Times of India

Shiv Sena (UBT) urges the INDIA bloc to strategize collectively before state elections, highlighting internal confusion within Congress. The party's mouthpiece points to conflicting suggestions for leadership, including Mamata Banerjee and Stalin, questioning the alliance's post-election direction and stressing the need for unified action.

Pakistan's hockey captain, Shakeel Ammad Butt, has fiercely criticised the Pakistan Hockey Federation following a disastrous tour of Australia. Players endured severe accommodation issues, including being forced to wash dishes before matches, and faced significant delays and unconfirmed bookings. Butt stated the team's performance was negatively impacted by these embarrassing circumstances.

Cigarette stocks surged on Dalal Street as manufacturers raised prices to offset increased excise duties. ITC, Godfrey Phillips India, and VST Industries saw significant gains following reports of price hikes aimed at protecting margins. This move comes after the government's notification on a new tobacco taxation framework.

Delhi Police have launched an FIR under the Arms Act after a quick-commerce platform, Blinkit, was found selling illegal knives. Following two local murders, police discovered knives exceeding legal blade length and width being sold online. Raids have since recovered 50 prohibited knives from various locations, with investigations ongoing.

Galgotias University was asked to leave the AI Summit Expo after showcasing a Chinese-made robotic dog as an in-house innovation. The university clarified it did not build the robot but used it to inspire students, sparking a debate on domestic AI development versus global technology adoption.

Indian consumer goods companies are raising prices by up to 5% due to rising input costs and a weakening rupee. This follows a period of holding back on revisions after September's GST cuts, as companies now exercise pricing power. Increased costs for commodities like crude oil derivatives and imported ingredients are impacting profitability across various product categories.

Google AI CEO Demis Hassabis stated that AI systems solving complex Maths Olympiad problems do not prove general intelligence. These systems can still err on basic math and are 'frozen' after training. They struggle with long-term strategies and consistency across tasks. Hassabis emphasized the need for AI that learns continuously and plans for the future.

Actor Rajpal Yadav has been granted temporary release from Tihar Jail in his cheque bounce case. He plans to address the media soon, stating that all legal matters are before the High Court. Yadav, who paid Rs 1.5 crore to suspend his sentence, is currently busy with his niece's wedding. His last film was 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'.

Jammu and Kashmir achieved a historic Ranji Trophy final berth after 67 years, defeating former champions Bengal by six wickets. Pace bowler Auqib Nabi's nine-wicket haul set up a manageable target, which Vanshaj Sharma and Abdul Samad expertly chased down. This remarkable victory marks a significant milestone for J&K cricket.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the AI Impact Summit as a "disorganized PR spectacle," alleging Indian data is being sold while Chinese products are showcased. The Congress party echoed this sentiment, calling the event embarrassing and damaging to India's global image.

The suit was instituted by the wife (Plaintiff), seeking damages on the premise that she was entitled to the affection and companionship of her husband, who had withdrawn such affection on account of intentional conduct of another woman.

Gold price prediction today: Maneesh Sharma, AVP - Commodities & Currencies, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers is of the view that gold prices are likely to resume their upward trend in the long run. He takes a look at the top factors for gold prices in the coming days:

Meerut is set to launch India's fastest metro, boasting a maximum operational speed of 120 kmph. This 21-kilometer corridor will connect Meerut South to Modipuram with 12 stations, cutting travel time significantly. Notably, it will share tracks with semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains, creating an integrated transport model.

A senior US official claims new seismic data suggests China conducted an underground nuclear test in June 2020. Beijing vehemently denies this, calling the accusation baseless and a political ploy. The US official cited data from a Central Asian seismic station, while the CTBTO noted the events were too small to confirm.