Times of India

The teaser of Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, was unveiled on Wednesday and quickly became a talking point on social media. While many fans praised the action-packed glimpse into YRF's first female-led spy thriller, others accused the makers of borrowing scenes and ideas from international films, including the French classic La Femme Nikita and American Sniper.

In a stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles mayoral race took a new twist as progressive Nithya Raman eclipsed Republican Spencer Pratt during vote tallying. MAGA supporters quickly raised alarm bells, claiming irregularities in the election process, despite experts pointing to California's notoriously sluggish mail-in ballot counting.

BlackRock believes India's equity market is unfairly penalized for its limited direct AI exposure and oil price sensitivity. Despite record foreign outflows and a challenging macro environment, the asset manager remains constructive on India's medium- to long-term prospects, citing strong demographics, infrastructure, and financial sector strength. They see potential for indirect AI-related opportunities and favor sectors like financials.

Delhi sweltered under a scorching 48.2 degrees Celsius 'feels-like' temperature on Wednesday. While an orange alert for rain and thunderstorms has been issued for Thursday, relief might be temporary as humidity persists. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly by Friday, offering a much-needed respite from the intense heat.

A doctor faced harassment, abuse, and threats from two men in Gurgaon's South City-II, with her car also damaged. One accused, identified as Paras Thakaran, has been arrested. The incident reportedly began with a vehicle-related argument. Police are pursuing the second suspect. The doctor's lawyer expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation and bail process.

Artificial intelligence has predicted Spain as the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 14.5% chance. England and France follow closely behind. The AI model analysed team performance, player quality, and betting odds, simulating the tournament 100,000 times to determine probabilities.

US President Donald Trump expressed growing impatience with Iran's slow negotiation pace, warning of consequences after American forces conducted retaliatory air strikes on Iranian air-defense systems. This tit-for-tat escalation, following Iran downing a US helicopter, has jeopardized a prospective deal, with Trump resorting to strong rhetoric against Tehran's military.

A Domino's Pizza delivery worker, identified as Manav, allegedly died by suicide by jumping from the 13th floor of a building in Valsad. Preliminary information indicates severe financial distress and mounting debts may have led to the extreme step. Police are investigating the incident and recording statements from family and acquaintances.

Stokes has been left out of the squad along with fast bowler Gus Atkinson after the pair breached the team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony will feature three major celebrations across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, making it one of the biggest tournament launches in history. Artists including Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Tyla, Michael Bublé, and Nora Fatehi are set to perform. Fans in India can watch the ceremonies live on Unite8 Sports channels and Zee5. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the event “a truly global celebration” uniting music, culture, and football.

A Telangana consumer court has ruled against Flipkart and its associated seller, forcing them to refund a customer a total of Rs 8,398, plus interest, alongside a hefty compensation of Rs 1.51 lakh. The court found them at fault for sending the wrong model of an air purifier, leading to adverse health effects for the customer.

Trinamool Congress has officially denied any merger talks with Congress, dismissing recent speculation as baseless rumors. This comes after meetings between Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi, and Abhishek Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi. Sources confirm discussions focused on opposition unity and strategy against the BJP, not a party merger.

The Rajasthan BSTC Pre D.El.Ed Result 2026 is yet to be declared, with candidates facing access issues on the official website predeledraj2026.com around the scheduled 3 PM release time. The result will be announced by Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar at VMOU, Kota. Once released, candidates can download scorecards using application number and date of birth. Counselling will follow for 25,970 seats across Rajasthan’s D.El.Ed colleges based on entrance exam ranks.

Prime Minister Modi will lead the 11th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, focusing on "Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047." Chief ministers and officials will discuss strategies for foundational human capital, employment, health, and equity.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a modest debut for India A, scoring 14 in their tri-series opener against Sri Lanka A. Despite his early dismissal, India A secured an eight-run victory thanks to a dramatic late collapse by the hosts. Sooryavanshi will look to bounce back in their next match against Afghanistan A.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader Amar Prasad has resigned from the party, following in the footsteps of former state president K Annamalai. Prasad announced his departure on social media, stating his intention to join Annamalai in his future political endeavors. This move signals a significant shift within the state's political landscape.

India's young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has signed a short-term deal with Warwickshire for two County Championship matches, marking his first county stint. The 23-year-old arrives after an impressive Test debut against Afghanistan, where he took seven wickets. Suthar, who has 129 first-class wickets, hopes to aid Warwickshire's title challenge while gaining valuable experience ahead of India's Sri Lanka tour.