The Economic Times

West Bengal is set for a new political era. The Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government, ending nearly two decades of Trinamool Congress rule. Suvendu Adhikari has been chosen as the Chief Minister-designate. The swearing-in ceremony is planned for May 9. This marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape.

Delhi Police crime branch busted an interstate counterfeit medicine racket, arresting four individuals. The network allegedly sourced government-supplied drugs from Uttar Pradesh and other states, repackaging them for distribution in Delhi-NCR and northeastern India. Investigations revealed a sophisticated supply chain and a potential hawala angle.

The DMK has requested a change in its Lok Sabha seating. This comes after their alliance with the Congress ended. DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker. She stated it is not appropriate for DMK MPs to sit with Congress members. The move follows the Congress supporting TVK in government formation in Tamil Nadu.

TVK crosses majority mark in TN: TVK has achieved the crucial majority of 118 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after securing support from Congress, VCK, CPI and CPM. With 107 seats of its own, the party crossed the threshold, paving the way for actor-turned-politician Vijay to form the next government and end the long-standing Dravidian duopoly.

Delhi reported the highest number of suicides in 2024 with 2,905 cases, though this marks a decline from previous years. Family-related issues were the leading cause, with married individuals forming the largest victim group. Most suicides were among men and those earning less than Rs 1 lakh annually.

Home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali costs rose 2% year-on-year in April, primarily due to increased prices of tomatoes, vegetable oil, and LPG. While onion and potato prices fell, contributing to a partial offset, broiler prices also saw a 2% increase for non-veg thalis.

Chinese proverb of the day shares a timeless message about happiness and kindness. The saying explains how short pleasures fade but helping others creates lasting peace. The proverb meaning, relevance and teachings highlight altruism, human nature, joy, and service. It shows how generosity improves well-being, strengthens community, and creates lasting fulfillment. The message connects with modern research about kindness, empathy, and long-term life satisfaction.

CPI leader D Raja voiced concern over the declining electoral power of Left parties. He expressed hope for their future revival as a significant political force. Raja also discussed the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the need to support the largest party.

TVK chief Vijay is scheduled to meet TN Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday evening to discuss government formation. This marks his third meeting with the governor this week regarding staking a claim to form the government. Vijay is expected to present his case for government formation during the upcoming discussion.

The Tamil Nadu BJP will not support any alliance to form the next government. The party respects the voters' mandate. Meanwhile, TVK is working to gather support from smaller parties. Congress has offered conditional backing. Discussions are ongoing with VCK, CPI(M), and CPI. If these parties unite behind TVK, it could form the government.

Google searches reveal a surprisingly emotional side of humanity, with millions seeking answers to basic life skills and how to support loved ones with mental health issues. This trend highlights a growing desire for personal improvement and meaningful careers, especially among younger generations, demonstrating a vulnerability often hidden online.

Uttar Pradesh is switching from smart prepaid electricity meters to postpaid. This decision follows widespread protests over billing issues. Consumers will now receive bills after using electricity. The government aims to address consumer grievances and ensure convenience. New connections will also be postpaid. This change impacts millions of households across the state.

Who will be the next CM of West Bengal? The BJP legislature party is meeting in Kolkata on May 8, 2026, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in attendance to elect the partys leader and the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the strong frontrunner after the partys historic victory that ended TMCs 15-year rule.

Senior DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has reaffirmed her party's stance against the governor's office. This comes amidst political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu after a fractured election result. Kanimozhi highlighted the inherent friction between the governor's role and state political interests. She stated the people's decision is supreme, even without a clear majority.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky believes the real threat to young professionals isn't AI itself, but failing to adapt. He warns that pure people managers and those resistant to change will struggle. Instead, leaders must become 'hybrid people managers,' actively involved in technical work and understanding project context to thrive in the AI era.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: The VCK will announce its decision on supporting Vijay's TVK to form the government on Saturday. The party's high-level committee will meet today to discuss the political crisis. TVK emerged as the single largest party but fell short of the majority. The VCK is part of the DMK-led alliance but is considering its options.

Why are gold and silver prices up today, and will precious metals continue to rise or fall again? Precious metals moved higher this week as markets tracked US-Iran ceasefire news and waited for the US nonfarm payrolls report. Gold rose and headed for a weekly gain. Silver, platinum, and palladium also climbed. Analysts said price moves may stay uneven due to geopolitics and interest rate outlook.

