Times of India

Gold prices saw an upward trend on Thursday, with the April futures contract climbing Rs 365 to Rs 1,56,126 per 10 grams. This rise was fueled by fresh speculator buying and strong spot demand. Globally, New York gold futures also gained, reflecting a positive market sentiment.

A man identifying as a Karni Sena spokesperson was detained in Kota for allegedly uploading a video threatening to shoot Rahul Gandhi and 25 other Congress MPs. The threats were issued over alleged verbal abuse of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Both BJP and Karni Sena have denied any association with the accused.

Aircraft carriers are powerful mobile airbases crucial for naval strategy, projecting power, and supporting diverse missions. From the technologically advanced USS Gerald R. Ford to the UK's Queen Elizabeth-class and Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov, these vessels showcase global naval capabilities and evolving designs.

A devastating gas explosion ripped through a residential building in Karachi's Soldier Bazaar early this morning, claiming at least 16 lives, including women and children. The blast caused a partial collapse of the ground-plus-two-storey structure, trapping victims under debris. Rescue efforts are underway, with authorities investigating the cause of the tragedy amidst ongoing concerns about building safety in the city.

Chinese manjha, a sharp synthetic kite string, poses a deadly threat during Indian festivals, causing severe injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists and birds. Despite government bans and enforcement drives, its illegal sale persists, turning a cherished tradition into a recurring public safety crisis.

An Indian-origin man, exonerated after 43 years in prison for a murder conviction overturned due to withheld evidence, now faces deportation. Despite his release from state prison, he was immediately taken into federal immigration custody, with bail denied due to a decades-old minor drug felony.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes pressure is affecting India's young opening batter Abhishek Sharma's T20 World Cup form, advising him to build his innings patiently rather than forcing big shots early. He also praised Shivam Dube's explosive batting and highlighted Varun Chakravarthy's crucial role as a key bowler for India.

The US government is reportedly planning to launch a website, freedom.gov, to display content banned by foreign governments, including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda. This initiative, led by Undersecretary Sarah Rogers, could strain relations with European allies and be perceived as an attempt to undermine national laws, despite past US efforts to promote free information access globally.

The T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage is set with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, England, West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa qualifying. India topped Group A, while Australia were eliminated. The teams are split into two Super 8 groups, with fixtures across India and Sri Lanka from February 21 to March 1. The top two teams from each group will reach the semi-finals.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once close allies, are now locked in open rivalry, impacting the Yemen war, cross-border trade, and regional flashpoints. This strategic split challenges core assumptions about Gulf stability and investor confidence. The dispute, fueled by economic competition and differing regional visions, is escalating with potential for proxy conflicts and business friction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the global community at the AI Impact Summit to leverage technological disruption as humanity's greatest opportunity, emphasizing "right action" guided by "right understanding." The summit also saw the country's nameplate displayed as "Bharat," a recurring practice at official global events, sparking renewed discussion.

Grammy-winning artist SZA recently embarked on a personal spiritual journey in India, seeking stillness and balance beyond her demanding global career. Her visit included a silent retreat and participation in Mahashivratri at the Isha Yoga Center, showcasing a deep dive into mindfulness and cultural immersion.

South Africa's specialist consultant Albie Morkel lightened the mood ahead of their UAE clash, joking about his brother Morne's role with India. Albie's focus on yorkers and building confidence has bolstered the Proteas' formidable pace attack, with bowlers like Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen excelling. He credits Stephen Fleming for shaping his player-centric coaching approach.

Tata Consultancy Services has partnered with OpenAI to build AI infrastructure in India, aiming to enhance productivity and innovation. The collaboration will leverage OpenAI's enterprise ChatGPT and Codex tools, with TCS developing AI-ready, green energy-powered data centers. This strategic alliance seeks to position India as a global AI hub and empower its youth for the AI era.

The Kerala High Court has quashed a GST notice demanding Honey Rose's tax records for multiple years in one go, stating separate requests are necessary. Meanwhile, her upcoming film 'Rachel', where she plays a butcher, has been postponed again, with makers citing release landscape concerns for a better audience experience.

The Supreme Court has criticized the Tamil Nadu electricity board's promise of free electricity to all consumers. The apex court expressed concern that such freebies, regardless of financial need, hinder national economic development. It noted that states often offer these schemes, funded by taxpayer money, without proper budgetary justification.