DESPOT

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore thanked US President Donald Trump and SpaceX owner Elon Musk for their help in bringing them back from the International Space Station (ISS), where they stayed on for nine months after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned, turning a mission that was supposed to be short into a long one. The two astronauts in an interview to Fox News said space flight is hard, and using new technology to try to further and better themselves is harder. To a question on whether Boeing "screwed this up", Mr Wilmore said he does not want to point fingers at anyone. "... In certain respects, we were stuck. In certain respects, maybe we were stranded. But based on how they were couching this, that we were left and forgotten and all that, we were nowhere near any of that at all. So stuck, okay, we didn't get to come home the way we planned. So in one definition, we're stuck. But in the big scheme of things, we weren't st...

ChatGPT's Ghibli image generator has taken social media by storm, leading to increased user engagement and positivity online. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his delight at the positive response, despite earlier tensions with Elon Musk over OpenAI's direction and ownership restructuring. from Times of India https://ift.tt/HkKLDrX

from Times of India https://ift.tt/x7HylrG

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has lashed out at a user on X, formerly Twitter, for the latter's derogatory act. The user made up a fake quote on India and Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma attributing Parthiv Patel, who is the assistant batting coach of Gujarat Titans. Parthiv spoke to the broadcaster during the GT vs MI, IPL 2025 match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The X user used that image of the former India batter while putting out the fake quote on social media. Parthiv gave a sharp response to it. "Come on guys. I've got some great collabs and content, if you want impressions. Why lie about me?" he replied to the post. Come on guys. I've got some great collabs and content, if you want impressions. Why lie about me? https://t.co/ovXFQZJXVN — parthiv patel (@parthiv9) March 30, 2025 Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took two wickets each as Gujarat Titans thrashed IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians by 36 r...

Brian Foisy from BetMGM suggests that 66-year-old John Tortorella, the oldest active head coach in the NHL, could potentially fit teams like Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, and Buffalo Sabres. Each team offers unique advantages and challenges for Tortorella, who has a history of success in various teams but struggled with the Philadelphia Flyers. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Crmy206

Plastics are known for their durability and strength, making them ideal for everyday use. However, their long-lasting nature becomes a significant environmental issue when they end up in nature. Traditional plastics, made with strong covalent bonds, are difficult to break down and can remain in the environment for decades or even centuries, causing harm to wildlife and humans through microplastics. In an effort to tackle this problem, Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) in Japan, have developed a new type of plastic that maintains its strength during use but dissolves quickly in saltwater. Once dissolved, the plastic breaks down into harmless compounds, reducing the environmental impact. In their new study, Aida and his team focused on solving this problem with supramolecular plastics-polymers with structures held together by reversible interactions. The new plastics were made by combining two ionic monomers that form cross-linked s...

MS Dhoni becomes Chennai Super Kings' highest run-scorer in IPL history with 4699 runs, surpassing Suresh Raina. Despite Dhoni's efforts, CSK could not chase down RCB's 196, managing only 146/8. RCB end their 17-year drought at Chepauk, powered by Rajat Patidar’s 51 and notable contributions from Phil Salt and Virat Kohli. from Times of India https://ift.tt/ZEGwIVq

US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on auto imports, including cars, light trucks, and key auto parts. The tariff, effective April 3, could significantly affect the price of parts in Tesla cars from other countries. Tesla CEO Elon Musk noted that the impact is not trivial. Tariffs on additional goods, including pharmaceuticals, are planned. from Times of India https://ift.tt/kMtXrQW

Skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts are in for a spectacular celestial event as a partial solar eclipse is set to take place on March 29, Saturday. This breathtaking phenomenon will be the first solar eclipse of 2025. Unlike a total eclipse, this one will only partially cover the Sun, creating a stunning crescent-shaped spectacle in the sky. According to NASA, the partial solar eclipse will be visible across various regions, including parts of Europe, Northwestern Africa, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of the northeastern US and eastern Canada.  What is a partial solar eclipse?  A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but not perfectly aligned, causing only a portion of the Sun to be blocked. This creates a stunning crescent-shaped Sun in the sky, making it look like the Sun has grown a pair of devil horns.  Solar Eclipse 2025: Where and when to view? The partial solar eclipse will be visible in the wee hours of March 29, throwi...