Amazon Web Services experienced an outage in a northern Virginia data center zone due to high temperatures, impacting services for CME Group and Coinbase. While Coinbase confirmed its issues stemmed from the AWS outage, CME cited unspecified technical and latency problems. AWS is working to restore full service, but a timeline remains uncertain.

The United States imposed a series of tariffs on Indian goods starting April 2025. These duties varied, with some being reciprocal and others linked to India's purchase of Russian oil. The tariffs saw several changes and suspensions. Notably, US courts later struck down some of these reciprocal tariffs.

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has asked the TVK party to prove its majority. This comes after TVK emerged as the single-largest party following the assembly elections. TVK supporters protested in Chennai demanding their leader Vijay be invited to form the government. The party is seeking support from other parties to reach the required majority mark.

Kerala State Lottery Suvarna Keralam SK-51 results for Friday, 8 May 2026 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.

Spanish authorities are preparing to receive over 140 passengers and crew from a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship. The vessel is expected to dock in the Canary Islands this weekend. Health officials will conduct careful evacuations. Several countries are arranging repatriation for their citizens. Health authorities globally are tracking passengers who disembarked earlier. The risk to the public remains low.

Indian AI startups targeting global markets are now advised by venture capital firms to establish an early US presence, particularly in San Francisco. This strategic shift is driven by the critical need for proximity to customers, capital, talent, and emerging AI trends to effectively scale and gain a competitive edge.

Actor R Madhavan has set a parenting benchmark by openly discussing sexual awareness, contraception and personal boundaries with his son Vedaant from a young age. He treated Vedaant as an adult, fostering trust and responsibility, and also guided him on respecting women and managing the pressures of celebrity life.

The NTA has released an advisory for CUET-UG 2026 candidates regarding the dress code and permitted items. Transparent water bottles and articles of faith, like religious threads, are allowed with early frisking. Candidates are advised to wear light-coloured clothing and normal footwear for the computer-based test.

What is Nintendo Switch 2 new price in US, Japan and Europe, and when will hike in cost come into effect? Nintendo confirmed a price rise for Switch 2 due to higher component costs. Prices will increase in Japan, the United States, and Europe. The company also expects net profit to fall in the coming fiscal year despite strong launch sales and game performance. This report explains new prices, timing, sales numbers, and profit outlook.

India's new envoy Vikram Doraiswami has presented his credentials to China's Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei in Beijing. Doraiswami also participated in a ceremony marking the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. He was warmly welcomed by officials upon his arrival.

Actor-politician Vijay congratulated Tamil Nadu Class 12 students on their exam results. He encouraged those who did not pass to try again. His message included a line about being 'on the verge of victory'. This statement sparked interest, linking it to both student aspirations and the political efforts of the Tamil Nadu Vidyarthi Kazhagam party.

The Supreme Court declined to grant bail to a Delhi University student accused of inciting violence during a Noida industrial workers' protest. The bench directed the student's counsel to approach the Allahabad High Court, citing the heavy caseload. The court also issued notice to UP police officials regarding an alleged torture plea.

A trade think tank, GTRI, advises India against rushing into a bilateral trade agreement with the US due to President Trump's unstable tariff policies. Recent court rulings have struck down key tariffs, pushing the US back towards traditional WTO structures. This legal uncertainty risks India securing a one-sided deal without reciprocal tariff benefits.

Indias retail inflation likely rose to 3.8% in April from 3.4% in March as higher fuel and LPG costs linked to the US-Iran conflict started feeding into prices, according to a Reuters poll. Economists said food prices remained soft, helping keep inflation near the RBIs 4% target, but persistently high crude oil prices and a possible weak monsoon could push inflation higher in coming months. Wholesale inflation is also expected to rise to 4.4% in April.

Why are oil prices up today, and will Brent, US WTI crude futures continue to rise or fall in next few days? Oil prices climbed after new clashes between the United States and Iran threatened supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent moved above $100 and WTI also rose. Markets remain uncertain as ceasefire talks continue. Investors are watching jobs data, currencies, shipping risks, and global stock reactions to understand the short-term direction of crude markets.

