The Economic Times

PBKS vs RCB Pitch Weather Report: Punjab Kings need a win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They have lost five matches in a row. Their IPL 2026 playoff chances are at risk. RCB has shown resilience after early defeats. Virat Kohli has contributed consistently for RCB. The match is in Dharamshala. The pitch is good for batting. The weather will be clear.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged the Union Agriculture Minister to address rising shrimp feed prices. The state government is seeking measures to support aquaculture farmers facing increased costs for essential feed ingredients. Discussions included raw material price hikes and proposed feed price increases. Farmer representatives voiced concerns and requested price stability and subsidized electricity.

Indias trade deficit faces pressure in coming months. Elevated crude prices and supply disruptions impact exports. A potential global demand slowdown adds to concerns. Rupee depreciation may offer some support. A recent hike in bullion import duty could provide near-term relief to the deficit. Electronics deficit reached an all-time high.

A woman delivered her baby in a government hospital park in Faridabad after the main gate was found locked and no staff responded to pleas for help. The dramatic childbirth occurred under a mobile phone torch, with a relative assisting.

Foreign investment in India needs a boost. ADB Chief Economist Albert Park suggests free trade agreements and lower import tariffs. Strengthening manufacturing infrastructure and urban planning will attract more capital. Higher oil prices are expected to persist, impacting India's GDP growth and inflation. Reforms are ongoing, and continued momentum is advised.

The CBI has arrested Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, an NTA panel member, in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. She is accused of leaking Biology questions and conducting special coaching classes. The agency is seeking her custody for further investigation. The CBI has already arrested nine accused and seized incriminating documents. The investigation into the paper leak continues.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has alerted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the Great Nicobar Island Project. He states the project in its current form is a recipe for ecological disaster. Ramesh suggests alternative measures proposed by naval officers to strengthen India's defence. These alternatives would cause less damage to the region's ecology.

Kami Rita Sherpa has set a new world record, achieving his 32nd ascent of Mount Everest on Sunday. The veteran climber reached the summit at 10:12 am, further solidifying his legendary status in mountaineering. Meanwhile, Lhakpa Sherpa, the Mountain Queen, also broke her own record with her 11th successful Everest summit.

India's defense manufacturing takes a leap forward. The first domestically assembled Airbus C-295 aircraft is now ready for its flight test. This milestone was achieved at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara. The project is a significant part of the Make in India initiative. India has become the largest customer for the C-295 platform.

Uddhav Thackeray attended only 31.58 percent of legislative sittings as MLC. Other leaders like Bhavana Gawali and Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar also missed sessions. In contrast, Amol Mitkari, Shashikant Shinde, and Rajesh Rathod recorded high attendance. Data covers legislative council proceedings over recent years.

The TS EAMCET 2026 results were released today, May 17, by the Telangana State Council of Higher Education. Candidates can now access their scores and rank cards on the official website by entering their registration number, hall ticket number, and date of birth. The downloaded rank card is essential for upcoming counselling and admission processes.

Delhi commuters face higher fuel costs as Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) increased CNG prices by Re 1 per kg, pushing the rate to Rs 80.09. This follows a Rs 2 hike just 48 hours prior. The consecutive increases, alongside recent petrol and diesel price hikes, are attributed to global energy market pressures and supply concerns.

India's exports reached USD 441.78 billion in 2025-26. North America, North-East Asia, and Latin America together accounted for over 35 percent. Exports grew significantly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. North-East Asia saw a surge of 21.6 percent. Indian exporters penetrated 1,821 new principal commodity products. Advanced engineering and industrial sectors contributed the most value.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has accused the previous Congress government of compromising India's sovereignty. He alleges that under the guise of a civil nuclear agreement, the government surrendered Sir Creek and Siachen to Pakistan. These claims are made in relation to the 2006 Mumbai train blasts. Official records present a different narrative of routine diplomatic engagements.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt declared the era of traditional coding is over, stating AI has dramatically accelerated software development. He warned developers and company leaders to adapt to AI-powered tools or risk falling behind. This shift promises exponential productivity gains, potentially making existing software obsolete and reshaping the tech industry.

Conor McGregor is set to return to the octagon on July 11 in Las Vegas, facing Max Holloway in a lightweight/welterweight bout. This marks his first fight since a broken leg injury in July 2021. McGregor, a former two-weight champion, has had a notable career, including a historic title unification and a high-profile boxing match.

The highly anticipated Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop watch launch descended into chaos across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai. Massive crowds, long queues, and safety concerns led to cancelled store openings and frustrated buyers, with some calling it one of the wildest retail scenes in years.

The United States has rolled out a nearly USD 1 billion upgrade programme for its fifth-generation stealth fighter F-35 Lightning 2 fleet, primarily centred on electronic warfare modernisation and advanced combat capability enhancements across hundreds of aircraft operated by both the US military and other foreign operators of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

China is extending industrial policy across its entire economy. This move strengthens its global manufacturing dominance. It also increases the world's reliance on Chinese supply chains. Beijing is doubling down on state intervention. This strategy is accelerating trade dominance and foreign dependencies. Advanced economies face potential erosion in manufacturing competitiveness.

India is set to boost its manufacturing sector by identifying around 100 products for domestic production. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports and enhance global competitiveness. The government is also streamlining foreign investment approvals and expanding trade agreements.

Eleanor Roosevelt's enduring quote, 'A woman is like a tea bagyou never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water,' highlights the profound resilience and inner strength women possess.

