The Economic Times

The Maldives has made a significant payment to India, settling a USD 50 million treasury bill. This move aims to reduce the nation's external debt. India had previously provided financial support through treasury bills subscribed by the State Bank of India. President Muizzu stated that his administration has cleared this debt, preventing a larger financial burden.

India's fertilizer supply for the upcoming Kharif season is secure. The Centre confirmed comfortable stock levels, exceeding usual requirements. Maximum retail prices for major fertilizers remain stable. Domestic production and imports have bolstered availability. The government has secured significant quantities of NPK complexes, DAP, triple super phosphate, and ammonium sulfate.

India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is opening build-operate-transfer road projects to large institutional investors. This policy shift aims to boost private participation in highway development. Previously, these funds were mostly limited to toll-operate-transfer projects. The government has eased eligibility rules to attract more investment.

Motorcycle crash Canada: A motorcycle crash near the Surrey-Delta border sent a bike dangling from a traffic light, leaving one rider with serious injuries. The collision with a silver sedan caused major disruption, with bystanders capturing the shocking scene on video. Emergency crews worked to safely remove the motorcycle from the overhead signal.

Former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Monday. This is in connection with the alleged municipality recruitment scam. Bose was accompanied by his son. The central agency has summoned Bose before. The ED searched establishments owned by Bose and his son. Incriminating documents were reportedly recovered.

The Supreme Court has directed the National Investigation Agency to conclude its investigation into the April 1 violence in Malda, West Bengal. A mob had held seven judicial officers captive for nine hours. The NIA is expected to file its charge sheet within two months. This action follows the court's suo motu cognizance of the incident.

Women travelling free on Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses will soon need Pink Saheli Smart Cards. The Delhi government is phasing out pink tickets from July. This move aims to streamline subsidies and integrate with the National Common Mobility Card. Around six lakh women have already registered for the card. Awareness campaigns will precede strict implementation.

Tech layoffs 2026: Over 92,000 tech jobs vanished by May 2026, with April seeing the worst layoffs in two years. US tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are cutting staff, citing AI efficiencies and past over-hiring. Despite job cuts, major tech firms are investing heavily in AI, signaling a significant industry shift.

Marriage registrations in China have seen a significant drop. Official data reveals a 6.2% decrease in the first quarter compared to last year. This figure is now approximately half of what it was in 2017. The trend underscores the demographic challenges facing the nation.

Speaking at the launch of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at the MundkaBakkarwala Toll Plaza, Delhi, days after the country's first MLFF system was launched at the Chorayasi toll plaza on the SuratBharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system will lead to Rs 295 crore of fuel saving per year and reduction of 81,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission besides reduction

An India-bound fertilizer shipment has been cancelled. Officials raised concerns about its links to Iran. The cargo was aboard the bulk carrier Infinity. Aditya Birla Global Trading sold the urea. The company withdrew its cargo due to similar worries. This event adds to the strain on India, the world's top importer of the ingredient. Global prices are soaring.

Sindhuja Microcredit has secured $5 million in fresh funding from overseas investors Abler Nordic, Gawa Capital, and Oikocredit. This capital infusion will bolster the company's financial standing and fuel its business expansion plans. The funds will be used to strengthen the company's capital base. The microfinance lender's gross loan portfolio reached Rs 1080 crore by the end of March.

Jana Nayagan release date: After months of uncertainty, leaks, and certification delays, Vijays much-awaited film Jana Nayagan may finally be heading to theatres soon. Producer Venkat K Narayana has now confirmed that the CBFC process is nearing completion and the film could release within the next two weeks just as Vijay begins his new chapter as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

Novartis is focusing on innovative medicines in India. The company is expanding its role in global drug development. Early-stage research is now happening in India. Novartis plans to launch more new medicines soon. This strategy reinforces its commitment to the Indian market and its significant employee base.

The Union government has told the Bombay High Court that Agniveers are different from regular soldiers. This means families of deceased Agniveers cannot claim the same pensionary benefits. The government stated this in response to a petition by the mother of a deceased Agniveer. The Agnipath scheme is a short-term engagement for national security.

