The Economic Times

Reliance Industries (RIL) is set to invest 1.6 lakh crore (over $17 billion) to develop a 1.5 GW AI-focused data centre cluster along with a captive solar and battery storage system in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, according to people familiar with the matter. Planned as Indias largest data centre hub, the project will surpass Googles 1 GW facility in the same region and is expected to be executed in phases, with the first 500 MW operational by October 2028 and the full 1 GW second phase comple

Will Donald Trump accept Iranian peace proposal? The United States is reviewing a new offer from Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Talks are happening remotely after cancelled meetings in Pakistan. The proposal delays nuclear negotiations until later stages. Oil prices, shipping disruption, and global economic pressure are shaping the decision. The White House is discussing next steps while fighting continues in Lebanon and diplomatic tensions rise worldwide.

Why are oil prices up while gold down now, and will Brent, US WTI crude futures continue to rise or experience wild swings? Oil rose as Middle East tensions limited supply and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Gold slipped while investors tracked central bank meetings and economic data. Global stocks moved slightly higher. Analysts now watch inflation, interest rates, earnings, and diplomacy to understand the next move in oil and gold markets.

Who is El Jardinero, the top Jalisco cartel leader nabbed in Mexico? Mexican authorities arrested Audias Flores, known as El Jardinero, in Nayarit. Officials say he was a key commander of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and worked closely with El Mencho. The arrest forms part of a wider security effort targeting cartel leadership networks and operations in western Mexico.

Speculation surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding has intensified, with a celebrity planner casting doubt on the reported July 3 New York City ceremony. Earlier reports suggested a June 13 Rhode Island wedding. The conflicting details have fans questioning the true location and timing of the highly anticipated event, hinting at possible misdirection for privacy.

Quote of the day by Marlon Brando: His quote challenges the notion of evil in human behavior. He suggests labeling individuals as evil oversimplifies their experiences and motivations. Brando's perspective emphasizes empathy and understanding the multifaceted nature of people.

This report shows countries with poor work-life balance in 2025. It explains how long work hours, low leave, and weak benefits affect peoples daily life. Some countries are improving, but many still struggle. The study compares 60 big economies using simple factors like happiness, safety, and pay to understand where workers face the most pressure.

Singer Taylor Swift has filed new trademarks for her voice and image. This move comes as concerns about AI deepfakes and misuse of celebrity likenesses rise. Swift's company filed applications for her performing image and specific spoken phrases. This action offers an extra layer of protection against unauthorized AI exploitation.

Its the third time in less than two years that a gunman has come uncomfortably close to Donald Trump, renewing the central tension over how to accommodate the public-facing demands of the president's office while minimizing the risk of an attack.

Malaysia-based hospital operator IHH Healthcare has reached out to its largest shareholder Mitsui & Co. to help open communication with Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo, even as both sides continue legal battles in India and Japan over damages worth about 11,800 crore.

Sun Pharma has acquired Organon & Co for $11.75 billion. This deal provides Sun Pharma with expanded global scale and commercial reach. It also offers diversification into new segments like women's health and biosimilars. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Sun Pharma's position for future growth. Managing integration and debt will be key.

Indias office market recorded its strongest-ever first quarter in JanuaryMarch, with gross leasing rising 10% year-on-year to 21.5 million sq ft, driven largely by pre-committed deals from big occupiers.

To be eligible, loans must be extended to individuals or small businesses with turnover up to ?500 crore, fall under standard retail products, remain within a ?10 crore exposure cap per borrower, and form part of a diversified portfolio where no single borrower accounts for more than 0.2%.

India is set to sign trade agreements with the European Union and the United States in the coming months. Following a pact with New Zealand, these deals signal India's expanding global trade reach. Additionally, discussions for a free trade agreement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union are scheduled for June in Moscow.

Government officials are reviewing the IDBI Bank disinvestment strategy. This comes after weak investor interest and market volatility impacted the proposed sale. A core group of secretaries is deliberating on revised valuations and timelines. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed the strategic sale will proceed. The government aims to conclude the IDBI Bank transaction soon.

