The administration stated on Thursday that the recently introduced labor laws are intended to empower women through improved maternity support, equal pay, and job flexibility.

The introduction of the four combined labor laws earlier this month marked a significant change in the nation’s labor regulation structure.

The 2019 Code on Wages, the 2020 Industrial Relations Code, the 2020 Code on Social Security, and the 2020 Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code are the four labor codes.

In addition to offering women equality, maternity benefits, workplace safety, and representation in decision-making bodies, the Codes modernize labor laws.

In addition to protecting women workers’ rights, the reforms increase opportunities by guaranteeing equal treatment and encouraging their involvement in all fields, including hazardous industries and night shifts.

The government stated in an official statement that “the new labor codes mark a significant step towards creating a more inclusive, safe, and enabling work environment for women, who constitute a vital and growing segment of India’s workforce.”

The main advantages offered to women are found in all four labor regulations.

According to the Industrial Relations Code of 2020, women must be adequately represented on the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) in accordance to their share of the establishment’s employment. It guarantees that female employees have an equal voice in resolving conflicts at work; their viewpoints aid in addressing problems in a more thorough and considerate manner.

Every female employee who has worked for at least 80 days in the 12 months prior to the anticipated birth is entitled to equal pay during the 26-week maternity leave period under the Social Security Code.

Additionally, a woman who adopts a child under three months of age or who is a commissioning mother—a biological mother who employs surrogacy—is entitled to a 12-week maternity benefit starting on the day of adoption or the day the child is turned over.

Notably, the law offers creche facilities, nursing breaks for nursing mothers, and work from home opportunities.

Additionally, the law has made it possible for women to operate in any form of business.

In support of a “higher female participation in the workforce,” the statement stated that “they may also work at night, that is, before 6 a.m. and beyond 7 p.m., with their consent, and the employer is required to make adequate arrangements for their safety, facilities, and transportation.”

Employers are also required by the 2019 Code on Wages to refrain from discriminating on the basis of gender when it comes to hiring, pay, or working conditions.

According to the statement, “collectively, these measures strengthen women’s economic empowerment and contribute to a more resilient and gender-balanced labor ecosystem.“

The Ministry of Science and Technology said on Wednesday that researchers at the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences presented an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that could revolutionize our knowledge of and approach to treating cancer, as well as open the door to customized treatments.

The framework, which was created in partnership with Ashoka University, offers a fresh perspective on cancer by focusing on its molecular personality rather than just its size or spread.

“The hallmarks of cancer are a collection of hidden biological programs that drive cancer, which is more than just a disease of expanding tumors. According to the Ministry, “these characteristics explain how healthy cells become malignant: how they spread, evade the immune system, and resist treatment.”

Although staging systems like TNM, which characterize the size and distribution of tumors, have been used by doctors for decades, they sometimes overlook the underlying molecular story. Why, for instance, can two people with the “same” cancer stage have such disparate results?

According to the Ministry, a new AI framework called OncoMark can read the molecular “mind” of cancer and forecast its behavior.

Under the direction of Drs. Shubhasis Haldar and Debayan Gupta, the SN Bose team analyzed 3.1 million single cells from 14 different cancer types using OncoMark.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has an independent institute called S N Bose.

In order to simulate hallmark-driven tumor states, the study team produced artificial “pseudo-biopsies.”

The AI was able to learn how characteristics like immune evasion, metastasis, and genomic instability interact to promote tumor growth and treatment resistance thanks to this massive dataset.

“OncoMark maintained accuracy above 96% in five separate cohorts and attained above 99% accuracy in internal testing. It demonstrated wide applicability when validated on 20,000 real-world patient samples from eight significant datasets. Scientists were able to see for the first time how signature activity increases as cancer progresses, according to the Ministry.

The new approach identifies the hallmarks that are active in a patient’s tumor and was published in the Nature journal Communications Biology. This can point physicians in the direction of medications that specifically target certain mechanisms.

Additionally, it can promote earlier action by identifying aggressive malignancies that may appear less dangerous under traditional staging, according to the Ministry.

