NEW DELHI: Congress leader and party’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi is likely to contest the upcoming Assam assembly election from Jorhat constituency, news agency ANI reported, citing party sources.This comes as the grand-old-party finalised candidates for as many as 40 seats during the Central Election Committee meeting held on Friday. “Congress will release its first list of candidates after the election announcement,” sources said.

Gogoi is currently serving as a member of Parliament from prestigious Jorhat Lok Sabha seat of Assam. In 2023 general elections, Gogoi – who is also Assam Congress chief – defeated Topon Kumar Gogoi.Gaurav secured 7,51,771 votes, while Topon managed to garner 6,07,378 votes, thereby winning by a margin of 1,44,393 votes.As a parliamentarian, Gogoi came to limelight after initiating the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in August 2023.Although Gaurav has always been vocal against the BJP government inside and outside the House, he shot to limelight after initiating the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in August last year. His speech became an instant hit, especially among the youths.Considered as a confidante of Rahul Gandhi, Gogoi has served member of several house committees such as the standing committee on railways, the consultative committee of ministry of communications and information technology, and committee on violation of protocol norms and contemptuous behaviour of government officers with members of Lok Sabha.Assam is set to hold assembly elections later this year, with the BJP, led by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aiming to retain power while facing a renewed challenge from the Congress.

Google has spent the past year telling employees to get comfortable with AI. What started as encouragement from the CEO is now being baked into how workers are evaluated—and it’s no longer just about engineers. In recent weeks, managers at Google have begun informing non-technical employees that their use of AI tools will be considered during performance reviews later this year, Business Insider reported. Some sales staff have even been handed weekly quotas for how often they’re expected to use specific AI tools. The shift signals that AI adoption at Google is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s becoming a job requirement.

AI use is now part of the job description at Google

This didn’t come out of nowhere. Last July, CEO Sundar Pichai told employees at an all-hands meeting that Google needed to “drive higher productivity” and that rivals would be leveraging AI internally. The message was clear—get on board or fall behind.

Since then, the company has steadily turned up the pressure. In June last year, engineering VP Megan Kacholia emailed software engineers asking them to use AI coding tools and informed them that their job descriptions were being updated to reflect this. Now, that same expectation is trickling down to non-technical staff.In certain teams, more senior employees are expected to show a stronger understanding of AI than their junior colleagues, according to the report.

Not just engineers anymore—sales, strategy, and more staff are on the clock

Google has built an ecosystem of internal AI tools for this push. There’s Duckie, a special version of Gemini trained on internal documentation. Engineers use Goose, a coding assistant trained on Google’s technical history. Sales teams have access to Yoodli, an AI avatar they can practise customer conversations with before making actual calls.The company’s CFO Anat Ashkenazi said during the Q4 2025 earnings call that around 50% of code at Google is now written by AI agents and reviewed by human engineers. That’s up from the 30% figure Pichai cited in April last year.

Google joins Meta and Microsoft in tying AI use to employee evaluations

Google isn’t alone in this. Meta has told employees their 2026 reviews will assess “AI-driven impact.” Microsoft’s leadership has said using AI is “no longer optional.” Shopify’s CEO went a step further, telling teams to prove they can’t solve a problem with AI before asking for more headcount.A Google spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that managers across both technical and non-technical roles now have the discretion to evaluate employees based on their AI use. For Googlers, the message is hard to miss.

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump’s administration is seeking to delay legal proceedings related to tariff refunds, a week after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping global duties, according to a court filing on Friday.The Supreme Court’s ruling marked a major setback for Trump’s signature economic policy and opened the door to a complex and legally challenging refund process, as importers prepare to sue for repayments.

