The Economic Times

Why are US stock market futures up now, and will Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq continue to stay in green or turn red again? US stock futures moved higher as hopes of Middle East peace improved investor mood. Technology stocks gained interest again while investors tracked earnings and oil supply risks. Markets may stay supported if talks continue. However, risks remain from Iran talks and oil supply disruptions.

Lakshya Kapur, an engineer from Vellore Institute of Technology, found his path to Google by embracing uncertainty. He felt lost during college but began experimenting in his final year. This led him to discover his interest in digital marketing through internships and campus activities. Kapur's story shows that taking action and learning from mistakes can open unexpected doors.

Rising oil prices could push India's current account deficit to a concerning two percent of GDP, as highlighted by a Crisil report. This prediction hinges on the volatile global market conditions were currently facing. While US tariff reductions may bolster exports to some extent, the ongoing unrest in West Asia is another pivotal aspect that could affect the situation.

India is increasingly recognized as a stable global capital hub with its market capitalization reaching USD 4.4 trillion and a total of USD 154 billion raised through equity and debt markets in FY26, according to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey.

Beijing stands firm on the legitimacy of its military maneuvers around Taiwan, asserting that these drills are both reasonable and warranted. The Chinese defense authorities point fingers at the Taipei administration for fuelling rising antagonism. President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan is advocating for a more robust defense budget, pushing the narrative that strength is essential for maintaining peace.

Afghanistan's anti-doping efforts have collapsed since the Taliban's return. No tests were conducted for three years. Last year, only four tests were managed with help from Iran. The country lacks trained personnel and resources for sample collection and transport. Athletes often compete abroad, making oversight difficult. The situation presents significant challenges for clean sports.

Chahatt Khanna has opened up about her personal and spiritual journey, addressing her conversion to Islam during her marriage to Farhan Mirza and her eventual return to Sanatan Dharma. In an interview with Subhojit Ghosh, she clarified that her conversion was her own choice and emphasised her secular beliefs, while also speaking about how her statements are often misinterpreted. Reflecting on her divorces and public scrutiny, Chahatt Khanna shared that she faced emotional challenges but grew mor

Miley Cyrus shared that the proposal happened during a trip to Japan, where Maxx Morando got down on one knee in a thoughtfully planned moment. The singer said she was genuinely surprised, something she noted doesnt happen often.

Will gold price reach $4,900 or fall towards $4,500 and silver rate touch $90 or slip below $60 this month? Gold held steady and moved toward a fourth weekly gain as hopes of a US-Iran peace deal shaped inflation and interest rate expectations. The dollar fell and oil eased. Indian banks paused imports. Silver gained momentum. Analysts now discuss price targets, risks, and investor strategy for this month.

Candidates in the West Bengal Assembly polls are declaring significant asset increases. Jakir Hossain's wealth more than doubled to over Rs 133 crore. Sudip Kumar Mukherjee saw a 2,344 percent rise to Rs 11 crore. Krishna Kalyani's assets jumped by 247 percent to over Rs 20 crore. Manas Ranjan Bhunia also more than doubled his assets.

The Delhi High Court has ruled against extending age and attempt relaxations for Economically Weaker Section candidates applying for Central government jobs. The court stated that such decisions are government policy matters. It noted that EWS is an economic category, distinct from caste-based reservations.

Staying cool during a heat wave is essential for maintaining health, and including natural body coolants like Basil seeds, Gond Katira, and Watermelon can make a significant difference. These foods, along with others such as cucumber, coconut water, buttermilk, mint, lemon water, muskmelon, and aloe vera juice, help regulate body temperature, prevent dehydration, and improve digestion. By combining these cooling foods with simple habits like staying hydrated and avoiding excessive heat exposure,

While the sun is a source of Vitamin D, it can be dangerous for fair-skinned individuals, young children, and those on specific medications. This story identifies six groups at high risk for sun damage, explaining why they must prioritize shade and protection to avoid burns, rashes, and long-term health complications.

