Mark Zuckerberg predicts billions will use AI agents within 5 years

Spider-Man: Brand New Day finally arrived in theatres on July 31. With the film now out, Tom Holland has opened up about what really went on behind the scenes to get it there. Back in 2019, Sony and Disney hit a major roadblock. Their co-financing deal for the Spider-Man franchise fell apart. For a while, it looked like the character’s future on screen was genuinely uncertain. Holland is said to have stepped in personally during this period. He reportedly reached out to both studios in hopes of smoothing things over. As part of this effort, he asked for Disney CEO Bob Iger’s email address. That contact reportedly made a direct conversation between them possible. Fan outrage played a role too. Combined with Holland’s own efforts, the backlash is believed to have pushed both companies back to the table. Eventually, they worked out a new arrangement. Years later, Holland revisited that chapter during a conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. Horowitz asked him to describe what was going through his mind during that uncertain window in 2019. He noted it came right in the middle of an otherwise strong run for the franchise. Holland responded honestly. He said he felt confused more than anything else. According to him, everything between the two studios had seemed fine up until that point. He pointed to the strong response to the first solo film. He also mentioned the character’s appearance in Civil War, which he felt had gone down well with audiences. He added that he never lost confidence during that time. Holland said he always believed the next film would turn out great, regardless of the studio drama happening behind the scenes. He also clarified that he never felt personally pushed aside by either studio. Instead, Holland compared the situation to a disagreement between parents. He said both studios eventually spoke things through and recognised how well the character could work for each of them. He admitted he still isn’t entirely sure of every detail from that period. Still, he said his confidence in the character never wavered. He also credited collaborators Amy Pascal, Tom Rothman, and Rachel O’Connor for keeping things steady throughout. With the film now finally playing in cinemas, Holland’s comments give fans a candid look back. They show just how close Spider-Man’s future once came to falling apart, and how it eventually came together after all.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor-turned-politician Vijay has voiced strong opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), calling for the examination system to be abolished entirely while expressing support for students protesting in New Delhi. In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, the 52-year-old leader reiterated that his party has consistently opposed NEET and believes the entrance exam has placed an unfair burden on students and their families across the country. Vijay stated that his party’s position on the issue remains firm and uncompromising. According to him, the current examination system has caused significant stress for aspiring medical students, many of whom face intense pressure while preparing for the highly competitive test. He argued that the impact extends beyond students themselves, affecting parents and families who invest considerable time, effort and resources into the preparation process. The actor-turned-politician also rejected what he described as political opportunism surrounding the issue. He said his party would not make unrealistic promises or use the NEET debate merely to gain electoral support, insisting that meaningful and lasting reforms are needed instead of temporary political statements. Vijay further argued that the long-term solution lies in returning education to the State List, allowing individual state governments to exercise greater control over educational policies and admission procedures. He maintained that such a move would enable states to develop systems that better reflect local educational needs and priorities. Acknowledging that constitutional or legal challenges could delay such a change, Vijay proposed an interim alternative. He suggested creating a Special Concurrent List that would provide state governments with expanded authority over education until broader constitutional reforms become possible. Under this proposed arrangement, states would receive greater powers to regulate all aspects of education, including medical education and admissions. Vijay said empowering state governments in this manner would help address concerns surrounding NEET while ensuring that educational policies are better aligned with regional requirements. His remarks come as discussions over the future of NEET continue to generate debate in several parts of India. Supporters of the examination argue that it establishes a uniform standard for admissions to medical colleges across the country. Critics, however, contend that it disadvantages students from different educational backgrounds and places excessive pressure on candidates preparing for a single nationwide examination. The issue has remained particularly sensitive in Tamil Nadu, where opposition to NEET has been a significant political and public concern for several years. Various political parties and student groups in the state have repeatedly called for exemptions or the complete withdrawal of the examination system, arguing that it affects equal access to medical education. By once again reaffirming his opposition to NEET and advocating greater autonomy for state governments in educational matters, Vijay has added his voice to the ongoing national debate over the future of medical admissions and the balance of powers between the Centre and the states.