lower Hydropower Project as a precautionary measure, and power generation at the project has been temporarily suspended, the secretary said.Heavy rainfall also disrupted road connectivity in the district, with three stretches of NH-13 near Potin and Hoj blocked by landslide

Google has invested about $75 million in independent studio A24 through a new partnership aimed at developing AI-powered filmmaking tools, signalling a deeper integration of artificial intelligence into Hollywood production workflows.Google invests $75 million in A24 to develop AI-powered filmmaking tools.Independent film and television studio A24 has entered into a strategic partnership with Google’s AI research division, DeepMind, to develop new artificial intelligence-powered technologies for the filmmaking industry.Google backs A24 with $75 million AI filmmaking partnershipThe agreement, which includes an investment of approximately $75 million from Google, will provide A24 with access to DeepMind’s research capabilities and technical infrastructure while allowing researchers from the AI unit to collaborate directly with the studio on new creative and production workflows.According to reports, the investment is comparable to the amount invested by venture capital firm Thrive Capital during A24’s most recent funding round.Importantly, the deal does not grant Google access to A24’s film and television library or the studio’s proprietary content data, addressing concerns that have emerged across Hollywood regarding the use of copyrighted material to train AI systems.The partnership marks one of the most significant collaborations between a major AI developer and a film studio at a time when the entertainment industry continues to grapple with both the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. While some companies have embraced AI as a creative and operational tool, others have pursued legal action over concerns related to copyright, intellectual property and content ownership.In recent years, several entertainment giants have explored AI-focused initiatives. Hollywood studios have experimented with AI-assisted production tools, while technology firms have sought partnerships that could accelerate the adoption of machine learning across various stages of content creation. At the same time, copyright disputes involving AI-generated content have intensified, reflecting the industry's divided approach to the technology.A24’s collaboration with DeepMind appears to be centred on developing tools that support filmmakers rather than replace creative professionals. According to reports, the studio’s technology division, A24 Labs, is exploring applications such as AI-generated storyboards and other production-planning tools designed to assist directors and creative teams during the filmmaking process.Scott Belsky, an A24 partner who oversees A24 Labs, told The Wall Street Journal that the studio views artificial intelligence differently from many companies promoting the technology. He argued that AI developers have often framed their products as a way to make films faster and cheaper, whereas A24 is more interested in how the technology can enhance creative workflows and help artists visualise ideas during production.The announcement comes amid growing investment in generative AI across the media and entertainment sectors. Studios, streaming platforms and technology companies are increasingly seeking ways to integrate AI into script development, pre-production, visual effects and post-production processes while balancing concerns from creators and labour organisations.As Hollywood continues to define the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, the A24-DeepMind partnership is likely to be closely watched as a test case for how AI can be incorporated into creative industries without compromising artistic control or intellectual property protections.The collaboration is expected to focus initially on research and workflow development, with both companies exploring practical applications that could shape the future of film production.About the AuthorTrisha BhattacharyaTrisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and bey

The support package for the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers is estimated at $230 million, while the Apache helicopter sustainment programme is valued at $198.2 million.Indian Air Force's Apache AH-64 helicopter The United States has formally notified a proposed sale of sustainment support services and related equipment for India's AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, with the combined package valued at an estimated $482.2 million.The notification was issued by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, and was published in the Federal Register on June 17.The move follows a May 18 notification by the US State Department to Congress regarding the potential sale of support services for the two key Indian military platforms.Two major support packagesAccording to the notifications, India has requested long-term sustainment support aimed at maintaining the operational readiness of its Apache helicopter fleet and M777A2 howitzers.The support package for the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers is estimated at $230 million, while the Apache helicopter sustainment programme is valued at $198.2 million.Together with associated equipment and services, the total proposed package is estimated at $482.2 million.Support for M777A2 HowitzersIndia inducted the M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers through the US Foreign Military Sales programme to strengthen its artillery capabilities, particularly in mountainous and high-altitude regions.Under the proposed arrangement, India has sought comprehensive sustainment support for the artillery systems."The following non-major defence equipment items will be included: ancillary items; spares; repair and return; training; technical assistance; field service representative; depot capability; and other related elements of logistics and programme support. The estimated total cost is USD 230 million," the notification stated.The M777 howitzers are a key component of the Indian Army's long-range firepower and are designed for rapid deployment in difficult terrain.Apache helicopter supportIn a separate notification, the US Department of Defense said India has requested extensive support services for its AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.The proposed package includes engineering, logistics and training assistance, along with technical documentation and programme support.According to the notification, India has requested "AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, technical data and publications, personnel training, and other related logistics and programme support."The Apache support package is estimated to cost $198.2 million.The Indian Army operates the AH-64E Apache, widely regarded as one of the world's most advanced combat helicopters, for precision strike, anti-armour and battlefield support missions.Major defence contractors involvedThe principal contractors for the Apache sustainment package will be Boeing and Lockheed Martin.For the M777A2 support programme, the principal contractor will be BAE Systems, based in Cumbria, United Kingdom.Boost to India-US strategic partnershipThe US Department of Defense said the proposed sales are consistent with Washington's broader strategic objectives and will strengthen defence cooperation with India.The proposed sale of assistance for helicopters and howitzers will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship, the department said.The Pentagon described India as a major defence partner and an important contributor to stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.Enhancing India's defence readinessAccording to the US government, the support packages will improve India's ability to meet current and future security challenges.The proposed sales will improve India's capability to meet