Seeking the protection of Arjun's personality rights, senior counsel Swathi Sukumar, representing the actor, submitted that his personality traits were being misappropriated for the sale of merchandise bearing his image and signature, operating voice-cloning platforms, AI chatbots and generation of obscene content.

Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has had her sentence reduced. This comes as part of an amnesty granted by the new president. Suu Kyi was serving a lengthy jail term on various charges. The reduction is one-sixth of her sentence. It is not yet clear if she will be moved to house arrest.

Philippine forces eliminated ten suspected Muslim militants in a significant clash in the south. This encounter marks the deadliest this year. The operation targeted members of Dawlah Islamiya-Maute, linked to past attacks. The military seized weapons and bomb parts. An infant was found and received medical care.

Sagarmala Finance Corp. will raise 100 billion rupees in FY27. This funding will support ports, shipbuilding, and waterways. The company will borrow through bonds, term loans, and foreign currency. Sagarmala aims to disburse up to 90 billion rupees in loans by March 2027. It also seeks government equity infusion to support its growth.

Dosa, Idli, Sambhar, Chutney song: The rivalry between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) intensified after DJ played the song 'Dosa, Idli, Sambhar, Chutney'. The CSK has filed a complaint with the BCCI that the song was not in good taste and mocked the identity of Tamil Nadu. Earlier, RCB player Jitesh Sharma sang the same song ahead of a match that drew backlash from the CSK fans.

A recent Telangana caste survey found 89,000 children under 18 working daily. SC Madigas and ST Lambadis form a significant portion. The survey highlights economic hardship among certain communities. Disparities in employment quality across caste groups are evident. Many SC and ST communities have the highest share of daily wage laborers.

Audi and SAIC are strengthening their collaboration for upcoming electric vehicle models in China. They will also establish a new innovation and technology hub in Shanghai. This move aims to boost Audi's presence in the competitive Chinese market. The partnership's first model, the E5 Sportback, has seen initial sales and targets younger buyers.

Rajesh Kumar has shared that he is gradually recovering from the Rs 2 crore debt he incurred after his farming venture failed during the pandemic, with only around Rs 20 lakh remaining, as revealed in an interview with Bollywood Bubble. Best known for Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, the actor spoke about the financial struggles caused by crop damage due to flooding, his reliance on family support during the crisis, and his decision to maintain a simple lifestyle.

The Income Tax Department conducted extensive raids at the residence, election office, and relative's house of Trinamool Congress MLA Debasish Kumar in connection with an illegal land grabbing case. Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate is searching premises of three businessmen in Kolkata and North 24 Parganas districts as part of its Merlin Group investigation.

India has slipped to the sixth largest economy in 2025 in nominal terms, according to the International Monetary Fund, but it remains the fastest-growing major economy. The IMF projects Indias growth at 6.5% in 2026, far ahead of the United Kingdom.

Amravati sex scandal: The key accused in the Amravati sex scandal, Ayaan Ahmed, casually told investigators that he became a playboy after his first break. Police revealed he maintained a promiscuous lifestyle and spent money on girls to lure them. He also took victims to cafes, hill station as a part of his modus operandi.

Illegal immigration from Bangladesh dominates politics in Murshidabad's border areas. Parties debate infiltration, identity cards, and demographic changes. Residents face scrutiny and fear name deletions from voter lists. The unfenced border fuels smuggling. Both major parties use the issue, while smaller parties criticize the focus on the border over local issues.

Security Forces conducted joint area domination patrols in Manipur's Ukhrul district, targeting Jalenbung hills and Thoyee Heights. The operation resulted in the destruction of ten re-established bunkers, reinforcing the commitment to preventing hostile infrastructure and maintaining regional peace and stability.