In its filing before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the government sought a delay of up to four months before refund litigation resumes at the US Court of International Trade.“In a case on review from a federal court, the Supreme Court sends down its judgment 32 days after entry of judgment,” AFP reported quoting the government in its submission. It further argued that the court should grant an additional delay of “90 days to allow the political branches an opportunity to consider options.”“Complexity in the future counsels appropriately careful process, not breakneck speed,” the government said.Earlier in the day, Trump also criticised the Supreme Court’s decision, warning it could result in massive payouts.Posting on Truth Social, the MAGA Supremo said, “The recent decision of the United States Supreme Court concerning TARIFFS could allow for Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to be returned to Countries and Companies that have been ‘ripping off’ the United States of America for many years, and now, according to this Decision, could actually continue to do so, at an even increased level.”“I am sure that the Supreme Court did not have this in mind! It doesn’t make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved ‘windfall,” he said.He also questioned the possibility of further legal action, asking, “Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible???”The legal battle began after the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in August last year that many of Trump’s tariffs were illegal, but sent the question of refunds back to the Court of International Trade. The appeals court paused issuing its mandate while Trump appealed to the Supreme Court.Last week, the top court by a 6–3 majority ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing broad global tariffs, striking them down.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the Constitution does not grant the executive unilateral authority to levy taxes, saying the framers did not vest taxing power in the presidency.However, the decision did not affect sector-specific duties on products such as steel and automobiles.Within hours of the ruling, Trump invoked a different law to impose a new 10% tariff on imports into the United States, later raising it to 15%.

The T20 World Cup 2026 has reached its fever pitch, but off the field, the “Kiwi Connection” within the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains a topic of intense fascination. In a viral social media segment that has fans in stitches, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry took on the ultimate ‘Blind Ranking’ challenge, attempting to order ten iconic Black Caps who have worn the CSK yellow.

What started as a tactical exercise quickly devolved into a hilarious struggle of loyalty versus format, as Henry had to commit to slots without knowing which legend would appear next. By the time the final names were revealed, the ‘blind’ nature of the game forced some of New Zealand’s brightest modern stars into the basement, leading to a frantic series of apologies from the speedster.

IPL 2026: Matt Henry blind ranks 10 New Zealand Players who’ve worn the CSK Yellow Jersey

The Top 5: Legends, winners and the ultimate architect

Henry’s strategy was immediately put to the test as he tried to reserve the premium spots for the heavyweights of New Zealand’s cricketing history. His decisions in the top half of the list were driven by a deep respect for those who laid the foundation for the franchise’s success, prioritizing longevity and championship-winning experience. The climax of his ranking came early when the man who defines the very identity of the Chennai Super Kings appeared on the screen, forcing Henry to anchor his list with the most influential figure in the franchise’s history.

• 1. Stephen Fleming: Henry didn’t hesitate for a second, crowning the current coach as his number one. “You would have to put him at number one, obviously starting out as a player, then transitioning into player-coach,” Henry explained, citing Fleming as the ultimate blueprint for Kiwi success in India.
• 2. Devon Conway: The clinical opener was slotted into the second spot. Henry lauded Conway’s “unflappable temperament,” acknowledging that his ability to anchor an innings at the top of the order made him an easy choice for the silver medal.
• 3. Brendon McCullum: “Baz” appeared at a time when only the number three slot was available. Henry enthusiastically placed the explosive former captain there, recognizing that McCullum’s aggressive intent completely redefined the way CSK approached the Powerplay.
• 4. Scott Styris: Recalling the “golden era” of the early 2010s, Henry placed Styris at four. “I remember him being a part of a winning Chennai side,” he noted, valuing the veteran’s ability to deliver under pressure during a championship run.
• 5. Tim Southee: Henry showed love to his long-time bowling partner, placing him right in the middle of the pack. He labeled Southee as “one of New Zealand’s greats,” though the blind format prevented him from climbing any higher on the list.

Also READ: Virat Kohli’s dream list: Qualities he wishes to inherit from SRK, Dhoni, Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar, Taylor Swift and The Rock

The Bottom Half: Coaching respect and the Rachin Ravindra apology

As the slots began to disappear, the ranking took a turn toward the absurdly difficult. Henry found himself in the unenviable position of placing current superstars and modern-day match-winners in the bottom five, simply because he had run out of room. The segment ended with Henry visibly pained as he had to relegate some of his closest teammates and coaches to the final rungs of the ladder, leading to a hilarious moment of realization that he might have some explaining to do when he next returns to the dressing room.