A fierce gun battle in a remote forested area of Kathua district has left two terrorists dead and five security personnel injured as the security forces intensified their operation to neutralise an infiltrating group of about five terrorists, officials said on Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether it was the same group that had been evading an earlier cordon in Sanyal forest of Kathua region or another batch of freshly infiltrated terrorists. The encounter triggered intense firing and explosions, the officials said. The gunfight, centred near Jakhole village in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, involved a group of approximately five terrorists and an initial exchange of gunfire resulted in injuries to Special Police Officer Bharat Chalotra, who sustained facial wounds. He was treated at a Kathua hospital before being transferred to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu, where his condition was stated to be stable. The officials said that two terrorists were killed...

An elderly couple from Gujarat, who eloped 64 years ago, have finally tied the knot in their dream wedding. Their inspiring and heartwarming journey, posted by The Culture Gully on Instagram with photos and a video, highlights how they challenged societal expectations, faced family resistance, and ultimately held the wedding they had always dreamed of. Harsh and Mrunu, childhood sweethearts from different religious backgrounds, defied societal norms and family opposition to be together. In an era where love marriages were uncommon, their romance flourished through furtive glances and tender handwritten letters. When Mrunu's family refused to accept their relationship, she made a courageous decision. Leaving behind a note with a friend that read, "I am not coming back," she eloped with Harsh, and the couple began their new life together. Sixty-four years after their elopement, Harsh and Mrunu's children and grandchildren decided to surprise them with the grand weddin...

A 45-year-old US man who vanished after going on a blind date last month has been found dead. According to the New York Post , the body of Marcus Freiberger was found at a rock quarry in Phoenix on Wednesday, March 19 - nearly one month after he went on the date. In a Facebook post, Mr Freiberger's sister, Tina Hall, confirmed the death of her brother. "It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that Marcus is no longer with us," she wrote.  "Losing him feels like losing a part of ourselves and I know this will be just as difficult for you. We thank all of you for the love and support you have given Marcus and our family," she added.  Marcus Freiberger was a yoga teacher in Arizona. His case is considered a death investigation, police said, adding that his cause of death is still pending.  The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner identified Mr Freiberger's body on Monday. Mr Freiberger's friend said that the medical examiner'...

A 30-year-old Indian-origin man was found dead in Princeton, Texas, on Sunday in what local authorities suspect to be a case of suicide but investigations are ongoing. Abhishek Kolli, from Gudivada in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district, had been reported missing a day earlier, prompting a search operation involving law enforcement and community members. His body was discovered the following day, leaving his family and loved ones devastated. Kolli, who had been married for just a year, had previously lived with his wife in Phoenix, Texas, before relocating to Princeton. His twin brother, Aravind Kolli, revealed that Abhishek had been unemployed for the past six months and was struggling with financial difficulties. "His sudden passing is an unbearable loss for us," Aravind shared. "We want to honour his memory with dignity, without the shadow of financial worry hanging over us." To cover funeral expenses and transport his body back to India, Aravind launched ...

The latest episode of Celebrity MasterChef saw an emotional eviction as Usha Nadkarni, known as the Maa of MasterChef, was eliminated. Despite her efforts in cooking a fish dish, the judges found it overcooked. Both Usha and her fellow contestant Faisu, who suggested the mystery box, were deeply emotional. The judges and crew gave her a heartfelt farewell. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Xj2nGQ7

India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world for the last ten years, with the latest data from the International Monetary Fund or IMF showing a staggering 105 per cent growth in the last decade. According to the IMF, India's GDP currently stands at $4.3 trillion. The GDP was $2.1 trillion in 2015, when Narendra Modi's first term as prime minister less than a year in office. Since then, India has more than doubled its economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product or GDP. India is on the cusp of overtaking Japan as the fourth-largest economy in the world. Japan's GDP currently stand at $4.4 trillion and India is poised to go past that mark by the third quarter of 2025. Should the average rate of growth continue the way it is, India will surpass Germany - the 3rd-largest economy globally - by the 2nd quarter of in 2027. Germany's GDP currently stands at $4.9 trillion. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called India's 10-year economic perfo...

