The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
Chinese Proverb of the Day highlights the meaning of When sleeping women wake, mountains move. The saying reflects the strength, influence, and transformative power that emerge when women recognize their potential and raise their voices. It suggests that awareness, confidence, and unity can lead to extraordinary personal and social change, even against obstacles that once seemed impossible to overcome.
Niti Aayog suggests bringing back a 5% GST rate for research and development purchases. This move aims to boost usable funds for research institutions. The proposal also includes increasing India's R&D spending to at least 2% of GDP within five years. These steps are intended to strengthen the nation's research and development capabilities.
The psychology behind women constantly trying to impress others suggests that the behavior is often shaped by social conditioning, pressure to appear perfect and emotional survival instincts rather than insecurity alone. In many cases, women are responding to environments that taught them their worth depends on how successfully they meet the expectations of others.
India's External Affairs Ministry is urging the Skill Development Ministry to speed up the process of sending skilled workers to Israel. This move aims to shorten deployment times and enhance worker quality. India and Israel have an agreement to send 50,000 Indian workers over five years.
Trump IRS tax leak settlement: The US administration has established a $1.76 billion fund to address claims of government weaponization following a lawsuit by Donald Trump and his family. This settlement resolves Trump's suit against the IRS over leaked tax returns, though he will not receive direct payment but an apology.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. This marks Putin's second trip to India in under a year. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi has confirmed his visit to Moscow later this year. The meetings underscore strong bilateral ties.
The MV Hondius arrived at Landtong, a narrow peninsula about 10 km long that is part of Rotterdam port and far from any urban centre. Several white trailers were set up in an area near where disembarkation was taking place. Both areas were fenced off.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for peace in West Asia and Ukraine through dialogue. He stressed that military action alone does not bring lasting peace. India and Norway share a belief in a rules-based order and diplomacy. Both nations agreed on reforming global institutions and eradicating terrorism. Ties between India and Norway were elevated to a Green Strategic Partnership.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be signed by the end of 2026. It will be made operational quickly. This deal will cut tariffs on over 90 percent of goods. European companies will gain access to India's economy. A bilateral investment agreement is also being fast-tracked. This partnership aims to build resilient supply chains.
Japanese Proverb of the Day highlights the meaning of All married women are not wives. The saying reflects how roles, identity, and relationships are often shaped not just by titles or social status, but by emotional presence and personal responsibility. It suggests that being married does not automatically define the deeper meaning of being a wife, which also involves care, commitment, understanding, and active participation in a relationship.
Security camps in Bastar, Chhattisgarh will transform into service centres. These centres will offer banking, Aadhaar, and ration card services. Funds from government schemes will be disbursed here. The initiative aims to bring urban facilities to tribal communities. This development promises a brighter future for the region's children.
Legendary voice actor Tom Kane, known for his iconic roles as Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Girls, has died at 64. His death on May 18 followed complications from a major stroke suffered in 2020, which had impacted his speech and mobility.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh is on a four-day visit to Vietnam and South Korea. The trip aims to strengthen defence ties and maritime cooperation. Discussions will focus on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This visit marks a significant step in enhancing strategic military cooperation between India and these nations.
Quote of the Day by Marcus Aurelius: Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius faced immense pressure. His enduring quote encourages appreciating life's beauty and the vast universe. This perspective helps manage stress and find inner peace. It reminds us that peace comes from within, not external control. His writings offer timeless wisdom for modern struggles.
After spending nearly six months searching for stable employment, a Reddit user says a corporate training test ended his new job in only five days. The viral Reddit post is now fueling wider fears about modern hiring practices, probation period pressure, employee training systems, and sudden workplace termination. Many workers online say todays job market feels more unstable than ever. One failed assessment. One bad day. And careers can collapse instantly despite months of unemployment, relocati
Sqn Ldr Saanya has made history by becoming the first woman officer in the Indian Air Force to earn the Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor qualification. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the IAF. Her success serves as a powerful inspiration for young individuals aspiring to join the aviation field across the country.
The West Bengal government has officially permitted the Enforcement Directorate to prosecute Sandip Ghosh, former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College. This action is linked to financial irregularities that surfaced following a doctor's death. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the permission, stating that the previous government had hindered the investigation.
At Dell Technologies World 2026, Dell Technologies announced a major expansion of its Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, introducing new infrastructure, AI-ready data platforms, and ecosystem partnerships designed to help enterprises scale AI deployments beyond experimental stages. The company unveiled Dell Deskside Agentic AI for secure local AI operations, expanded support for NVIDIA OpenShell, launched the PowerRack AI infrastructure platform, and introduced new storage and analytics solutions.
Dell Technologies has announced a new push toward locally deployed agentic AI systems at Dell Technologies World 2026, introducing Dell Deskside Agentic AI in partnership with NVIDIA. The company says the strategy is designed to help enterprises run autonomous AI agents closer to their own infrastructure for better privacy, governance, and lower operational costs instead of relying entirely on cloud-based AI services.
NeoLiv has acquired a 76-acre land parcel in Khopoli near Mumbai. This marks their third plotted development in the Panvel-Khopoli belt. The company plans a mixed-use community with villas, plots, and retail. The project has an estimated Gross Development Value of Rs 800 crore. This acquisition is a significant milestone for NeoLiv's expansion in a sought-after micro-market.