The quiet of incredulity that pervaded Indian cricket at the conclusion of a brutal Test series was more telling than the scoreboard.

In addition to being historic, South Africa’s 2-0 sweep was brutal. With a 408-run thrashing in the second Test, which was India’s biggest loss in the format, the visitors made history. The outcome was particularly devastating for the hosts because it was only the Proteas’ second Test series victory on Indian soil and their first since 2000.

The Guwahati final turned into a demonstration of South Africa’s supremacy. Senuran Muthusamy’s determined 109 and Marco Jansen’s commanding 93 turned what had started out as a cautious innings into a massive one, raising the total to a formidable 489. After that, Jansen shifted roles with ease, destroying India’s batting with a scorching 6-48 as the home team fell to 201.

South Africa maintained the lead, refusing to let go. They reached 260/5 declared thanks to Tristan Stubbs’ confident 94, setting an unachievable goal. Already a hero from Kolkata, Simon Harmer struck the decisive punch on the final day, destroying India’s resistance with a spectacular 6/37.

India’s battle was, at best, intermittent. Although Ravindra Jadeja’s tough 54 offered momentary hope and Sai Sudarshan showed promise, the team’s subsequent collapse revealed a lack of purpose and identity.

The fallout is getting worse outside the barrier. Fans, critics, and former cricket players are all raising concerns about choices, tactics, and leadership. Coach Gautam Gambhir is currently under scrutiny, and BCCI officials are anticipated to ask him and the team management for precise replies.

In the grand scheme of things, the defeat also hurts. India’s WTC 2025–27 campaign has suffered greatly, falling to fifth place with a PCT of 48.15, surpassed even by bitter rivals Pakistan. With 36 points and a dominant 75% PCT, South Africa, on the other hand, rises confidently as they strengthen their hold on the top spot.

“It’s a huge accomplishment, especially since South Africa hasn’t won a Test series in India in 25 years. I’ve been here myself, so I know how difficult it is. It forces you to step outside of your comfort zone. India is a cricket-mad country that tests everything from travel to circumstances for every visiting team, so it’s not just about playing against eleven players. With bowlers who can take 20 wickets in a Test and a batting lineup that consistently scores runs, South Africa has assembled a cohesive team under Temba Bavuma’s direction. Every member of the South African team made a contribution with both bat and ball; none had a bad tour. ” Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn told after the match.

“Yes, this staff has less experience, and as I’ve previously stated, they need to continue learning and are making every effort to change the tide. I believe people will continue to learn about that. I hope they continue to learn because it’s crucial. India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir stated during the news conference following the game.

The story is still unsettling as attention turns to the forthcoming ODI series, which begins on November 30. Critics won’t quickly forget, but fans might forgive. One thing is clear and unwavering for the time being, but the causes of this collapse will become clear over time.

Every choice made going forward could determine the future of Indian cricket, which is at a turning point.

President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the national celebration of Constitution Day, 2025 on Wednesday in Samvidhan Sadan’s Central Hall. The ceremony will include the digital release of the law in nine Indian languages.

Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia, and Assamese are the nine languages in which the Indian Constitution will be published.

The President will lead lawmakers in reaffirming their dedication to democratic traditions and constitutional ideals at the ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishna, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers, and Members of Parliament from both Houses are all expected to attend, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

The Speaker, the Vice-President, and the President will speak to the audience during the program.

The Ministry of Culture has created a Hindi commemorative booklet on calligraphy in the Constitution, which will be released as part of the Constitution Day celebration.

A reading of the Preamble by the President will also be part of the program.

All Union Ministries/Departments, their affiliated and subordinate agencies, State/UT Governments, and local organizations will host various events appropriate for the occasion across the nation.

Online reading of the Preamble on MyGov.in and Constitution75.com, the creation of participation certificates and social media sharing, national online quizzes and blog/essay competitions on “Hamara Samvidhan – Hamara Swabhiman,” conferences, seminars, debates, short films, exhibitions, cultural events, poster/painting and rangoli competitions, and other Constitution-themed activities from Panchayat to Parliament level are all ways that citizens will participate.

