Times of India

Indian chess prodigy Nihal Sarin brushed off an online opponent’s rude gesture earlier this year, focusing instead on his game. Since then, he has surged in form, reaching a career-high rating of 2723, winning the Menorca Masters, and beating world champion D Gukesh twice. He will now aim to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2026.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru allrounder Tim David faced a penalty for not promptly returning a ball to the umpire during their IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians. He was fined 25% of his match fee and received a demerit point for repeatedly disobeying instructions. This occurred after a powerful six altered the ball's shape, requiring a replacement.

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr is once again in legal trouble after a company accused him of not paying for private jet services. A complaint filed in Los Angeles County claims that Jet Set Aircraft Inc. is owed more than $105,000. The case is linked to a private charter flight in 2025. The lawsuit also names Mayweather’s company, TBE Aviation, and other individuals who were allegedly involved in arranging the trip.

Anthropic has signed one of the largest compute deals in AI history—committing to multiple gigawatts of TPU capacity from Google and Broadcom, potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The agreement, running through 2031, is a major endorsement of Google's in-house chips over Nvidia's GPUs. As the AI industry shifts from model training to inference, purpose-built chips are getting cheaper and more competitive—and Nvidia is feeling the pressure from every direction.

Dianna Russini faces mounting backlash after old podcast comments about her marriage resurfaced amid viral photos with Mike Vrabel. While both deny any wrongdoing, public reaction has blurred the line between personal humor and professional credibility. The Athletic has defended Russini, but an internal review signals the seriousness of the situation as scrutiny continues to grow.

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel skipped a scheduled media session amid controversy involving Dianna Russini, following photos of them together in Arizona. While both denied any inappropriate relationship, Russini faces an internal review at The Athletic. Fans questioned Vrabel’s absence, calling it evasive, though some believe it was a strategic move to avoid distractions as the team focuses on upcoming draft preparations.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai urged US tech companies to lead global AI development, emphasizing its profound impact and the need for responsible innovation to benefit all Americans. He highlighted AI's transformative applications in medicine, education, and emergency response, while also acknowledging challenges like workforce disruption and the need for retraining and regulation.

Factory workers' demands for a wage hike escalated into violent clashes, exposing deep-rooted anger over pay disparities and poor working conditions. The strike paralyzed traffic, stranding thousands and causing significant damage to public and private property. Security forces were deployed to restore normalcy.

Gulf nations, facing depleted air defence stockpiles due to sustained air bombardment, are urgently seeking alternative weapons suppliers beyond the US. Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar are exploring options from South Korea, Ukraine, and Britain, driven by Iranian retaliatory attacks and US delivery delays. This diversification highlights global arms production strains and a shifting defence landscape.

Aditya Dhar’s espionage masterpiece, 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge', continues its record-shattering journey at the box office. On day 26 (fourth Monday), the Ranveer Singh-starrer has officially amassed over Rs 1,084 crore India net, solidifying its status as the highest-grossing Hindi film in history. Despite the intense IPL 2026 season, the film's strategic family-friendly edits and viral momentum have pushed its worldwide gross past the Rs 1,712 crore mark. Check out the detailed live tracking and daily collection breakdown here.

TCS CEO K Krithivasan dismisses predictions of India's IT sector becoming obsolete by 2030, asserting that AI will amplify the need for IT services. He highlights the industry's resilience due to deep skill sets, not just cost.

Middle East tensions are sending shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices soaring above $100 and Indian equities plummeting. The Strait of Hormuz's vulnerability and trade route disruptions are fueling investor anxiety. Experts advise caution, emphasizing disciplined monthly investments via SIPs rather than market timing, as geopolitical risks overshadow earnings.

Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk warns of deepening divisions due to stalled talks with the Centre, over two months since the last dialogue. He highlights growing disillusionment and the risk of social discord, urging timely action from the Prime Minister and Home Minister. Wangchuk's release had raised hopes for constructive dialogue on demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar voiced his displeasure during a Royal Challengers Bengaluru match. He felt the team excessively used medical time-outs, slowing down play. Gavaskar suggested players should receive treatment off the field. This incident occurred during Mumbai Indians' chase at the Wankhede Stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru ultimately won the match by 18 runs.

Rajasthan Royals face a dugout controversy as team manager Romi Bhinder's mobile phone usage during a match is under BCCI review. The "PMOA Protocol - 2026" reportedly restricts such use. Officials are examining footage before deciding if Bhinder can be in the dugout for their next game, sparking debate on protocol adherence.

Factory workers in Noida's Phase 2 protested violently over low wages, vandalizing vehicles and setting one ablaze. The unrest followed days of demonstrations demanding a salary hike, prompting the district administration to announce new safeguards including compulsory weekly offs, double overtime pay, and a harassment complaints system.

Two supertankers carrying Iranian crude have anchored off India's coasts, signaling a potential return of imports after a seven-year hiatus. This development occurs despite US efforts to restrict Tehran's oil exports, with India seeking to diversify its energy sources amid global supply disruptions. The shipments arrive under a recent US waiver, allowing purchases of cargoes already in transit.

The Indian Rupee has fallen sharply against the US dollar. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are intensifying, causing oil prices to rise above $100 per barrel. Investor sentiment has turned cautious as ceasefire hopes fade. Foreign investors are withdrawing funds from Indian equities amid global uncertainty. Experts advise disciplined monthly investments through SIPs.

TCS confirmed suspending employees accused of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at its Nashik office. Eight women alleged mistreatment, with police forming a Special Investigation Team and arresting seven individuals. The IT giant stated its zero-tolerance policy and commitment to employee safety, while cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

US forces are enforcing a blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, a move experts deem an act of war. This directly impacts China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, and could cripple Iran's economy. While India's direct exposure is minimal, global energy markets face significant disruption.