The Economic Times

Blake Lively Justin Baldoni: A federal judge dismissed most of Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni in their It Ends With Us film lawsuit, citing that the alleged conduct occurred outside California. Lively can still pursue retaliation and contract claims against Baldoni's production company.

Quote of the Day: Charles Bukowskis quote encapsulates the delicate tension between autonomy and isolation. While modern life often celebrates personal freedomthe ability to act independently, set ones own schedule, and live without constraintsBukowski reminds us that unbounded independence can come with a cost: solitude. Drawing from his own life of hardship, rejection, and unconventional living, Bukowski explored through his work and his alter ego Henry Chinaski how freedom can be both exhilar

Quote of the day by Blake Lively: She offers a practical approach to handling criticism, emphasizing the importance of discerning constructive feedback from mere negativity. She advises focusing on valuable insights that foster growth while disregarding personal attacks, thereby protecting self-worth and maintaining emotional strength amidst external opinions.

S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq today: Wall Street experienced a volatile Thursday, with markets swinging sharply due to rising geopolitical tensions and shifting Middle East signals. Despite intraday drops, the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq closed with modest moves, with all three major indexes posting strong weekly gains.

Who is General Christopher LaNeve, new US Army Chief of Staff? The US Army faces a leadership shift after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked General Randy George to retire. General Christopher LaNeve will serve as acting Army Chief of Staff. This explainer covers his career, education, deployments, awards, family background, and the context behind the change.

Who is General Randy George, why was he fired by Pete Hegseth, and who will be next Army Chief of Staff? The Pentagon confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to retire before the end of his term. The leadership change comes during rising military activity linked to the Iran war and troop deployments. General Christopher LaNeve will serve as acting Army Chief of Staff while the administration prepares its long-term leadership decision.

Bo Lueders death: Hardcore music community mourns the loss of Bo Lueders, a founding member of Harm's Way, who passed away at 38. The band shared a heartfelt tribute, remembering his empathy and presence. Lueders was also a co-founder of the HardLore podcast, sharing musicians' touring stories.

College students earning money from jobs, freelance work, or scholarships may need to file taxes depending on income type and limits. Parents can often still claim them as dependents. Filing may also help students get refunds from withheld taxes. State tax rules can differ. Experts suggest checking income details carefully and using tax software or professional advice to avoid mistakes.

Why was Gucci Mane kidnapped, and who are the suspects? Federal prosecutors say Pooh Shiesty, Big30 and seven others kidnapped and robbed Gucci Mane and other victims inside a Dallas recording studio during a dispute over a 1017 Records contract. Investigators cite electronic monitoring, travel records, surveillance footage and social media posts as evidence. Authorities say the suspects forced a contract release and stole valuables. All defendants could face life imprisonment if convicted.

Artemis II astronauts will enjoy a diverse 10-day menu featuring items like beef brisket, butternut squash, and mango smoothies. With 189 unique items, including 58 tortillas, the mission's food is shelf-stable and prepared using advanced technology. Astronauts taste-tested all meals, ensuring they are nutritious and easy to consume in microgravity.

AI coworker 2026: A new AI employee, 'Junior,' is revolutionizing workplaces by handling tasks 24/7, from drafting campaigns to monitoring communications. Companies are experiencing faster work paces, though some employees find its constant oversight challenging. Priced at $2,000 monthly, Junior is impacting entry-level roles, prompting discussions about the future of work.

Coal India subsidiaries BCCL, CCL, WCL, and MCL saw production drop in FY26. This occurred as India increased coal reliance due to global gas supply disruptions. SECL and NCL registered growth. Experts noted potential spoilage risks with aggressive targets. CIL met contractual coal supply commitments for power plants and industry. Adequate stocks are expected for peak summer demand.

Indigenous LCA fighter jets are set to fly again soon. A software issue affecting the braking system caused the recent grounding. Checks and fixes are nearing completion. HAL chairman DK Sunil expects the jets to be airborne within a week. A joint team is working on solutions. This development comes after an accident in February.

The COVID-19 subvariant BA.3.2, nicknamed Cicada, spread internationally, reaching 23 countries and appearing in wastewater across 25 U.S. states. While not a dominant strain in the United States, it has contributed to a notable share of infections in parts of Europe. Early studies indicate it may infect children more efficiently.

