The Economic Times

India is boosting domestic manufacturing. The government is identifying 100 products, including auto parts, for increased local production. A 'Made in India Brand Scheme' will soon launch to assure quality. Artificial intelligence is transforming manufacturing. Businesses are encouraged to invest long-term in India, leveraging new opportunities and free trade agreements.

Saudi Aramco's CEO Amin Nasser has predicted that the global energy markets may remain volatile until 2027 due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. This pivotal route is under significant strain, affecting supply chains and pricing. Even if the situation improves and the waterway is restored, market rebalancing is expected to take considerable time.

India's urban joblessness saw a slight dip to 6.6 percent in the first quarter of 2026. Rural unemployment, however, increased to 4.3 percent. Labour force participation rates also showed minor declines across urban and rural areas. Regular wage employment in rural regions grew, while self-employment decreased. Agriculture's share in rural jobs reduced as tertiary and secondary sectors expanded.

While parrots get all the fame, birds like the Indian Hill Myna, Lyrebird, and Raven are actually superior mimics. This story explores six incredible birds that can perfectly copy human voices, car alarms, and neighborhood sounds, proving that natures best voice actors are often hiding in plain sight.

Harsh Goenka recently praised Odishas traditional food after enjoying a homemade Odia meal, saying the cuisine deserves a much bigger place in conversations around Indian food. In a post on X, Goenka highlighted the balance, freshness and subtle flavours of Odia cuisine, noting that it avoids excessive cream, butter and chillies. He also shared that he tried dishes such as Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, Chakuli Pitha and Besara preparations, sparking widespread appreciation online for Odishas rich culinary

A new rural employment law, VB-G RAM G Act, will replace MGNREGA on July 1. It guarantees 125 days of work annually, focusing on infrastructure and climate resilience. The transition aims to be seamless. Concerns exist regarding digitisation and potential barriers for vulnerable workers. Funding patterns have also been adjusted.

A supermoon typically draws attention because it appears larger and brighter than usual in the night sky. But the May New Supermoon works a little differently. Unlike a glowing full supermoon, this lunar event takes place when the moon enters its new phase while also moving relatively close to Earth in its orbit.

Quote of the Day by Louisa May Alcott: Louisa May Alcotts timeless quote highlights the emotional strength and security that genuine friendship provides in life. It describes a faithful friend as both a strong defense and a treasure, emphasizing how rare and valuable loyal companionship truly is. The inspiring quote of the day reminds readers that trust, loyalty, empathy, and support are among the most important qualities in human relationships.

Americas $38.9 trillion national debt is now reshaping how millions think about money, retirement and survival. Robert Kiyosaki says the U.S. economy may be moving toward a Greater Depression as inflation pressure, rising credit card debt and weakening purchasing power squeeze middle-class families. His warning comes as gold prices remain historically strong, Bitcoin stays volatile yet attractive, and real estate affordability keeps falling across major cities. Many investors now search for safe

A US-brokered ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine has expired. Both nations accuse each other of violations. American and European officials are considering further talks. Ukrainian authorities report Russian strikes on civilian areas. Russia claims over a thousand ceasefire violations. Diplomatic efforts have yielded little success. Prisoner exchanges are being prepared, but key negotiating positions remain unchanged.

The Tuljabhawani Temple in Dharashiv district, Maharashtra, possesses substantial gold and silver reserves. As of March 31 this year, the temple trust reported 253 kilograms of gold and 4,614 kilograms of silver. Donations of gold and silver have been recorded over recent fiscal years, showing fluctuations in quantities received.

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging a provision of the Hindu Marriage Act that allows only wives to seek divorce in certain situations linked to maintenance orders. The court said the Constitution permits special legal protections for women and observed that the petition appeared to arise from a personal matrimonial dispute rather than a broader constitutional issue.

The Enforcement Directorate has opposed actor Jacqueline Fernandez's request to become an approver in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case. The agency stated she maintained contact with the accused, Sukesh Chandrashekar, despite knowing his criminal background. Fernandez allegedly received gifts from proceeds of crime. Her cooperation during the investigation has been questioned.

Hailing from a forest-dependent family in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, Ajay Gupta achieved an All India Rank of 91 in the IFS and 452 in the civil services. His success, supported by scholarships and his deep connection to forests, inspires his community and highlights the aspirations of rural youth.