Comedian Kunal Kamra condemned the demolition of a studio in Mumbai where supporters of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde barged in and protested against his jokes on Mr Shinde. Mr Kamra in a post on X said an entertainment venue is merely a platform and has no power or control over what he says or does, so attacking a venue is "senseless". "An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served," Mr Kamra said. Referring to what he called "political leaders threatening to teach" him a lesson, Mr Kamra said the right to freedom of speech and expression is "not only to be used to fawn over the po...

Comedian Samay Raina on Monday expressed regret over a series of remarks that were made on his now-deleted web show "India's Got Latent", and promised to be more careful in ensuring that such incidents are not repeated, sources said. In a statement to the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, Mr Raina, who got into trouble over Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia's remarks in February that led to a massive furore, "admitted his mistake" and "apologised for whatever happened during the show".  The comedian also said that "everything happened in a flow during the show and that he did not intend to say what he said", the sources added. He promised to be more careful and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.  Besides, the comedian said the entire controversy surrounding his show has taken a toll on his mental well-being. "He said that his Canada tour did not go well. He apologised and said he knew he was wrong," one of the sources said.  Mr ...

A massive row over history is brewing in Rajasthan after a Samajwadi Party leader made a remark about Rana Sanga, the 16th Century ruler of Mewar, that riled up the leaders in Rajasthan, where Rana Sanga and his grandson Rana Pratap are revered. Samjawadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman alleged that Rana Sanga brought Babur into India to defeat the Lodhi kings, a view that historians say is a misconception.   Starting with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal -- who said the remarks are against the sentiments of the state's people - his remarks have been criticized by many. Protests have been held in Udaipur, the former Kingdom of Sanga and Rana Pratap, where there is still a repository of collective memories. The matter had ripples in the state assembly today and a right-wing Rajput group, Karni Sena, has threatened that they will "chop off the tongue" of the Samajwadi Party leader. His remarks came in the backdrop of the comments by another leader of his party, Abu Azmi, who had praise...

from Times of India https://ift.tt/7lzXjSI

Badaer Khan Suri's father who lives in India told TOI that he and his son visited Gaza only once to ask for Mapheze's hand in the marriage. Mapheze Saleh is Suri's wife, an American citizen of Palestinian descent and her father Ahmed Yousef is a former adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Yousef left politics almost a decade ago. from Times of India https://ift.tt/fyBQhel

Muskaan Rastogi and her friend Sahil Shukla regularly purchased alcohol, ordered a birthday cake and even visited a gurudwara during their 15-day trip to the hills from March 4, hours after they murdered a former Merchant Navy officer and dismembered his body in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut.  According to the cab driver who was hired to take the accused from Meerut to Shimla, Manali and Kasol in Himachal Pradesh, Muskaan and Sahil barely spoke to one another as they left for the trip. "I did not know about the murder. The cab, a Swift Dzire, was booked on the morning of March 4. I reached the given address in the evening to pick up the two people for the 15-day tour. They ate food but barely spoke on the way. The woman would always get down from the car each time her mother called," the driver, Ajab Singh, told NDTV. Mr Singh said that during their stay in Shimla, Muskaan had sent him an audio message, requesting him to buy a birthday cake. "She told me that it was his ...

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 started on Saturday with blockbuster match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders started strong and notched 107 in the first 10 overs. But in the next 10 overs, they checked the run flow and KKR could manage only 174/8 in 20 overs. The match also saw a hilarious moment right at the start as the IPL 2025 broadcasters showed ' Virat Kohli ' bowling the first over, while it was Josh Hazlewood who was in action.  The internet could not stop trolling the mistake.  IPL 2025 SCORECARD GRAPHICS. But why is Kohli shown as a bowler in the graphics? #IPL2025 #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/ExA8MiVGlz — ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) March 22, 2025 #JioHotstar #KKRvsRCB #RCBvsKKR #IPL2025 Looks like broadcasters are obsessed with #ViratKohli . Look at the scorecard, Instead of Hazelwood, kohli showing up as who opened the bowling for RCB. pic.twitter.com/QXp3bEB8pq — S...

from Times of India https://ift.tt/MkBsutp

Singer and composer Amaal Mallik has deleted his recent social media post in which he opened up about his battle with depression and his decision to distance himself from his family. The musician has now shared a statement clarifying his stance and requesting media platforms to be mindful while reporting on the matter. from Times of India https://ift.tt/4EfbU6z

