The Economic Times

The high-pitched campaign for West Bengal's first phase of assembly elections concluded Tuesday, with the BJP and TMC clashing over electoral rolls and voter demographics. Over 3.60 crore electors will vote on April 23 across 152 constituencies, with extensive security measures in place, including a record deployment of central paramilitary forces.

France ANTS cyberattack 2026: France's Agence nationale des titres scuriss platform, vital for official documents, suffered a cyberattack on April 15, exposing personal data like names, emails, and birth dates. While sensitive documents were unaffected, users face increased phishing risks. An investigation is underway, with authorities filing a criminal complaint.

The Reserve Bank of India is enhancing digital fraud prevention. Cross-border recurring electronic payments via cards, prepaid instruments, and UPI are now under E-mandate rules. Customers can opt-out of transactions or mandates. Limits are set for recurring payments. Pre-transaction notifications are mandatory for most debits. These rules aim to protect customers and ensure secure electronic transactions across borders.

US-Iran war news: United States forces have intercepted a vessel carrying a shipment from China to Iran. President Donald Trump stated the cargo was a gift intended for Iran. This comes as Iran seeks to replenish its military supplies during a ceasefire. Trump expressed surprise, noting a prior assurance from China's President Xi Jinping against such deliveries. The incident highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Pakistan Navy has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed Taimoor air-launched cruise missile. This demonstration showcased a powerful precision strike capability. The missile executed its mission with exceptional accuracy.

Tariff refunds 2026 are finally rolling out. Over $166 billion in tariff refunds is now open for claims. More than 330,000 U.S. businesses paid duties on 53 million shipments. Refund processing has started. Most payments may arrive within 60 to 90 days. But consumers may not see relief yet. Companies are covering past losses first. High import costs had already pushed prices up. Now new tariffs and rising oil prices are adding pressure again. Strong demand is keeping prices steady.

The Mexican proverb Its not enough to learn how to ride, you must also learn how to fall highlights the importance of resilience in life. While people often focus on achieving success, this timeless lesson reminds us that setbacks are inevitable and equally valuable for success. The Mexican proverb of the day encourages a change in perspective, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

America is prepared for military engagement in West Asia. President Donald Trump stated this readiness while negotiations are ongoing. He believes the United States holds a strong negotiating position. The President indicated that the other side has no alternative but to engage in talks. This stance comes after significant strategic and military advancements by Washington.

India is advocating for increased representation of Global South nations within the permanent seats of the UN Security Council. Recent discussions also tackled the need for a more equitable international financial framework. India's envoy engaged with UN leaders to deliberate on peacekeeping initiatives and the importance of multilateral approaches.

Nepal's government is changing how its employees are paid. Salaries will now be given every two weeks instead of monthly. This move aims to increase spending and help the economy. The Finance Ministry has ordered the Financial Comptroller General Office to prepare for the change. While technically possible, legal adjustments might be needed.

KG Fee Structure: A viral post detailing a 2.25 lakh annual fee for Senior KG has ignited a fierce debate over the skyrocketing costs of pre-primary education in India. Shared by a software developer on X, the breakdown reveals hefty tuition and admission charges, leading many to question if early schooling has become a luxury only the elite can afford.

Quote of the day by Thomas J. Watson Sr: The visionary behind IBM's global success, Thomas J. Watson Sr., advised that failure isn't an endpoint but a crucial stepping stone, offering invaluable lessons for growth and innovation. Embracing setbacks fuels resilience and ultimately paves the way for greater achievements.

Routine parking disputes in Delhi are escalating into violence, with recent incidents including a fatal argument and shootings. Experts attribute this trend to declining tolerance levels and a 'my space, my rules' mentality, where perceived invasions of personal space trigger disproportionate reactions and ego-driven conflicts.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's 'terrorist' remark against PM Modi as atrocious and a new low for the party. Kharge later clarified he meant Modi 'terrorizes' opponents using central agencies, not that he is a terrorist. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also condemned Kharge's comments, accusing the Gandhi family of throttling democracy.