• 6. Jacob Oram: With “Big Jake” now serving as the bowling coach, Henry played it safe by slotting him at six. “Bowling coach currently now, so I’ll slot him actually at number six, one under Tim,” Henry joked, clearly keeping his coach’s feelings in mind.
• 7. Mitchell Santner: In the shock of the video, Santner ended up at seven. Henry initially panicked, realizing he had undervalued his fellow spinner. “Mitch, you’re at seven… Eight’s too low for you!” he exclaimed, regretting that the blind format had forced a CSK mainstay so low.
• 8. Adam Milne: The “fast bowler slot” went to Milne at number eight. Henry seemed relieved to finally have a specialist pacer on the board, though the “blind” luck of the draw meant Milne couldn’t crack the top half of the competitive list.
• 9. Daryl Mitchell: One of the most expensive and impactful players in the current squad, Mitchell was forced into the ninth spot. Henry acknowledged the “brute force” he brings to the middle order but was left with no other choice as the board filled up.
• 10. Rachin Ravindra: The biggest “fail” of the blind ranking saw the young sensation finish dead last. A mortified Henry couldn’t stop laughing as he apologized to his teammate: “Sorry, Rachin, for putting you at 10!” He admitted that in any fair ranking, the World Cup star would be near the top.

Also READ: 3 reasons why MS Dhoni won’t play every match of IPL 2026

The equation is familiar for Pakistan: win big, and move on. (Image credit: Agencies)

Pakistan’s road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals has boiled down to one simple equation after England’s dramatic four-wicket victory over New Zealand reshaped the Group 2 table in Colombo.England, led by Harry Brook, finished the Super 8 stage unbeaten with three wins from three, sealing top spot with six points after their triumph at the R. Premadasa Stadium. What once appeared a complicated qualification scenario has now turned into a straight shootout for Pakistan in their final fixture.

New Zealand, despite Friday’s defeat, remain second with three points and a healthy net run rate of +1.390. Pakistan sit third with one point from two games and a net run rate of -0.461.The equation for Pakistan is clear but demanding. If they bat first against Sri Lanka, they must win by at least 64 runs. If chasing, they need to overhaul the target within 13.1 overs to leapfrog New Zealand on net run rate.Saturday’s clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium effectively serves as a knockout for Pakistan. A massive win sends them into the semi-finals and eliminates New Zealand. Anything less, and New Zealand progress as the second team from Group 2.History offers Pakistan hopePakistan have navigated similar high-pressure scenarios before.In the 1996 KCA Centenary Tournament in Nairobi, they found themselves needing a massive win over Sri Lanka to reach the final. After being asked to bat, Pakistan piled up 371/9 at the Gymkhana Club Ground, powered by a sensational 102 off just 40 balls from a 16-year-old Shahid Afridi and a commanding 115 from Saeed Anwar.To qualify, Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka below 290. Their bowlers delivered — Waqar Younis took 5/52, Saqlain Mushtaq grabbed 4/33, and Afridi chipped in with 1/43 as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 289. The 82-run victory secured Pakistan’s place in the final.Nearly three decades later, in Pallekele, Pakistan face another must-win, big-margin challenge.The equation is familiar: win big, and move on.

Abhishek Sharma (AFP Photo)

CHENNAI: It’s finally firing just when it matters. The Indian top-order, which left a lot to be desired until now, came into its own on a batting beauty at the MA Chidambaram Stadium against a pedestrian Zimbabwe attack on Thursday. With West Indies looming next at Eden Gardens on Sunday, there is bound to be a sense of relief in the camp.To start with, Abhishek Sharma got going, and the recycled opening partnership with Sanju Samson smashed 48 off 22 balls, which set the tone for the massive total of 256 for 4. Abhishek, during the course of his 30-ball 55, got his runs at a strike rate of 183.3, but he seemed to cut down on his recklessness. The lefthander’s bat swing is one of the best in the business, so it is not always necessary for him to try and generate extra power. On Thursday, he looked to time the ball more than strive for power and played the ball a lot straighter, making run-scoring look easy and relatively risk-free.

