The Economic Times

India and the Netherlands have elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen. The leaders discussed trade, innovation, and people-to-people connections. They also addressed the Ukraine war and the situation in West Asia. The Netherlands will join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Prime Minister Modi invited Prime Minister Jetten to India.

CBSE has reduced revaluation and answer sheet verification charges to Rs 100, addressing student anxiety over On-Screen Marking. The board emphasized OSM's benefits of uniform evaluation and adherence to marking schemes. Transparent avenues for result review, including script access and re-evaluation, are available to students.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reiterated his stance on the island's sovereignty. He clarified that 'Taiwan independence' signifies the island's autonomy and the people's right to decide their future. These remarks follow a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. China views Taiwan as its territory.

A Canadian firearms company, Cadex Defence, confirmed its precision rifles were fraudulently diverted to Russia, bypassing sanctions. This revelation highlights vulnerabilities in global supply chains and sanctions enforcement, prompting investigations into the illicit flow of Western military hardware. The company is strengthening its due diligence to prevent future diversions.

Karnataka has implemented a new Alcohol-in-Beverage (AIB)-based excise duty system, resulting in updated liquor prices statewide. The excise department has revised the MRP for numerous popular whisky, rum, vodka, gin, and brandy brands across various pack sizes and price slabs, affecting both budget and premium spirits.

PBKS vs RCB Playing 11: Royal Challengers Bengaluru aim to secure a playoff spot as they face Punjab Kings in Dharamshala. For Punjab Kings, this is a crucial must-win match, as another loss would significantly jeopardize their playoff aspirations. The head-to-head record shows a close contest between the two sides.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 crore for women's self-help groups and startups. The government will act as guarantor. This initiative aims to boost local products and promote 'Vocal for Local'. Platforms will be provided in malls for indigenous goods. The move supports women entrepreneurs and strengthens the national economy.

A job seeker faced an unusual rejection. His application was denied not because of his qualifications, but due to his previous workplace being just 600 meters away. The company cited confidentiality and data security concerns. This decision sparked humorous reactions online. Some users shared witty responses to the peculiar situation.

Director Buchi Babu Sana's upcoming pan-India film Peddi is inspired by the real-life story of Peddi Raju, a talented young daily wage labourer from his hometown who excelled in sports. Ram Charan portrays the lead in this emotional sports drama, which also features Janhvi Kapoor and a strong supporting cast. Read on!

PBKS vs RCB Pitch Weather Report: Punjab Kings need a win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They have lost five matches in a row. Their IPL 2026 playoff chances are at risk. RCB has shown resilience after early defeats. Virat Kohli has contributed consistently for RCB. The match is in Dharamshala. The pitch is good for batting. The weather will be clear.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged the Union Agriculture Minister to address rising shrimp feed prices. The state government is seeking measures to support aquaculture farmers facing increased costs for essential feed ingredients. Discussions included raw material price hikes and proposed feed price increases. Farmer representatives voiced concerns and requested price stability and subsidized electricity.

Ambuja Cements faces project delays due to contractor and team issues. The company is now prioritizing completion of ongoing expansions. Capital expenditure for FY27 is set at Rs 6,000-6,500 crore. Ambuja Cements aims to reach 119 million tonnes capacity by FY27. The focus is on streamlining operations and margin expansion.

Indias trade deficit faces pressure in coming months. Elevated crude prices and supply disruptions impact exports. A potential global demand slowdown adds to concerns. Rupee depreciation may offer some support. A recent hike in bullion import duty could provide near-term relief to the deficit. Electronics deficit reached an all-time high.

suggested navigating this crisis by adopting a two-pronged strategy by implementing a gradual pass-through of rising oil and gas prices in the immediate term, while aggressively accelerating long-term structural reforms across its solar, storage, and distribution networks.

A woman delivered her baby in a government hospital park in Faridabad after the main gate was found locked and no staff responded to pleas for help. The dramatic childbirth occurred under a mobile phone torch, with a relative assisting.

