Times of India

Candace Owens released the first episode of her series Bride of Charlie, where she accused Erika Kirk of misrepresenting her childhood. Owens claimed Erika was not raised solely by her mother, Lori Frantzve, and said her father and stepfather were present. Owens also said Lori “married four times.” Erika Kirk has not responded.

A man shot dead his estranged wife's partner in Meerut after a long-standing domestic dispute over child custody. The accused later appeared in a social media video admitting to the crime and threatening his wife. He was apprehended by police after a standoff in a sugarcane field.

From the strong powerplay to intent in the middle overs and a blockbuster finish—back-to-back sixes by Hardik Pandya—India checked the boxes they were yearning to in the fixtures preceding Thursday's clash. Restoring the right-left combination at the top of the order worked wonders for the defending champions.

Afghanistan's military has retaliated with strikes against Pakistan following recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil, which Kabul claims killed dozens of civilians. Pakistan stated its operations targeted militant groups responsible for recent attacks within its borders. This escalation highlights deepening tensions between the two neighboring nations.

Cognizant's chief AI officer dismisses fears of AI disrupting IT services, stating enterprises still need significant support for AI deployment and integration. Despite advances in AI tools, businesses require assistance to effectively map and manage these systems, ensuring continued demand for services firms.

A 16-year-old reportedly autistic boy, Pratap Joshi, sells toys outside a mall in Dehradun to support his family, earning ₹500 daily. His situation highlights systemic gaps in support for families facing disability and financial crisis, sparking concern and calls for structured help and fundraising.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon urges businesses and governments to prepare for AI-driven labor disruption, emphasizing proactive planning over reactive measures. The bank is embracing AI, already redeploying employees displaced by its adoption, and Dimon advocates for phased AI integration and retraining incentives to mitigate societal impact.

Auqib Nabi's exceptional bowling performance has propelled Jammu & Kashmir to the brink of a historic Ranji Trophy title. The seamer, who became the competition's leading wicket-taker, emphasized a simple, disciplined approach focusing on line and length. Nabi's success, attributed to strong wrist position for swing and movement, has fulfilled a long-held dream for J&K cricket.

Central to the disputes is India’s production-linked incentive programme, launched by the Modi government in 2020 with the aim of strengthening domestic manufacturing.

India and Israel are set to resume free trade agreement talks in May 2026 in Israel, following initial discussions in New Delhi. The negotiations cover a broad spectrum of trade and investment areas, aiming to unlock significant untapped potential. Despite recent trade dips, both nations are pushing for an ambitious pact to boost economic ties.

A seven-year-old boy in Bihar displayed remarkable bravery, descending into a deep well to rescue a baby goat. Locals lowered him with a rope, and he successfully brought the animal back up. While the act of compassion was cheered, authorities are now investigating the risky rescue, emphasizing the need to protect children.

The death of El Mencho did not end cartel power; it exposed how deeply entrenched it has become. This piece examines the real history behind the Netflix mythology, tracing the rise of Mexican cartels from Colombian cocaine transporters to global criminal empires. It explores how figures such as Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo and El Chapo built the system, how 9/11 reshaped trafficking routes, and how synthetic drugs industrialised the trade. It argues that cartel power persists because it is structural, not personal. El Mencho’s killing marks not a conclusion but a transition, as the system adapts once again, preparing to produce the next successor in an endless cycle.

Sebi has revamped how mutual funds value physical gold and silver, shifting to domestic spot prices from April 2026, replacing the LBMA benchmark. This move aims for greater transparency and alignment with Indian market conditions. Additionally, Sebi introduced a new scheme classification structure and tightened portfolio overlap disclosures to enhance investor protection and uniformity across the mutual fund industry.

China's military purges are creating significant gaps in its command structure. This is impacting the readiness of the People's Liberation Army. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reports these issues. The purges are expected to continue. China's military spending is also rising in the Indo-Pacific region.

World Economic Forum president and CEO Borge Brende has resigned following disclosures of past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende stated his departure was to allow the WEF to continue its work without distractions. An independent review found no additional concerns beyond what was already known.

Gold prices dipped in India's futures market on Thursday, influenced by a slump in spot demand and weak global cues, despite a rise in New York futures. Major Indian cities saw a decline in 24K, 22K, and 18K gold rates compared to the previous day, with Chennai experiencing a slight unchanged rate for 18K gold.