Karnataka-based Davangere Sugar is an integrated sugar and ethanol company engaged in sugar manufacturing, ethanol production and power co-generation. It operates with an ethanol production capacity of 150 KLPD.

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

Kolkata Knight Riders boosted their IPL playoff aspirations with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans, thanks to stellar batting from Finn Allen and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. This victory, however, puts pressure on teams like Chennai Super Kings, whose playoff fate now hinges on other crucial match outcomes, including the PBKS vs RCB encounter.

Ladakh's Census 2027 has begun with the launch of a self-enumeration portal. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena initiated the process, urging citizens to participate. This exercise is crucial for policy making and resource allocation. The census will help reflect Ladakh's unique identity and needs in national planning. Digital integration and data security are key features of this census.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu experienced heavy rainfall on Sunday as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified. Bengaluru and several districts in both states are under a yellow alert, with forecasts of continued rain and thunderstorms.

Voting is happening today for 51 local bodies in Himachal Pradesh. This includes four Municipal Corporations in Dharamshala, Palampur, Mandi, and Solan. Over 3.6 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots. Separate Panchayati Raj elections will also take place later this month. Counting for Municipal Corporations is scheduled for May 31.

Australian Consul General Paul Murphy lauded Nagpur Metro as a world-class public transport system during his visit. He highlighted the convenience of UPI payments and the metro's role in urban development, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's call to reduce fuel consumption. Murphy's experience showcased the city's modern infrastructure and digital integration.

Police have registered a case in Wayanad after posters targeting prominent Congress leaders appeared. The posters, which also threatened Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's electoral prospects, were removed by party workers. Authorities have retrieved CCTV footage and are working to identify the individual responsible for pasting the controversial messages.

Bulldozers will roll across the entire country. Wherever there is illegal construction, bulldozers will be deployed. The new government that has come to power here in Bengal has initiated this process right from day one. I appeal to anyone involved in illegal activities to conduct their operations within the bounds of the law, and the government will extend its full cooperation to them... We will not tolerate any form of encroachment on government land, Ghosh said.

A viral social media video falsely claims petrol is cheaper in Bhutan than in India. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has debunked this, stating the video is old and shared out of context to spread misinformation. Recent fuel price hikes in India and comparisons with neighboring countries highlight the misleading nature of the claim.

Quote of the day: Oprah Winfrey's wisdom highlights the crucial life skill of discerning which relationships and opportunities to nurture and which to let go of. This involves recognizing when to cross bridges worth investing in and when to urn bridges that hinder personal peace and growth. Selective attachment is essential for moving forward and living a fulfilling life.

The Telangana State Council of Higher Education will release the TS EAMCET 2026 results today, May 17, at 11 AM. Candidates can check their scores and ranks on the official website. Qualifying marks criteria have been specified for different categories. The TS EAMCET 2026 counselling process will commence soon after the results are declared.

With crude prices likely to stay above USD 100 per barrel for the rest of 2026 and the rupee under pressure near INR 95/USD, Brickwork Ratings says Prime Minister Modi's seven behavioural appeals could provide India with a USD 37.8 billion forex buffer this fiscal year. The report argues that voluntary demand reduction across fuel, gold and fertilizers may offer the government fiscal breathing room at a time when its ability to absorb oil price pass-through is thinning.

A corporate crisis manager describes how business disputes in India are increasingly turning into criminal cases, exposing executives to arrests, FIRs and jail even in routine commercial disagreements. He recounts the case of a German joint venture where tensions between foreign executives and Indian partners led to allegations of fraud.

Indias Covid-era hobby economy spanning gardening, baking, fitness and pet care has evolved into a 1.5-2 lakh crore market, though not all businesses born during lockdown survived. What started as coping mechanisms during confinement later turned into startups and livelihoods.

A US Senate official has removed security funding for President Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom. This decision impacts Republican efforts to use taxpayer money for the project. Trump stated private donors would fund the ballroom's construction. However, Senate Republicans sought taxpayer funds for security upgrades, including the ballroom.

India's UN envoy Parvathaneni Harish stressed the need for short-term and long-term measures, plus international cooperation, to address the energy and fertilizer crisis amid the West Asia conflict. He reiterated concerns over maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, deeming disruptions unacceptable and calling for respect for international law.

Republican senator's vote in favor of convicting Trump after his 2021 impeachment over the January 6 Capitol siege has shadowed Cassidy throughout his second Senate term.

Iran's Ambassador to India stated a single-power security model has failed. BRICS Foreign Ministers met in India. They supported a comprehensive UN reform, including the Security Council. The goal is to make it more democratic and representative. Developing countries, especially from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, should have a greater role.

India has rejected a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration concerning hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi stated that the court was illegally constituted and its awards are null and void. India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in effect.

Preakness 2026: Triple Crown will conclude on June 6 with the Belmont Stakes, run at Saratoga for a third straight year as renovations are completed at Belmont Park.

Indian football fans are defying geopolitical tensions, high airfares, and a weakening rupee to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026. This year, a growing number of travelers, including those from tier-2 cities, are willing to spend significantly on customized itineraries, viewing the tournament as a significant lifestyle investment and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Centre has restricted imports of certain silver categories, including high-purity silver bars, making licences mandatory to curb rising imports and protect foreign exchange reserves.

The Centre has proposed a framework to measure Indias knowledge economy, covering AI, R&D, software, innovation and digital assets, amid growing focus on intangible economic contributions.

PGA Championship 2026 enters final day on Sunday. Here is the standing.