Foreign investment in India needs a boost. ADB Chief Economist Albert Park suggests free trade agreements and lower import tariffs. Strengthening manufacturing infrastructure and urban planning will attract more capital. Higher oil prices are expected to persist, impacting India's GDP growth and inflation. Reforms are ongoing, and continued momentum is advised.

The CBI has arrested Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, an NTA panel member, in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. She is accused of leaking Biology questions and conducting special coaching classes. The agency is seeking her custody for further investigation. The CBI has already arrested nine accused and seized incriminating documents. The investigation into the paper leak continues.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has alerted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the Great Nicobar Island Project. He states the project in its current form is a recipe for ecological disaster. Ramesh suggests alternative measures proposed by naval officers to strengthen India's defence. These alternatives would cause less damage to the region's ecology.

Kami Rita Sherpa has set a new world record, achieving his 32nd ascent of Mount Everest on Sunday. The veteran climber reached the summit at 10:12 am, further solidifying his legendary status in mountaineering. Meanwhile, Lhakpa Sherpa, the Mountain Queen, also broke her own record with her 11th successful Everest summit.

India's defense manufacturing takes a leap forward. The first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 aircraft is now ready for its flight test. This milestone was achieved at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara. The project is a significant part of the Make in India initiative. India has become the largest customer for the C-295 platform.

Entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo suggests that a lack of trust may lead to constant mental alertness, resulting in stress and anxiety. He posits that individuals who struggle to trust spend mental energy anticipating negative outcomes, which can become a habitual defensive state. This theory highlights the psychological cost of pervasive suspicion.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) aims to sanction Rs 1 lakh crore in loans this financial year, with plans to raise Rs 70,000 crore, including from overseas, in FY27. The PSU has diversified beyond railways into sectors like metro and ports, leading to record profits and net worth, while maintaining zero NPAs.

Actress Keerthy Suresh has finally spoken about her fitness transformation. She revealed her journey involved discipline and consistency, not surgery. The actress shared her experiences with workouts and diet changes. She also discussed the impact of public opinion on body image. Read on to know the secret behind her massive transformation.

India and the Netherlands have forged a strategic partnership, signing 17 agreements to enhance collaboration. Discussions focused on defense, critical minerals, and global trade disruptions. Both nations emphasized freedom of navigation and a peaceful Indo-Pacific. Cooperation will expand in green hydrogen, semiconductors, and defense manufacturing. Bilateral trade and investment are set to grow significantly.

West Bengal authorities conducted a heavily secured demolition drive near Howrah Railway Station to remove alleged illegal encroachments. This action follows state minister Dilip Ghosh's assertion that bulldozers will be deployed nationwide against unauthorized constructions. The demolitions aim to address concerns over illegal structures, with assurances of due process from another minister.

The TS EAMCET 2026 results were released today, May 17, by the Telangana State Council of Higher Education. Candidates can now access their scores and rank cards on the official website by entering their registration number, hall ticket number, and date of birth. The downloaded rank card is essential for upcoming counselling and admission processes.

Delhi commuters face higher fuel costs as Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) increased CNG prices by Re 1 per kg, pushing the rate to Rs 80.09. This follows a Rs 2 hike just 48 hours prior. The consecutive increases, alongside recent petrol and diesel price hikes, are attributed to global energy market pressures and supply concerns.

India's exports reached USD 441.78 billion in 2025-26. North America, North-East Asia, and Latin America together accounted for over 35 percent. Exports grew significantly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. North-East Asia saw a surge of 21.6 percent. Indian exporters penetrated 1,821 new principal commodity products. Advanced engineering and industrial sectors contributed the most value.

A recent online discussion revealed stark differences in monthly expenses across India. A Pune-based professional's budget of over 39,000 rupees for city living contrasts sharply with a rural resident's 1,050 rupees. This highlights how location profoundly shapes financial realities. Urban life demands higher spending for essentials, while rural areas offer significantly lower costs.

Aarti Ravi's mother, Sujatha Vijayakumar, has publicly refuted estranged husband Ravi Mohan's claims regarding their divorce. She denied allegations of being denied access to their children and dismissed his statements about financial control and emotional blackmail. Vijayakumar also indicated their intention to involve the Cyber Crime department regarding online harassment claims. Read on!

