The Economic Times

In March, India's unemployment rate surged to 5.1%, reaching its highest level in five months. Urban areas experienced a notable increase in joblessness, contributing to the rise in the overall unemployment figure. Women continue to face greater unemployment challenges than men, while the youth demographic also showed a troubling uptick in joblessness.

Paronomasia is a word that celebrates the wit and versatility of language. It reminds us that words are not merely tools for communication, but also instruments of creativity and humour.

India is a global leader in AI usage, particularly in coding and complex problem-solving. However, AI adoption is heavily concentrated in a few major cities. OpenAI highlights a significant capability gap between these urban hubs and other regions.

West Asia War: Mediators are working to extend the United States and Iran ceasefire. Talks are progressing to salvage the truce before it expires next week. The US blockade on Iranian ports and Iranian threats had imperiled the agreement. Regional officials report an in-principle agreement to extend the ceasefire for more diplomacy.

CBSE class 12 result 2026: As the CBSE Class 10 results have been declared, attention has now turned towards the CBSE Class 12 Result 2026, which is expected to be announced soon by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). With lakhs of students eagerly awaiting their Class 12 board results 2026, the official websites are likely to experience heavy traffic on the result day. To ensure smooth access, CBSE offers multiple platforms such as DigiLocker, UMANG app, SMS service, IVRS, and offi

Why are oil and gas prices witnessing wild swings, and will Brent crude futures, US WTI crude, Dutch and British wholesale gas prices rise or fall again? Oil and gas markets are moving as traders track US-Iran talks, Strait of Hormuz closure, supply risk, and inventory data. Prices show mixed movement after sharp falls. Gas prices in Europe dropped slightly as risk premiums eased. Analysts say diplomacy and supply restrictions will decide the next price trend for crude and gas markets.

The March quarter earnings season arrives at an inflection point, with stable numbers masking underlying economic shifts. Escalation of the Gulf conflict introduced external shocks, with first-order impacts visible in rising input costs. Investors should focus on forward-looking signals as second-order effects are expected to unfold in Q1 FY27.

Narendra Modi urged a 10% cut in cooking oil consumption to tackle obesity, while promoting yoga, healthy eating and natural farming, as he highlighted preventive healthcare, expanded Ayushman Bharat coverage for the elderly, and called for sustainable, self-reliant lifestyles.

A 27-year-old Bengaluru techie earning around Rs 50 LPA has gone viral for rejecting the stereotypical luxury lifestyle often linked with high salaries. Despite her strong income, she chooses not to spend on latest iPhones, Zara clothes, designer bags, or fancy cars, and instead focuses on intentional spending, savings, and meaningful experiences like travel. She also manages financial responsibilities such as a home loan for her parents while investing regularly in SIPs and maintaining an emerg

Quote of the Day by Seth Rollins: One of the most well-known and decorated American wrestlers, Seth Rollins wise words inspire people on and off the fields. He says if you're not learning, then you're stagnant. If you're stagnant, then you're not evolving and the business isn't progressing. The quote focuses on learning and upgrading new skills, especially when AI is taking over jobs.

In his first detailed interview after releasing his stand-up special 'Still Alive', Samay Raina spoke about the India's Got Latent controversy and shared his creative ideas for future projects. He revealed he recorded nine unreleased apology videos and discussed plans for an OTT platform featuring unconventional shows like Puneet Superstar Decodes and Deepak Kalal Ka Insaaf.

Building on the momentum of Artemis II's successful lunar expedition, India's Gaganyaan mission is set to chart new territory in human space exploration. Slated for 2027, this mission aims to harness the capabilities demonstrated by Artemis II.

Central armed police forces will secure the first phase of West Bengal assembly polls on April 23. Over 2,400 companies will be deployed. Murshidabad district will receive the highest number of personnel. Purba Medinipur district follows with significant deployment. Security measures aim for free and fair elections across eight north Bengal districts and other western regions.