A Mumbai family of four tragically died after consuming watermelon laced with rat poison, zinc phosphide. According to medical experts, zinc phosphide releases a lethal gas by reacting with the acid in the stomach, causing rapid cell death and organ failure. If medical action is not taken within an hour, the rat poison can turn out to be fatal.

Amidst political maneuvering in Tamil Nadu, a top BJP leader stated that only time will reveal the government's formation, while the Congress faces potential embarrassment. The Governor has asked TVK chief Vijay to prove majority support for government formation, with discussions reportedly underway for potential AIADMK backing and power-sharing arrangements.

Most people reuse T-shirts and jeans without hesitation, but rewearing socks is a completely different story. Experts warn that socks quickly turn into breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi, making daily changes essential for hygiene and health. Heres why you should never wear the same pair twice.

Unspoken fears and resentments silently fracture family businesses. Advisors must listen, probe and translate emotions. Open conversations prevent disputes from escalating into public confrontations. Enduring businesses foster habits of dialogue, ensuring continuity. Talking heals and preserves family legacies.

Vijay School marksheet viral: Actor-politician Vijay's Class 10 marksheet has surfaced online, revealing he was an average student with 65 percent overall. Despite scoring low in Mathematics, he passed his exams. Vijay later pursued acting, eventually launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and promising free higher education for farming families.

During his Caribbean tour, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India's role in de-risking the global economy. IMF data supports this, projecting India will contribute 17 per cent of global growth in 2026. India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy, driven by strong momentum and stabilising domestic inflation.

Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday on May 8, 2026, after a remarkable career documenting nature and advocating for environmental awareness. His groundbreaking documentaries, from oo Quest to Planet Earth, have inspired millions globally. Even at a century old, Attenborough continues to champion conservation, urging humanity to cherish the natural world.

India's labour market is undergoing a structural transformation driven by the country's broader economic transition, according to a report by SBI Research based on the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025 unit-level data.

Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York. The meeting occurred during the International Migration Review Forum. Singh also delivered India's national statement and highlighted India's digital innovation in migration governance. He called for a more effective United Nations. The Indian Mission also commemorated Operation Sindoor.

Toyota anticipates a 22% drop in net profit for the upcoming fiscal year, citing the impact of US tariffs. Despite this forecast, the automaker reported a 19.2% net profit decrease for the 2025-26 fiscal year, attributing its resilience to increased sales volumes and price adjustments driven by strong product competitiveness.

New OTT releases this weekend (May 810, 2026) highlight Dacoit and Lukkhe on Prime Video, Vaazha 2 on JioHotstar, and several Netflix arrivals. From Adivi Seshs revenge thriller to Kings musical debut and Malayalam comedy sequel, heres your complete mid-May weekend OTT binge guide.

Canada's privacy watchdog has called for urgent cybersecurity upgrades at the Canada Revenue Agency. Over 42,000 tax accounts were breached since 2020. Cybercriminals used stolen credentials to access accounts. They also modified accounts to file false returns or claim benefits. The agency is implementing new security measures to protect taxpayer information.

ASEAN leaders convened in Cebu, Philippines, to tackle the Iran war's economic fallout. They are developing contingency plans for stable fuel and food supplies. The summit also addresses the safety of over a million ASEAN citizens working in the Middle East. Discussions include coordinated emergency fuel sharing and diversifying oil sources.

India's indigenous glide weapon system, TARA, successfully completed its first flight trial off the coast of Odisha. Developed by DRDO, TARA converts unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons. This advancement enhances the accuracy and lethality of low-cost weapons for ground target neutralization. The successful trial marks a significant step in bolstering India's self-reliance in defence technology.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested three founders of the online gaming platform Gameskraft. The arrests are linked to an alleged fraud and money laundering case. Officials took Deepak Singh, Prithvi Raj Singh, and Vikas Taneja into custody. This action follows raids and the filing of a money laundering case. The agency previously froze bank accounts in its probe.

TBSE Madhyamik and HS Result 2026: Tripura Class 10 and 12 students can check their Madhyamik and Higher Secondary results today at 12 noon on tbresults.tripura.gov.in. The examinations were conducted in February and March 2026, with nearly 38,000 students appearing for Class 10 and around 30,000 for Class 12. Students can download their scorecards from the official website.