The Times of India

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.

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.

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.

Asian markets saw a slight uptick as investors assessed US-Iran nuclear talks and Japan's substantial investment pledges to Washington. Tokyo led the gains, buoyed by confirmed funding for infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, energy prices stabilized after earlier fluctuations, and global leaders convened in New Delhi to discuss AI governance amidst growing societal and environmental concerns.

Planning a bank visit? Be aware that Indian banks observe both national and state holidays, leading to varied closures. Today, February 18, Sikkim banks are closed for Losar. Maharashtra observes Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti on February 19, while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh celebrate State Day on February 20. Remember, second and fourth Saturdays also mean no branch operations.

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmarks opened flat in trade on Wednesday. While the 50-share index Nifty was near 25,700, the 30-share BSE Sensex was down marginally.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged Hindu families to have at least three children, citing concerns over a declining population. He emphasized uniting and empowering the Hindu community, advocating for the detection and deportation of infiltrators. Bhagwat also stressed the importance of social harmony, addressing caste divisions, and uplifting the disadvantaged, asserting India's potential to guide the world.

President Trump announced a MASSIVE Trade Deal with Japan, unveiling $36 billion in Japanese investment for US projects. These initiatives, focusing on energy, power generation, and advanced manufacturing, are the first under Japan's $550 billion commitment. The deal includes slashing US tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%.

Stock market recommendations: Mehul Kothari, DVP - Technical Research, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers recommends buying Bharti Airtel, Finolex Industries, and Coal India as the top stock picks for February 18, 2026. The expert shares a detailed outlook on each stock along with target prices:

Social media giant X argued in Delhi High Court against broad court orders to block content, asserting that satire, fair comment, and public speech deserve protection. The platform opposed Baba Ramdev's lawsuit, which alleges AI-generated content misappropriated his image, stating that such restrictions could stifle freedom of expression and lead to internet sanitization.

Gujarat's voter count has dropped by 13.4% to 4.4 crore after a special revision removed 77 lakh names and added 9.5 lakh new electors. This significant decline follows two rounds of scrutiny, with over 40 lakh voters identified as permanently shifted and 18 lakh deceased.

Gold imports saw a volume dip of 18.3% despite a 25% price rise, leading to cautious buyer behavior. Conversely, silver imports surged 56% in volume, more than doubling in value to $7.8 billion, driven by industrial demand alongside its price increase.

The RBI is proposing a significant overhaul to liberalize access to currency markets, offering increased opportunities for hedging foreign exchange risk and extending trading hours. The draft framework broadens derivative offerings and allows transactions across various global platforms, aiming to integrate Indian participants more firmly into international liquidity pools.

Maruti Suzuki enters the EV market with the e-Vitara, starting at Rs 10.99 lakh, featuring a unique Battery-as-a-Service model for lower upfront costs. The company aims to address customer concerns about range, charging, and service, positioning itself to disrupt the competitive Indian EV landscape.

Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani states AI is transforming businesses fundamentally. He emphasizes that companies must adapt their operations and employee roles for an AI-driven future. This shift involves moving beyond simple automation to integrating human judgment with machine intelligence. Nilekani points out that legacy systems pose a significant hurdle to this widespread organizational change.

Domestic help apps are booming in Indian metros, offering convenience for tasks beyond routine chores. Platforms like Snabbit and Urban Company's InstaHelp are seeing exponential growth, driven by repeat customers needing reliable backup for absent help or extra assistance. While user retention is strong, profitability remains a challenge due to onboarding investments.

RBI has overhauled external commercial borrowing rules, broadening access for entities like statutory bodies and LLPs. Overseas funding is now explicitly permitted for construction, township development, and industrial parks, fostering structured development and manufacturing-linked infrastructure. Selective agri activities also gain access to foreign capital.

Adani Group plans a massive $100 billion investment by 2035 to establish renewable energy-powered, AI-ready data centers across India. This initiative aims to foster a $250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem, building on existing partnerships and expanding renewable energy capacity to support India's ambition as an AI hub.

India's Supreme Court expressed alarm as lawyers increasingly use AI to draft petitions, leading to citations of non-existent judgments. This hallucination by AI tools is complicating judicial work, forcing judges to verify every quoted paragraph. High courts have also penalized parties for submitting AI-generated arguments with fake case law, highlighting the urgent need for verification.

Tina Ambani, wife of Anil Ambani, missed her second Enforcement Directorate summons regarding a money laundering probe. Her husband, Anil Ambani, is also under investigation for a Rs 40,000 crore laundering case. The ED is seeking international cooperation to trace alleged illicit funds, having already conducted numerous searches and attached significant assets.

A Railway Protection Force constable is under investigation. He was seen in a video kneeling on a youth's neck at Tiruvottiyur railway station. The youth was reportedly travelling without a ticket and was drunk. The incident drew widespread condemnation online. Officials have ordered an internal inquiry into the constable's actions. Departmental action will follow the inquiry report.

Black boxes from the crashed Learjet at Baramati airport sustained significant fire damage, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau reported. While the flight data recorder was successfully downloaded, specialized help is needed for the cockpit voice recorder. This raises questions about the extent of damage, with experts and politicians calling the CVR's condition mysterious and serious, hinting at potential foul play.

India and France are deepening their strategic ties with a new helicopter assembly line in Karnataka and a potential multi-billion dollar Rafale jet deal. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the nations' shared trust and commitment to manufacturing and exporting advanced technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the bravery of Indian soldiers in World War I and the daring escape of Veer Savarkar from Marseille during a joint press meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi highlighted the port city's connection to these historical figures, noting his own homage to Savarkar during a previous visit.

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a boyfriend in a mutual suicide pact case, stating the surviving partner must be punished for abetment. The court ruled that the survivor's participation directly facilitated the deceased's suicide, establishing his culpability. The convicted individual has been ordered to surrender within four weeks.

The BJP has criticized Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for opposing the Great Nicobar island infrastructure project, accusing them of attempting to derail it. The party highlighted the National Green Tribunal's approval as a victory against their disruptive efforts. The project aims to establish a major transshipment hub, countering reliance on foreign ports and China's expansionist designs.

Maharashtra ATS has busted a radicalisation network operating under a soccer club's guise, raiding 21 locations. A Nagpur grocer allegedly used a Yavatmal club to indoctrinate youth into 'jihadi' ideology, with suspects maintaining cross-border terror links. The operation uncovered a well-funded network grooming vulnerable youths through targeted meetings and workshops.

France has invited India to the 2026 G7 Summit, emphasizing active participation in discussions on global macroeconomic imbalances and international partnerships. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific order and the urgent need for UN Security Council reform, with France supporting India's permanent membership.

India has urged France to increase the 'Make-in-India' component to 50% for the upcoming 114 Rafale fighter jet deal, including engine manufacturing and overhauling. This comes as both nations renewed their defense cooperation agreement for another decade, also agreeing to manufacture Hammer missiles in India.

A young Army aspirant traveling for her NCC exam has accused a TTE of attempted rape in a First AC coach of the Ahmedabad-Gorakhpur Express. The incident occurred on Sunday. The TTE allegedly offered her a berth after she boarded without a ticket, then threatened her.

Two Pakistani nationals escaped a juvenile home in Jammu and were arrested 400km away in Ambala Cantonment railway station. They had broken out with a local gangster who injured two police officers. The Pakistani duo planned to flee the country via Nepal. The injured policemen are hospitalized. A fresh FIR has been registered against the trio.