India is set to launch Water Metro services in 18 cities, with Guwahati leading Phase I. This initiative aims to transform waterways into efficient public transport corridors. The project prioritizes green technologies and aims to reduce urban congestion. Feasibility studies are underway, with several cities already having their reports accepted. The government is committed to sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions.
Credit card transactions in India saw a significant jump between 2021 and 2025. Private banks expanded their dominance in this segment. Debit card usage, however, decreased as consumers embraced digital payment methods like UPI and digital wallets. This shift highlights the rapid digitisation of India's payment ecosystem.
Numaligarh Refinery Limited has secured a significant deal. The company will sell 52,500 Metric Tonnes of Sulphur annually to Progressive Fertichem Private Limited. This marks the first commercial agreement post the refinery's expansion project. The deal ensures a long-term off-take for the refinery's Sulphur production. This partnership is expected to boost NRL's revenue and signals readiness for its expanded capacity.
Proverb of the Day: Persian proverbs and poetry have long explored themes of human nature, emotional depth and inner transformation. Many traditional sayings place greater value on wisdom, patience and character than on material success. This proverb beautifully reflects that enduring philosophy.
Lesson of the day by Morgan Freeman: He warns against drinking alcohol in cold weather, explaining it causes the body to lose heat faster and increases hypothermia risk. He advises opting for hot soup instead, as digesting warm food generates internal heat, aiding the body's natural warmth regulation and providing essential hydration and nutrients.
The dialogue of the day from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban remains one of the most memorable lines from the Harry Potter franchise because of its simple yet powerful message about hope during difficult times. Spoken by Albus Dumbledore, the quote continues to resonate with audiences who interpret the light as strength, support, or the courage to keep going.
Trump 401(k) private market investments are becoming one of the biggest retirement and economic debates in the United States. The White House says opening Americas $30 trillion 401(k) system to private equity could add nearly $35 billion to US GDP. That number is now driving fresh discussions across Wall Street, retirement firms, and economic policy circles. Supporters say ordinary workers have stayed locked out of high-growth private investments for years while wealthy investors and pension fun
In a significant turn of events, the US Justice Department has announced it will not pursue fraud charges against Indian tycoon Gautam Adani. This comes after Adani Enterprises made a substantial settlement payment of $275 million to the US Treasury, effectively concluding an investigation into alleged breaches of US sanctions concerning Iran.
Chinese proverb of the day: A Chinese saying highlights curiosity as a powerful urge to understand the unknown, driving exploration and learning. It emphasizes questioning the obvious and seeking deeper meaning, much like a curious woman attempting to turn a rainbow.
John Travoltas quote, So you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna do something really outrageous, I'm gonna tell the truth, explores the power of honesty in a world where truth is often avoided. The quote suggests that telling the truth can feel bold or unusual, but it is ultimately a simple act of courage and authenticity.
Jamahl Mosley's teams qualified for the NBA playoffs in each of the past three seasons and won the Southeast Division twice, but were eliminated in the first round each time.
A leaked diplomatic cable reveals US pressure on Pakistan to remove former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The document suggests a no-confidence vote would lead to US forgiveness. This revelation casts a shadow on Army Chief Asim Munir's international standing. It validates Khan's claims of foreign interference and undermines the current government's legitimacy.
India's vital handloom and handicraft sector, employing millions, grapples with low wages and limited market reach. A recent study highlights that worker earnings fall below minimum wage standards. Many units lack e-commerce presence and export connections. Challenges include rising costs and competition. While some regions see production decline, others report growth.
Thousands of New York seniors may still qualify for Enhanced STAR property tax relief worth more than $1,000 despite missing earlier filing deadlines. Rising property taxes and inflation have pushed retirees into financial stress. Now, late-filing options and updated exemption rules are drawing fresh attention across New York. Many homeowners are discovering that one overlooked form or deadline mistake may not permanently erase valuable senior tax savings after all.
Quote of the day by Maya Angelou: Her words highlight how every experience, from conversations to forgotten memories, subtly shapes our minds and identities. These cumulative moments, both positive and negative, build patterns that influence our thoughts, feelings, and responses.
Quote of the Day: Pythagoras words offer a simple but profound reminder: intelligence is not always measured by how much someone says. Sometimes, true wisdom reveals itself in knowing when not to speak at all.
The Enforcement Directorate has seized assets valued at over Rs 700 crore. This action targets properties linked to the late gangster Iqbal Mirchi and his family. The attached assets include prime real estate in Mumbai and overseas holdings. The investigation stems from multiple FIRs against Mirchi for organized criminal activities.
The Boys Season 5 is heading toward its final episode, Blood and Bone, which releases on May 20, 2026, on Prime Video. The finale will continue the intense conflict between Billy Butcher and Homelander after Episode 7 ended with major deaths, rising political tension and a dangerous new plan against the Supes. The episode is expected to deliver a massive White House showdown while wrapping up the stories of the shows biggest characters.
In a noteworthy shift, Indian oil corporations have curtailed daily losses by almost 25% thanks to a Rs 3 per litre increase in petrol and diesel prices. Nevertheless, ongoing global crude oil fluctuation and a depreciating rupee mean that fuel prices still linger below production costs. Currently, there are no discussions surrounding a government financial rescue plan.
This inspiring quote, You learn nothing from life if you think you are right all the time, explores the importance of humility and open-mindedness in personal growth. The quote suggests that true learning happens when people are willing to accept mistakes, listen to different perspectives, and stay open to new experiences instead of always believing they are right.

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