The new ECL guidelines would introduce a staging framework for asset classification under the ECL approach, replacing the existing incurred-loss-based provisioning framework. However, the central bank said in a note that it would retain the current 90-day overdue rule for classifying non-performing assets (NPA).

The planned launch of Falcon Heavy by SpaceX carrying the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite was delayed due to adverse weather conditions just moments before liftoff. The mission, set to deploy a high-capacity communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, is a key step in expanding global broadband coverage. Despite the setback, the launch remains highly anticipated as Falcon Heavy returns after a long gap.

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has said he experiences genuine stress only around four or five times a year, describing it not as a constant pressure but as a useful signal that his schedule has become too cluttered to focus on meaningful work. Speaking during an Instagram Q&A later reported by Fortune, he explained that stress for him is driven by internal imbalance rather than deadlines or conflict, prompting him to reassess priorities rather than push harder. His approach includes deliberate reprio

India's power demand surged to 255.8 GW on Monday. This record was set due to intense heatwaves across the country. Delhi's power demand also crossed 7,000 MW for the first time in April. Tata Power Delhi Distribution met its highest demand of 2,030 MW this summer. The power ministry anticipates further increases in demand.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a criminal complaint. Samir Modi withdrew his case against his mother, Bina Modi. This followed a settlement between them. The case involved an alleged assault on Samir Modi. He claimed he was physically assaulted while trying to attend a board meeting. The family has been involved in a legal dispute over their business empire.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with exporters and industry groups. They discussed ways to boost India's exports and utilize free trade agreements. Exporters requested extensions for export obligations and wider trade relief measures. Concerns about shipping costs and the need for an Indian shipping line were also raised. India's goods exports saw a decline in March.

Philips says global macroeconomic volatility has hit businesses over the past five years, but underlying demand trends are still supporting near-term growth, according to Deeptha Khanna, executive vice president and chief business leader (personal health).

The Supreme Court has urged Rani Kapur and Priya Kapur to resolve their dispute over the RK Family Trust through mediation. The court advised the 80-year-old Rani Kapur that prolonged litigation is unproductive. The trust holds a stake in Sona Comstar, a key company of the Sona Group.

Oil prices are rising in 2026 due to global tensions and supply issues. Fuel and energy are becoming costly for people and businesses. This is slowly increasing prices of daily goods like food and transport. The situation shows how important energy is in everyday life. Many countries may face long-term challenges as demand grows and supply remains uncertain.

M Srinivas, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, has joined NITI Aayog as a full-time member. This follows the recent reconstitution of the public policy think tank. Ashok Lahiri has been appointed as the new vice-chairman. Four other full-time members have also been appointed to the Aayog. The cabinet secretariat announced these changes on April 24.

India's economy is set for a slowdown in the first half of FY27. Supply disruptions are expected to impact growth. However, demand remains strong. The economy is projected to recover in the latter half of the year. Nomura forecasts a full-year growth of 6.8%. Supportive policies and easing trade tensions are positive factors. The Iran conflict poses a potential risk.

Anthropic pre IPO share valuation surge: Anthropic's implied valuation has surged past $1 trillion in private on-chain trading, driven by significant investments from tech giants like Alphabet and Amazon. This valuation jump, coupled with reported revenue growth from $9 billion to over $30 billion, reflects strong investor sentiment for AI companies, despite no official IPO date being set.

India faces energy market volatility impacting farmers and workers. Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran highlights dependence on imported fossil fuels. A NITI Aayog roadmap proposes Digital Public Infrastructure 2.0 and 3.0. This strategy aims for broad-based societal capability and inclusive growth. It focuses on transforming MSMEs, agriculture, education, and health.

Tata Trusts, citing legal advice, may not revise existing trustees tenures despite a Maharashtra ordinance capping perpetual trustees. Experts differ on whether the rule applies retrospectively.

