Times of India

YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has publicly acknowledged his mistake of backing the BJP-led NDA government's law to appoint the CEC. Jagan, who was decimated in the 2024 assembly elections, is gearing up to navigate the complicated political landscape as the 2029 elections approach. Speculation abounds regarding a possible alliance with the Congress, creating formidable challenges, especially given the BJP's strong ties with Chandrababu Naidu.

If we look at gold from one Diwali to the next and it has rewarded patient buyers. On the MCX, gold has risen from Rs 50,986 per 10 gm in November 2020 to about Rs 1,45,800 now. That is almost 3 times the price. It has fallen in only one of the seven Diwali-to-Diwali periods (down 6.7% in 2021). The best run was last year, when it jumped 66.5%.

Israelis are casting their votes in a crucial parliamentary election, testing the stability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration. Impressively, voter turnout is the highest recorded at this stage since 1996, showcasing a keen interest among the populace. Gadi Eisenkot, leading the opposition, warns of potential ballot tampering that could affect electoral fairness.

A Kerala consumer commission has taken a firm stand against a Royal Enfield dealer for unfair practices following a delayed motorcycle delivery. After an arduous wait of three months, the buyer received a different colored model, compounded by issues reported upon pickup. The ruling mandated the dealer to compensate the complainant with Rs 25,000 plus legal fees, with a strict 30-day timeline for compliance to avoid accruing additional interest.

In a recent experiment near Martha’s Vineyard, scientists introduced rhodamine dye into the Atlantic Ocean to study its behavior. The dye spread quickly in the surface waters but demonstrated a slower descent into deeper layers. Findings showed a marked difference in mixing rates, emphasizing the complexities of ocean stratification on substance movement. This research is vital for the advancement of nutrient and pollutant transport models.

Instagram is rolling out new testing features to support long-form content creators, introducing 90-minute horizontal videos. Creators can enhance engagement by linking short clips to their full-length productions. The platform is also experimenting with a 'Series' feature for episodic Reels on profiles. Live videos might be incorporated into the Reels tab, broadening content recommendations as Instagram plans to expand these features globally shortly.

Teerath Singh was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Cheete Kalan village while his friend sustained injuries. Both men were returning from paying respects at the gurdwara when the suspected assailants opened fire. Preliminary investigations indicate the murder was connected to an old land dispute rather than political rivalry. Police have identified four suspects and filed an FIR, but no arrests have been made yet.

Seventeen undertrial inmates managed to escape from Thekkampatti sub-jail in Tamil Nadu's Theni district. They faked epileptic seizures to lure prison personnel into opening their cell. Once the guards entered, the inmates attacked them and fled the facility. Four of the escapees have been apprehended while thirteen remain at large despite extensive police efforts. Investigations into the jailbreak and security lapses at the jail are currently ongoing.

In a legal battle, California resident Wei Shi has taken the City of Palos Verdes Estates to court, claiming excessive delays in the approval of his accessory dwelling unit application. Shi asserts that the city violated state law’s requirements for prompt reviews. Thanks to a favorable ruling from an appeals court, his lawsuit is back on track, seeking over $1 million in damages for these holdups.

A US appeals court denied the Trump administration's request to prevent California from counting mail ballots from alleged 'non-citizens'. This ruling is part of the administration's ongoing efforts regarding voter eligibility and non-citizen voting. The Justice Department claimed some individuals on the voter list were charged with illegal voting. Voting rights activists expressed concern over potential misidentification of naturalised citizens as non-citizens.

In a dramatic turn of events during the Women's Under-19 cricket clash, Jharkhand encountered a major setback due to a scoring mishap against Uttarakhand. Allegations have surfaced from the Jharkhand Cricket Association suggesting that a run was erroneously left off, altering their results from a draw to a narrow loss.

Afghan nationals deported from Pakistan have alleged arbitrary arrests, midnight raids and extortion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of governor’s rule and a state of emergency by the Shehbaz Sharif government. Returnees said police were demanding bribes for release. Nearly 27,000 Afghan refugees have returned through Torkham in three months, amid resettlement efforts.

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has been ordered to surrender his passports and is prohibited from leaving the country following his electoral defeat to President Lula. This decision, stemming from a money-laundering investigation, also restricts his communication with an implicated lawyer as political tensions rise in Brazil after the election results.

Pradeep Mundeja conquered the Everest Base Camp trek, soaring to a height of 5,364 meters. His journey spanned about 130 km, navigating extreme cold and altitude challenges. As a hearing-impaired individual, Mundeja independently orchestrated this expedition, receiving vital support from a trekking group. His employer, Punjab National Bank, hailed his monumental achievement on social media, showcasing the significance of determination and community backing.

As he prepares for the Test series versus New Zealand, Devdutt Padikkal reflects on his journey in cricket. He stresses the need for adaptability in adverse weather conditions and the value of video analysis in refining his technique. Discussions with seasoned players have played a crucial role in his development. Despite facing health challenges, he is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities that lie ahead.

New Zealand's critically endangered southern dotterel population has risen by 52 percent following focused predator control efforts. Intensive campaigns targeting feral cats on Stewart Island have yielded immediate gains in breeding. The population grew from 105 birds in early 2025 to an estimated 160 in April 2026. Wildlife officials stress that ongoing management of feral cats is crucial for the bird's long-term survival.

Dustin Moskovitz co-founded Facebook and later started Asana, where he served as CEO for over a decade. Despite his achievements, he admitted that managing teams was not his true calling. Moskovitz faced increasing challenges during his tenure due to external social and political upheaval. Many corporate leaders, like Moskovitz, find themselves in management roles without formal training or desire. This phenomenon of the 'accidental manager' has become common in workplaces.