News for 'The Times'

Alphabet Realigns AI Leadership To Accelerate AGI Development

Alphabet Realigns AI Leadership To Accelerate AGI Development

Rediff.com7 days ago

Alphabet has announced a significant leadership reshuffle within its artificial intelligence division, appointing Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis as Chief Scientist to intensify its focus on artificial general intelligence (AGI). Koray Kavukcuoglu will become Senior Vice President of Google DeepMind, overseeing Gemini development and frontier AI research. Additionally, Google veterans Jeff Dean and Sanjay Ghemawat are launching a new public benefit corporation for ML and science discoveries, supported by Google.

Suryakumar Yadav's July Was All About Daddy Duties

Suryakumar Yadav's July Was All About Daddy Duties

Rediff.com7 days ago

Suryakumar Yadav, the former India T20 captain, spent July cherishing his new role as a father to daughter Riddhima and celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary with Devisha Shetty, sharing heartwarming family moments on social media.

Juyal's big appeal after CWG silver: Look beyond cricket

Juyal's big appeal after CWG silver: Look beyond cricket

Rediff.com6 days ago

Shubham Juyal, a silver medallist in para-athletics at the Commonwealth Games, has called for Indians to extend their support to all sports, not just cricket. The Lance Naik in the Indian Army expressed pride in representing Roorkee and shared his aspirations to meet Rishabh Pant and win a medal at the LA 2028 Paralympics, crediting the Indian Army and his family for his success.

Time India Embraces China And US

Time India Embraces China And US

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

India's dual pursuit of a robust strategic partnership with Washington and a pragmatic, tension-management policy with Beijing represents the essence of modern multi-alignment. By embracing economic pragmatism, learning to compartmentalize political differences, and engaging in continuous dialogue, India can secure its borders, grow its economy, and contribute to a stable, multipolar Asian century, points out Ambassador Rajasekhar.

'Just the start': Neeraj Chopra hails Ashish after U20 javelin world silver

'Just the start': Neeraj Chopra hails Ashish after U20 javelin world silver

Rediff.com5 days ago

Ashish Yadav secured a silver medal in the men's javelin throw at the World Athletics U20 Championships, marking India's first medal at the event. His throw of 74.09m placed him second, following South Africa's Jan-Hendrik Heymans who won gold. Yadav is now the second Indian to win silver in this event, after Neeraj Chopra.

Lovlina Borgohain calls for urgent housing for Assam flood victims

Lovlina Borgohain calls for urgent housing for Assam flood victims

Rediff.com5 days ago

Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain visited flood-affected areas in Golaghat, Assam, expressing deep concern over the severe destruction and urging authorities to prioritise providing housing for the displaced families.

Vedanta targets $10 billion Ebitda by FY27, plans to cut debt by over Rs 20,000 crore

Vedanta targets $10 billion Ebitda by FY27, plans to cut debt by over Rs 20,000 crore

Rediff.com3 days ago

Metals and mining conglomerate Vedanta aims to achieve $10 billion in group Ebitda by FY27, a significant increase from $6 billion in FY26, and plans to reduce its overall debt by more than 20,000 crore during the same period, according to CFO Ajay Goel.

Harry Kane Surpasses Gary Lineker To Become England's All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

Harry Kane Surpasses Gary Lineker To Become England's All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Harry Kane has surpassed Gary Lineker's long-standing record to become England's all-time leading goal scorer at World Cups.

Unlocking The Brain's Secret To Learning Plateaus

Unlocking The Brain's Secret To Learning Plateaus

Rediff.com6 days ago

Researchers have identified the extracellular matrix, a scaffold-like structure around brain cells, as a key physical mechanism explaining why individuals experience rapid progress in learning new skills followed by plateaus. This matrix loosens and rebuilds during initial learning, then stabilises as skills are mastered, protecting acquired knowledge.

Ollie Pope opens up on England return, Ashes goal

Ollie Pope opens up on England return, Ashes goal

Rediff.com6 days ago

England batter Ollie Pope, recalled to the Test squad for the Pakistan series after a challenging Ashes tour, describes the call-up as feeling like a 'debut' and is determined to prove himself, particularly with an eye on the next home Ashes series.

No Practice Games! Australia's Bold Plan For India Tests Next Year

No Practice Games! Australia's Bold Plan For India Tests Next Year

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has announced that the team will forgo traditional practice matches before their upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series in India, opting instead for a short preparatory camp in sub-continental conditions. This strategic decision aims to better acclimatise players for the challenging Indian pitches.

Sahith Theegala In Contention For Top-10 At Wyndham Championship

Sahith Theegala In Contention For Top-10 At Wyndham Championship

Rediff.com4 days ago

Indian-origin golfer Sahith Theegala is in contention for a Top-10 finish at the Wyndham Championship, the final regular-season PGA TOUR event. Despite a mixed third round, he remains close to the leaders, aiming for a strong performance to boost his FedExCup Play-offs chances. Beau Hossler and Michael Brennan currently share the lead.