BPSC 71st Mains Admit Card 2026: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has released the admit card for the 71st Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Mains 2026 today, April 17, 2026. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website bpsc.bih.nic.in for the examination scheduled from April 25 to April 30, 2026.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a fresh directive to states to intensify action against the illegal use of artificial fruit ripening agents, especially banning calcium carbide for fruits like mangoes, bananas, and papayas due to serious health risks. The authority reiterated that unsafe practices, including misuse of chemicals like ethephon, will face strict enforcement, with increased inspections across markets and storage facilities. FSSAI emphasised that only regulated

Kangana Ranaut recently revisited a controversial chapter of her life, revealing on an ANI podcast that she was subjected to a witch hunt after allegations made by her former partner Adhyayan Suman, including claims of black magic and abuse. She recalled being labelled a chudail and facing intense character attacks in her mid-20s, describing the episode as isolating and damaging amid widespread media scrutiny. Despite the backlash, Kangana Ranaut said she relied on her professional success, part

Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra met with US lawmaker Pete Sessions. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Kwatra appreciated Sessions's support for a stronger India-US partnership. The meeting occurred as India and the US negotiate trade agreement details. The US agreed to reduce tariffs on India in the first phase of the agreement.

While investments have seen a recent decline due to structural challenges, opportunities abound in digital value chains, AgriFinTech, deep technology, and sustainable food brands, with aquaculture also presenting a major growth area.

Myanmar's leader commuted all death sentences in a blanket order on Friday, one of his first official acts since the 2021 coup leader was installed as the country's civilian president. Friday's act was announced as part of a broader amnesty to mark Myanmar's Thingyan new year, one of the country's many public holidays when forgiveness orders are regularly announced.

German influencer LizLaz is trending in India after former India cricketer Virat Kohli allegedly liked one of her old Instagram posts, and fans were quick enough to notice it. LizLaz is an influencer, vlogger, and content creator and most of her content is focused around travel, singing, and food. She has also posted about her travel experiences in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai on her Instagram.

A British Columbia businesswoman, Teresa Wallace, received a staggering $5 million tax refund from the Canada Revenue Agency due to a 'bogus' return. Despite earning only $54,000 annually, she claimed nearly $10 million in foreign income. This erroneous payout, flagged for manual review, has ignited concerns about the CRA's oversight and verification processes, prompting asset seizure and recovery efforts.

President Donald Trump's attention to grand White House projects like a new ballroom draws criticism. Opponents say this shows he is out of touch with Americans struggling with rising costs. While Trump highlights economic policies, his focus on personal wealth and lavish renovations sparks debate. This contrast could impact upcoming elections as voters consider his priorities.

Following the announcement of the 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel by US President Donald Trump, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, MB Ghalibaf, credited the agreement to what he described as the steadfastness of Hezbollah and the unity of the so-called Axis of Resistance.

The Income Tax Department searched two locations linked to TMC MLA Debasish Kumar. The searches occurred at his residence and election office. Kumar is contesting the Rashbehari seat. The Enforcement Directorate had previously summoned him regarding a land fraud case. Polling for Rashbehari is on April 29. Central forces were deployed at his residence.

TCS Nashik Case News: Allegations of religious coercion and exploitation at a TCS Nashik workplace have reached the Supreme Court. A plea argues these incidents are part of a wider pattern of forced conversions, calling them a 'terrorist act'. The Supreme Court is urged to direct stricter measures against such practices nationwide. Investigations are ongoing, with arrests made and internal inquiries launched by TCS.

Akshaya Tritiya 2026 Date Time: Akshaya Tritiya will be observed on April 19, 2026, falling on a Sunday, with the Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurta starting at 10:49 AM and ending at 11:36 AM, according to Drik Panchang. The tritiya tithi will start on April 19, 2026, at 10:49 AM and end on April 20, 2026, at 07:27 AM.

A 10-day truce has begun in Lebanon, pausing fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and raising hopes of extending a wider ceasefire involving the United States and Iran after weeks of war that disrupted the region.

The acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, will leave his post at the agency charged with enforcing US President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant crackdown in May, the Homeland Security Secretary announced Thursday. At a Department of Homeland Security oversight hearing in February, Lyons defended the law enforcement agency's work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar on his birth anniversary, marking the start of his centenary year. Modi highlighted Shekhar's courage, convictions, and commitment to democratic values, urging the youth to learn from his contributions to India's progress and prosperity.