Times of India

For actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, the days following the May 4 Tamil Nadu assembly election results were less about celebration and more about survival arithmetic. TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, placing Vijay within striking distance of the chief minister’s chair but still 10 short of the majority mark of 118.

Prince Yadav's stunning delivery that bowled Virat Kohli for a duck in IPL 2026 has earned him high praise. Bowling coach Bharat Arun called it a 'dream ball' and lauded the young pacer's significant improvement this season, backing him for future national representation. Arun also expressed confidence in other LSG bowlers like Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan.

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Thol Thirumavalavan's VCK party has pledged unconditional support to Vijay's TVK, aiming to ensure Tamil Nadu's political stability and avert President's rule. This move, made independently while remaining in the DMK alliance, bolsters TVK's numbers to a majority. Vijay is now expected to stake his claim to form the government.

Mike Vrabel remains secure as head coach of the New England Patriots despite growing controversy surrounding his alleged affair with Dianna Russini. NFL insider Albert Breer claimed the organization is focused on protecting Vrabel and the team’s image. However, he warned the situation could change if more allegations or relationships emerge. The controversy has also sparked reports of tension in Vrabel’s marriage with Jen Vrabel.

Pakistan cricketer Irfan Khan Niazi was recently pulled over by traffic police for not wearing a seat belt. The officer, a fan, engaged in a friendly chat about cricket and the PSL before letting him go with a warning. Irfan, a national player, was urged to prioritize safety and encourage others to follow traffic rules.

Coinbase experienced a service disruption due to a room overheating in an AWS datacenter, causing multiple chillers to fail. While most of Coinbase's systems remained redundant, its centralized exchange was affected. CEO Brian Armstrong stated the company will re-evaluate trade-offs to reduce outage duration in the future.

Yuzvendra Chahal faces controversy after a video surfaced allegedly showing him vaping on a team flight. Former spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan criticized the lenient penalties for such violations, especially after a similar incident involving Riyan Parag. The BCCI recently reiterated its strict ban on vapes and e-cigarettes across all IPL venues and facilities.

India has successfully test-fired an Advanced Agni missile featuring a Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) system. This significant development, conducted off the Odisha coast, allows a single missile to strike multiple targets simultaneously, bolstering the nation's strategic defence and indigenous military modernization efforts. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement as a major boost to preparedness.

With TVK possessing the support of 120 MLAs, Vijay is expected to form the govt soon. The governor is likely to invite Vijay to form the govt. The date for the swearing-in ceremony will be announced officially by the governor.

By mid-2026, Russia's Ukraine invasion has transformed into a grinding conflict. Ukraine's successful drone warfare and long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure are reshaping the battlefield. Russia, adapting with infiltration tactics and glide bombs, faces a new, industrialized war of attrition. European aid bolsters Ukraine's defense, while diplomatic progress remains stalled.

During the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh Test match in Dhaka, broadcasters mistakenly displayed India's scorecard instead of Pakistan's Playing XI. This significant error, which occurred after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, quickly went viral online, sparking widespread reactions and memes among fans. The broadcasters have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Jan Suraksha programmes have paid out nearly Rs 25,160 crore in claims over a decade, with millions enrolled in life cover, accident insurance, and pension schemes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the success of PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY in providing affordable social security, especially for vulnerable sections.

Actor Vijay Deverakonda celebrated his 37th birthday with fans outside his home, joined by wife Rashmika Mandanna. The couple's affectionate interaction and cake-cutting with fans garnered significant attention online. Brother Anand Deverakonda also shared heartfelt wedding pictures, highlighting the family's joy. Vijay is currently working on upcoming films, marking a significant phase in his life and career.

India is significantly boosting defence spending and prioritizing domestic production, aiming for self-reliance and export growth. New policies like 'Make in India' and DAP 2020 are reshaping procurement, encouraging local manufacturing and foreign collaboration. Despite global supply chain challenges, indigenous production and exports are rising, signaling a strategic shift towards greater defence capability and autonomy.

A 71-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh has captured national attention by appearing for the NEET UG 2026 medical entrance exam. Ashok Bahar, a former marketing professional with LLB and MBA degrees, is pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. His inspiring journey highlights that age is no limit to achieving one's goals.

Gujarat Titans' Ashok Sharma has become IPL 2026's breakout star, consistently bowling over 150 kph and even recording the tournament's fastest delivery at 154.2 kph. Inspired by legends like Brett Lee and Dale Steyn, the 23-year-old credits coach Ashish Nehra for honing his discipline and match awareness, focusing on Test-match lengths first.

Abhijeet Gupta has alleged that his Rs 5.5 lakh winner’s prize from the Odisha GM Open, held in January 2026 with a Rs 45 lakh prize pool, remains unpaid. The Arjuna Awardee criticised organisers and the All India Chess Federation for a lack of accountability, saying repeated emails went unanswered. Gupta urged authorities to protect the “dignity and trust” of Indian chess players.