Neeraj Chopra Reflects On Challenging 10-Month Injury Battle

Neeraj Chopra Reflects On Challenging 10-Month Injury Battle

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has opened up about the challenging 10 months he faced battling multiple injuries, including an adductor muscle issue. Despite the setbacks, the two-time Olympic medallist made a strong comeback at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing a silver medal. He expressed gratitude to his support staff for their crucial role in his recovery and return to competition.

Indian Shuttlers Secure Key Seedings At BWF World Championships

Indian Shuttlers Secure Key Seedings At BWF World Championships

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has been seeded ninth in women's singles, while the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received the fifth seeding for the upcoming BWF World Championships. India has seeded entries in four out of five categories, including Lakshya Sen and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto. The draw for the championships, set to be held in New Delhi from August 17-23, will take place on Wednesday.

HC grants bail to Shiv Sena corporator in doctor assault case, externs him

HC grants bail to Shiv Sena corporator in doctor assault case, externs him

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four others accused of assaulting doctors at a municipal hospital in Thane, ordering a fast-tracked, time-bound trial and imposing strict conditions including staying outside Maharashtra until the chargesheet is filed.

Neeraj Chopra Doesn't Deserve Scrutiny After One Silver: Sumariwalla

Neeraj Chopra Doesn't Deserve Scrutiny After One Silver: Sumariwalla

Rediff.com6 days ago

Athletics Federation of India's selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla has dismissed concerns over Neeraj Chopra's recent silver medal, stating that the "country's greatest athlete" should not be scrutinised for an occasional silver after consistently delivering gold for a decade.

Australia whip England, win Women's T20 World Cup title for record-extending 7th time

Australia whip England, win Women's T20 World Cup title for record-extending 7th time

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Australia beat England by seven wickets to win the Women's T20 World Cup for a record-extending seventh time at Lord's on Sunday.

Sharma, Lahiri To Lead Indian Charge At DP World India Championship

Sharma, Lahiri To Lead Indian Charge At DP World India Championship

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri are set to lead the home challenge at the DP World India Championship, scheduled for October 15-18 at the Delhi Golf Club. The tournament will feature a star-studded international field including Major winner Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Ryan Fox, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, and Viktor Hovland. Both Sharma and Lahiri expressed excitement about competing on home soil, highlighting the event's significance for Indian golf.

IPL Teams Pressuring Indian Players To Play Despite Injuries, Claims BCCI Source

IPL Teams Pressuring Indian Players To Play Despite Injuries, Claims BCCI Source

Rediff.com4 days ago

A source at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has expressed significant concerns regarding players competing in the Indian Premier League while injured, attributing this to franchise and financial pressures, which subsequently complicates their rehabilitation and return to international cricket.

RBI extends loan recovery norms implementation to 2027, eases some rules

RBI extends loan recovery norms implementation to 2027, eases some rules

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the implementation date for its revised loan recovery and agent engagement directions to January 1, 2027, from the previously proposed October 1, 2026, following stakeholder feedback.

First Time Germany Knocked Out On Penalties At World Cup

First Time Germany Knocked Out On Penalties At World Cup

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Germany's shootout defeat by Paraguay on Monday was the first time they have lost on penalties at a World Cup.

Archer Jadhav finds Shane Watson's winning formula

Archer Jadhav finds Shane Watson's winning formula

Rediff.com6 days ago

Indian archer Sahil Jadhav, preparing for the Asian Games, has found valuable insights into managing pressure and staying focused from former Australian cricketer Shane Watson's self-help book, 'The Winner's Mindset'.

World Cup 2026 Set to Shatter All-Time Sports Gambling Records

World Cup 2026 Set to Shatter All-Time Sports Gambling Records

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

World Cup 2026 is on track to become the biggest betting event in history, with global wagers expected to exceed $50 billion as sportsbooks report record-breaking activity driven by the expanded tournament format and growing legal gambling markets.

Maharashtra Government Embraces Indigenous AI For Digital Transformation

Maharashtra Government Embraces Indigenous AI For Digital Transformation

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Maharashtra government has approved the deployment of sovereign artificial intelligence solutions from Sarvam AI for its departments, with a two-year outlay of Rs 11.26 crore. This initiative includes the Indus AI workspace for 2,500 users, ensuring government data remains within India, along with citizen outreach agents and speech models for the MahaAI platform.

'BJP Feels They Can Get Away With Anything'

'BJP Feels They Can Get Away With Anything'

Rediff.com7 days ago

'I remember that Indira Gandhi was virtually worshipped as a goddess. The kind of power wielded by Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s was much more than what Modi does today, but in just three years down the line Indira Gandhi faced defeat.' 'So you cannot take people's sentiments for granted. That is a lesson that the BJP should learn.'