Indians from all over the nation and the world will commemorate Constitution Day in 2025 as a national celebration of constitutional ideals.

In order to establish the profession as a viable career path and bolster India’s domestic cyber resilience, the government has announced a historic Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 for students and academics to work on real-world cyber challenges.

The program, which was started as part of MeitY’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project, aims to develop qualified experts, promote cyber security as a viable career path, and stimulate domestic, product-focused solutions.

The necessity of a two-pronged national cyber security strategy—increasing awareness of new threats while bolstering technological capabilities—was emphasized by IT Secretary S. Krishnan. He emphasized that these imperatives are addressed by CSIC 1.0.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of a “whole-of-government” strategy, Krishnan stated that cyber security necessitates a “whole-of-nation” approach.

Recognizing the cooperative presence of MeitY, CERT-In, NSCS, AICTE, C-DAC, DSCI, and academic and industry leaders, he emphasized the significance of fostering successful concepts past the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage and establishing avenues for them to develop into scalable solutions through partnerships with startups and business partners.

The CEO of the Data Security Council of India, Vinayak Godse, gave an interesting overview of the comprehensive problem statements and five-stage structure of CSIC 1.0, which were created after months of rigorous discussion between DSCI, C-DAC, and the ISEA team.

He emphasized that this unique program allows researchers and students to create and cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets from the outset.

According to Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, the ISEA Project’s innovation challenge demonstrates our improved comprehension of fundamental problems and puts us in a position to provide revolutionary solutions.

The ten domain-specific problem statements emphasize areas that need for new and creative thinking and are in line with the country’s cyber security demands.

The Director General of CERT-In, Dr. Sanjay Bahl, emphasized the vital role ISEA plays in promoting innovation that changes the paradigm from reactive defense to proactive security.

He pointed out that the Innovation Challenge establishes a crucial platform that unites R&D, academia, and industry, with academic institutions’ innovations intended to be commercialized as deployable products.

Veteran actor Dharmendra passed away at the aga of 89 today. On December 8, the celebrity would have turned 90.

After demonstrating improvement, the actor, who had previously been hospitalized to the Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai, was released. But while condolences flowed in from all throughout the business, the actor left for paradise.

According to reports, the actor had respiratory issues and was placed on a ventilator. Members of the fraternity paid him their final tributes when word got out in Bollywood circles.

Hema Malini, the late actor’s wife, told the media a few weeks ago that he was fine at a previous medical visit. The actor and his first wife, Prakash Kaur, used to reside in his property in Khandala. The actor moved to the town because the maximum city’s pollution levels were getting worse.

One of Bollywood’s most enduring and cherished stars was Dharmendra. Born in Punjab in 1935, he started his career in the early 1960s after winning a talent hunt. To uncover fresh faces for Hindi cinema, Filmfare magazine and Bimal Roy Productions held a national talent competition in the late 1950s.

Due to his attractive appearance and innate charisma, he entered the competition and was picked as the 1958 winner. His entry into the film industry was made possible by this triumph. One of the biggest stars in Hindi film, Rajesh Khanna, was later found through the same talent search.

Dharmendra became well-known very fast thanks to his endearing appearance, nuanced emotions, and smooth on-screen persona. He was able to succeed in humor, action, and romance due to his adaptability. Among his most famous movies are “Phool Aur Patthar,” which made him a starring man, and “Sholay,” in which he played the endearing, humorous Veeru, a role that became legendary.

Ankhen, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Charas, Dharam Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Ghulami, Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, Elaan-E-Jung, Tahalka, Anpadh, Bandini, Haqeeqat, Anupama, Mamta, Majhli Didi, Satyakam, Naya Zamana, Samadhi, Resham Ki Dori, The Burning Train, Ghazab, Do Dishayen, and Hathyar.

He played supporting parts in a number of popular and well-received movies in the late 1990s, including Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a… Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.

Action-packed dramas like “Yaadon Ki Baaraat” cemented his reputation as the archetypal Bollywood hero, while “Chupke Chupke” showcased his flawless comic timing. Dharmendra’s charisma and humility have made him a beloved character both on and off screen, even outside of his film career.