India's Union labour and health ministries are issuing urgent heat-wave advisories. States and union territories must ensure adequate rest and cooling for outdoor and factory workers. Measures to prevent and manage heat stroke cases are also directed. Dedicated heat stroke units will be set up in health facilities. Early warnings will be disseminated to communities.

India's rural economy faces potential challenges. A weaker monsoon and rising farm costs from the Iran war could impact growth this fiscal year. While strong water reserves and food stocks offer some buffer, rural demand may slow in the latter half of FY27. Economists are closely watching these developments for their effect on the economy.

SBI Cards has taken a bold step in fortifying its financial health by offloading a considerable portion of its stressed credit card debt, valued at approximately 1,800 crore, to Integro Finserv. This transaction is a critical aspect of SBI Cards' plan to address mounting delinquencies and elevate the overall quality of its credit card offerings.

In Purba Bardhaman, potato farmers face price caps, weak markets and migration woes. As elections near, discontent simmers, but TMC still appears deeply rooted across the region.

White House correspondents' dinner suspected shooter Cole Tomas Allen charges and guns case moves forward after a federal hearing in Washington. Prosecutors listed three charges linked to an alleged attempt to assassinate the US president. The court scheduled a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing. Allen did not enter a plea. The case now focuses on detention, possible trial steps, weapons details, interstate travel claims, and federal sentencing risks.

PM Narendra Modi expresses confidence of BJP forming govt in Bengal, vows to return for oath ceremony, while Mamata Banerjee holds roadshows as high-voltage campaigning ends.

The Reserve Bank of India will implement a new Expected Credit Loss provisioning system from April 1, 2025. Banks must adopt this proactive approach, moving away from current loss-based provisioning. The RBI has provided transition measures to ease the shift. The central bank also confirmed that Non-Performing Asset classification will remain.

A Vande Bharat Express coach derailed near Pune railway station on Monday evening. No passengers were injured in the incident. The derailment disrupted train services. Railway authorities are working to restore operations. The crossing where the incident occurred is scheduled for an upgrade. Several trains faced delays or cancellations due to the event.

India has floated a global tender to import 50 million tonnes of NPK fertilisers and 35 million tonnes of ammonium sulphate to strengthen nutrient reserves ahead of the June sowing season.

Indias imports of Russian crude fell 20% month-on-month in April to 1.57 million barrels per day, cooling after a March surge driven by floating cargoes during the Iran conflict and a temporary US sanctions waiver.

Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian an unlawful entity. The seminary faces allegations of links with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami. Authorities cited legal, administrative, and financial irregularities. This action follows a dossier submitted by Shopian SSP. The move has drawn criticism from political leaders.

Social Security payments May 2026 are arriving this week for millions across the United States. Over 70 million Americans depend on these monthly checks for survival. The Social Security Administration will issue May 1 payments to early retirees and SSI beneficiaries. Some individuals may receive up to $5,181, but only under strict earning and delay conditions. Most people will see far lower amounts, closer to the national average. The staggered Social Security payments May 2026 schedule helps m

Chipmaker Nvidia has secured a massive 7,60,000 sq ft office space in Bengaluru. This 10-year lease is India's largest office commitment to date. The deal significantly expands Nvidia's presence in India, now totaling over 11.35 lakh sq ft across six cities. This expansion fuels its global AI demand and leverages India's engineering talent.

The Indian government is considering multiple relief measures for airlines facing high operating costs and reduced traffic due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict. A Rs 5,000 crore emergency credit line guarantee scheme is being fast-tracked, with individual airline limits of Rs 1,500 crore.

India has not offered any tariff concessions in the dairy sector under any free trade agreement so far, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday, including pacts with the European Union, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

India and New Zealand signed a once-in-a-generation free trade agreement on Monday that gives New Delhi duty-free access to 100% of tariff lines, aimed at boosting exports from sectors such as textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals and processed foods.

Melania Trump-Jimmy Kimmel controversy has erupted as the First of Lady of the US wants ABC to take stringent action against the popular host.