Times of India

A consortium including Aditya Birla Group, Times of India, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has acquired Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for $1.78 billion. This landmark deal encompasses both the men's and women's IPL and WPL franchises from United Spirits. Aryaman Vikram Birla will chair the team, with Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman, following the 2026 IPL season.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, defining transgender individuals to exclude those with different sexual orientations or self-perceived identities. The bill aims to protect a specific social and cultural group facing extreme discrimination, with new provisions for authority designation and graded punishments for offenses. Opposition members criticized the bill for limiting self-determination.

The US views India as crucial for a balanced Indo-Pacific, emphasizing deeper defense and strategic ties. A senior official highlighted shared interests in a region free from single-power dominance. Both nations aim to enhance operational interoperability and India's defense capabilities, fostering co-production and a strong domestic industry.

The move follows large-scale buying of Russian crude by Indian refiners, who secured more than 40 million barrels to deal with supply crunch from the Middle East.

Jake Dennis of Andretti has shared a post about his racing experience at the Madrid E-Prix, where he finished sixth. Meanwhile, his fiancee Lexi Grace Boosey has shared pictures from their off-track moments in the city, having accompanied him on the trip. The couple have also constructed a new home in Spain.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly urging US President Trump to escalate military action against Iran, viewing it as a chance to reshape the Middle East. He believes removing Iran's current government is key to addressing the threat to Gulf nations. However, Riyadh officially denies pushing for war, emphasizing a peaceful resolution and self-defense against Iranian attacks.

Ranveer Singh has offered an unconditional apology to the Karnataka High Court regarding his imitation of a ritual from 'Kantara Chapter 1', which had drawn criticism for hurting religious sentiments. The court, however, orally observed the imitation was inappropriate, with a judge emphasizing the responsibility of superstars. The actor had previously apologized on social media for his actions.

From agitprop accusations to civilisational storytelling: why Dhurandhar duology has struck such a nerve...

NASA unveiled ambitious initiatives to accelerate its return to the Moon, aiming for a lunar landing by the end of President Trump's term and establishing a long-term presence. The agency's updated Moon strategy focuses on a phased approach to building a lunar base, incorporating commercial and international partnerships to support frequent crewed missions and sustained human operations.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp suggests that vocational training and neurodivergence are key to navigating AI-driven job market shifts. He argues that traditional skills like low-end coding are becoming less valuable, while unique perspectives and practical expertise are increasingly crucial. Karp advocates for educational reform to better recognize practical skills and unconventional thinking.

War above ground, power below it

In a statement shared on Instagram, Duckett explained his decision.

On March 25, 2026, in New Delhi, sunrise is at 6:21 AM and sunset at 6:34 PM. To embrace auspiciousness and divine energy, wake early for a holy bath and offer water to Lord Surya using a copper vessel. Seek your father's blessings, perform Surya Namaskar, and chant powerful mantras to enhance spiritual power and vitality.

The Supreme Court questioned West Bengal's objection to the ED's plea alleging obstruction by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a raid. Justices emphasized the fundamental rights of individual ED officers, urging the state to focus on their alleged victimhood rather than just the agency.

The Australian-born forward was included after FIFA approved his change of association, allowing him to represent India at the senior level. He had earlier been part of the preparatory camp for the Bangladesh qualifier but could not make the squad due to pending paperwork.