A Redditor demonstrated significant income tax savings under the new regime by strategically restructuring their salary with components like food coupons and LTA. Employer contributions to NPS and careful timing of RSU sales also reduced their tax outgo. The user emphasized early planning and choosing the correct tax regime based on individual calculations.

United States diplomacy faces challenges due to inexperienced negotiators and unrealistic goals set by President Trump. Talks with Iran in Islamabad have faltered for these reasons. Similar issues affect efforts for ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza. Future negotiations may also be hampered by these persistent problems.

Siddaramaiah has sought a 6,000 crore special grant from Narendra Modi for Bengaluru, along with faster clearances for key rail, highway and infrastructure projects, while flagging pending dues and stressing the citys economic importance.

The United States has confirmed the loss of an MQ-4C Triton drone in the Persian Gulf. This high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft crashed, with officials now confirming the incident. The drone is valued at approximately USD 240-250 million. This follows reports of Iran destroying drones amid escalating tensions. The US Naval Safety Command has documented the crash.

A Delhi court has taken note of the Enforcement Directorate's charges against businessman Robert Vadra. The case involves allegations of money laundering connected to a 2008 land deal in Haryana. The ED claims proceeds of crime were generated through a fraudulent transaction. All accused have been summoned to appear in court on May 16.

In 2026, India will embark on an ambitious journey to amplify its role in global commerce. The commencement of pivotal free trade agreements with the United Kingdom and Oman, alongside an impending partnership with New Zealand, highlights India's strategic focus on fostering robust international connections. This proactive approach demonstrates the nation's dedication to turning diplomatic negotiations into thriving economic collaborations.

Braden Peters, known online as Clavicular, has reportedly been hospitalised after a suspected overdose following the sudden end of a livestream, triggering concern and debate across digital platforms.

Urban Indian households face a 'silent crisis' as rising incomes fail to keep pace with escalating costs of living, leading to stagnant real purchasing power. Traditional savings are losing value due to inflation outpacing returns, forcing a reliance on credit and highlighting a structural disadvantage for the middle class.

Prabhavati Bhagwati, a 98-year-old woman from Ahmedabad, has become a viral inspiration after starting her home-based Gujarati snacks business, Nanis Nashta, at the age of 91 following the loss of her husband in 2017. What began as a simple moment at a tea gathering, where her homemade khandvi was loved and later ordered for events, gradually turned into a small but successful kitchen business serving traditional Gujarati and Mumbai-style snacks like dhokla, thepla, sev puri, vada pav, and pav b

India's trade deficit saw a significant reduction in March. Exports increased while imports decreased. This improvement occurred despite rising tensions in West Asia. Geopolitical risks could impact future trade. Services exports continue to drive growth for India. Merchandise exports also saw a modest rise.

Maharashtra temperatures: Heatwave is set to intensify across Maharashtra, the IMD has said, warning of heatwave conditions from today, April 15. A yellow alert has been sounded for Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, for April 15-16. A heat wave is predicted for Sangli and Sholapur on April 15 and 16.

Jaishankar said that India stands ready to work with like-minded partners to develop supply chain resilience.

Mumbai is introducing India's first non-AC suburban train with automatic sliding doors, a safety upgrade following a fatal accident. The new 12-coach rake aims to prevent open-door travel fatalities by adopting a closed-door system similar to Metro services, though concerns about heat and humidity remain.

Global conflicts are increasingly prolonged, with unexpected resilience from weaker forces challenging traditional military predictions. Wars in Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza exemplify this trend, where advanced tactics and adaptability allow smaller actors to sustain resistance against stronger adversaries, leading to extended engagements and higher human costs.

Dhanalekshmi DL-48 lottery result (15-04-2026): The Kerala State Lotteries Department conducts the high-stakes draw for the Dhanalekshmi DL-48 weekly lottery today, April 15, 2026. The event will be held at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring a grand first prize of 1 crore.

Assam's Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia has written to the Election Commission. He alleges serious breaches in strongroom security for election materials. Saikia claims violations of EC guidelines at the Sibsagar Govt HS & MP School. He provided photographic and video evidence of the alleged lapses.