Eva Longoria received a $50 million philanthropic award from Jeff Bezos, offering her the freedom to support causes close to her heart. While the funding is significant, Longoria emphasizes a deeper message: impactful change is not limited to the wealthy. Through her foundation and advocacy work, she continues to promote education, entrepreneurship, and community support. Her perspective challenges the idea that only large donations matter, encouraging individuals everywhere to contribute in mea

Why are gold and silver prices down now, and will gold hit $5,000 or drop to $4,500 and silver touch $90 or fall below $70? Gold and silver declined as the dollar gained strength and investors tracked US-Iran peace talk signals and Federal Reserve policy expectations. Inflation concerns, interest rates, and oil supply expectations shaped market sentiment. Analysts say price direction now depends on geopolitics, the dollar trend, and interest rate outlook in the coming months.

Nasa's Curiosity rover has discovered chemicals on Mars that are essential for life's origin. These findings suggest the Martian surface can preserve molecules indicating ancient life. Scientists found nitrogen-bearing molecules and benzothiophene, a substance from meteorites. This discovery offers hope for finding signs of past life on the Red Planet.

Congress seeks to revive its fortunes in Malda for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The party is leveraging the enduring legacy of A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury. Mausam Benazir Noor's return to the Congress is a key part of this strategy. The district faces a triangular contest. Ghani Khan Choudhury's influence remains significant in the region.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that local Muslim leaders were involved in the Congress's decision to field Samarth Shamanur in Davanagere South, despite subsequent backlash. This comes amid disciplinary actions against two party leaders and concerns over Muslim community support for the upcoming bypolls.

UNH stock jumps on strong Q1 earnings: UnitedHealth Group delivered a decisive surprise on April 21, 2026. UnitedHealth stock surged nearly 7% on April 21, 2026, after UnitedHealth Group posted strong Q1 earnings. UNH reported $7.23 EPS and $111.7 billion revenue, both beating Wall Street estimates. The key shift came from cost control. Medical cost ratio fell to 83.9%, signaling improving margins. UnitedHealth also raised full-year EPS guidance above $18.25, strengthening confidence. AI remains

The giveaway aligns with the launch of Dunkins spring menu, which includes a mix of new and returning items aimed at tapping seasonal demand. Highlights include banana-flavoured beverages and the return of the brands value-driven $6 meal deal.

India's Army has restated its commitment to combating terrorism. This comes on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Army stated that crossing humanity's boundaries elicits a decisive response. India launched a military operation last year in response to the attack. Military leaders emphasize continued preparedness.

Bengaluru Temperature: Bengaluru is experiencing a summer unlike any before. Temperatures are soaring, pushing residents to find innovative cooling solutions. Some are booking hotel rooms just for air conditioning. Household items like crayons are melting indoors, highlighting the extreme heat. This shift marks a significant change for the city once known for its pleasant weather. Northern districts face even harsher conditions.

Why are oil and gas prices down today, and will Brent, US WTI crude futures, Dutch and British gas rates drop further or rise again? Oil and gas markets moved lower as traders reacted to expected US-Iran talks, warmer weather forecasts, and shifting supply risks. Brent and WTI crude reversed earlier gains while European gas fell on weaker demand. Investors now watch the Strait of Hormuz, supply disruptions, and inventory data to assess whether prices will fall further or rise again soon.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is expected to announce ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) results this week. Students can check their scorecards online via official websites and DigiLocker. A viral Reddit post about tomorrow's declaration is unconfirmed; students should rely on official updates.

Police are actively searching for Nida Khan, a TCS employee accused of forcible religious conversion at the company's Nashik facility. Khan failed to obtain interim protection from arrest, and authorities are working to locate her. The investigation involves allegations of sexual harassment and religious coercion against female employees. TCS has suspended the accused employees and stated a zero-tolerance policy.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comment calling him a friend. Yadav stated he does not need such friends and questioned the nature of any assistance provided. He also cautioned the public to remain vigilant, alleging the BJP might resort to extreme actions as it faces defeat.

Quote of the Day by Paul Valery: French poet and critic Paul Valery in his quote said the best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. The quote has deep relevance today as people spend most of their time overthinking and overassuming in this fast-paced world rather than taking actions.

BJP minority morcha leader Nazia Elahi Khan confronted Lenskart staff in Mumbai, applying tilak on employees after allegations of restrictions on Hindu religious symbols. The incident follows Lenskart's clarification that all faith symbols are permitted, aiming to resolve a controversy over its internal style guide.

