Times of India

Google quietly withdrew from a Pentagon competition to build voice-controlled autonomous drone swarms—after initially being selected as a successful submission. The $100 million contest, run by Special Operations Command and the Defense Innovation Unit, seeks technology to direct drone swarms in real-time battlefield scenarios. Google cited "resourcing" issues, but the exit is said to be followed by an internal ethics review. OpenAI, Palantir, and xAI remain in the running.

'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge', directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun and Yami Gautam in a cameo, is just Rs. 7.24 crore away from surpassing 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion's nine-year worldwide record of Rs. 1,788.06 crore to become the second highest-grossing Indian film of all time globally after 'Dangal'. On Day 42, the film's worldwide gross stands at Rs. 1,780.82 crore with an India net of Rs. 1,133.05 crore, approximately Rs. 101 crore away from 'Pushpa 2: The Rule's all-time domestic record of Rs. 1,234.1 crore. Released across 10,000 screens on March 19, 2026 with a record Rs. 90 crore opening day, the 229-minute U/A certified espionage thriller has achieved all of this without a single show in China or the six Gulf markets where it remains banned.

In this exclusive interview, Vincent Keymer reflected on his rise from winning the Grenke Open at 13 to claiming the Grenke Freestyle 2026 title in Karlsruhe. Germany’s No. 1 spoke about freestyle chess relying more on intuition, handling the “intimidation factor” of Magnus Carlsen, and balancing school with chess while growing up in a family of musicians. Keymer also praised coach Péter Lékó and discussed the challenges young chess players face in Germany compared to countries like India.

Riddhi Dogra, a recent fan-favorite from 'The 50', shared her surreal experience playing Shah Rukh Khan's mother in 'Jawan'. She revealed her childhood admiration for SRK fueled her decision, despite initial anxieties about portraying an older role. Director Atlee's team struggled to age her, ultimately embracing her youthful appearance as a deliberate narrative choice for the film's flashback sequences.

Shammi Silva resigned as president of Sri Lanka Cricket along with the board’s entire executive committee, the organisation confirmed on Wednesday. Silva had led SLC since 2019, overseeing Asia Cup successes but also disappointing World Cup campaigns and declining rankings for the men’s team. The reason for the mass resignations has not been officially disclosed.

At just fifteen, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is setting the IPL 2026 alight with his breathtaking batting skills, reminiscent of legends like Sachin Tendulkar. His audacious style against elite bowlers, boasting strike rates often soaring past 200, challenges every cricketing norm. In Sooryavanshi’s case, he has aced that test like no other. Almost like using the cheat codes in EA Sports Cricket 07.

Babar Azam's spectacular century propelled Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL final, defeating Islamabad United. His unbeaten 103 powered Zalmi to 221, a total too daunting for United. This remarkable innings marked Babar's fourth PSL century, equalling a record, and his ninth T20 hundred as captain, a new global benchmark.

One of the most noticeable benefits of Ganga Expressway will be the sharp reduction in travel time. The trip between Meerut and Prayagraj, which currently takes around 10 to 12 hours, is likely to be cut to approximately 6 to 7 hours.

The Supreme Court ruled that current laws adequately address hate speech, stating punishment is a legislative matter and no vacuum exists. However, it encouraged the government to assess if new legislation is needed due to changing social dynamics.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is in hot water after visuals of him vaping in the dressing room during an IPL 2026 match went viral. This incident raises serious concerns as vaping is banned in India. It adds to a string of player conduct controversies in the league. The league faces renewed scrutiny over player behavior and rule enforcement.

The recent bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi by a local court has left many in disbelief, especially in light of accusations that she planned her husband’s murder during their honeymoon. The decision, hinged on perceived missteps in the arrest notification, has led to public outcry from the victim's family.

In a remarkable display of unity, independent candidate Apexa Soni secured a win in Godhra's communally sensitive Ward 7, a locality with minimal Hindu voters. Residents, primarily from the Muslim community, rallied behind Soni, who had consistently addressed local civic issues even after a narrow loss in 2021. Her victory highlights people transcending divisions for a dedicated public servant.

A massive fire erupted at Gaur Green Avenue society in Indirapuram on Wednesday morning, gutting an estimated 10 to 12 flats and causing panic among residents. Fire tenders responded swiftly to the blaze, which is suspected to have been triggered by an electrical fault. Dousing operations are underway to prevent further spread.

Having Been Spoon-Fed T20 Belters, They Have Been Unable To Adapt When Needed Most. Should Indian Cricket Be Worried About Success Away From Home?

West Bengal's second phase of Assembly elections commenced amidst reports of violence, voter intimidation, and technical issues. Incidents were reported across Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged bias from observers and TMC party flags being removed, while the BJP reported an assault on a polling agent in Chapra.

At just 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become one of the IPL’s biggest attractions with his fearless batting and powerful strokeplay. Former India pacer Mohit Sharma compared the youngster’s nationwide popularity and “aura” to MS Dhoni, saying he has seen only two players command such admiration. Ex-India cricketer Murali Karthik also hailed Sooryavanshi as a “genuine prodigy”, comparing his rise and fame to that of Sachin Tendulkar.

US Vice President J D Vance is questioning the Pentagon's assessment of the Iran conflict, concerned about undisclosed missile stockpile depletion. He fears this could impact responses to global flashpoints like Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe. Despite official assurances, some believe the situation is being downplayed, potentially affecting future military readiness.