The Economic Times

US President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for their lack of support during Strait of Hormuz tensions. He stated they were useless when needed and that they required American assistance. Trump praised Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar for their help.

During his return journey to Washington, President Donald Trump conveyed a cautionary message to Iran, emphasizing that the ongoing ceasefire could be revoked by Wednesday if no long-term solution is negotiated. He further reiterated the continuation of the blockade on Iranian ports, hinting at the possibility of escalating military engagement if tensions persist.

A US judge has dismissed Bayer's plea to halt Johnson & Johnson's advertising for its prostate cancer drug Erleada. Bayer alleged false claims about a halved death risk compared to its own drug, Nubeqa. The court found J&J's campaign accurately reflected its study's findings, deeming Bayer's arguments insufficient for an injunction. Bayer vows to pursue the case on its merits.

Left-leaning Americans are increasingly purchasing firearms due to fears of government overreach under the Trump administration. This trend is upending traditional gun ownership demographics, with individuals citing concerns about federal agents and societal polarization as motivations for seeking self-protection and preparedness.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for global religious unity for peace. He praises Pope Leo's stance and urges leaders to speak with one voice. The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, including Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, is highlighted. Mirwaiz emphasizes that resolving the Palestinian occupation is crucial for lasting regional peace.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced a ew phase of permanent agreements following a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. He stated Lebanon is no longer an arena for anyone's wars, emphasizing the nation's reclaimed decision-making power and commitment to negotiating for its own rights and sovereignty.

The Strait of Hormuz has reopened for commercial ships following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. This move initially boosted oil markets. However, Iran has cautioned that the waterway could be shut again if the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated a deal with Iran is nearing completion.

The Donald Trump administration is considering changes to North American trade rules that could raise tariffs on imported vehicles and push automakers to increase US-based production.

The Social Security proposal 2026 could reshape retirement payouts fast. New data shows up to $190 billion may be cut in ten years. The plan caps benefits at $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for couples. It directly targets high-income retirees first. But the long-term impact goes wider. Fixed caps may pull middle earners into limits over time. Experts say this Social Security reform could close half the funding gap. Still, concerns remain about fairness, trust, and future retirement income

Gautam Adani has officially claimed the title of Asia's wealthiest individual, overtaking Mukesh Ambani with a net worth of $92.6 billion as of April 16. The surge in Adani Group stock prices has fueled this remarkable comeback after earlier hardships. Adani now proudly ranks 19th on the prestigious Bloomberg Billionaire Index, highlighting a significant turnaround in his financial standing.

The Reserve Bank of India has opened a special foreign exchange window to supply dollars to state-run refiners, easing pressure on the rupee. This move, likely routed through state-run lenders, aims to reduce the significant daily dollar demand from oil companies. Analysts expect this intervention to lead to rupee appreciation.

AMD UALink Standard is driving a major shift in AI infrastructure right now. Advanced Micro Devices is leading this open interconnect push as AI cluster demand surges globally. AMD stock has jumped over 166% in one year, showing strong market confidence. This standard improves speed, reduces latency, and supports multi-vendor AI systems. It helps data centers scale faster with better efficiency. As cloud and enterprise AI grow rapidly, AMD UALink Standard is becoming critical for building flexib

Claude Opus 4.7 benchmarks explained start with a strong data point: 87.6% on SWE-bench Verified. This jump signals real coding gains in 2026. Developers now see better issue resolution and faster workflows. Claude Opus 4.7 benchmarks explained also highlight 64.3% on SWE-bench Pro, beating GPT-5.4 and Gemini 3.1 Pro. Tool use leads at 77.3% on MCP-Atlas. Computer use reaches 78.0%. However, BrowseComp drops to 79.3%. This means weaker research performance. Overall, Claude Opus 4.7 benchmarks ex

Chinese proverb of the day focuses on the saying that warns people about taking more than they can handle. The story explains literal and metaphorical meanings, origin, daily relevance, and related sayings. It also explores lessons about ambition, success, human nature, greed, responsibility, and learning from mistakes in modern life and work.

African proverb of the day shares a lesson about limits, human nature and sustainable use of resources. The saying explains how people, companies and societies cannot depend on one source at the same time. It shows the need for diversity, independence and planning. The proverb also links to work culture, leadership and economic systems. It encourages innovation and spreading opportunities for survival and stability.

Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Q1 2026 results show a powerful surge. Silver production hit 787,000 ounces. That marks a 76% year-over-year jump. Silver sales reached 830,000 ounces. Demand stayed strong across markets. The Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Q1 2026 results reflect real operational gains. Galena and Cosal mines delivered higher output. Copper, lead, and antimony added revenue strength. Cash reserves touched $122.6 million. Ongoing upgrades and automation plans support fu

Quote of the day by Jerry Seinfeld explores how the idea of fun differs for people within families and social groups. The quote reflects human nature, expectations, and shared experiences. The story explains the quote meaning, its relevance today, and life lessons from the quote. It also looks at Jerry Seinfelds career journey, comedy work, television success, and later projects that shaped his influence on popular culture and entertainment.

Many retirees are thinking about Roth conversion to save tax in the future. It can give tax-free income later but may increase tax today. The decision depends on tax rate, income level, and retirement plans. Experts say timing is very important. Wrong planning can increase costs, so careful thinking or advice is needed before converting savings.

Ship safety in the Strait of Hormuz draws attention to vessel flagging. India is boosting its flagged fleet. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 targets a significant increase in the global share of Indian-flagged ships. This initiative aims to enhance the utilization of these vessels by 2047. Indian flagged ships receive advantages in domestic waters.

A French proverb suggests truth is more valuable when it takes time to discover, emphasizing the enriching journey of reflection and experience. This idea applies to personal growth, relationships, and knowledge, challenging the modern pursuit of instant answers. The proverb highlights that the process of searching, not just the discovery, imbues truth with depth and meaning.

Visa is reportedly appointing Suresh Sethi, former CEO of Protean eGov Technologies, as its new India country head. Sethi, with extensive experience in banking and tech, succeeds Sandeep Ghosh. This leadership transition occurs as Visa intensifies its focus on digital payments and regional partnerships, aiming for continued growth and innovation in the Indian market.

Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the government's women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha. He called it an anti-national move designed to alter India's electoral map for political gain. Gandhi argued the bill bypasses a caste census, diluting representation for OBCs, Dalits, and minorities. He urged the government to implement the existing women's reservation act immediately.

Jammu and Kashmir has identified over 40,000 manuscripts under the national Gyan Bharatam mission. A 16th-century Takri script manuscript was found in Jammu. The project aims to conserve and catalogue rare texts. Surveys are underway across all 20 districts. Experts will assess and digitize manuscripts with owner permission. This initiative seeks to preserve India's traditional knowledge.

The government is considering a significant increase in the provident fund wage ceiling. Current limits may rise to 25,000 or 30,000 monthly from 15,000. This move aims to prevent workers from being excluded from social security due to rising wages. Discussions are underway with stakeholders to finalize the new ceiling. The Employees' State Insurance Corporation ceiling is also being reviewed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party will initiate nationwide protests following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. Party president Nitin Nabin met with senior leaders to plan the strategy. Protests will occur in state capitals, with senior BJP leaders holding press conferences.

Harivansh secured the Deputy Chairman position in the Rajya Sabha for a third term unopposed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge praised his re-election. Harivansh's journey from journalism to this high office was highlighted. Members from various parties welcomed his return, acknowledging his fairness and commitment to democratic values. The election process was smooth, with unanimous support.

Bitcoin (BTC USD) vs gold as safe haven: Markets experienced a significant jolt following geopolitical tensions, with oil seeing a surge in trading activity instead of Bitcoin. While Bitcoin initially dropped, it later rebounded, outperforming equities over the full conflict period. Gold maintained its status as a traditional safe-haven asset.

India's Election Commission is revising voter lists, removing over 5.98 crore names. The process, starting in Bihar, has changed significantly. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are now undergoing revisions. West Bengal's revision faced legal challenges, leading to mass deletions and judicial oversight. The exercise aims to ensure accurate voter rolls.

Opposition parties are strongly opposing a new bill that links women's reservation to delimitation. They argue this move unfairly impacts several states, particularly in the South. Leaders from DMK and Congress have voiced concerns, calling it a political ploy. The government's assurance of a uniform seat increase is not convincing them.

Political parties are reacting to a Constitution Amendment Bill. BJP allies TDP and JDU have given their full support. YSRCP also supports the bill but wants the delimitation formula to remain fair. Akali Dal has opposed the legislation. Concerns have been raised about potential impacts on southern states and the delimitation process.

The Delhi High Court ruled that company share buybacks below fair market value do not constitute taxable income, distinguishing them from asset acquisition. The court affirmed that such repurchases are capital restructuring, not profit generation, and upheld the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's decision in a case involving Globe Capital Market.

