Times of India

Gabriel Bonfim believes a win over former champion Belal Muhammad can establish him as a legitimate UFC welterweight contender. Riding a four-fight winning streak and coming off a statement knockout of Randy Brown, the Brazilian enters his second consecutive main event with growing confidence. Yet Muhammad's relentless pressure, wrestling and ability to thrive in long fights present a different challenge. For the former champion, it is a chance to halt a slide. For Bonfim, it is an opportunity to move closer to the title picture.

A recent surge in gold import duty has fueled a wave of smuggling, with illicit gold now available at discounts of up to Rs 10 lakh per kilogram. This creates a significant price disparity with legally imported bullion, mirroring trends seen after a similar duty hike in 2013. Industry experts warn of escalating unofficial imports.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a unique political formation born from an internet sensation, has appointed Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya, and Ashutosh Ranka as its official spokespersons. This move signals the party's ambition to reshape India's political discourse with a new generation of leaders.

In response to escalating regional tensions, IndiGo Airlines has suspended all its services to and from Kuwait, following a drone strike impacting the airport's passenger terminal. This closure of Kuwait's airspace has led to considerable disruptions for travelers.

​In a significant political message, the letter submitted to the assembly speaker referred to Mamata Banerjee as the party's chairperson, suggesting that the rebel camp is positioning its challenge against the current leadership of the legislature party rather than against the TMC chief herself. Sources aligned with the dissident group told news agency PTI that the legislators have also rejected any role for Abhishek Banerjee in determining the affairs of the legislature party.

SoftBank has surpassed Toyota as Japan's most valuable company, driven by massive investments in AI, particularly in OpenAI. Founder Masayoshi Son's pledge of €75 billion for European AI data centers fueled a significant stock surge. This shift highlights investor confidence moving from traditional manufacturing towards the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector.

Andhra Pradesh's new cash incentives for more children signal a policy U-turn, aiming to counter falling fertility and an ageing population. However, critics argue this approach ignores the high costs of raising children, gender inequality, and the need for robust social support systems, potentially reinforcing patriarchal norms rather than addressing demographic concerns effectively.

FWICE has withdrawn its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh with immediate effect, following intervention by IMPPA, Producers Guild, and CINTAA. The rollback came after Ranveer served a legal notice to the body. The controversy stemmed from his exit from Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 over creative differences and production delays.

A devastating fire at a Malviya Nagar restaurant claimed 21 lives, with many victims being foreigners. Rescue efforts saw dozens saved, but the blaze intensified rapidly. Locals bravely attempted to help those trapped, using mattresses for escape. Authorities are investigating the cause of the tragic incident.

Indian applicants for the EB-2 visa category will face a temporary halt as the US has exhausted its FY2026 quota. Embassies can no longer issue these visas until October 1, 2026, when the new fiscal year begins and limits reset. This impacts those seeking permanent residency through advanced degrees or exceptional abilities.

The Union government is engaging with the US concerning a Section 301 investigation into forced labor and industrial capacity. The US Trade Representative has identified India among countries with inadequate measures against goods made with forced labor, proposing potential tariffs. This occurs amidst ongoing bilateral trade deal discussions.

Textured surfaces are revolutionizing modern luxury homes, adding depth, warmth, and character. These tactile finishes, from lime-plastered walls to fluted concrete facades, interact with light to create a richer, more layered appearance. This trend extends to floors, walls, ceilings, and décor, emphasizing craftsmanship and natural materials for a timeless, grounding feel.

Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, living in London since 2010, denies being a fugitive, stating no pending legal cases against him. He revisited allegations of threats from Dawood Ibrahim and associates after refusing to tolerate fixing during his IPL tenure, claiming his son was kidnapped and his life was targeted.

India's IT giants Infosys, TCS, and Wipro have collectively deployed over 300,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses, marking a rapid enterprise AI rollout. These companies are integrating AI into core workflows, moving beyond tool deployment to an AI-driven operating model. This significant adoption signals India's leadership in scaling agentic AI across Asia and globally.

On May 9, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote to the assembly speaker proposing senior party leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay's name as the leader of opposition. TMC MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, however, complained to the speaker alleging that "no resolution was adopted regarding the selection of the leader of opposition on May 6."

The US Trade Representative has proposed additional tariffs on goods from 54 economies, including India, over concerns about forced labor in supply chains. This move, stemming from a Section 301 investigation, could impact India's exports, particularly those relying on Chinese inputs, despite existing domestic prohibitions on forced labor.