The Supreme Court has indicated that Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leaders can file new petitions. These petitions will address concerns about election results in constituencies where voter deletions surpassed victory margins. This follows a legal battle over the Election Commission's voter roll revision in West Bengal. The court's observation allows affected parties to pursue remedies under election law.

Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group is investigating alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2026 examination after the NTA received inputs about question sets circulating before the May 3 test. Investigators identified a circulated set with over 400 questions, with more than 100 biology and chemistry questions showing similarities to the actual paper. Similar materials have also surfaced in Maharashtra.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for conserving foreign exchange due to rising oil prices and a weakening rupee. The nation is exploring past measures to attract dollar inflows and curb outflows. These include encouraging diaspora deposits, easing capital account norms, and controlling imports.

The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has urged the Union Labour Ministry to issue an advisory for mandatory work-from-home in the IT sector. Citing Prime Minister Modi's appeal for fuel conservation, NITES highlighted the sector's proven ability to maintain productivity remotely during the pandemic, advocating for this measure to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact.

India has no plans to raise duties on gold and silver imports, a government source said on Monday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to avoid buying gold for a year due to the impact of the Iran war.

India's semiconductor mission is gaining momentum. Two plants are operational, with two more set to begin production this July and later this year. The nation is also boosting data centers and AI manufacturing. This progress positions India to navigate global economic challenges and achieve sustained growth.

The Madras High Court has reserved its decision on a plea to stop a TVK MLA-elect from taking oath. The MLA won the Tirupattur seat by a single vote. The DMK candidate, who lost by that narrow margin, had requested a vote recount. The court heard arguments from both sides. The final decision is awaited.

Kerala Lottery Suvarna Keralam SK-53 results for Monday, 11 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.

India's cumulative ethanol supplies reached approximately 515 crore litres in the first half of ESY 2025-26, with maize emerging as the largest feedstock.

Ennismore, a global lifestyle hospitality company, has launched its first hotel in India. The Roswyn property in Mumbai offers 109 suites. This marks a significant entry into a market experiencing rapid growth. Experts believe India is at an economic inflection point, driving demand for luxury experiences. More luxury hotels are planned across India by 2031.

Indian developers are showcasing innovative apps for the Apple ecosystem. These apps focus on personal experiences, design, and AI. Developers are building solutions for lifestyle, digital wellness, children's stories, and music discovery.

An LPG carrier, the Tara Gas, previously involved with Iranian cargoes, is transiting the Strait of Hormuz while declaring Indian crew and ownership. The vessel, fully laden, is navigating a Tehran-approved route, highlighting the complex measures ships take to exit the Persian Gulf amidst blockades.

Beat the summer heat with a refreshing homemade drink. Rajshree Manger Thapa, also known as Raji Didi, presents a simple recipe using lemon and sattu. This beverage cools the stomach, aids digestion, and boosts energy. It is also packed with nutrients, keeping you full and curbing unhealthy cravings. Enjoy this flavorful and healthy sharbat anytime you feel low on energy.

India has succeeded in bringing children to school but struggles to keep them enrolled in higher classes. A NITI Aayog report reveals a significant drop in participation from primary to secondary and higher secondary levels. Dropout rates also increase sharply at these stages. The system is strong on access but weak on continuity and learning depth.

HP has unveiled more than 20 new products and solutions in India, expanding its AI-driven ecosystem across personal computing, enterprise infrastructure, collaboration, and printing.

WhiteBoard Advisory and Management, along with Casagrand, have secured SEBI approval for a Rs 500 crore fund. This capital will fuel growth for residential projects, with initial focus on Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The fund aims to deliver yield-based returns to investors. Casagrand, a leading developer, is also pursuing an IPO.

Malayalam cinema celebrates Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam, a dark comedy thriller now trending on Netflix India. Director Krishnadas Murali's inspiring path from an engineering college job to filmmaking success is gaining attention. His journey, marked by early struggles and a passion for cinema, has culminated in this major commercial hit. Read on!

Daily wage earners now represent the largest group of suicide victims in India, accounting for 31% of all deaths in 2024, a decade-high. This alarming trend sees over 52,000 such workers dying by suicide. While family issues and illness remain primary drivers, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra report the highest numbers. Most victims came from low-income households.