SRH vs DC IPL 2026 match: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) host Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 31 of IPL 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 21. While the surface is traditionally a batting paradise, a yellow watch for lightning and thunderstorms has been issued for the afternoon. With temperatures peaking at 40C and humidity expected to rise, the toss will play a critical role as captains weigh the dew factor against the potential for rain-induced DLS calculations.

Arvind Kejriwal took a stand for Tamil Nadu's future, urging voters to reject the NDA at the polls. He argued that the BJP has a troubling track record of harming state development and negating positive reforms. Kejriwal expressed concerns that a win for the NDA would threaten the valuable achievements of Chief Minister M K Stalin.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a Kp index of four for the current viewing window. This level suggests moderate geomagnetic activity, which experts say can generate auroras that are quite pleasing to observe under favourable conditions.

NavPrakriti will invest over Rs 100 crore to build a critical minerals refining facility in Odisha. This state-of-the-art plant will process end-of-life batteries, recovering essential minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The facility aims to strengthen India's domestic supply chains and circular economy. It is expected to be operational by FY 2028-29 and will create over 500 jobs.

Congress MP K C Venugopal has filed a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The notice alleges the Prime Minister cast aspersions on Lok Sabha members during a recent national address. This followed the defeat of a Constitution amendment bill. The Congress party stated the Prime Minister's speech contained partisan attacks.

The Pahalgam terror attack claimed the life of Dr Sujatha's husband, and their four-year-old son had to witness his father die. She has shared her ordeal of how the child has become calm and recalled the son's words when the attack happened. She finds solace in keeping busy and cherishing her son, and tries to keep her Sundays free for him. After the incident, the child has not asked for his father.

Pakistan's economy is struggling due to the US-Israel war on Iran. Rising fuel costs and rolling blackouts are devastating businesses. Consumers face higher prices for essential goods. While Pakistan mediates the conflict, its own economic recovery is threatened. Many Pakistanis are experiencing hardship, with businesses struggling to survive.

US trade representatives have informed Mexico that President Trump's tariffs on auto and steel sectors are here to stay. These duties will not be removed even after the USMCA review. New proposals suggest 100% of key auto components must be sourced from North America. Mexico's industries face continued challenges with these trade policies.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated projects valued at approximately Rs 158 crore in Rourkela, Odisha. These include a planetarium, science centre, tribal museum, and recreational park. The President was welcomed by the Governor and Chief Minister. Security measures were enhanced for her visit. The inauguration marks a significant development for the region.

Delhi Police Special Cell arrested two youths from Gwalior for working with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Their arrests foiled planned attacks including firing and grenade assaults in Delhi-NCR. The duo was recruited via social media and promised easy money. They received weapons and money for targeted violence.

A resolution has been submitted in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. It recommends Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is for their role in easing regional tensions through diplomacy. The resolution commends Pakistan's diplomatic engagement amid global tensions. It highlights their leadership and efforts in promoting peace.

Pakistan is preparing for a second round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad ahead of a looming ceasefire deadline, though Iran has not confirmed participation. Tensions remain high, with Donald Trump warning of escalation if no deal is reached and Iran signaling tougher positions.

Archana Puran Singh has shared details of her strict post-Ayurvedic retreat lifestyle after returning from a 15-day wellness programme in Bengaluru, where she has adopted a disciplined routine focused on clean eating, early dinners, and regulated sleep. Speaking in her son Aaryamann Sethis YouTube vlog, she revealed she has cut out sugar, maida and fried food, eats dinner by 7 pm, and aims to sleep between 10 pm and 11 pm, describing the changes with her trademark humour. She also spoke about he

Indias carbon emissions dipped slightly in 2025, marking the first decline during normal economic conditions, driven by a strong monsoon, lower power demand, and rapid renewable expansion.

A jury awarded $300,000 to a cruise passenger who claimed Carnival Corp. negligently overserved her alcohol, leading to a fall and potential brain injury. The lawsuit alleged bartenders continued serving the visibly intoxicated passenger, who later fell and sustained serious injuries. The verdict highlights concerns about alcohol service policies on cruise ships.

Iran's state television has issued a denial regarding any delegation visiting Islamabad. This comes as speculation about potential talks with the United States intensifies. The U.S. Navy recently seized an Iranian container ship. Officials in Islamabad have been on standby for days. U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American team.