Hero MotoCorp plans a significant Rs 1,500 crore capital expenditure for fiscal year 2027. This investment aims to double its scooter production capacity. The company is also building a global parts centre in South India with an investment exceeding Rs 700 crore. Demand momentum remains strong despite global uncertainties.

Signature Global plans a significant Rs 3,500 crore investment this fiscal year for land acquisition and construction in Gurugram. The company anticipates a return to normalcy in the Gurugram housing market. Sales bookings are targeted to reach Rs 10,000 crore with a 21 percent growth.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt declared the era of traditional coding is over, stating AI has dramatically accelerated software development. He warned developers and company leaders to adapt to AI-powered tools or risk falling behind. This shift promises exponential productivity gains, potentially making existing software obsolete and reshaping the tech industry.

Uranium Corporation of India will establish a new plant in Jharkhand. This facility will extract uranium from waste materials produced by Hindustan Copper. The move aims to boost India's domestic uranium supply for nuclear power and defense. This initiative will convert waste into a valuable resource. It also supports India's ambitious nuclear power expansion goals.

Conor McGregor is set to return to the octagon on July 11 in Las Vegas, facing Max Holloway in a lightweight/welterweight bout. This marks his first fight since a broken leg injury in July 2021. McGregor, a former two-weight champion, has had a notable career, including a historic title unification and a high-profile boxing match.

The highly anticipated Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop watch launch descended into chaos across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai. Massive crowds, long queues, and safety concerns led to cancelled store openings and frustrated buyers, with some calling it one of the wildest retail scenes in years.

The United States has rolled out a nearly USD 1 billion upgrade programme for its fifth-generation stealth fighter F-35 Lightning 2 fleet, primarily centred on electronic warfare modernisation and advanced combat capability enhancements across hundreds of aircraft operated by both the US military and other foreign operators of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Charles Bukowski's words on loneliness strike a chord even today. His poem captures the deep ache of isolation and the toll of love or its absence. Bukowski's honest portrayal of life's harsh realities and emotional struggles made him a significant voice. His collection 'Love Is a Dog From Hell' remains a powerful exploration of human connection and longing.

China is extending industrial policy across its entire economy. This move strengthens its global manufacturing dominance. It also increases the world's reliance on Chinese supply chains. Beijing is doubling down on state intervention. This strategy is accelerating trade dominance and foreign dependencies. Advanced economies face potential erosion in manufacturing competitiveness.

India is set to boost its manufacturing sector by identifying around 100 products for domestic production. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports and enhance global competitiveness. The government is also streamlining foreign investment approvals and expanding trade agreements.

Eleanor Roosevelt's enduring quote, 'A woman is like a tea bagyou never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water,' highlights the profound resilience and inner strength women possess.

India faces high energy import costs and a weakening rupee. A Monaco company, FOWE Eco Solutions, presents a water-based fuel emulsion technology. This innovation promises substantial fuel savings and emission reductions for Indian industries. The technology requires no engine modification or plant shutdowns. Trials in India show promising results for refineries, steel plants, and power units.

A Nagpur consumer commission directed SBI to pay Rs 5 lakh to a widow. The payment is for an insurance claim filed six years late. The commission cited the widow's mental shock after her husband's sudden death. It stated the bank failed to inform customers of their rights. The bank's refusal was deemed a deficiency in service.

Karnataka-based Davangere Sugar is an integrated sugar and ethanol company engaged in sugar manufacturing, ethanol production and power co-generation. It operates with an ethanol production capacity of 150 KLPD.

The Central Electricity Authority has proposed increasing fixed monthly electricity charges, which could raise household power bills even with lower usage. The move aims to help power distributors recover costs as rooftop solar adoption and captive power generation reduce electricity purchases from discoms. Separate tariff structures for solar users have also been suggested.

Garena Free Fire MAX offers players daily rewards through redeem codes, which are 12-character alphanumeric combinations released regularly. These codes are time-sensitive and can only be used once. Players can claim their free items by visiting the official redemption site and logging in with their game-linked accounts.