Newly elected AIADMK members took their oaths for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. They arrived in two separate groups, highlighting a division within the party. This follows a disappointing performance in the recent Assembly elections. One MLA became emotional seeing a portrait of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Coal India Limited offered 30.5 million tonnes of coal in April auctions. This marks a slight decrease from March. Global energy prices are high due to West Asia tensions. Power plants are increasing coal use for energy security. Coal India is also allowing buyers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal to participate directly in auctions from January 1, 2026.

Amidst rising crude oil prices and a weakening rupee, Prime Minister Modi has urged Indians to embrace austerity. His call to reduce fuel consumption, postpone gold purchases, and cut edible oil use aims to protect foreign exchange reserves and curb inflation. This wartime economic advisory signals a shift towards collective sacrifice for national economic stability.

Amid escalating Middle East tensions, Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to conserve fuel by reducing petrol and diesel consumption, promoting work-from-home, public transport, and carpooling. He also advised against non-essential foreign travel and gold purchases for at least a year to bolster foreign exchange reserves and the domestic economy.

Walter Benjamin, a renowned German thinker, proposed loving without hope for genuine connection. This idea suggests true understanding arises when affection is unconditional. Many relationships are clouded by expectations. By caring without attachment, deeper compassion and insight emerge. This selfless approach fosters acceptance over possession. Emotional surrender strengthens bonds. It encourages authenticity and healthier connections.

India and Peru are set to resume free trade talks next month. A deal could be finalized by the end of this year. Peru, a major copper producer, is also discussing critical minerals with India. Indian companies are looking to secure copper supplies from Peru. India's demand for copper is projected to rise significantly.

Actress Trisha Krishnan sparked online buzz with a cryptic love post after attending Vijay's Tamil Nadu Chief Minister swearing-in ceremony. The post added more fuel to the long-standing, unconfirmed rumours linking her to the newly sworn-in CM. Vijay's party secured a majority, marking his political debut. Read on!

Reliance Jio Platforms, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is preparing to seek approvals for a Mumbai IPO that could become Indias biggest stock market listing. Reuters reported the offering may raise up to $4 billion, though timelines were delayed due to weaker IPO sentiment after tensions in West Asia.

A solitary tree, sculpted by relentless winds, offers a powerful lesson in resilience. Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared a video of the tree, highlighting how challenges can shape us into something stronger and more distinctive. This message resonates deeply with millions navigating life's storms, emphasizing adaptation over resistance.

A Bengaluru couple has gone viral after revealing that they spend nearly 1.3 lakh every month despite both earning well-paying corporate salaries. From 56,000 rent to groceries, subscriptions, commuting, and eating out, their expense breakdown has divided the internet with some calling it normal Bangalore life and others saying it reflects luxury choices more than rising living costs.

The AIADMK is experiencing an internal split following a significant election defeat. MLAs are divided on whether to support the ruling TVK party. Some party members are also showing signs of discontent with party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. Senior leaders and their supporters have reportedly skipped meetings. This division could impact the party's future.

India is launching a new rural employment program, VB-G RAM G, replacing MGNREGA from July 1, 2026. This initiative guarantees 125 days of work annually for eligible rural households. The program aims to boost rural infrastructure and livelihoods. The transition will be seamless, with existing job cards remaining valid.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated a new barrier-less toll system in Delhi. This advanced technology allows vehicles to pass through without stopping. India is expanding this system to multiple toll plazas nationwide. The rollout aims to reduce traffic jams and save travel time and fuel. More plazas will be equipped by 2027.

Renowned playwright Robert Anderson's simple yet timeless quote reveals marriage's reality. The perspective talks about the enduring love that stems not from perfection, but from consistent commitment, understanding, and forgiveness, urging couples to actively choose their partnership daily. Read on to know more about it.

Indian-American philanthropist Anil Kochhar announced a significant gift at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles graduation. He and his wife Marilyn will cover the final-year education loans for 176 graduates from the 2025-26 academic year, honoring his father's legacy. This generous act aims to provide students with greater freedom to pursue their aspirations without financial burdens.

New government policy now permits financial entities like venture capital and pension funds to bid for highway projects. This move aims to attract significant investment and enhance project execution. These funds bring substantial capital and long-term vision. Traditional developers remain eligible. The government expects this to boost the road sector's quality and efficiency.