Times of India

India watches Iran's protests with unease, fearing a weakened state would disrupt its strategic environment. Iran serves as India's vital western corridor to Central Asia via Chabahar Port and a crucial counterweight to Pakistan's regional influence. A collapse risks jeopardizing connectivity projects and India's multi-alignment policy.

Despite a lean run in 2025, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav has been backed strongly by Harbhajan Singh, who called him the “No.1 player in T20Is” and tipped him to shine at the World Cup. Harbhajan also expressed confidence in India defending the title, praised Virat Kohli’s impact across formats, and voiced concern over the lack of quality off-spinners in Indian cricket.

The Supreme Court denied bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case, citing a "hierarchy of culpability." While five co-accused were granted bail, the court found Khalid and Imam to be "ideological drivers" central to the alleged conspiracy's planning and preparation, distinguishing their roles from mere facilitators.

Budget 2026 income tax: Will FM Nirmala Sitharaman announce changes in the new income tax regime, which more taxpayers are increasingly adopting to? Times of India surveys tax experts to find out what the top expectations are:

US President Trump advocated for the acquisition of Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance for national security and promoting a new 'Golden Dome' defense initiative. He argued that Nato's involvement is crucial, warning that without US influence, nations like Russia or China could extend their reach.

Meta's new structure reveals tension between Mark Zuckerberg and Alexandr Wang, the $14 billion AI recruit. Wang finds Zuckerberg's micromanagement stifling, while staff question his leadership for Meta's AI ambitions. A recent strategy clash highlighted differing priorities, with Wang pushing for cutting-edge AI over immediate product integration.

The AI hardware market is undergoing a major transformation. Nvidia's dominance with GPUs is being challenged by specialized chips like Google's TPUs and Groq's LPUs. Companies are now opting for a mix of hardware for training and inference. This shift prioritizes efficiency and speed, moving beyond raw power. The demand for specialized processors is rising as AI services expand.

Kevin O'Leary, a prominent Canadian investor, voices a concerning warning about the AI surge in America: it's on a collision course with an energy crisis. He points out that while China's energy infrastructure is evolving rapidly—with an impressive addition of 500 gigawatts—the U.S. has shockingly added 'zero.

Toronto Raptors fans gave a heartfelt standing ovation to former star Kyle Lowry during his return, even as his 76ers team secured a win. LeBron James lauded the touching sportsmanship with a social media post. Lowry, who spent nine years with the Raptors, called the moment a career highlight, cherishing the team's gesture.

Thyroid issues, often overlooked, significantly impact heart health. Both underactive and overactive thyroids can lead to serious cardiac problems, including increased risk of heart disease, irregular heartbeats, and even heart failure. Early detection through simple blood tests and timely treatment can prevent these complications, emphasizing the crucial link between thyroid and heart well-being.

US-bound shipments did fall sharply after Donald Trump raised duties in 2025. But under Xi Jinping's guidance, Chinese exporters responded with speed and ingenuity. Sales surged instead to Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. In many cases, goods were routed through third countries, blunting the effect of US tariffs altogether.

China achieved a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion in 2025, driven by robust exports to global markets that compensated for reduced shipments to the United States. Despite ongoing trade friction, experts predict exports will continue to be a significant growth driver for China's economy in 2026, with the trade surplus expected to remain above $1 trillion.

Ravindra Jadeja is under scrutiny to maintain his position as India's premier ODI spin-bowling all-rounder. Axar Patel is reportedly the preferred choice for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Jadeja is on trial to prove his relevance in the team's future ODI plans. The team management is building a pool of backups for all positions.

Microsoft has stepped up with an ambitious five-step framework aimed at alleviating public unease surrounding AI data centers. The company's commitments include covering electricity expenses in full, ensuring water replenishment, supporting local job creation, honoring property taxes, and facilitating free AI education. These actions are crafted to heal community rifts and safeguard residents against potential spikes in utility bills.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 30 injured on Wednesday after a crane at an under-construction high-speed rail line in Thailand collapsed onto a passenger train, causing its derailment. The accident happened in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 230 km northeast of Bangkok. Rescue operations are ongoing.

Speculation arose after US cricketer Ali Khan's social media post suggested visa denials for Pakistan-origin players ahead of the T20 World Cup. Officials clarified that no visas have been rejected; applications for four US players of Pakistani origin are undergoing standard administrative review, a routine process for such cases.

The Indian rupee opened weaker on Wednesday, continuing its downward trend against the US dollar. This decline is attributed to rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and foreign fund outflows. While global risk aversion and weak domestic markets are pressuring the currency, optimism around a potential India-US trade deal and a possible rate cut may offer support.