The Economic Times

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is on a four-day visit to Myanmar to bolster operational cooperation and explore new maritime security collaborations. The visit underscores the strong India-Myanmar friendship, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to regional stability. Discussions will focus on ongoing cooperation, enhancing linkages, and capacity building.

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enact legislation prohibiting cigarette sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009. This move aims to create a smoke-free generation by legally preventing future access to tobacco products. Ramadoss highlighted India's significant burden of tobacco-related deaths and diseases in his appeal.

Jabalpur boat tragedy: A viral image of a mother and son from the Jabalpur boat tragedy was found to be fake. The actual recovered bodies showed the mother holding her four-year-old son tightly, a heartbreaking testament to her final moments. Officials believe she instinctively shielded him, attempting to create an air pocket as their cabin flooded.

Ukrainian drones are hitting Russian oil facilities deep inside the country. These attacks aim to cut funding for the war. While the economic impact is unclear, the strikes are bringing the war home to Russians. Environmental damage is also a concern, with oil spills and toxic rain reported.

A Calgary man confessed to murdering his two young children, a five-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, before bringing their bodies to a police station. The 37-year-old was taken into custody and faces two first-degree murder charges. He had no prior criminal record, but police had responded to domestic calls at the couple's address in the past.

A senior Iranian military officer stated renewed conflict with the US is likely, following President Trump's dissatisfaction with Iran's new peace proposal. Despite a ceasefire, fighting persists in Lebanon, while the US approves significant arms sales to regional allies. Iran faces deepening economic hardship due to sanctions and blockades.

ISRO held technical discussions with Russia's Roscosmos in Moscow for semi-cryogenic engines, crucial for India's heavy-lift launch vehicles. A draft contract is under approval, potentially accelerating ISRO's indigenous engine development. This collaboration aligns with ISRO's broader international partnerships, including for the Venus Orbiter Mission.

BSE Odisha 10th Result 2026: The Board of Secondary Education Odisha (BSE) will release the Class 10 results today, May 2, at 4 pm. Students can access their scorecards online from 6 pm onwards via official websites, SMS, DigiLocker, or the UMANG App. Required credentials include roll number and date of birth.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking at Davos 2026, cautioned against a world of fortresses, warning it would be poorer and more fragile. He stressed that abandoning rules and values for unchecked power pursuit undermines sustainable gains. Carney's message champions cooperation and shared principles over isolation and narrow interests for long-term global prosperity and stability.

A Reddit user detailed the arduous reality of trucking and warehouse jobs in Europe, emphasizing continuous physical strain and minimal rest. They highlighted the isolation and language barriers faced by foreign workers, contrasting it with more familiar support systems in India. The post cautions against romanticized notions of easy foreign employment, stressing the significant physical and mental toll.

Japan has spent billions of dollars to boost its currency. The yen had fallen to its lowest level against the dollar in years. Officials had signaled potential action. This intervention marks the first since 2024. The move aims to stabilize the yen's value amid global economic pressures.

A massive prehistoric snake named Vasuki indicus has been discovered in Gujarat. Fossilized bones suggest this ancient serpent lived 47 million years ago. It may have stretched up to 50 feet, rivaling the largest snakes known. This discovery sheds light on India's potential role in the origin of giant snakes. The findings are based on 27 fossilized vertebrae.

Garena Free Fire MAX offers players daily rewards through redeem codes, which are 12-character alphanumeric combinations released regularly. These codes are time-limited 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 account.

India's new indigenous cell broadcast system for disaster alerts was tested on Saturday, startling many mobile users with a loud Extremely Severe notification. The government-issued message, intended to reassure citizens it was a trial run, highlighted the system's aim to provide real-time emergency warnings and strengthen national disaster preparedness.

President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly ignored federal court orders. This defiance spans various policy areas, from immigration to foreign aid. Judges have found widespread noncompliance, a situation legal experts deem unprecedented. Higher courts have sometimes sided with the administration, critics say this emboldens further disregard for judicial rulings. The Justice Department often disputes accusations of noncompliance.