The Trump administration is now actively recruiting federal employees after earlier efforts to reduce government jobs. Job postings have increased significantly, with new drives targeting tech, legal, and project management roles. While some departments may see reduced staff, others are slated for growth.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed fury today. His sacked US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, was appointed despite failing security checks. Starmer stated he was not informed about the vetting failure. This scandal has again put his leadership under pressure. He will address parliament on Monday to reveal all facts.

This Russian proverb explains the importance of learning and curiosity in life. It highlights that not knowing something is normal, but refusing to learn is a mistake. The message focuses on personal growth, education, and self-improvement. It shows how asking questions and gaining knowledge helps people become more confident and better prepared for daily life challenges and decisions.

India and China held their first bilateral consultations on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in New Delhi. Both nations agreed to enhance cooperation on security, trade, and regional connectivity. Discussions focused on implementing SCO leaders' decisions and the organization's future direction. This meeting aims to build confidence and stabilize bilateral ties amid global shifts.

Garret Anderson cause of death: Angels all-time hits leader remains atop the franchise all-time list in hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489), RBIs (1,292) and games played (2,013).

Kolkata's food scene reflects a rich history of foreign influences. From Greek dolma to British chops, the city embraced diverse cuisines. This tradition continues today, as seen with the popular 'geeli omelette'. This dish, with its European flavour, is enjoyed by many Kolkatans. Such assimilation counters recent attempts to label food as 'outsider'.

The Social Security SSI $994 payment May 2026 is now confirmed. The Social Security Administration will send deposits on May 1, 2026. This is the official SSI payment date. No delays expected. Payments arrive fast via direct deposit. The $994 SSI benefit 2026 reflects the latest COLA increase. Only eligible recipients get the full amount. You must meet strict income and asset limits. Seniors, disabled, and blind individuals qualify. Many may receive less based on income. Always check your SSI st

Sri Lanka has repatriated 238 Iranian sailors. This group includes 32 survivors from a US torpedo attack that sank their vessel, the IRIS Dena. The ship was returning from a naval exercise in India. Another Iranian ship with technical issues also arrived in Sri Lanka.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brought a fragile calm to Lebanon. Thousands of displaced families began returning home. Roads south saw long queues of cars. Many residents headed back to damaged villages. Israel's defense minister stated military operations against Hezbollah are not complete. He warned of further action if fighting resumes.

Turkish Proverb of the Day: Turkish wisdom teaches that truth, like the sun, cannot be permanently obscured by falsehoods. This proverb highlights the inevitable revelation of reality, even when attempts are made to conceal it through lies or manipulation. It encourages trust in the process of truth surfacing, offering reassurance and a call for honesty.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the Trinamool Congress of a conspiracy. He claims infiltrators' names were added to electoral rolls. Fadnavis stated border areas in West Bengal have seen demographic shifts due to infiltration. He warned this poses a threat to national security. People whose names were rightfully deleted did not protest, he added.

Garret Anderson, a former MLB star and Los Angeles Angels legend, built significant wealth through a long and consistent baseball career. Over 17 seasons, he earned substantial income through player contracts, reflecting his value as one of the leagues most dependable hitters. His financial success was driven by sustained performance, major deals, and steady growth, making him one of the most respected players of his generation.

Indian exporters are calling on the government to lift the cap on interest subvention. They state current support is insufficient to counter rising global trade uncertainties. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations believes the subsidy scheme needs revision. This aims to provide more substantial relief to businesses facing higher borrowing costs and fluctuating export demand.

A baby monkey named Yuji is going viral after he was seen hugging a soft toy for comfort. The young monkey was rejected by his mother and is now being raised by zoo experts. His story is touching many people online as he slowly grows stronger while living under special care and support.

Mortgage rates today are hovering near 6.3%. That is a sharp jump from around 5.7% just weeks ago. The market is moving fast. Buyers are feeling the pressure. The big question now is simple. Should you lock your mortgage rate before the April Fed meeting or wait? Right now, inflation is still high. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady. That does not guarantee mortgage rates will fall. In fact, they can rise even without a Fed hike. Bond yields are driving home loan rates higher.

In an effort to boost entrepreneurship, the corporate affairs ministry is poised to revamp the company incorporation process. By consolidating numerous forms into a reduced set of e-forms, the ministry aims to slash bureaucratic red tape. Expect a more lenient approach to KYC protocols and documentation for subscribers.