Old cars that do not have certificates to prove they are not polluting the environment will have to stay off the roads in Delhi from April 1. Drivers who bring such cars to fuel stations won't be given fuel, officials said. At present, some fuel stations across the national capital have government authorised testing cabins that issue Pollution Under Control, or PUC, certificates. Car owners must get their vehicles checked once every year to renew their PUC certificates. To make this system foolproof, every fuel station in Delhi will have a new device that can identify vehicles whose PUC certificates have expired. They will deny fuel for any vehicle whose PUC certificate has expired. Delhi has approximately 500 fuel stations, and the new system is being implemented at all of them. When a vehicle that does not comply with emission regulations comes in for refueling, the system will announce it as a defaulter, and the staff at the fuel station will not offer any service. This sy...

Amazon is planning to cut 14,000 managerial positions by early 2025 as part of its efforts to cut costs and improve efficiency, according to a report. The move, which accounts for a 13% reduction in its global management workforce, is expected to help the company save between Rs 210 crore and Rs 360 crore annually. Once implemented, the total number of managers at the e-commerce giant will drop from 1,05,770 to 91,936, Financial Express reported. The decision follows recent job cuts in Amazon's communications and sustainability divisions, reflecting the company's broader restructuring plans. In a bid to streamline operations, Amazon has introduced a “bureaucracy tipline” — a mechanism allowing employees to report inefficiencies within the organisation, the report said. A January 2025 report in Business Insider said the e-commerce major issued new directives for its managerial staff, including: Expanding the number of direct reports per manager Limiting senior-level re...

J&K's National Conference government has announced a magisterial probe into the deaths of two Gujjar brothers found in Kulgam after a month-long disappearance. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stated the government would seek a judicial inquiry as requested by the families of the deceased. from Times of India https://ift.tt/txNVETe

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by US President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to stop hitting each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days and gave a corresponding order to the Russian military, the Kremlin said. The Kremlin said in a statement that the two leaders had a "detailed and frank exchange of views" on Ukraine during a phone call in which Putin had said that a resolution of the conflict must be "comprehensive, sustainable and long-term", taking into account Russia's own security interests and the root causes of the war. The two leaders discussed a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, to which Ukraine agreed last week. The Kremlin said Putin had raised "significant points" about monitoring such a truce and preventing it from being used by Ukraine to mobilise more soldiers and rearm itself. "It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towa...

Tension has gripped Nagpur after a clash between two communities amid an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Several vehicles were set on fire and agitators attacked a police officer, severely injuring him. The clashes broke out in Nagpur 's Mahal area amid rumours that the holy book of the Muslim community was burnt by those protesting against the tomb. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has, meanwhile, asked people not to fall for remours and called for calm. Here are the live updates on Nagpur clash: from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/IkndVgr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was left amused by his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon's hilarious comment on the Champions Trophy 2025 final during their meeting on Monday. During his address, Luxon said that he deliberately avoided to talk about cricket and the Champions Trophy final in order to prevent a "diplomatic incident". India defeated New Zealand in the summit clash to claim the Champions Trophy 2025 title in Dubai. Luxon also mentioned the 3-0 Test series win for New Zealand in India last year that ultimately knocked the Rohit Sharma -led side out of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final race. "I really appreciate that PM Modi didn't bring up New Zealand's Champions Trophy loss to India, and I didn't mention our Test victories in India. Let's keep it that way and avoid a diplomatic incident," Luxon said while PM Modi was seen laughing at the banter. Former New Zealand cricket team batter Ross Taylor was also in attendance a...

Harry Potter cast member Jessie Cave, known for portraying Lavender Brown's character in the critically and commercially acclaimed movie franchise, has announced that she is starting an OnlyFans account. Ms Cave, who featured in three Harry Potter movies, said she was joining the adult platform to pay off debt but added that she would not be doing or promoting anything sexual. “I'm starting an OnlyFans for my hair. It's niche even for me. Join me on this strange new journey,” wrote Ms Cave alongside a video on Instagram. The 37-year-old actress explained that her content will centre around her hair with the subscribers receiving "best quality hair sounds" and "very sensual stuff". “I'm going for a very pure aesthetic. There will be no feet or bums involved,” Ms Cave added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JeSsIe CaVE (@jessiecave) Watch: 'Alien' Encounter At Space Station As New...

