Times of India

A French-owned container ship, the Kribi, crossed the Strait of Hormuz, potentially signaling a shift in Iran's view of France following President Macron's criticism of US policy. Macron rejected military intervention to reopen the strait, advocating for negotiations instead. The vessel's change of destination to "Owner France" may have signaled its nationality to Iranian authorities.

"I don’t know what’s going on in their minds. They look committed to playing the World Cup, but I think that decision lies with them and the selectors, who will have to decide the future. My point is that they are such great players, there has to be clarity," Yuvraj said.

FIDE Master Prasenjit Dutta, a former prodigy from Tripura, runs a chess academy in New Delhi. He mentored Vaibhav Suri, India’s 27th Grandmaster, whose dedication and positional mastery shaped his rise. Today, Suri focuses entirely on supporting young phenom R Praggnanandhaa, applying his deep strategic insight as a coach, analyst, and mentor behind the scenes of elite international chess.

A US-sanctioned tanker carrying Iranian crude oil, initially bound for India, has rerouted to China. Payment issues appear to be the primary driver for this change, as sellers are reportedly tightening credit terms. This development highlights the ongoing challenges in facilitating Iranian oil trade, even with temporary US sanctions waivers.

Oracle has begun its largest-ever round of layoffs, with employees receiving termination emails from "Oracle Leadership" at 6AM saying their roles had been eliminated after "careful consideration of Oracle's current business needs." Around 10,000 employees have reportedly been cut so far, with estimates suggesting the total could reach 30,000. The email gave employees a narrow window to act before systems were deactivated.

West Bengal's upcoming assembly polls see the common phrase 'Mache Bhate Bangali' (Bengali by fish and rice) become a potent political symbol. The TMC is leveraging this cultural identity against the BJP, which it accuses of imposing North Indian vegetarian culture. Fish, deeply ingrained in Bengali life, now represents pride and a defense against perceived cultural invasion.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane defended his strike rate after a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, claiming he has one of the best since 2023. However, data reveals he ranks significantly lower overall, though his powerplay numbers are strong. His strike rate notably dips against spin and in middle overs.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala stated that the party leadership will decide on the chief ministerial face for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with the Nehru family. He expressed confidence in the UDF's victory, highlighting their comprehensive manifesto and criticizing the LDF government's performance over the past decade.

A 35-year-old government employee in Macherla was severely injured after an unidentified man allegedly inserted an iron rod into her private parts. The accused reportedly raped and beat her before fleeing. The victim, found unconscious by her nephew and locals, is undergoing treatment and is out of danger. Police have formed special teams to apprehend the suspect.

Chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi expressed confidence that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir will soon rejoin India, citing the desire of its people and the positive developments in Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation. He highlighted a transformed Kashmir with increased prosperity and tourism, urging continued visits despite past incidents.

The BJP has unveiled its candidate list for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, following internal discussions and cadre concerns. Notably, former state president K Annamalai is absent from this initial selection. Prominent figures like Tamilisai Soundararajan and Vanathi Srinivasan have been fielded from key constituencies, signaling the party's strategic approach for the upcoming polls.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is pushing back on the narrative that AI is driving mass white-collar layoffs, calling it an oversimplification—and in some cases, a CEO's "lazy way out." While companies like Block and Atlassian have framed sweeping cuts as AI-driven restructuring, Benioff argues they're conflating three very different problems. At Salesforce, he's doing the opposite: hiring 20% more salespeople, convinced that human connection is something no AI can replicate.

Yuvraj Singh publicly apologized to cricket legends Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, distancing himself from his father Yograj Singh's controversial remarks. Yuvraj expressed deep respect for both captains, stating his father's comments do not reflect his own views. He emphasised his personal discomfort and desire to mend relationships, highlighting his own cricketing ties with Dhoni.

Yuvraj Singh revealed how captaincy can be unexpected, citing MS Dhoni's 2007 appointment despite senior players and his own vice-captaincy. He related this to modern debates, like Abhishek Sharma not leading his franchise, explaining player disappointment when consistent performers are overlooked. Dhoni's surprise captaincy, however, led to immense success for Indian cricket.

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters has declared all regional ICT companies as legitimate targets, escalating conflict concerns. This follows reports of an Iranian strike damaging Amazon's cloud operations in Bahrain. Earlier, Iran's Revolutionary Guards had threatened US tech giants like Microsoft and Google, accusing them of aiding US strikes and acting as spies.

In just 16 days, 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' has rewritten box office history, amassing a staggering Rs. 939.46 crore India net. The Aditya Dhar directorial, starring Ranveer Singh as the elite spy Hamza, has officially overtaken the lifetime collections of its predecessor in a mere 11 days. Despite the massive IPL 2026 season, the film continues to dominate theaters, crossing a global gross of Rs. 1,492.17 crore and becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time in North America. With powerful performances from Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi, this high-stakes espionage thriller is now rapidly closing in on the historic Rs. 1,000 crore India net milestone.

AIMIM leader Mofakrul Islam was arrested for his alleged role in the Malda violence, where judicial officers were held hostage. The Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal administration's failure to maintain law and order, ordering a central probe by the NIA. The incident has heightened political tensions ahead of the West Bengal elections.

The Centre is urging states to boost communication efforts against LPG supply rumors, as inadequate public outreach fuels panic buying. Only 17 states currently hold press briefings. Authorities are asked to intensify proactive, regular communication via press conferences and social media to reassure citizens about LPG availability and distribution, while also curbing hoarding and black marketing.

Unemployment of adult children linked to rising depression risk among older Indians

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy launched the UDF manifesto in Kochi, declaring an end to Kerala's 'dark era' and the dawn of a 'golden era.' He criticized the Pinarayi Vijayan government, alleging corruption and insecurity of religious assets. The manifesto includes 'Indira's Five Guarantees' and five 'Dream Projects,' promising significant welfare and development initiatives for the state.