The Times of India

Uttar Pradesh farmer successfully sold surplus solar power directly to a Delhi shopkeeper via a blockchain-enabled platform. This marked the launch of India's peer-to-peer electricity trading program at the India AI Impact Summit. The transaction involved six units of solar power, earning the farmer Rs 30.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, CRPF established 43 temporary operating bases in Jammu and Kashmir, situated at 6,000 feet and above. These bases, housing 16-25 personnel, are crucial for tracking and eliminating terrorists in higher reaches, utilizing specialized equipment for prolonged operations.

Former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh accused the Badal family of patronizing corruption within the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He alleged land is being sold by unscrupulous elements and urged a Sarbat Khalsa to free the SGPC. Singh also claimed he refused to issue a false statement under pressure.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate regarding a plea by Amit Katyal, an alleged associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Katyal, accused of cheating investors in a housing project and previously arrested in the railways jobs-for-land scam, seeks to transfer his case to the apex court.

Vijay Mallya's solicitors informed the Bombay High Court that he cannot precisely state when he will return to India, citing court orders in England preventing him from leaving or possessing travel documents. The court directed Mallya to file a fresh affidavit detailing these orders, as the Centre argued he has been absconding since 2016.

At least five deaths have been reported among wedding attendees in Bihar's Rohtas district following a 'tilak' ceremony on February 14. A probe has been launched by excise and district officials after speculation arose linking the fatalities to alleged liquor consumption. Four relatives died within three days of the event.

India's naval cadets now have dedicated 'floating classrooms' at sea with the launch of INS Krishna, the first of three indigenous training ships. These vessels offer hands-on experience in navigation and seamanship, serving as the Navy's core sea training infrastructure for three decades. They will also support international defense cooperation and humanitarian missions.

A new report reveals significant hurdles for persons with disabilities in accessing India's justice system. Inaccessible police stations, a lack of trained personnel like sign language interpreters, and inadequate legal aid are major concerns. Many PwDs remain unaware of their rights, facing infrastructural and attitudinal barriers when seeking help from law enforcement.

Piyush Goyal said India is looking to broaden its sourcing of crude oil and coking coal and would welcome supplies of premium-quality coking coal from the United States.

Investment in gold can happen through various avenues: physical pure gold like coins or bars, gold jewellery, or even through digital forms and investment avenues like exchange trade funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and sovereign gold bonds.

India has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian crude oil, with January imports hitting their lowest point since late 2022. This shift sees Middle Eastern suppliers, particularly Saudi Arabia, regaining prominence as India diversifies its energy sources. The move aligns with international pressures and India's commitment to strategic autonomy.

As India's private sector workforce steps into a new era of financial independence, individuals are urged to take charge of their retirement savings. The National Pension System (NPS) stands out as a strategic investment choice, boasting market-driven returns and offering recent updates that enhance user flexibility.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai, marking their first interaction since the BMC elections. The meeting, which covered various issues, follows MNS's support for Shinde's Shiv Sena in Kalyan-Dombivli and Shinde's praise for Thackeray's broader perspective in decision-making.

Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall at the AI Impact Summit after its showcased robot dog was identified as a commercially available Chinese model, sparking controversy. Meanwhile, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi called Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma 'Assam's Jinnah' and downplayed a former state chief's exit.

Piyush Goyal revealed India's ambitious economic diplomacy, emphasising engagement and trust to achieve trade success. He highlighted the nation's goal of becoming a $30-35 trillion economy by 2047, stressing the need for global integration. Goyal noted India's recent success in securing trade agreements from a position of strength, while safeguarding national interests.

Gold prices experienced a significant surge climbing Rs 1,297 to Rs 1,52,715 per 10 grams in futures trade. This rise was fueled by robust spot demand and fresh speculative buying. Globally, gold also saw an upward trend, with silver prices registering even stronger gains. Here are the current gold rates across major Indian cities.

NVIDIA's Shanker Trivedi urged India to boost AI infrastructure investment beyond $1.2 billion, aligning with global standards. He highlighted the Union Budget's 20-year tax holiday for foreign firms as a significant chance to build foundational AI capacity. With 1,800 global corporations operating in India, each requiring local AI factories, increased capital allocation is crucial for developing intelligence-led business processes.

A Rajasthan BJP MLA sparked controversy by comparing the state budget to gendered outcomes, calling the BJP's budget a youth budget that gave birth to a boy and the previous Congress budget an old-age budget that resulted in the irth of a girl. Congress members strongly criticized the remarks as discriminatory and inappropriate, demanding clarification from the ruling party.

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.

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: