The Economic Times

The IPL finals venue has moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated commercial viability is the likely reason. He clarified that distributing tickets to MLAs is not the cause for the shift. No security or arrangement complaints were reported in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad's larger stadium capacity is seen as a factor.

India's defense sector is experiencing a historic upswing, with exports surpassing 38,000 crore rupees. This surge is directly linked to the triumph of Operation Sindoor, a 96-hour engagement that highlighted the capabilities of India's domestic defense systems. As international markets respond positively, key technologies like the BrahMos missile and Akash-NG air defense are leading the charge.

Tamil Nadu's political landscape is in flux as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerges as the single-largest party but falls short of a majority. Established parties are navigating complex negotiations, recognizing a deep anti-establishment sentiment fueled by actor Joseph Vijay's rise, which signals a potential long-term shift beyond the traditional Dravidian duopoly.

NEET UG 2026 saw a massive turnout, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Bihar contributing nearly 41.4% of the 22.7 lakh registered candidates. Despite the scale, attendance remained high nationwide at 96.9%, with Gujarat leading at 98.1%.

Trisha Krishnan joining TVK? Actress Trisha Krishnan is reportedly likely to make a political debut with Thalapathy Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Party leaders are keen for her to contest a by-election from Tiruchirappalli East, a seat Vijay may vacate. Despite initial reluctance due to no political background, Trisha's past aspirations to become Tamil Nadu CM have resurfaced amid these strong rumors.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has initiated the first phase of Census-2027. This Houselisting and Housing Census will gather detailed information on homes and assets. The public can self-enumerate digitally from May 7-21, 2026. Census personnel will then conduct door-to-door surveys. Caste enumeration is included this time. Forest villages are also part of the census for the first time.

Former India cricketer Salil Ankola has entered a mental health care centre near Pune. He is undergoing treatment for severe depression following the passing of his mother last year. His family confirmed his decision to seek professional help due to deteriorating emotional health. The cricket fraternity has offered support. Ankola previously underwent rehabilitation for alcohol addiction nearly two decades ago.

Operation Sindoor's first anniversary is a proud milestone for India's air power. The operation showcased surgical precision strikes and the successful deployment of the BrahMos missile. It served as a real-world evaluation of military hardware. A key takeaway is India's growing defense self-reliance, with private industries now involved in advanced fighter jet development.

CBSE Class 12th Results 2026: Over 18 lakh students await their CBSE Class 12 results. The board is expected to announce them in the third week of May. Students can check their scores on the official website cbse.gov.in or via the DigiLocker and UMANG app. Past trends show results are typically released in mid-May. Girls have consistently outperformed boys in recent years.

Amanpreet Singh Gill Death: Indian cricket star Virat Kohli and former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh paid emotional tributes following the death of Amanpreet Singh Gill. The former India U-19 cricketer passed away at the age of 36 in Chandigarh and was remembered for his dedication to the sport and his contribution to Punjab cricket. Gill represented India in Youth ODIs and a Youth Test, while also playing several first-class matches for Punjab during his domestic cricket career.

President Donald Trump will meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week. The leaders aim to ease tensions over trade, Taiwan, and the Iran war. Discussions will cover trade deals, technology, and rare earths. The Iran conflict and Taiwan's status are also key agenda items. Minor trade agreements are anticipated.

The Karunya plus KN-622 lottery results have now been released, offering participants a chance to win prizes ranging from a 1 crore jackpot to smaller amounts. Ticket holders can check their numbers for the draw, which features multiple prize tiers. The Kerala State Lotteries Department ensures transparency in the announcement and claiming process.

UK polling stations opened Thursday in local elections set to heap more pressure on beleaguered Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and showcase the rise of hard-right and left-wing populists. The prime minister and his wife voted at a polling station near parliament in Westminister.

Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026: Hundreds of TVK supporters arrived at Chennai's Nehru Indoor Stadium expecting a major announcement from their leader Vijay. Many travelled from across the state, only to find the venue closed and without any official communication. Fans expressed deep disappointment and heartbreak after waiting for hours.

Senior leader K V Thomas stated V D Satheesan is the right choice for Kerala Chief Minister. Thomas highlighted Satheesan's successful leadership of the UDF as opposition leader in recent elections. He noted public opinion favors Satheesan for the CM post. The Congress Legislative Party has authorized the high command to make the final decision on the Chief Minister.

The Reserve Bank of India faces a tough choice in June. Economists predict no interest rate changes as the economy deals with rising energy costs and unpredictable weather. The RBI must balance fighting inflation with keeping economic growth strong. Any rate hikes are likely delayed until global supply chains stabilize and oil prices fall.

Thanks to the crisis in West Asia, costs are rising for both international and domestic events. Travel disruptions are making overseas weddings more expensive. Families are reducing guest lists and opting for local venues. Imported goods are also seeing price hikes.

Kerala's next chief minister will be decided by Sunday. Congress leaders and MLAs have shared their opinions with AICC observers. The party's high command will make the final decision. This follows the United Democratic Front's victory in the Assembly elections. The selection process involves considering the views of elected representatives and senior party members.

In its report on School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement, the Aayog has mooted 13 recommendations, including eight systemic changes and five institutional changes that can help India achieve its vision of quality education for its children.

Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space company, has achieved a valuation of one billion dollars. This milestone follows a recent funding round securing sixty million dollars. The company is preparing for its first orbital rocket launch. This achievement signals strong investor confidence in India's growing space sector. Skyroot aims to increase launch frequency and expand manufacturing capabilities.

The Bombay High Court has upheld the acquittal of 22 individuals in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Shaikh alleged fake encounter case. Appeals filed by Shaikh's brothers challenging the special court's 2018 judgment were dismissed. The court found the prosecution failed to establish a cogent case against the accused. Most of the acquitted were junior police officers from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is one of the most prominent and well-known figures of the technology industry. Bezos started Amazon from a garage in Seattle and made it one of the biggest companies in the world. Jeff Bezos, world's third-richest person, also owns The Washington Post and Blue Origin, an aerospace company developing rockets.

AirAsia is set to acquire 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. This significant deal, valued at approximately 19 billion dollars, marks a major step in fleet modernization. The new jets offer enhanced fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. This strategic move aims to combat rising fuel prices and operational costs.

Thirteen Australians, including women and children, have returned home after years in a Syrian desert camp. They allegedly have ties to the Islamic State group. Police are investigating potential criminal charges for the women. The group arrived on separate Qatar Airways flights in Melbourne and Sydney.

Tamil Nadu Election news: Makkal Needhi Maiyam chief Kamal Haasan asserts that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay must be invited to form the government. He emphasizes that the people's verdict has created an unprecedented situation. Haasan highlights that denying Vijay this opportunity disrespects the mandate. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar met with Vijay as efforts to form the government continue.

Delhi saw a 15.1% drop in overall registered crimes in 2024, with total cases falling to around 2.8 lakh. However, concerning trends persist in violent offenses and crimes against children, where Delhi reported the highest numbers among major metros, particularly in child abduction cases.

Tony Fernandes, co-founder of AirAsia X, is set to launch a new airline. This aggressive expansion comes despite rising oil prices. The new carrier is expected to be announced soon. Fernandes sees opportunities within the current market challenges. AirAsia is reallocating aircraft for this new venture. This move follows a significant aircraft order for smaller planes to boost Asian connectivity.

Senior AIADMK leader S Semmalai has denied reports of party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami meeting the Tamil Nadu Governor. These reports suggested a discussion about forming a government with TVK support. Semmalai stated there is no such need and AIADMK has not received any invitation from TVK. He emphasized that Palaniswami will make any decision regarding support.

China is building a 134-kilometre-long Pinglu Canal in Guangxi province that will directly connect inland waterways to the Beibu Gulf. The massive project aims to cut shipping distance by 561 km, save billions in logistics costs, and strengthen Chinas position in global trade.

France is preparing financial aid for airlines struggling with soaring jet fuel prices, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced. The government and airlines discussed measures like deferred social security contributions and extended tax deadlines. This support comes as European airlines warn of potential jet fuel shortages this summer due to the Iran war.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan confirmed his party received a request for support from the Vijay-led TVK. TVK emerged as the single largest party but needs more seats to form the government. VCK's high-level committee will soon decide on supporting TVK. Thirumavalavan urged the governor to invite Vijay to form the government, emphasizing it is a constitutional right and people's verdict.

A former high-earning executive in London, Shweta Desai, found her identity shaken after relocating to Australia and taking a job cleaning Airbnb apartments. This unexpected career shift led her to re-evaluate her self-worth, the meaning of money, and ultimately, to build a new path through coaching and community building.

Chia seeds are a popular and natural addition to many weight loss plans because of their high fibre and protein content, which can help keep you feeling fuller for longer and support healthy digestion. While chia seeds may help reduce cravings and encourage better eating habits, they are not a miracle solution for weight loss. Long-term and sustainable weight loss still depends on maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active and creating a healthy calorie deficit over time.

An Olive Ridley turtle, Dhaval Lakshmi, has astonished experts by traversing 3,500 kms across the Arabian Sea, even nearing Oman's coast before returning to Indian waters. This remarkable journey, undertaken after successful rehabilitation from injuries, sets her apart from other tagged turtles who stayed closer to shore. Her resilience showcases a triumph in wildlife rescue efforts.

Upwind, a US cloud security firm, is expanding into India and Asia-Pacific. Demand is rising from defense and government sectors due to cyber warfare. The company sees India as a key growth market. Upwind plans to invest in local infrastructure and partnerships. A new development center in Pune will support global engineering efforts.

With the reopening of Kerala's government schools just around the corner, concerns are rising about an impending textbook shortage that could affect students just weeks away from starting their academic year. A union spokesperson points out that a significant paper shortage is causing delays in printing essential front covers and the final batch of books.

The mother of Chandranath Rath, an executive assistant to Suvendu Adhikari, demanded life imprisonment for her son's killers. She claimed the murder, which occurred shortly after the Assembly poll results, was a direct consequence of Mamata Banerjee's defeat in Bhabanipur, alleging it was revenge for the election outcome.

A 35-year-old professional, Biswajit Mohanty, has decided to leave corporate life after an 11-year career, igniting an online debate about burnout and the definition of success. Documenting his last day in corporate, he questioned the impact of his work and realized financial success alone doesn't bring happiness or well-being.

A senior CPI(M) leader has called for a complete overhaul of the LDF and party structures. He believes major cracks have appeared since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, contributing to the recent Assembly poll defeat. The leader also admitted a failure to adequately oppose alleged communal remarks made during the election period.

Indian shoppers are now more careful with their money. They are focusing on essential items and improving their experiences. Big purchases are being postponed. Consumers are seeking value and quality. Interest in electric vehicles is growing. This shows a smart approach to spending and a look towards future technology.

Vijay's TVK emerged as the largest party in Tamil Nadu but fell short of a majority. While Congress offered support, it wasn't enough. Speculation of an unprecedented DMK-AIADMK alliance to form a government arose after Vijay's swearing-in was delayed. However, DMK reportedly rejected an AIADMK proposal, preferring to remain in opposition.

Bangladesh's new government is seeking Chinese involvement in the Teesta River restoration project. This move follows discussions between Bangladesh's Foreign Minister and his Chinese counterpart in Beijing. The project's location near India's sensitive Siliguri Corridor raises concerns. India had previously offered technical assistance for the Teesta basin. Water sharing remains a key issue in India-Bangladesh relations.

Trisha Krishnan's personal life is under renewed scrutiny, particularly her past broken engagement with Varun Manian, who reportedly asked her to quit acting. Trisha, a famous Tamil and Telugu actor, affirmed her commitment to cinema, vowing to act until her last breath. Social media is rife with speculations about her relationship with actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay.

The Supreme Court has sent the Sunjay Kapur family estate dispute to mediation. Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will oversee talks between Rani Kapur, Priya Kapur, and Sunjay Kapur's children. The estate is valued at nearly Rs 30,000 crore. A disputed Will leaves the entire estate to Priya Kapur.

Bihar's cabinet has been expanded. This follows Nitish Kumar's move to the Rajya Sabha. The BJP secured the largest share with 15 ministerial berths. The JD(U) received 13 positions. Notably, Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is entering the cabinet for the first time. This development comes after JD(U) workers urged him to join politics.

Celina Jaitly shared an emotional video of herself visiting the grave of her late son, Shamsher, opening up about the trauma she says she is facing amid her divorce from Peter Haag. The actor claimed she has been denied contact with her three other children despite joint custody arrangements and alleged that her husband served her divorce papers under false pretences.

Bell Canada has dismissed a handful of employees for violating its code of conduct. These workers were caught faking office attendance using a 'swipe-and-go' method. Some employees scanned their cards and left immediately, while one particular employee used the office gym before departing. The company confirmed these dismissals were not part of wider job cuts.