Nida Khan, accused in a Nashik sexual harassment and forced conversion case, has been remanded to judicial custody. She was arrested on May 7. The case involves allegations of exploitation and attempts at forceful religious conversion. Khan, who is pregnant, was denied anticipatory bail earlier. The police are investigating multiple FIRs related to the matter.

Indian industry must actively use new free trade agreements. These pacts offer significant trade and investment prospects. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal highlighted the need for better utilization. Modern agreements go beyond tariffs, focusing on services and regulations. This aims to create a predictable environment for investors.

The Maldives has made a significant payment to India, settling a USD 50 million treasury bill. This move aims to reduce the nation's external debt. India had previously provided financial support through treasury bills subscribed by the State Bank of India. President Muizzu stated that his administration has cleared this debt, preventing a larger financial burden.

India's fertilizer supply for the upcoming Kharif season is secure. The Centre confirmed comfortable stock levels, exceeding usual requirements. Maximum retail prices for major fertilizers remain stable. Domestic production and imports have bolstered availability. The government has secured significant quantities of NPK complexes, DAP, triple super phosphate, and ammonium sulfate.

India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is opening build-operate-transfer road projects to large institutional investors. This policy shift aims to boost private participation in highway development. Previously, these funds were mostly limited to toll-operate-transfer projects. The government has eased eligibility rules to attract more investment.

Motorcycle crash Canada: A motorcycle crash near the Surrey-Delta border sent a bike dangling from a traffic light, leaving one rider with serious injuries. The collision with a silver sedan caused major disruption, with bystanders capturing the shocking scene on video. Emergency crews worked to safely remove the motorcycle from the overhead signal.

Former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Monday. This is in connection with the alleged municipality recruitment scam. Bose was accompanied by his son. The central agency has summoned Bose before. The ED searched establishments owned by Bose and his son. Incriminating documents were reportedly recovered.

The Supreme Court has directed the National Investigation Agency to conclude its investigation into the April 1 violence in Malda, West Bengal. A mob had held seven judicial officers captive for nine hours. The NIA is expected to file its charge sheet within two months. This action follows the court's suo motu cognizance of the incident.

Women travelling free on Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses will soon need Pink Saheli Smart Cards. The Delhi government is phasing out pink tickets from July. This move aims to streamline subsidies and integrate with the National Common Mobility Card. Around six lakh women have already registered for the card. Awareness campaigns will precede strict implementation.

Tech layoffs 2026: Over 92,000 tech jobs vanished by May 2026, with April seeing the worst layoffs in two years. US tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are cutting staff, citing AI efficiencies and past over-hiring. Despite job cuts, major tech firms are investing heavily in AI, signaling a significant industry shift.

Marriage registrations in China have seen a significant drop. Official data reveals a 6.2% decrease in the first quarter compared to last year. This figure is now approximately half of what it was in 2017. The trend underscores the demographic challenges facing the nation.

Jana Nayagan release date: After months of uncertainty, leaks, and certification delays, Vijays much-awaited film Jana Nayagan may finally be heading to theatres soon. Producer Venkat K Narayana has now confirmed that the CBFC process is nearing completion and the film could release within the next two weeks just as Vijay begins his new chapter as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

The Union government has told the Bombay High Court that Agniveers are different from regular soldiers. This means families of deceased Agniveers cannot claim the same pensionary benefits. The government stated this in response to a petition by the mother of a deceased Agniveer. The Agnipath scheme is a short-term engagement for national security.

The Supreme Court has indicated that Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leaders can file new petitions. These petitions will address concerns about election results in constituencies where voter deletions surpassed victory margins. This follows a legal battle over the Election Commission's voter roll revision in West Bengal. The court's observation allows affected parties to pursue remedies under election law.

Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group is investigating alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2026 examination after the NTA received inputs about question sets circulating before the May 3 test. Investigators identified a circulated set with over 400 questions, with more than 100 biology and chemistry questions showing similarities to the actual paper. Similar materials have also surfaced in Maharashtra.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for conserving foreign exchange due to rising oil prices and a weakening rupee. The nation is exploring past measures to attract dollar inflows and curb outflows. These include encouraging diaspora deposits, easing capital account norms, and controlling imports.