MSBSHSE 12th Result 2026: The Maharashtra HSC Class 12 results for 2026 has been released today by the MSBSHSE at 1 PM. Students can access their marksheets via the official websites, DigiLocker, or the UMANG app. It is advised to have login details ready to avoid delays due to expected high traffic.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are bracing for a heatwave with temperatures expected to be 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal, coupled with high humidity, until May 5. Several districts will experience significantly higher temperatures, with Vellore already recording 42.4C. Isolated heavy rains with thunderstorms are also forecast for some districts.

The Supreme Court has not issued any orders regarding the Trinamool Congress's challenge to the Election Commission's directive on vote counting supervisors. The Election Commission assured the court that its circular will be fully implemented. This circular involves deploying Central government and PSU employees for vote counting supervision. The court noted the circular is not against existing rules.

A new video shows passengers scrambling for life jackets as a boat capsized in Jabalpur's Bargi Dam, claiming nine lives. Survivors allege life jackets were not distributed promptly, contributing to the tragedy. Investigations are underway, with officials taking action against those responsible for negligence.

Iran has caused significant damage to American military bases across the Gulf. Reports reveal extensive destruction at facilities in Kuwait and Qatar. Key assets like aircraft and radar systems were hit. This marks a new vulnerability for US installations in the region. Many troops evacuated positions. Iran's enhanced satellite capabilities played a role.

MSBSHSE 12th Toppers 2026: Maharashtra HSC Result 2026 will be released online by the Maharashtra State Board. Students can check their performance and division-wise statistics. The board will not publish a toppers list to reduce student pressure. Details on passing marks, grading, and revaluation procedures will be available. Students who do not pass can appear for supplementary exams.

President Trump faces an indefinite standoff with Iran, failing to achieve key war objectives like regime change or preventing a nuclear weapon. The prolonged conflict risks persistent global economic fallout, including high gas prices, impacting Trump's approval and Republican midterm prospects.

A woman bathing her pet dog in the Ganga at Haridwar's Sarvanand Ghat has caused a stir. Priests and locals objected, citing the river's sanctity. The woman argued with those present. A video of the incident went viral, drawing mixed reactions online. Some defended the act, questioning hypocrisy, while others condemned it.

Hezbollah is using inexpensive fibre-optic drones against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. These drones are difficult to detect and counter. The Israeli military has confirmed casualties from these attacks. This tactic represents a shift in Hezbollah's strategy. Israel is adapting its defenses and studying similar technologies from the Ukraine war.

President Donald Trump told top US lawmakers on Friday that hostilities in Iran had ended, after coming under pressure from Congress to seek authorization for the conflict as it headed into its third month. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated, he wrote in letters to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley. ft/acb

The UAE has exited OPEC and OPEC+, ending decades of Saudi economic influence. Analysts call it a political rebellion prioritizing market share and independent foreign policy towards the US, Israel, and Asia. This move aims to monetize oil reserves before they become stranded assets and fund a green economy transition, potentially reshaping regional energy dynamics and challenging Saudi Arabia's dominance.

The Allahabad High Court ruled that public land is not for exclusive religious use. Individuals cannot unilaterally use such property for Namaz. Religious practice is subject to public order and others' rights. The court dismissed a petition seeking exclusive use of land for Namaz. Such activities impacting public domain are subject to state regulation, it said.

Canada's intelligence agency has identified Khalistani elements as a violent extremist threat. The CSIS report also highlights foreign interference in Canadian politics by China, Russia, India, Iran and Pakistan.

Petrol, Diesel Prices Today: Fuel prices remain steady today, May 2, 2026, despite global oil market turmoil. While commercial LPG saw a significant jump, petrol and diesel rates are unchanged. But government sources have indicated that the prices of petrol and diesel may go up and the rates will see a hike of Rs 4-5 per litre.

Weather update: India braces for above-normal May rainfall, with the southwest monsoon expected around May 14-16. Delhi anticipates partly cloudy skies and light rain with thunderstorms on May 3. Kerala faces a yellow alert for heavy showers and strong winds across all districts. Widespread rain has been forecast for various regions, including heavy downpours in the Northeast and East, as per the IMD.

President Trump described U.S. naval actions against Iran as like pirates after seizing a ship and its oil cargo. This comes amid the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which has led to blockades and significant casualties. The conflict has also disrupted global oil shipments.