Cricketer Matthew Brownlee made history after making his debut for the Falkland Islands against Costa Rica in a T20 International (T20I) match that took place at Guacima on March 10, 2025, as per Wisden. At 62 years old, Brownlee has become the oldest debutant in men's international cricket history, surpassing the previous record held by Osman Goker, who made his first international appearance for Turkey at 59 against Romania in a T20I match in Ilfov County in August 2019. Throughout his career, Brownlee has played in three T20Is, gathering six runs across three innings, which feature two not-out innings. He has bowled only one over and has not yet secured his first international wicket. With his debut on the international platform, Brownlee has become the first and only player to reach the milestone of participating in a gentleman's sport, joined by notable individuals such as England's James Souther, Pakistan's Miran Bakhsh, and India's Rustomji Jamshedj who are...

Kamala Harris has a list of specifications that she wanted her interviewers to ensure during her campaigning and one of those was the height of the chair given to her. "Leg height no less than 15 inches; floor to top of seat height no less than 18.9 inches; arms on chairs may not be very high, arms must fall at a natural height; chairs must be firm," this was the brief from Kamala Harris' team for chairs. from Times of India https://ift.tt/kYImdBU

The arrest of Congress' Assam unit spokesperson, Reetam Singh, over a social media post has teed off a fresh war of words between the grand old party and the ruling BJP.  Reetam Singh was on Saturday arrested for a social media post enquiring about the status of cases registered against three senior BJP leaders, including a former state chief and two serving MLAs. The wife of BJP MLA Manab Deka filed a complaint against the Congress leader for a post on X two days ago. Reetam Singh had made a post on X on March 13 with a news report about three individuals being convicted by a court for a rape case in Dhemaji district in 2021. He was arrested from his home in Guwahati by a team of Lakhimpur district police with assistance from the Guwahati Police. "The arrest of my young colleague Reetam Singh for a perfectly reasonable social media post is worse than atrocious Mr. Chief Minister," Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posted on X and tagge...

Joshua Riibe, a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, is being held in the Dominican Republic under "irregular conditions." Konanki was last seen with Riibe and others at a Punta Cana beach. Riibe provided conflicting statements claiming he lost sight of Konanki in the water. from Times of India https://ift.tt/iDK1dj5

Elon Musk mocked Democratic senators for their identical criticism videos targeting Trump's role in inflation. Additionally, Democrats, led by John Larson, fiercely criticized Musk's Department of Government Efficiency for its actions to cut federal programs, including potential impacts on Social Security. from Times of India https://ift.tt/SOoZgqN

A Shiv Sena leader was chased and shot dead by the three bike-borne men in Punjab's Moga late Thursday night. A chilling CCTV video shows how he tried to evade the shooters just minutes before he was killed. Mangat Rai alias Manga, who was the Moga district president of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, had stepped out of his house on a scooter to buy milk when he was attacked. He dodged several bullets fired at him before ultimately being killed. The first shot was fired around 10 pm, but it missed him and hit an 11-year-old boy who was crossing the area. Manga immediately fled the area on a two-wheeler. In the CCTV footage, the Shiv Sena leader was seen trying to climb a locked gate to elude his attackers. The men, however, find him, and one of them fires at him, but the bullet misses him. He was then fired at by another man. The next frame shows the men appearing to flee the scene when they spot an approaching car. Rai was also seen running away. This time, however, the attackers ...

A video showing SpiceJet cabin crew members dancing to the hit Bollywood song 'Balam Pichkari' on a flight ahead of Holi has gone viral on social media. Shared on the airline's official Instagram handle, the clip shows the cabin crew, dressed in white outfits, dancing in the aisle, while passengers cheer and record the moment. In the caption of the post, the airline clarified that the dance performance was pre-planned and executed on the ground, ensuring full compliance with safety protocols.  "Signature festival, a signature song, and a celebration like no other! Our crew brought Holi to life with an energetic dance, proving that traditions take flight with us! Video was filmed on ground with all safety standards in place," SpiceJet wrote while sharing the video.  Take a look at the post below:  View this post on Instagram A post shared by SpiceJet Airlines (@spicejetairlines) Since being shared, the video has ac...