Times of India

We live in the era of viral animals, from Larry the Cat, the permanent fixture at 10 Downing Street, to Moo Deng, the cute pygmy hippo in Thailand, and Punch, the lonely monkey whose inability to make friends made the world go aww. Donald Trump the buffalo might be the latest addition to this pantheon. But long before the algorithm turned animals into celebrities, humans were already turning them into gods, omens, sacrifices, scapegoats and pardoned prisoners.

Tyler’s feat was the culmination of a two-year pursuit repeatedly interrupted by setbacks. Thursday’s ascent was Andrews’ fifth serious attempt at the record across two Everest seasons and his second within days.

World number one Jannik Sinner dramatically crashed out of the French Open after a stunning physical collapse in the Paris heat. Leading by two sets, Sinner faltered under 32-degree temperatures, losing 18 consecutive points and ultimately the match to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. This shocking exit ends his 30-match winning streak and opens up the men's draw.

Google's CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledges a current lag in AI coding agents. He states competitors like Anthropic lead in complex developer tasks. Pichai expresses strong confidence that internal data and new model iterations will rapidly bridge this gap. Google is actively working to regain its position at the forefront of this crucial technology.

India's Chandrayaan-2 has detected strong evidence of ice buried deep within permanently shadowed craters at the Moon's south pole. This groundbreaking discovery, made using radar data, could be crucial for future human missions, offering a vital local resource for drinking water and rocket fuel. The findings highlight the south pole's significance in the ongoing space race.

CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) controversy has exposed growing distrust within India’s examination system, with teachers alleging they were effectively “gagged” through a March 16 advisory warning against sharing evaluation-related experiences online. Evaluators claim they faced blurry scans, missing supplementary pages, server failures and marking difficulties during Class 12 assessments but feared disciplinary action if they raised concerns publicly. The controversy has now deepened further amid allegations that schools and educators were later informally encouraged to publicly defend the OSM system as criticism intensified nationwide.

Former judge Giribala Singh was arrested by the CBI in Bhopal following a seven-hour interrogation regarding Twisha Sharma's death and dowry harassment allegations. Her anticipatory bail was quashed by the Madhya Pradesh high court a day prior. The Supreme Court has also instructed both families to avoid media interviews for a fair investigation.

Veteran cricketer Siddhesh Lad expresses concern over the current state of Indian cricket selection. He states that consistent performance in the Indian Premier League, not the Ranji Trophy, is now the benchmark for national team selection. Lad feels this devalues domestic cricket and discourages promising young players from focusing on longer formats.

Nomination assumes greater importance in the context of gratuity, given that it is a long-term benefit and often represents a significant financial entitlement.

Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at just 15, is being hailed as IPL's greatest signing. He smashed a 97 off 29 balls in an Eliminator, pushing RR to Qualifier 2. The teenager now holds the record for most sixes in an IPL season with 65 and is the first to score 600 runs before turning 16.

Jofra Archer's fiery spell dismantled Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, propelling Rajasthan Royals towards the final. Archer, pleased with the team's bowling effort, highlighted the importance of powerplay wickets. A remarkable 97 off 29 balls by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set a formidable target, showcasing RR's strong form as they prepare to face Gujarat Titans.

Missing home loan EMIs triggers a legal process, potentially leading to property auction. After 90 days of non-payment, your loan becomes an NPA. Lenders then issue a 60-day demand notice under SARFAESI Act. Failure to pay allows banks to take possession and auction the property, but borrowers can settle dues anytime before sale completion.

A young Indian student, Vidhi, living in Canada for higher studies and aiming for permanent residency, was found murdered in the Niagara region. She was reportedly killed in a knife attack, with her family in Gujarat informed nearly 12 days later. Canadian authorities have launched a murder investigation.

Mantra chanting transcends mere repetition, with distinct methods profoundly altering the experience and mental impact. From loud Vaikhari Japa for atmosphere to inward-focused Upanshu and mental Manasik Japa, each form offers unique benefits. Likhit Japa grounds restless minds, while Sankirtan fosters collective energy. Advanced Ajapa Japa sees the mantra flow effortlessly, signifying a deep spiritual connection.

After two decades in a Saudi prison, Feroke native Abdul Rahim returned home on Eid Al Adha, a moment of immense joy for his family and the Malayali community. A massive crowdfunding effort raised Rs 47 crore, including Rs 34 crore in blood money, to secure his release from a death sentence and subsequent 20-year imprisonment.

After conquering French talent Valentin Royer in a challenging four-set encounter, Novak Djokovic voiced his discontent with the Ville de Paris crowd, who booed him during the match. He revealed a desire to steer clear of facing any more French competitors after also besting one in the first round at Roland Garros.