West Bengal leaders marked Bengali New Year with election campaigning. Suvendu Adhikari urged voters to give a Ram a chance in Nandigram. Smriti Zubin Irani held a roadshow in Hooghly. Kunal Ghosh rallied for Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. Polling is scheduled for April 23 and 29, with results on May 4. The state anticipates significant political shifts.

Derek O'Brien accused the Centre of using womens reservation as a cover to push delimitation, alleging it could alter political representation.

India's oil import bill is set to surge by over $70 billion annually as crude oil prices remain high due to the West Asia conflict. Shipping routes are critical and remain uncertain. Refineries are damaged, and rebuilding will take time. Freight and insurance costs have also increased. India will diversify import sources.

Maintaining a calm brain during a busy day is about small, repeatable actions. By practicing box breathing, distant gazing, and physical resets like dropping your shoulders, you can prevent burnout and stay focused. These six simple activities provide instant mental relief without requiring any extra time from your schedule.

Delhi water supply: A temporary shutdown of the Chandrawal Water Works-II by the Delhi Jal Board on 15 April is expected to cause water supply disruptions across several parts of Delhi. The maintenance work, scheduled for six hours, may lead to low water pressure or shortages on 15 and 16 April in areas such as Civil Lines, Karol Bagh, and Patel Nagar. Residents have been advised to store adequate water and use it carefully, while emergency water tankers will be available on request via the DJB

Tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg has made a surprising move inside the Meta AI labs to take on OpenAI and Google. He is now sitting next to Meta AI chief Alexandr Wang and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and is busy coding all day. It shows how seriously he is taking Meta's bid to compete with rivals in the generative AI race.

In Murshidabad district, the electoral landscape is shifting dramatically as thousands discover their names missing from voter rolls. Families are anxious about their democratic rights, while political parties exchange heated allegations concerning these deletions. With the 2026 assembly elections looming, the critical discussion now revolves around voter eligibility, exposing significant political rifts.

Learn how to slash your electricity bills in 2026 with six simple AC hacks. From maintaining a steady 24C to using the fan-assist method and sealing room leaks, these easy-to-follow strategies ensure you stay cool throughout the summer without facing an expensive financial surprise at the end of the month.

North Korea is showing a very serious increase in its ability to produce nuclear weapons, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said in Seoul on Wednesday. All that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of (the) DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production, which is estimated at a few dozen warheads, he said, referring to North Korea by its official name. sjh-mjw/mtp

The Indian LPG tanker Jag Vikram became the first Indian vessel to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Iran ceasefire, highlighting cautious resumption of maritime movement amid ongoing tensions. The government is meanwhile working to bring back other stranded Indian ships as disruptions continue in the region.

Indias wholesale price inflation rose to a 12-month high of 3.88% in March from 2.13% in February, exceeding expectations, while retail inflation also edged up to 3.4%.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum follows Aragorns dangerous quest to capture Gollum before he reveals the One Rings secret to Sauron. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film bridges a key gap in Middle-earths timeline, bringing back familiar faces as darkness quietly begins to rise again.

MP Board Result 2026 topper list has been officially released for both Class 10 and Class 12. Pratibha Singh Solanki topped Class 10 with an exceptional 499 out of 500 marks, while the MPBSE Class 12 toppers list 2026 has also been published with full merit details across Science, Commerce, and Arts streams. Students can check their MP Board results 2026 online and download their digital marksheets via DigiLocker, which offers a quick and reliable alternative during heavy website traffic.

The Supreme Court of India stayed a Telangana High Court order granting Congress leader Pawan Khera one-week transit anticipatory bail in a case linked to allegations against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarmas wife.

Omar Abdullah emphasised that better access to finance for local enterprises is key to strengthening tourism and driving inclusive growth in J&K. The discussion, held with Axis Bank, highlighted collaboration between government and financial institutions to boost tourism-led economic development and livelihoods.

Workers at Shiv Nadar University in Greater Noida protested for salary increases and more overtime pay. Police reported the situation remained peaceful and was resolved after discussions. Security was heightened across Gautam Buddha Nagar following recent protests.