The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has urged the Union Labour Ministry to issue an advisory for mandatory work-from-home in the IT sector. Citing Prime Minister Modi's appeal for fuel conservation, NITES highlighted the sector's proven ability to maintain productivity remotely during the pandemic, advocating for this measure to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact.

India has no plans to raise duties on gold and silver imports, a government source said on Monday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to avoid buying gold for a year due to the impact of the Iran war.

The Madras High Court has reserved its decision on a plea to stop a TVK MLA-elect from taking oath. The MLA won the Tirupattur seat by a single vote. The DMK candidate, who lost by that narrow margin, had requested a vote recount. The court heard arguments from both sides. The final decision is awaited.

Kerala Lottery Suvarna Keralam SK-53 results for Monday, 11 May 2026 have now been released, offering participants a chance to win prizes ranging from a 1 crore jackpot to smaller amounts. Ticket holders can check their numbers for the draw, which features multiple prize tiers. The Kerala State Lotteries Department ensures transparency in the announcement and claiming process.

India's cumulative ethanol supplies reached approximately 515 crore litres in the first half of ESY 2025-26, with maize emerging as the largest feedstock.

India has succeeded in bringing children to school but struggles to keep them enrolled in higher classes. A NITI Aayog report reveals a significant drop in participation from primary to secondary and higher secondary levels. Dropout rates also increase sharply at these stages. The system is strong on access but weak on continuity and learning depth.

Daily wage earners now represent the largest group of suicide victims in India, accounting for 31% of all deaths in 2024, a decade-high. This alarming trend sees over 52,000 such workers dying by suicide. While family issues and illness remain primary drivers, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra report the highest numbers. Most victims came from low-income households.

Newly elected AIADMK members took their oaths for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. They arrived in two separate groups, highlighting a division within the party. This follows a disappointing performance in the recent Assembly elections. One MLA became emotional seeing a portrait of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

A solitary tree, sculpted by relentless winds, offers a powerful lesson in resilience. Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared a video of the tree, highlighting how challenges can shape us into something stronger and more distinctive. This message resonates deeply with millions navigating life's storms, emphasizing adaptation over resistance.

A Bengaluru couple has gone viral after revealing that they spend nearly 1.3 lakh every month despite both earning well-paying corporate salaries. From 56,000 rent to groceries, subscriptions, commuting, and eating out, their expense breakdown has divided the internet with some calling it normal Bangalore life and others saying it reflects luxury choices more than rising living costs.

The AIADMK is experiencing an internal split following a significant election defeat. MLAs are divided on whether to support the ruling TVK party. Some party members are also showing signs of discontent with party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. Senior leaders and their supporters have reportedly skipped meetings. This division could impact the party's future.

India is launching a new rural employment program, VB-G RAM G, replacing MGNREGA from July 1, 2026. This initiative guarantees 125 days of work annually for eligible rural households. The program aims to boost rural infrastructure and livelihoods. The transition will be seamless, with existing job cards remaining valid.

Indian-American philanthropist Anil Kochhar announced a significant gift at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles graduation. He and his wife Marilyn will cover the final-year education loans for 176 graduates from the 2025-26 academic year, honoring his father's legacy. This generous act aims to provide students with greater freedom to pursue their aspirations without financial burdens.

Quote of the day by Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa devoted her life to helping the poor, sick, and homeless through compassion and selfless service. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, she inspired millions with her teachings on kindness, love, and humanity. Honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresas timeless message continues to encourage people worldwide to make a difference through even the smallest acts of care.

Tamil Nadu Minister S Keerthana was unable to take her oath as an MLA in the State Assembly on Monday. She did not present her Certificate of Election, a mandatory requirement. Assembly officials requested the document before allowing her to proceed. Keerthana, elected from Sivakasi, was the last minister to be invited.

India's economic growth is set to slow in the upcoming fiscal year. This slowdown is attributed to the diminishing impact of recent tax cuts and escalating crude oil prices. These factors will affect consumption, investment, and inflation. The economy faces pressure from weakening momentum and an oil shock linked to the Iran conflict. A weaker monsoon also poses a risk.

India's judiciary is embracing digital transformation. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has launched 'One Case One Data' to unify court information nationwide. This initiative connects high courts, district courts, and taluka courts for better case management. Additionally, an AI-powered chatbot named 'Su Sahay' is now available on the Supreme Court website.