Times of India

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth lauded India's military modernization and strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted New Delhi as a critical anchor for regional balance and praised its growing industrial capacity for high-end military operations. The US is pursuing co-production initiatives with India, including for Javelin munitions, to enhance collective readiness.

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu echoed Larry Ellison's view that AI is rapidly commoditizing, with value shifting to applications built around it. Ellison argued that similar public data training makes AI models less of a differentiator, emphasizing exclusive datasets as the future competitive edge. Vembu also recently described the AI boom as a significant investment bubble.

Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak after a Qualifier 2 loss to Gujarat Titans. Despite a brilliant 96 from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the team fell short. Sooryavanshi's stellar season, marked by maturity and exceptional batting against top bowlers, has earned him high praise and suggestions of an imminent India call-up.

The Middle East conflict is impacting Asia Pacific's commercial real estate through rising energy costs and inflation. This is affecting logistics, retail, and office sectors, while investment markets face growing uncertainty due to potential interest rate shifts. Broader macroeconomic channels are expected to shape the region's property outlook.

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University's extended online application window for admissions closes today, May 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Prospective students must apply online, uploading necessary documents and test scores. Admissions are based on national tests and qualifying merit, with registrations needing completion to avoid last-minute issues.

Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized Prime Minister Modi over the NEET UG paper leak, accusing him of personally supervising the exam's integrity. This follows the Centre's assurance to the Supreme Court about the upcoming re-examination. The apex court expressed concern for students, while the NTA detailed extensive security reforms and new safeguards implemented to prevent future irregularities.

Tamil cinema's beloved star Ajith Kumar is grappling with profound personal sorrow following the demise of his mother, Mohini Mani. She passed away in Chennai due to age-related health complications. The actor, reportedly traveling abroad at the time, is now making arrangements to be with his grieving family.

RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar downplayed concerns about the satirical "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP), stating that open debate and differing views are normal in a democratic society. He emphasized India's aware populace, transparent elections, free media, and active public discourse, asserting that institutions and political parties are capable of handling such discussions independently.

President Trump's latest medical report declared him in 'excellent health' and fit to serve, despite advising weight loss and increased physical activity. The report noted his weight has increased, and he takes medication for cholesterol and cardiac prevention. Bruising on his hands was attributed to frequent handshaking while on aspirin.

India is preparing for 'Operation Sindoor 2.0' as Army chief Upendra Dwivedi stated the military posture in response to Pakistan's actions remains in place. The operation, a continuation of last year's retaliatory response to terrorism, involves enhancing synergy among all three services for future warfare. The focus is on cautious deployment and troop protection in border areas.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are on the cusp of defending their IPL title after a dominant IPL 2026 campaign. Under captain Rajat Patidar, RCB finished top of the league and stormed into the final with a crushing win in Qualifier 1. They now face Gujarat Titans, looking like strong favourites to secure back-to-back championships.

LSG had made Rishabh Pant captain after bidding Rs 27 crore for him, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. On the other hand, MI stirred a controversy when they brought Hardik Pandya back to their fold from Gujarat Titans and named him captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, then India’s captain across all three formats.

Deepak Tijori has refuted recent rumors concerning his 'Aashiqui' co-star Rahul Roy's health, stating they are in regular contact and Rahul is "absolutely safe, absolutely fine." Tijori expressed disappointment over the spread of inaccurate celebrity news, a situation he has personally experienced. He emphasized that such reports often lack factual basis and are an unavoidable aspect of their profession.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized what he termed a double standard regarding religious practices, stating that if offering namaz on roads is deemed wrong, then restrictions should apply equally to all faiths, citing Article 25 of the Constitution. He questioned why objections are raised against Muslim prayers but not religious processions of other communities.

Karachi faces a severe water crisis during peak summer, coinciding with Eid-ul-Adha. Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has accused the ruling PPP of gross mismanagement and failure to address the city's chronic water shortages despite 18 years in power. Nearly 70% of the city is reportedly experiencing extended supply disruptions, forcing residents to buy expensive private tankers.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 dream ended in tears despite his stellar 96, as Gujarat Titans advanced to the final. The young Rajasthan Royals star, who amassed 776 runs this season, was visibly heartbroken after his team's elimination. Captain Riyan Parag lauded his exceptional talent and maturity, predicting a bright future for the prodigious cricketer.

Microsoft is reportedly developing a 'super app' to consolidate its confusing array of Copilot AI tools. This unified platform aims to end customer frustration by offering a single destination for various AI assistants, including coding, chat, and collaboration features. The app, expected by summer's end, will allow seamless switching between personal and work accounts, simplifying Microsoft's AI ecosystem.

A 77-year-old retired defence employee and his bedridden wife were found dead in their locked Nagpur home. The husband likely died first after a fall, leaving his wife to succumb days later to dehydration and starvation in the extreme summer heat. Their tragic end highlights a painful and lonely death due to lack of immediate support.