Explaining his unhurried approach, the southpaw said: “I just wanted to spend some time on the pitch. So far, I haven’t batted 10-12 balls. I want to thank my team; they backed me and reminded me that my time will come,” Abhishek said.While Abhishek getting runs was a good sign before the must-win West Indies game, Sanju’s 24-run cameo, too, came in for praise. Firstly, the left-right combination was a welcome shift, and Zimbabwe couldn’t use one of their off-spinners right at the beginning of the Powerplay. Tilak Varma, who had to come down to No 6 because Ishan Kishan took his place at No 3, felt Sanju’s innings was important in India’s batting resurgence.“It’s important that openers give a good start; Nos 3, 4 and 5 can come out with confidence when it happens. Sanju did that brilliantly today, and it was followed by others,” the southpaw said.Tilak spoke about a change in approach by the batters ahead of the game that made a difference. According to the 23-year-old, it was coach Gautam Gambhir who sat with the batters and told them to go in with the mindset that helped them play so well in T20Is over the last year-and-a-half.“We wanted to put fear in the mind of the opposition; we wanted them to realise that we’re coming for them, even if we lost a wicket… Gautam sir reminded us of the brand of cricket we played last year and against New Zealand and South Africa prior to the World Cup. So, whatever the situation, as individuals, our plan was to go out there, smile and enjoy the game,” Tilak said.No. 6 is a position where Tilak hasn’t batted too much recently. He always enjoys a little bit of time in the middle, but following an indifferent patch at No 3, the team wanted him to take up the finisher’s role. More so, with Rinku Singh looking unlikely for the rest of the tournament following the death of his father. Tilak said he didn’t mind it at all, because “it’s all about the team’s cause”.“I played that role for India as well as Mumbai Indians a few times. So, I’m up for it. This game is about adjusting according to the situation… I was just waiting for one good innings, and it came at the right time. I am pretty confident going forward that I can win games for the team,” Tilak said about his 16-ball 44.Another player who batted with flourish was Hardik Pandya. His 23-ball 50 and economical three-over spell earned him the Player-of-TheMatch award.“It was an innings where I had to reassess my style. Initially, I was trying to hit the ball too hard. Then I realised I could time the ball and did that. Now it’s about keeping our skillset and putting our best foot forward,” Pandya said.

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman on Saturday announced that the company has reached an agreement with the US Department of War to deploy its AI models within the authority’s classified network. The development comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has banned every federal agency from using Anthropic.In a post on X, Altman wrote, “Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network. In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome.”He said, “AI safety and wide distribution of benefits are the core of our mission. Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement.”The tech entrepreneur added that the company will build technical safeguards to ensure its models behave as intended, in line with the DoW’s requirements. Additionally, FDEs will be deployed to support the models and that, for safety, the systems will run only on cloud networks.Altman said that OpenAI has urged the US department of war “to offer these same terms to all AI companies, which in our opinion we think everyone should be willing to accept. We have expressed our strong desire to see things de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions and towards reasonable agreements.”Meanwhile, OpenAI and Amazon also reached a multi-year strategic partnership to speed up artificial intelligence innovation across enterprises, start-ups and consumer applications worldwide.Under the agreement, Amazon will invest $50 billion in OpenAI. The company said the commitment begins with $15 billion upfront, with a further $35 billion to follow in the coming months once specified conditions are satisfied.The collaboration also includes the joint development of a Stateful Runtime Environment powered by OpenAI’s models, which will be offered through Amazon Bedrock.According to the statement, stateful developer environments represent the next phase in the use of frontier AI models. They enable systems to seamlessly access resources such as compute, memory and identity. This comes amid Trump’s orders directing companies to stop using Anthropic “immediately, calling the company’s leadership “Leftwing nut jobs” in a Truth Social post and intensifying tensions between the White House and the Pentagon’s AI suppliers.The standoff has split Silicon Valley, with Elon Musk publicly backing the administration, while Sam Altman voiced sympathy for Anthropic’s safety concerns, saying he largely trusted the company’s intentions.

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