A 34-year-old womans job search experience has gone viral after she was rejected following seven rounds of interviews over nearly two months. Despite completing multiple assessments, including a case study and final HR round, the company chose another candidate, leaving her shocked and distressed. Her story has resonated widely online, with many users sharing similar frustrations about lengthy hiring processes.

Gold and silver prices saw a sharp decline on the MCX on Thursday. This drop followed remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding Iran, which increased geopolitical tensions and market volatility. Jewellers anticipate this trend could boost demand for the upcoming Akshaya Tritiya festival. Precious metal prices have been highly volatile recently, moving with news of the conflict.

India and Russia are strengthening their partnership. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top officials. Discussions focused on ensuring continued supplies of crucial commodities like crude oil, LPG, fertilisers, and coal. This visit follows a period of intense diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

India's real estate market sees strong institutional investment. Domestic demand fuels nearly three-fourths of $1.6 billion inflows in the March quarter. Office assets lead with significant growth. Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are key long-term backers. Experts see sustained GDP growth attracting investor interest for decades.

Vice President JD Vance faces a sharp drop in voter approval. Recent polls show a significant increase in disapproval, impacting his standing. This decline coincides with a fall in his chances for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. Prediction markets reflect this shift, though betting odds still position him as a contender. Upcoming events will shape his future political trajectory.

Israel and the United States have long accused Iran of having ambitions to build a nuclear weapon, with US President Donald Trump claiming that threat as justification for both the 12-day conflict last year and the ongoing war sparked by US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

Actor Brian Cox joins Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 as the New York Ripper. The mystery from Season 1 connects to Dexters search for his son in New York City. Old secrets return and danger grows. New cast updates and production details are also revealed. The show streams on Paramount+. Fans can expect darker twists and more tension ahead.

Indian charter operators are protesting a new jet fuel pricing policy. This policy doubles their fuel costs from April. Commercial airlines receive a subsidy, but charter operators do not. The Business Jet Operators Association calls the move discriminatory. They highlight charter flights' role in disaster relief and emergency services. This decision could hinder government initiatives for helicopter medical services.

India's tax office has challenged treaty benefits claimed by Jane Street's Singapore arm, suspecting 8000 crore in escaped income. The department invoked the MLI-Principal Purposes Test, questioning if obtaining treaty benefits was a primary purpose of the arrangement. This move could impact tax exemptions on derivative profits for Singapore-based FPIs.

PNB Housing Finance has been directed by the National Housing Bank to disclose an additional 933 crore in bad loans for March 2023. This divergence arose from non-compliant loan restructurings in FY22-23, where interest rates were reduced for competitive reasons. The company states there is no current financial impact.

India's corporate affairs ministry is set to announce new audit rules. These changes will bring Indian standards in line with global practices. The ministry is consulting with the National Financial Reporting Authority and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. This move aims to resolve regulatory disagreements and finalise auditing and quality management standards for implementation.

The Rajya Sabha has approved the Jan Vishwas Bill. This legislation amends 784 provisions across 79 central Acts. It decriminalises 717 provisions and modifies 67 others. The aim is to enhance ease of living and doing business. Minor offences will no longer lead to criminal charges. This reform simplifies laws and reduces compliance burdens for citizens and MSMEs.

GE Aerospace is facing penalties for late deliveries of F404 engines for India's Light Combat Aircraft program. Liquidated damages are being applied to each delayed engine. HAL has received only six of the 99 ordered engines. Discussions are ongoing for technology transfer of the more advanced F414 engines for the upcoming LCA Mk2 fighter jet.

The audit identified 1,847 observations, including 671 systemic issues and 533 compliance lapses. The largest discrepancies related to improper deductions for bad debts, provisions for doubtful loans and transfers to special reserves.

Reliance Industries' special economic zone refinery will be exempt from new export duties on diesel and jet fuel. Court rulings have determined these duties are not applicable to SEZ refineries. The government recently imposed these levies to boost domestic supplies amid global disruptions. These taxes are subject to review.

It is unclear where this figure comes from, but state media and text message campaigns have urged people to volunteer. The government has also called on retired soldiers to express their interest in fighting, while the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij force has begun accepting children as young as 12 into its ranks.

India and Azerbaijan are taking steps to improve relations. Foreign ministry consultations are scheduled in Baku this week. This follows a difficult period last year. India recently received assistance from Azerbaijan in evacuating its citizens from Iran. The new Indian ambassador met with Azerbaijan's foreign minister.