Davis Cup: India To Battle South Korea On Hard Courts

Davis Cup: India To Battle South Korea On Hard Courts

Rediff.com5 days ago

India will face South Korea in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 2 on September 18-19 in Seoul. South Korea, ranked 16th, chose hard courts for the tie, a surface they traditionally prefer. India, ranked 19th, secured their spot with a dramatic win over the Netherlands, while Korea upset Argentina. The winner of this tie will advance to the Davis Cup Final 8 in November.

ITR Filed? Here's When You Can Expect Your Income Tax Refund

ITR Filed? Here's When You Can Expect Your Income Tax Refund

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

The income tax department has significantly reduced refund processing times over the past few years. But while some taxpayers receive refunds within days, others may wait several weeks or even longer. Here's why.

World Bank: AI Offers Lifeline For Developing Economies

World Bank: AI Offers Lifeline For Developing Economies

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

The World Bank's "World Development Report 2026" urges developing countries to adopt low-cost AI tools to accelerate progress in healthcare, education, and judicial services. The report highlights AI's potential to boost productivity and improve public services, while noting that jobs in high-income countries are more at risk from automation than those in developing nations.

Wish there were more daughters among medallists: Modi at IIT Delhi convocation

Wish there were more daughters among medallists: Modi at IIT Delhi convocation

Rediff.com5 days ago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi, advocating for increased female participation among medallists and awardees. He also advised graduates against social media distractions, encouraged self-improvement, and inaugurated the Param Pragya AI supercomputing facility.

Centre revives women's quota Bill, reaches out to Congress, DMK

Centre revives women's quota Bill, reaches out to Congress, DMK

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to discuss resolving the persistent deadlock in the Lok Sabha's monsoon session, focusing on the Delimitation Bill and FCRA Bill, though no immediate commitment was secured from the Congress leader.

Our endeavour is to bring inflation in line with target over the medium term

"Our endeavour is to bring inflation in line with target over the medium term"

Rediff.com7 days ago

"Our endeavour is to bring headline inflation in line with the target over the medium term," said RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, addressing concerns about the central bank's policy stance and economic outlook.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Makes History In Indian Box Office

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Makes History In Indian Box Office

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, has shattered box office records in India, achieving the biggest opening day for a non-Indian film.

'They photoshopped my face': Pathan on fake Babar story

'They photoshopped my face': Pathan on fake Babar story

Rediff.com6 days ago

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared his experiences with online trolling and fake news, recounting a specific incident where a photoshopped image led to a false story about him being refused an interview by Pakistani batter Babar Azam. Pathan emphasised his approach of not responding to such fabrications, stating that constant engagement would make life unmanageable.

India's Forex Kitty Swells by $10.5 Billion to $692.87 Billion

India's Forex Kitty Swells by $10.5 Billion to $692.87 Billion

Rediff.com6 days ago

India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant increase of $10.512 billion, reaching $692.866 billion for the week ending July 31, driven by a rise in foreign currency assets and gold reserves.

Priyanka Chopra Joins Russell Crowe in Sci-Fi Thriller Bluefly

Priyanka Chopra Joins Russell Crowe in Sci-Fi Thriller Bluefly

Rediff.com6 days ago

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is poised for another major Hollywood role, joining Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe in the highly anticipated sci-fi action thriller Bluefly.

Diksha Dagar, Aditi Ashok Lead Indian Challenge At London Golf Event

Diksha Dagar, Aditi Ashok Lead Indian Challenge At London Golf Event

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Indian golfers Diksha Dagar, Aditi Ashok, Avani Prashanth, and Pranavi Urs are set to compete in the USD 2 million PIF London Championship on the Ladies European Tour. Diksha seeks her third LET title, while Aditi aims for improved results. The tournament, hosted at Centurion Club, features a strong international field including world No. 6 Charley Hull.

Who's Rahul Gandhi's favourite BJP politician? He reveals

Who's Rahul Gandhi's favourite BJP politician? He reveals

Rediff.com6 days ago

Rahul Gandhi recently connected with Gen Z through an engaging 'Ask Me Anything' session on Instagram, offering candid responses on student protests, his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and even his philosophy on pet ownership.

Jordan FA President alleges FIFA offered help for Infantino endorsement

Jordan FA President alleges FIFA offered help for Infantino endorsement

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

Jordan Football Association President Ali bin Hussein has publicly accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of 'blackmail', alleging that FIFA offered to resolve the kingdom's football problems in exchange for his endorsement, a claim FIFA has been contacted about for comment.

National Handloom Day: 6 Wondrous Indian Handloom Fabrics

National Handloom Day: 6 Wondrous Indian Handloom Fabrics

Rediff.com6 days ago

Our nation's skilled artisans spend days, sometimes weeks and months, weaving everything from gorgeous shawls to fantastic rugs, along with saris, using techniques passed down from father to son over centuries.

India's young guns ready for BWF World Championships

India's young guns ready for BWF World Championships

Rediff.com6 days ago

Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Simran Singhi, and Kavipriya Selvam are set to make their BWF World Championships debut as India hosts the prestigious badminton event after 17 years, offering a significant platform for these rising stars.