The Economic Times

Winless after six matches, Kolkata Knight Riders' playoff hopes are fading, but skipper Ajinkya Rahane urges the team to embrace tough phases and play with freedom. Despite a fifth defeat against Gujarat Titans, Rahane emphasized focusing on one game at a time and playing for their fans, highlighting the team's hard work and discussions on improvement.

Kabul is undergoing a massive transformation as the Taliban government revives old plans to widen roads. Homes, businesses, and even a graveyard are being demolished to make way for modern infrastructure. This extensive project aims to ease traffic congestion in the capital. Property owners are compensated, and new jobs are being created through the construction work.

President Trump sees positive signs in Iran peace talks. A ceasefire in the Middle East conflict may be extended if a deal is reached by Wednesday. Iran has temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping may return to normal soon. Talks are ongoing to resolve the conflict and Iran's nuclear program.

The Calcutta High Court has cancelled the appointment of assistant professors as presiding officers for the West Bengal assembly elections. The court ruled that these appointments violated Election Commission guidelines. The petitioners, from the West Bengal Government College Teachers' Association, challenged their assignments. The court found no justification for drafting these senior staff without proper reasons.

A woman in Bengaluru faced disappointment in the city's competitive rental market. She lost a house she was about to rent after a landlord accepted another tenant's deposit. The incident, shared online, resonated with many who have had similar experiences. The search for a furnished 1BHK near Garudachar Palya continues.

Iran War News Day 50: The Iran-Israel conflict reaches its 50th day. Tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts continue for a nuclear deal. Global markets react to the developments. Lebanon signals a political shift amid ongoing violence. The conflict's impact spreads to Iraq. A multinational mission is planned for Hormuz. Defence industries see increased demand. The situation remains fluid.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5 struck mountainous Nagano prefecture in central Japan on Saturday. The quake hit Omachi in northern Nagano around 1:20 p.m. It registered a seismic intensity of upper-5 on Japan's scale. It is not immediately clear if there was any damage. Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas.

Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz have revealed a key vulnerability for President Trump. The conflict has led to rising energy costs and inflation, impacting American consumers. This economic pressure is forcing Trump to seek a diplomatic solution. Adversaries like Russia and China are observing these developments.

Garena Free Fire Max players can snag free in-game items using redeem codes released regularly. These 12-character alphanumeric codes are time-sensitive and can only be used once. Players should visit the official redemption site to log in and enter the codes promptly to claim their rewards before they expire.

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh experienced a flight in a US F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base. This visit aimed to enhance interoperability and collaboration between the Indian and US Air Forces. Discussions focused on joint exercises and modernization efforts. The F-15EX is a key platform for Indo-Pacific defense.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board has released exam city details for 41,424 Home Guard vacancies. Candidates can check their allotted district via an intimation slip issued on April 18, 2026. The written exam is scheduled for April 25-27, 2026, with admit cards available three days prior.

A US appeals court has permitted President Donald Trump's administration to proceed with building a new ballroom at the White House. This decision temporarily halts a lower court's order that had stopped the project. The court will hold a hearing in June to further review the case.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under intense scrutiny. His choice of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador has resurfaced. Questions are being raised about how Mandelson secured the position. Starmer is accused of misleading Parliament. This comes after Mandelson's initial security clearance was denied. The situation threatens Starmer's promise of integrity in government.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin declared a victory against the delimitation bill in Parliament. He stated this defeat has humbled Delhi's arrogance and significantly impacted the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stalin predicted further electoral successes for his alliance in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on April 23.

UP Board Class 10 and 12 results for 2026 are anticipated between April 20-25. Students can access their scorecards on official websites like upmsp.edu.in and results.upmsp.edu.in, as well as DigiLocker and the UMANG app. A minimum of 33% is required to pass, with compartment exams available for those who don't meet the criteria.

Senior Democratic lawmakers in the US Senate on Friday (local time) sharply criticised the Trump administration for extending a waiver that allows the continued sale of sanctioned Russian oil, calling the move a shameful policy reversal.

A violent incident unfolded in Melbourne when a masked group attacked a restaurant gathering with machetes. An 18-year-old was hospitalized with injuries. Separately, a truck driver tragically lost his life in a multi-vehicle collision on a Victorian road. Several others were taken to hospital following the crash. Police are investigating both incidents.