Women facing Trumps wrath? Reports say Donald Trump has questioned the roles of Tulsi Gabbard and Karoline Leavitt after earlier changes involving Kristi Noem and speculation around Pam Bondi. The developments follow disagreements over Iran policy, media coverage, and internal leadership decisions. Discussions about possible replacements and performance reviews have increased attention on changes inside the Trump administration during his second term.

The move is aimed at stabilising cash flows for developers grappling with higher input and logistics costs. Payments, typically released on a milestone or pro-rata basis under EPC and HAM contracts, will now be disbursed monthly for work meeting quality standards. Price adjustments and escalation dues will also be settled alongside these payments.

India has waived customs duty on key petrochemical imports until June 30. This move provides relief to sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles. The government aims to ensure stable domestic supplies and control prices. This exemption is a temporary measure to support industries and consumers.

The Left Democratic Front plans to expand public healthcare access if it wins the Kerala assembly polls. The party will focus on improving staffing and referral systems. This initiative aims to make advanced medical facilities available to all citizens. The LDF also expressed concerns about private healthcare's growing influence. KK Shailaja, a prominent leader, highlighted these plans during her campaign.

The gains in crude prices followed Trump's rare address to the nation, where he cast the war as a success. The president said the US would hit Iran hard over the next two to three weeks, and that Hormuz would open aturally after the conflict ends, without offering details or a clear timeline. French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be unrealistic to use military means to reopen the strait.

There were also suggestions for temporary relaxation or fast-track approvals related to import restrictions, quality certification or standards requirements for critical raw materials especially for micro, small and medium enterprises to enable them to source supplies from alternate countries.

In March 2026, India's manufacturing sector hit a snag with its lowest growth in nearly four years. The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI took a notable dip, largely due to escalating costs and a decrease in demand.

Goyal met US trade representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the World Trade Organisation's 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Cameroon last week and discussed the next steps in the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations.

I think that when you are famous every weakness is exaggerated. This quote by Marilyn Monroe, highlights how fame intensifies scrutiny and turns even small personal flaws into public spectacle. The quote reflects the harsh reality of celebrity life, where privacy diminishes and every action is analyzed under a magnifying lens. Monroes insight also reveals a deeper emotional truth about vulnerability and how public attention can distort identity and amplify insecurities.

A government directive for Indian airlines to offer 60% of seats without extra charges has been paused. This decision follows strong opposition from carriers concerned about revenue loss and potential ticket price increases. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is reviewing the directive, considering operational and commercial impacts. The legality of the move, given airfare deregulation, is also under scrutiny.

Rahul said the Congress would provide monthly financial assistance to women and Rs 1,250 to senior citizens. He also promised permanent land documents to 1 million indigenous people in Assam, replacing the existing system of annual allotments. The party also pledged a cashless health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh per family.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged for change in West Bengal. He stated Bhabanipur's victory is crucial for the BJP's goal of winning 170 seats and the state. Shah expressed confidence that Mamata Banerjee will be defeated. He highlighted public fear over safety, unemployment, and corruption, indicating a desire for change.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation. She alleges the Election Commission of India failed to maintain law and order. Banerjee described the Malda judicial officer gherao as a conspiracy by Amit Shah. She urged the minority community to remain calm and avoid provoking riots or touching judges.

The market, currently estimated at $300 million, is projected to exceed $3 billion by 2030. Unlike traditional long-form shows, these are vertical, episodic stories lasting one to two minutes, designed for mobile-first audiences. The format has seen explosive global growth, particularly in China, and is now gaining traction in India as viewing habits fragment across the day.

In 2021, BJP's Jitu Goswami defeated Congress's Suresh Bora. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) founder leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta won this seat six times in a row. All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has fielded Mazibur Rahman from the seat in this year's election.

Birthright citizenship is under review as the Supreme Court considers a major case linked to Donald Trumps order. The rule has shaped U.S. population growth for decades. Data shows millions of foreign-born residents and children affected. Experts warn changes could alter future population numbers, immigration trends, and citizenship patterns, making the courts upcoming decision important for Americas demographic future.

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a commanding 65-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders. Heinrich Klaasen's composed 52 guided SRH to 226/8. KKR struggled to chase the target, collapsing for 161. Despite a strong start from Finn Allen, KKR's batting lineup faltered. Jaydev Unadkat and Blessing Muzarabani were key bowlers for SRH.