Times of India

In a monumental leap for space exploration, NASA's Artemis II mission is set to reignite humanity's lunar legacy, sending a crew of four astronauts on a groundbreaking 10-day odyssey to the Moon.

French president Macron criticized Donald Trump's inconsistent Iran policy, deeming military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz unrealistic. Macron emphasized the need for de-escalation and renewed negotiations. Trump's shifting stances on allies, escalation, and war objectives have drawn international and domestic criticism, with many nations hesitant to join US efforts.

World No. 2 American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura criticised FIDE’s anti-cheating measures at the 2026 Candidates in Cyprus, calling them “complete nonsense.” He joked, “Are we like Mossad agents inside Iran or something?” Nakamura hasn’t raised concerns with FIDE, saying the fears are overblown. After four rounds, he has 1.5 points, sharing results with Anish Giri, Andrey Esipenko, and Wei Yi.

IPL founder Lalit Modi criticized franchise owners for public displays of anger after losses, contrasting them with football league professionalism. He questioned their focus on hype over long-term vision, infrastructure, and fan experience, urging a more patient and professional approach to enhance the league's value.

French President Macron has sharply criticised Donald Trump's remarks about his marriage, deeming them "neither elegant nor up to standard." Trump's comments, made during a speech and a video, also targeted Nato allies. French political figures across the spectrum have condemned Trump's personal attacks, emphasizing the gravity of global issues.

The Trinamool Congress has sharpened its attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of his visit to West Bengal, recommending local non-vegetarian delicacies. This move aligns with the TMC's campaign, which portrays the BJP as out of touch with Bengal's cultural traditions, particularly regarding food habits.

Oracle has begun its largest-ever layoffs, impacting thousands globally without prior notice. Employees received termination emails early Tuesday, with immediate system access revocation. The company's aggressive AI data center expansion is cited as a key driver for these cuts, which could affect up to 30,000 staff. Severance packages require signing documents first.

The Aam Aadmi Party has replaced Raghav Chadha as its Rajya Sabha deputy leader with Ashok Mittal, signaling a strategic shift in parliamentary roles. Chadha, previously a prominent voice, will no longer be part of the party's official speaking lineup, despite his recent engagement on public interest issues and a growing social media presence.

Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has taken Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to court, seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the 2026 Indian Premier League. Thushara argues that SLC's refusal, citing fitness standards, is unreasonable as his contract ended and he informed them of his departure from international cricket.

'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' has made box office history, officially crossing the massive Rs. 900 crore India net milestone in just 14 days. The Aditya Dhar directorial, starring Ranveer Singh as the lethal spy Hamza, has collected a staggering Rs 922.26 crore domestic net so far. Despite the ongoing IPL 2026 season, the film continues to draw huge crowds, even outperforming the lifetime collections of the first 'Dhurandhar' in just 11 days. With a global haul of Rs' 1,466 crore, this action epic featuring Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal is now rapidly chasing the elite Rs' 1,000 crore India club.

The Aam Aadmi Party has requested the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to remove Raghav Chadha as Deputy Leader of the party in the Upper House. The party also wants him excluded from speaking time allocated to AAP, proposing Ashok Mittal for the Deputy Leader role. This move indicates a significant internal leadership adjustment in Parliament, though official reasons remain undisclosed.

The highly anticipated trailer for 'Rama,' a cinematic retelling of the 'Ramayana,' has officially debuted online, showcasing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. This visual spectacle, unveiled on Hanuman Jayanti, offers glimpses of Rama's life, from his exile to his reign as a crowned king. The film, a two-part epic, also features Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.

Nashik police arrested self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat in March 2026 on charges of repeated sexual assault, exploitation, and financial wrongdoing. A cascade of FIRs followed, with over 100 calls reporting various offenses, revealing a widespread alleged exploitation racket. The investigation expanded to include financial crimes and a political storm erupted, leading to resignations and calls for accountability.

Nasa's Orion spacecraft has successfully separated from its rocket during the Artemis II mission. Astronauts are now conducting proximity operations tests. This historic journey marks humanity's return to lunar space after over 50 years. The mission, lasting about 10 days, will see the crew fly around the Moon and capture images of its surface.

Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Thursday, mirroring a global downturn. Investor sentiment soured after US President Trump's strong remarks on hitting Iran, escalating geopolitical tensions. This reversed Wednesday's significant gains, where both Sensex and Nifty surged, adding substantial wealth to investors amid hopes of a West Asia conflict resolution.

A mother, an occult practitioner, and another man have been arrested in Hazaribag for allegedly strangling a teenage girl during a sacrificial ritual. The mother reportedly believed the ritual was necessary to cure her son's ailments. The girl was killed on March 24 and her body was buried in a garden.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reassured white-collar workers concerned about AI-driven layoffs, stating jobs are defined by purpose, not tools. He highlighted radiology as an example where AI expanded the profession by enabling faster diagnoses and increased patient care, urging workers to embrace AI to thrive.