Times of India

India's dream of homeownership faces a reality check in 2026 as property prices and rents surge. Millions of urban Indians are now weighing the financial implications of buying versus renting. While buying offers long-term security, renting might be the smarter move for many amidst rising costs and shrinking affordable housing supply.

UK house prices saw a 3.8% year-on-year increase in April 2026, reaching an average of £270,000. Residential property transactions surged by 53.2%, indicating market recovery. While the North East led annual growth at 9.9%, London experienced a 2.1% annual decline despite a strong monthly rise.

Kishan reached the milestone on the final ball of the 33rd over. He cut a delivery from Bilal Sami through backward point for a boundary to bring up his second ODI century.

New Delhi Railway Station, established in 1926, has evolved from a colonial transport hub into a global nexus. It significantly shaped Delhi's urban landscape, property markets, and economic growth by fostering neighbourhoods and driving migration. Its multimodal connectivity continues to boost real estate values, making it a vital economic anchor.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut defended his strong remarks against suspected rebel MPs, stating they are common Marathi usage and not abusive in the state's context. He questioned criticism, emphasizing that wrongdoing should be punished and vowed to fight any attempts to weaken the party.

YRF's 'Alpha' trailer has ignited fan frenzy with a fleeting glimpse of light-eyed character, widely believed to be Hrithik Roshan's 'War' spy, Major Kabir Dhaliwal. This brief appearance, despite Alia Bhatt and Sharvari's action, has dominated online discussions, fueling speculation about Kabir's pivotal role in the expanding Spy Universe and bridging upcoming films.

A Hyderabad consumer court ordered summer camp organisers to refund fees with interest and pay compensation. Parents alleged unhygienic conditions, unsafe environments, and broken promises regarding accommodation, food, and medical care. The court found the organisers guilty of unfair trade practices for failing to provide promised facilities, leading to the significant ruling.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has dismissed claims of a major split within his party. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of a history of engineering defections in opposition parties. Yadav stated the Samajwadi Party is prepared for such challenges. These remarks come amid political positioning for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

India's land acquisition law, the 2013 Act, aims to ensure fair acquisition, compensation and transparent resettlement for affected families. It mandates Social Impact Assessments, public hearings, and consultation with local bodies before acquisition. The law details compensation, including market value multipliers and solatium, and outlines rehabilitation schemes for all dependent families, with special protections for tribal communities.

K Annamalai, after leaving the BJP, is set to transform his 'We the Leaders' movement into a political party by July. With 18 lakh members already joined, the organization aims to bring fresh leadership and address state issues like the drug menace. The party plans to introduce term limits for politicians.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government's temporary ban on Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, calling it a diversionary tactic targeting students instead of paper leak networks.

A data leak has exposed members of Dialog, the secretive invitation-only society co-founded by Peter Thiel in 2006. First surfaced by hacktivist maia arson crimew, the 222-name list for its 2026 retreat includes NATO's top Europe commander, US senators, Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, Elon Musk and Stanford president Jonathan Levin. The records reveal off-the-record sessions on WWIII and cult-building, a members' dating app, and leaked political-leaning data.

A 23-year-old NEET aspirant, Ria, allegedly died by suicide at her Dehradun residence due to stress over the medical entrance exam re-examination. A brief suicide note was recovered, expressing love for her parents and frustration over academic struggles. Police are investigating, with family and neighbors reporting no significant behavioral changes.

UFC President Dana White revealed that authorities monitored multiple security threats, including an alleged drone attack plot, before UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. Despite these concerns, the event proceeded safely, with White praising federal agencies for their work. He indicated the historic White House card is unlikely to be repeated due to immense logistical and financial challenges.

India's defence production has surged to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, a significant leap towards self-reliance. Prime Minister Modi highlighted this achievement, showcasing indigenous platforms like Tejas, Akash, Agni-V, and INS Vikrant. This marks a major transformation from import dependence to a capable defence exporter.

Rapar police have arrested an Imam from Ajmer for allegedly facilitating the illegal religious conversion and Nikah of a 17-year-old girl. The girl's family reported her abduction by Jahin Abdul Chauhan, who allegedly assaulted her and forced her into marriage after conversion. Both accused are in police custody.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar suggested dropping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the India A squad as a disciplinary action following an on-field altercation with Sri Lanka A players. Despite provocations, Manjrekar emphasized that physical contact is unacceptable. The 15-year-old's recent form has also been inconsistent, contrasting with his stellar IPL 2026 performance.

Robinhood is cutting 290 full-time roles, representing 10% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring to flatten organizational layers and operate more efficiently. CEO Vlad Tenev stated the move is proactive, driven by ambition to remain lean and hyper-focused, not financial weakness. The company aims to maximize talent density and ensure elite performance.

Team India faces an injury blow as Nitish Kumar Reddy is ruled out of the second ODI against Afghanistan with a sore left thigh, forcing a reshuffle in the bowling attack. Afghanistan also deal with fitness concerns, making multiple changes as both teams aim for consistency and valuable lessons from the opening match.