Regarding his career, Dharmendra last appeared in the 2024 film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Actors Kriti Sanon and Shahid Kapoor starred in the film. The actor will next appear in the film “Ikkis,” which is helmed by renowned director Sriram Raghavan.

Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia appear in the film. The youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, Arun Khetarpal, is the subject of this military drama film.

Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher have significant roles in the movie, which is scheduled for release in December.

Dharmendra received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for a just and equitable future driven by technology that is open-source, global, and human-centric rather than exclusive and focused on finance at the G20 Summit‘s third session in Johannesburg.

Citing widespread involvement in digital payments, space technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), he emphasized India’s open approach to technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a worldwide compact based on the principles of openness, human oversight, safety-by-design, and prevention of misuse, emphasizing that AI must convert into global benefit.

Speaking at the G20 Summit’s third session on “A Fair and a Just Future for All – Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence,” the Prime Minister emphasized that although AI should enhance human capacities, humans should ultimately make the final choice.

Such technology applications, he pointed out, need to be “human-centric” as opposed to “finance-centric,” “global” as opposed to “national,” and built on “open source” as opposed to “exclusive models.”

According to PM Modi, India is now a global leader in space applications, artificial intelligence, and digital payments thanks to the integration of this vision into the country’s technology ecosystem.

The Prime Minister described India’s strategy for AI, emphasizing responsible deployment, equitable access, and population-level skilling.

He pointed out that in order to guarantee that everyone in the nation benefits from AI, accessible high-performance computing capacity is being constructed under the India-AI Mission.

He asked all G20 nations to participate in the AI Impact Summit, which India will organize in February 2026 with the theme “Sarvajanam Hitaya, Sarvajanam Sukhaya” (Welfare for all, Happiness for all).

PM Modi emphasized that we must quickly change our focus from “Jobs of Today” to “Capabilities of Tomorrow” in the era of artificial intelligence.

He suggested that the group create a worldwide framework for talent mobility in the upcoming years, citing the advancements made in this area during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister closed by outlining India’s message and dedication to the welfare of the world. He said, “India stands for sustainable development, trustworthy trade, equitable finance, and progress in which everyone thrives.“

The producers of H Vinoth’s action movie “Jana Nayagan,” which coincidentally will be actor Vijay’s final picture, revealed that the audio for the movie will be released in Malaysia on December 27 of this year.

The eagerly anticipated ceremony, which will officially take place at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Stadium, will mark Vijay’s three-year comeback to Malaysia.

One of the co-producers of “Jana Nayagan,” Jagadish Palanisamy, wrote a heartfelt message on the occasion. He wrote, “From the days I sat starstruck in the crowd at the ‘Nanban’ audio launch, to working on countless audio launches for you, and now building up to your #OneLastDance – ‘Jananayagan’ audio launch… this journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. After three years, the moment we’ve all held so close to our hearts is finally here. For me – and for everyone else – this is more than an audio launch. It’s an emotion. Thank you, anna. Malaysia… see you soon. #JanaNayaganAudioLaunch”

The creators released a masterfully produced video montage to create suspense, and it immediately touched fans’ hearts. From “Khushi” and “Ghilli” to “Sachein,” “Pokiri,” “Vettaikaran,” “Thuppakki,” “Theri,” “Mersal,” “Bigil,” “Master,” and “Leo,” the montage explores some of Vijay’s most memorable on-screen moments.

In the video, Malaysian admirers share intimate tales about how much Vijay means to them, which heightens the mood. “Who won’t like Anna?” one admirer said, remembering how much they had loved him since they were young. He was said to as a lifelong source of inspiration by another. A young woman poignantly disclosed that she has no family and views Vijay as her brother, attributing her ability to get through her most trying times to his comments. Everyone is excited about the audio release, and many have expressed a desire to see him in person and hear him narrate a live “Kutty Story.”

Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, and Gautham Vasudev Menon are among the strong ensemble cast members of H. Vinoth’s “Jana Nayagan.”

Venkat K. Narayana under KVN Productions produced the movie, is scheduled to be released worldwide on January 9, 2026, right before Pongal.