LPG Gas Cylinder Price: Domestic LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged, offering relief to 33 crore users. However, commercial 19-kg LPG cylinders have seen a significant Rs 993 price hike, reaching Rs 3,071.50 in Delhi. This increase, the highest single-day hike by OMCs, is attributed to global energy cost rises and disrupted West Asian supply flows.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard is tightening its grip on vital waterways. New rules aim to boost control over the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. This move signals Iran's intent to assert dominance in the region. Supreme Leader Khamenei has also spoken out against foreign military presence. He described US bases as ineffective.

The U.S. will withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany within a year, fulfilling President Trump's threat amid disagreements over the Iran conflict. This decision, impacting 14% of American forces in Germany, has drawn criticism from Democrats and think tanks who fear it weakens U.S. security and benefits Russia.

West Asia War: India's economy began the new fiscal year with a powerful surge. Goods and Services Tax collections reached a record high in April. Passenger car sales also saw a substantial increase. Digital transactions through UPI experienced significant growth. These positive indicators suggest the economy is resilient, with no immediate impact from the West Asia war.

Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed excitement about India's market. The company achieved strong double-digit growth in India for iPhones, iPadApple posts strong growth in India despite global smartphone slowdowns, and Macs. This success occurred even as the overall Indian smartphone market faced a downturn. Apple's aspirational appeal is growing, bringing new users into its ecosystem. The company is navigating memory chip cost increases.

The finance ministry has authorized force majeure for government contracts impacted by the West Asia conflict, treating it as war. This offers relief to companies, including drone manufacturers, facing supply chain disruptions and delivery delays of two to four months. The move shields firms from penalties for missed deadlines due to the ongoing conflict.

What is mifepristone, and why is it used? A federal appeals court has restricted access to mifepristone by blocking mailing of prescriptions. The ruling requires in-person clinic visits for the abortion pill. The decision affects telemedicine abortion, FDA rules, Louisiana abortion ban enforcement, and miscarriage care access across the United States.

Why are gold and silver prices up today, and will gold reach $4,800 and silver touch $90 again? Gold and silver prices moved higher after oil prices fell and the US dollar weakened. News about Iran sending a proposal for talks supported market sentiment. Investors watched inflation, interest rates, and global growth signals while metals gained momentum.

Dark Eagle hypersonic missile: The US military is reportedly considering deploying its advanced Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East. This move comes amid concerns about Iranian missile launchers. If deployed, it would be the first operational use of a US hypersonic weapon.

Why are oil prices down today while gas rates are witnessing a rise? Oil prices fell after Iran proposed new talks with the United States through Pakistan, raising hopes of supply improvement. Brent and WTI dropped before partial recovery. At the same time, US natural gas futures rose due to falling output and record LNG exports. Storage, pipeline limits, and weather forecasts also shaped gas demand and supply outlook across the United States energy market.

The Enforcement Directorate is adapting to new criminal challenges like crypto fraud and terror financing. The agency has filed nearly twice the number of prosecution complaints this financial year compared to last. Significant assets have been attached, and a high conviction rate is maintained. Restitution has been made to victims. The government affirms the ED's strengthened powers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes for a swift recovery to Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai, who is reportedly unwell. Rai has previously contested against Modi from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in three general elections. Modi conveyed his well wishes via a post on X.

Quote of the day by Tom Hanks: He emphasizes that choices, however small, profoundly shape our lives and the world around us. These seemingly minor decisions, when accumulated, create significant change and influence personal growth and relationships. Hanks' own career, marked by diverse roles and numerous accolades, exemplifies the impact of consistent effort and impactful choices.

The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. The party stated the Assam government sought to intimidate Khera. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi highlighted the court's observations on the Assam Chief Minister's conduct. Singhvi urged the Chief Minister to reflect on his actions and express regret. The decision allows inquiry without arrest.

A U.S. military-run center near Gaza, tasked with monitoring the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and boosting aid, is reportedly set to close. Critics argue the Civil-Military Coordination Centre failed in its mission, with its responsibilities expected to be absorbed by a planned international security force. The Board of Peace has denied the center is closing.