US President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for their lack of support during Strait of Hormuz tensions. He stated they were useless when needed and that they required American assistance. Trump praised Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar for their help.

During his return journey to Washington, President Donald Trump conveyed a cautionary message to Iran, emphasizing that the ongoing ceasefire could be revoked by Wednesday if no long-term solution is negotiated. He further reiterated the continuation of the blockade on Iranian ports, hinting at the possibility of escalating military engagement if tensions persist.

A US judge has dismissed Bayer's plea to halt Johnson & Johnson's advertising for its prostate cancer drug Erleada. Bayer alleged false claims about a halved death risk compared to its own drug, Nubeqa. The court found J&J's campaign accurately reflected its study's findings, deeming Bayer's arguments insufficient for an injunction. Bayer vows to pursue the case on its merits.

Left-leaning Americans are increasingly purchasing firearms due to fears of government overreach under the Trump administration. This trend is upending traditional gun ownership demographics, with individuals citing concerns about federal agents and societal polarization as motivations for seeking self-protection and preparedness.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for global religious unity for peace. He praises Pope Leo's stance and urges leaders to speak with one voice. The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, including Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, is highlighted. Mirwaiz emphasizes that resolving the Palestinian occupation is crucial for lasting regional peace.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced a ew phase of permanent agreements following a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. He stated Lebanon is no longer an arena for anyone's wars, emphasizing the nation's reclaimed decision-making power and commitment to negotiating for its own rights and sovereignty.

The Strait of Hormuz has reopened for commercial ships following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. This move initially boosted oil markets. However, Iran has cautioned that the waterway could be shut again if the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated a deal with Iran is nearing completion.

The Donald Trump administration is considering changes to North American trade rules that could raise tariffs on imported vehicles and push automakers to increase US-based production.

The Social Security proposal 2026 could reshape retirement payouts fast. New data shows up to $190 billion may be cut in ten years. The plan caps benefits at $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for couples. It directly targets high-income retirees first. But the long-term impact goes wider. Fixed caps may pull middle earners into limits over time. Experts say this Social Security reform could close half the funding gap. Still, concerns remain about fairness, trust, and future retirement income

Gautam Adani has officially claimed the title of Asia's wealthiest individual, overtaking Mukesh Ambani with a net worth of $92.6 billion as of April 16. The surge in Adani Group stock prices has fueled this remarkable comeback after earlier hardships. Adani now proudly ranks 19th on the prestigious Bloomberg Billionaire Index, highlighting a significant turnaround in his financial standing.

The Reserve Bank of India has opened a special foreign exchange window to supply dollars to state-run refiners, easing pressure on the rupee. This move, likely routed through state-run lenders, aims to reduce the significant daily dollar demand from oil companies. Analysts expect this intervention to lead to rupee appreciation.

AMD UALink Standard is driving a major shift in AI infrastructure right now. Advanced Micro Devices is leading this open interconnect push as AI cluster demand surges globally. AMD stock has jumped over 166% in one year, showing strong market confidence. This standard improves speed, reduces latency, and supports multi-vendor AI systems. It helps data centers scale faster with better efficiency. As cloud and enterprise AI grow rapidly, AMD UALink Standard is becoming critical for building flexib

Claude Opus 4.7 benchmarks explained start with a strong data point: 87.6% on SWE-bench Verified. This jump signals real coding gains in 2026. Developers now see better issue resolution and faster workflows. Claude Opus 4.7 benchmarks explained also highlight 64.3% on SWE-bench Pro, beating GPT-5.4 and Gemini 3.1 Pro. Tool use leads at 77.3% on MCP-Atlas. Computer use reaches 78.0%. However, BrowseComp drops to 79.3%. This means weaker research performance. Overall, Claude Opus 4.7 benchmarks ex

Chinese proverb of the day focuses on the saying that warns people about taking more than they can handle. The story explains literal and metaphorical meanings, origin, daily relevance, and related sayings. It also explores lessons about ambition, success, human nature, greed, responsibility, and learning from mistakes in modern life and work.

African proverb of the day shares a lesson about limits, human nature and sustainable use of resources. The saying explains how people, companies and societies cannot depend on one source at the same time. It shows the need for diversity, independence and planning. The proverb also links to work culture, leadership and economic systems. It encourages innovation and spreading opportunities for survival and stability.

Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Q1 2026 results show a powerful surge. Silver production hit 787,000 ounces. That marks a 76% year-over-year jump. Silver sales reached 830,000 ounces. Demand stayed strong across markets. The Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Q1 2026 results reflect real operational gains. Galena and Cosal mines delivered higher output. Copper, lead, and antimony added revenue strength. Cash reserves touched $122.6 million. Ongoing upgrades and automation plans support fu

Quote of the day by Jerry Seinfeld explores how the idea of fun differs for people within families and social groups. The quote reflects human nature, expectations, and shared experiences. The story explains the quote meaning, its relevance today, and life lessons from the quote. It also looks at Jerry Seinfelds career journey, comedy work, television success, and later projects that shaped his influence on popular culture and entertainment.

Many retirees are thinking about Roth conversion to save tax in the future. It can give tax-free income later but may increase tax today. The decision depends on tax rate, income level, and retirement plans. Experts say timing is very important. Wrong planning can increase costs, so careful thinking or advice is needed before converting savings.

Ship safety in the Strait of Hormuz draws attention to vessel flagging. India is boosting its flagged fleet. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 targets a significant increase in the global share of Indian-flagged ships. This initiative aims to enhance the utilization of these vessels by 2047. Indian flagged ships receive advantages in domestic waters.

A French proverb suggests truth is more valuable when it takes time to discover, emphasizing the enriching journey of reflection and experience. This idea applies to personal growth, relationships, and knowledge, challenging the modern pursuit of instant answers. The proverb highlights that the process of searching, not just the discovery, imbues truth with depth and meaning.

Visa is reportedly appointing Suresh Sethi, former CEO of Protean eGov Technologies, as its new India country head. Sethi, with extensive experience in banking and tech, succeeds Sandeep Ghosh. This leadership transition occurs as Visa intensifies its focus on digital payments and regional partnerships, aiming for continued growth and innovation in the Indian market.

Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the government's women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha. He called it an anti-national move designed to alter India's electoral map for political gain. Gandhi argued the bill bypasses a caste census, diluting representation for OBCs, Dalits, and minorities. He urged the government to implement the existing women's reservation act immediately.

Jammu and Kashmir has identified over 40,000 manuscripts under the national Gyan Bharatam mission. A 16th-century Takri script manuscript was found in Jammu. The project aims to conserve and catalogue rare texts. Surveys are underway across all 20 districts. Experts will assess and digitize manuscripts with owner permission. This initiative seeks to preserve India's traditional knowledge.

The government is considering a significant increase in the provident fund wage ceiling. Current limits may rise to 25,000 or 30,000 monthly from 15,000. This move aims to prevent workers from being excluded from social security due to rising wages. Discussions are underway with stakeholders to finalize the new ceiling. The Employees' State Insurance Corporation ceiling is also being reviewed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party will initiate nationwide protests following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. Party president Nitin Nabin met with senior leaders to plan the strategy. Protests will occur in state capitals, with senior BJP leaders holding press conferences.

Harivansh secured the Deputy Chairman position in the Rajya Sabha for a third term unopposed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge praised his re-election. Harivansh's journey from journalism to this high office was highlighted. Members from various parties welcomed his return, acknowledging his fairness and commitment to democratic values. The election process was smooth, with unanimous support.

Bitcoin (BTC USD) vs gold as safe haven: Markets experienced a significant jolt following geopolitical tensions, with oil seeing a surge in trading activity instead of Bitcoin. While Bitcoin initially dropped, it later rebounded, outperforming equities over the full conflict period. Gold maintained its status as a traditional safe-haven asset.

India's Election Commission is revising voter lists, removing over 5.98 crore names. The process, starting in Bihar, has changed significantly. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are now undergoing revisions. West Bengal's revision faced legal challenges, leading to mass deletions and judicial oversight. The exercise aims to ensure accurate voter rolls.

Opposition parties are strongly opposing a new bill that links women's reservation to delimitation. They argue this move unfairly impacts several states, particularly in the South. Leaders from DMK and Congress have voiced concerns, calling it a political ploy. The government's assurance of a uniform seat increase is not convincing them.

Political parties are reacting to a Constitution Amendment Bill. BJP allies TDP and JDU have given their full support. YSRCP also supports the bill but wants the delimitation formula to remain fair. Akali Dal has opposed the legislation. Concerns have been raised about potential impacts on southern states and the delimitation process.