Importantly, “Jana Nayagan” is the last chapter in Thalapathy Vijay’s remarkable film career, hence this audio release is not just a celebration but also a historic occasion for fans all over the world.

Google, a key player in the technology industry, presented a comprehensive safety-first roadmap for India that prioritizes the protection of children, teenagers, and senior citizens.

To make AI safer and more accessible for consumers, the US tech giant introduced text watermarking, on-device real-time anti-scam technologies, and digital literacy initiatives.

According to the company’s statement, Scam Detection, powered by Gemini Nano, will be implemented on Pixel phones to analyze calls in real time and identify possible frauds completely on-device, without recording audio, transcripts, or sharing data with Google.

It further stated that the Scam Detection feature is off by default, only applies to calls from unknown numbers (not saved contacts), beeps to alert participants, and may be disabled by the user.

Additionally, Google said that it is providing the SynthID text watermarking tool as an open-source part of its Responsible GenAI Toolkit and expanding the availability of SynthID Detector. Partners can recognize AI-generated photos and sounds thanks to the watermarking technique.

Additionally, it announced a $2 lakh grant to the CyberPeace Foundation in India to support capacity building and provide AI-driven cyber-defense tools to combat fraud and scams, improve responsible governance in line with the IndiaAI Mission, and create safer digital learning environments for kids and teenagers.

The US corporation said that it would donate $1 million to five of the top think tanks and universities in Asia-Pacific (APAC) to carry out crucial research and promote insightful discussion on the potential and difficulties of AI.

Evan Kotsovinos, Vice President, Privacy, Safety, and Security at Google, stated, “We are building AI systems in India, where the digital economy is booming, to keep user trust intact as India transitions to AI.”

Preeti Lobana, Country Manager at Google India, stated, “We are taking a 360-degree approach to safety, combining on-product and on-Cloud protections, digital literacy to empower users with knowledge and awareness.“

The 7th Meeting of the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on Thursday.

NSA Ajit Doval will host his colleagues from Bangladesh, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, among other member states. Malaysia has been invited as a guest, and the Seychelles will take part as an observer state.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), “the CSC was formed to promote closer cooperation between Member States on vital matters of security and to strengthen partnership for enhancing regional security in the Indian Ocean region.”

According to the ministry, the 7th Meeting of the NSAs will provide an opportunity for participants to review the activities under the various pillars of cooperation, such as Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalization; Combating Transnational Organized Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief; and to discuss the Roadmap and Action Plan for 2026.

According to media sources in Dhaka, earlier on Wednesday, Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Khalilur Rahman, paid a visit to his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, during a lengthy discussion in New Delhi.

The meeting takes place in the midst of Dhaka’s reiterated demand that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina be extradited after Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced her to death earlier this week.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi posted on X: “Today in Delhi, the National Security Advisor of India, Mr. Ajit Doval, and his team met with the Bangladeshi delegation to the Seventh NSA-level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), led by the National Security Advisor, Dr. Khalilur Rahman. They talked about important bilateral problems and the activities of CSC. Rahman asked Doval to come to Bangladesh whenever it would be convenient for him.

The NSAs of CSC met for the sixth time in December 2023 in Mauritius, and in August 2024, member states reconvened in Sri Lanka for the Signing Ceremony for the CSC’s Founding Documents.

Additionally, the CSC nations’ Deputy National Security Advisers (DNSAs) have been holding frequent meetings. In July 2024, DNSAs convened virtually for the last time.

The MEA claims that India has hosted several events in recent years, such as the First CSC Oceanographers and Hydrographers Conference, where member and observer states exchanged best practices and knowledge about oceanography and hydrography and talked about cooperative approaches to address regional ocean-related challenges.

Additionally, India hosted the third edition of the Maritime Law Workshop and the inaugural Coastal Security Conference, which concentrated on the larger role and duties of the Coast Guards of Member and Observer States in guaranteeing security of coastlines and beyond.

India also sponsored a number of training courses on drug law enforcement, organized crime, trafficking prevention, and terrorism investigations.