Times of India

Billionaire Peter Thiel argues European tech founders are too risk-averse, cashing out early instead of pursuing global scale. He contrasts this with Silicon Valley's embrace of failure, citing Mark Zuckerberg's rejection of a $1 billion Facebook offer. Venture capital data shows the US significantly outpaces Europe in funding and large investment funds, highlighting a persistent gap.

The Beating Retreat ceremony will formally conclude Republic Day celebrations today. This event showcases India's military heritage and the armed forces' dedication. Bands from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will perform at Vijay Chowk. Traffic restrictions are in place in central Delhi to ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly. Commuters are advised to use alternative routes.

Iceland Cricket humorously declined a hypothetical offer to replace Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, citing player commitments like baking and banking. They playfully jabbed at other nations and suggested Uganda might benefit from Pakistan's potential withdrawal. The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to finalize its tournament plans soon.

Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam has publicly expressed readiness for reunification with Edappadi Palaniswami's faction ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls. Despite OPS's overture, EPS has firmly rejected any possibility of his return, citing past expulsion. This move highlights OPS's political isolation and a desperate bid for relevance.

Pakistan's participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 is uncertain. The Pakistan Cricket Board may withdraw in protest of Bangladesh's exclusion. The ICC has warned Pakistan of severe disciplinary actions if they fail to participate. Former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed skepticism about Pakistan's boycott threat. The final decision rests with the Pakistani government.

Once failed in high school chemistry due to a teacher’s judgement, Tomas Lindahl later reshaped the same discipline. Awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering DNA repair research, Lindahl’s journey from classroom setback to scientific distinction highlights how early academic assessments can misjudge potential—and why education must look beyond grades to recognise long-term talent.

Ajit Pawar's tragic death in a charter plane crash highlights critical gaps in India's aviation safety for VVIP travel. The incident exposes how urgency and political influence can strain safety margins in the non-scheduled aviation sector, particularly at smaller airfields. This event demands a reckoning with regulatory oversight and operational discipline.

Sunny Deol's patriotic fervor continues to dominate the box office. 'Border 2' has achieved a massive opening, raking in ₹213 crore in its first week, fueled by strong Republic Day sentiment. While not matching 'Gadar 2's' record-breaking pace, the film's success highlights Deol's enduring appeal, especially in mass centers and single screens.

UGC’s newly notified equity regulations have triggered student protests across multiple states, with demonstrations at Delhi University, Patna and several campuses in Uttar Pradesh calling for a rollback of the framework. As opposition sharpens on the streets, the legal battle has moved to the Supreme Court,while political reactions remain split. Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin backs the rules as overdue, and critics question their design and implementation.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are now instructed to avoid engaging with protesters during crackdowns, following a fatal incident. New guidance mandates targeting only immigrants with criminal records. Commands will be issued via megaphones, detailing each arrest step. President Trump is reportedly focused on de-escalating tensions and has ordered a top border adviser to oversee operations.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup participation hangs in the balance as the team is booked to depart for Colombo Monday, despite ongoing uncertainty. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is expected to make a final decision before the flight, following discussions with the Prime Minister and other stakeholders. Players are urged to remain focused amidst the administrative deliberations.

Billionaire Vinod Khosla fired back at Elon Musk on X, dismissing Musk's defense against racism accusations by citing his partner's Indian heritage. Khosla accused Musk of promoting a racially exclusionary agenda and urged him to focus on the substance of his public commentary rather than invoking family ties.

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis revealed Gemini 3's launch caused OpenAI to declare a 'Code Red,' with ChatGPT losing millions of users. Hassabis credits Google's pre-training team for its competitive edge. Despite significant growth in generative AI market share, he emphasizes the race for AGI is far from over, with focus now on Gemini 4.

The ministry of civil aviation is conducting a swift and transparent investigation into the Learjet 45 aircraft crash that tragically claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Teams from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and Directorate General of Civil Aviation have reached the crash site, and crucial black box data recorders have been recovered.

Nine-year-old Vihaan Malhotra's dream to play with Virat Kohli has materialised as he was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction. The 19-year-old, India's only centurion in the ongoing U-19 World Cup, has transformed into an all-dimensional player, impressing with his batting, bowling, and fielding.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers addressed recent flight disruptions. He stated the airline failed customers for three days but stressed this should not overshadow 20 years of legacy. Operations stabilized within nine days. The DGCA imposed penalties following widespread cancellations and delays affecting over three lakh passengers. IndiGo carried 124 million passengers last year, operating over 2,200 flights daily.

Addressing the media ahead of the Budget Session 2026, PM Modi said India has emerged as a centre of global attention, pointing to the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed at the beginning of the quarter as a marker of future promise. Stressing the significance of the India–EU FTA, PM Modi termed it “Free Trade for Ambitious India, for Aspirational Youth, and for Aatmanirbhar India.”

Thyroid issues disproportionately affect women due to hormonal fluctuations and higher rates of autoimmune conditions. The demands of working life, including long hours and stress, can exacerbate these problems, leading to symptoms often mistaken for burnout. Early detection and management are crucial for working women to maintain their health and careers.