The Economic Times

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is in New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit aims to significantly increase economic ties, focusing on shipbuilding. Both nations plan to nearly double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Cooperation may also expand into finance, artificial intelligence, and defense. India's role in global production is highlighted.

The Confederation of Indian Industry has presented a plan to fix issues in India's industrial land system. This aims to boost manufacturing by making land access easier and more transparent. The proposals include a national land bank and a digital single-window system. These changes are expected to speed up projects and attract more investment.

Indian Vice President C P Radhakrishnan concluded his Sri Lanka visit. He met beneficiaries of the Indian Housing Project in Nuwara Eliya. Discussions were held on education cooperation and extending the Overseas Citizen Card. The final tranche of houses under Phase 3 of the Indian Housing Project was handed over. Discussions also covered an oil pipeline and fishermen issues.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked the BJP at a community outreach program in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging voter list deletions and attempts to divide people on religious and caste lines. She emphasized elections as a festival of democracy and urged unity among diverse communities, vowing to protect communal harmony in Bengal.

Manipur's Home Minister condemned a five-day shutdown protesting the deaths of two minors, highlighting its disruption to essential services. The government offered jobs to the bereaved family and promised justice, while also addressing demands from civil society groups and assuring enhanced security measures.

Namita Thapar has responded to online trolling over her video on the health benefits of namaz. Her comments come amid wider corporate controversies involving Lenskart and Tata Consultancy Services, highlighting growing debates around workplace rights, religious expression and accountability in corporate India.

Cyprus is boosting its military bases with American taxpayer support. These upgrades will strengthen its role as a safe haven for Middle Eastern evacuees and a hub for humanitarian aid. New facilities at naval and air bases will support large transport helicopters and aircraft. Work begins next year. This enhances Cyprus's position as a vital bridge to the Middle East.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka has creatively embraced artificial intelligence to illustrate Mumbai's burgeoning benne dosa craze. His first AI-generated image, a charming vintage-style poster, humorously depicts long queues and the irresistible allure of butter-drenched dosas and filter coffee ice cream, resonating with local food enthusiasts.

Bihar's prohibition law is under scrutiny following a leadership change. Samrat Choudhary now heads the state, and his administration's stance on the strict ban is a key question. While the immediate future suggests the ban will continue, there is anticipation for potential policy shifts. The current situation raises hopes among those who favor the lifting of the prohibition.

Major BC Ferries services faced significant disruptions on April 19, 2026. A police incident aboard the Queen of Surrey ferry at Horseshoe Bay terminal led to cancellations and delays. Services to Langdale, Bowen Island, and Nanaimo were affected. The West Vancouver Police Department resolved the situation in the early evening, allowing operations to resume.

The Delhi High Court will hear a plea from the Enforcement Directorate. The ED challenges a trial court's decision. The trial court refused to accept a chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. This is in connection with the National Herald money laundering case. The ED argues the trial court's order is legally flawed.

The Jharkhand Academic Council is anticipated to release the JAC Class 12 Result 2026 shortly. Students who took the Intermediate exams can check their scores online using their roll code and number on official websites. The board exams for Arts, Science, and Commerce streams concluded on February 23, 2026.

Surat Railway Station News: Thousands of migrant workers crowded Surat's Udhna railway station, creating chaos and long queues as they rushed to leave. Beyond the summer rush, workers cited LPG shortages and slowing industrial activity as reasons for their departure, highlighting broader economic disruptions.

The United Arab Emirates is in discussions with the United States regarding a potential financial backstop. This measure is being considered in anticipation of a deepening crisis stemming from the Iran war. UAE Central Bank Governor raised the possibility of a currency-swap line with US Treasury officials.

U.S. Stock Market today: Oil prices have jumped, and the U.S. dollar rose. S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq futures fell in the pre-market trading.

Iran War News Day 52: On Day 52 of the USIsraelIran war, tensions have intensified after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship, prompting Tehrans threat of retaliation. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global oil supplies, pushing crude prices higher. With talks stalled and military posturing rising, fears of a wider regional conflict and prolonged energy crisis are growing.

JAC 10th Result 2026 Date: Jharkhand Academic Council is set to announce the Class 10 Matric results for 2026 shortly. Students can expect the results in late April or early May. The evaluation process is nearing completion. Official websites will host the results. Students should keep their roll codes and numbers ready for easy access. Passing requires 33 percent marks.

US-Iran war news: Iran's military apparatus and diplomatic teams are now under the control of the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This internal power shift sidelines moderate figures. Recent maritime hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz underscore the IRGC's firm grip. The situation raises concerns about regional stability and future negotiations with the United States.

Canada's close economic ties with the United States are now a weakness, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. He announced efforts to strengthen Canada's economy by attracting new investments and signing trade deals with other nations. Carney emphasized the need for Canada to rely less on a single foreign partner.

JEE Mains 2026 Season 2 Result link: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the JEE Main Session 2 Result 2026 around April 20, 2026. Candidates can check their scorecards on official NTA websites after logging in with their application number and password or date of birth.

AHSEC Assam 12th Result Date: The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council is expected to release Class 12 results in the last week of April 2026. Students can check their marks on official websites like ahsec.assam.gov.in and resultsassam.nic.in, as well as via DigiLocker. The results will be available for Science, Arts, and Commerce streams.

Pakistan's military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is in Tehran carrying US proposals for a second round of US-Iran peace talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his foreign minister are engaging regional allies. This coordinated effort aims to advance the peace process. The talks are expected to take place in Islamabad this week. Security is being heightened in the capital.

An Israeli soldier is under investigation after a photograph surfaced on social media showing him damaging a statue of Jesus Christ in a Christian village in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces condemned the act, stating it is inconsistent with their values and are working to restore the statue.

Iranian forces launched drones at US warships after an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman. The IRGC claimed US forces retreated after firing at the vessel, which Iran accused the US of seizing in violation of a ceasefire. Tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz amid accusations of maritime piracy and blockade violations.

Following a 10-day ceasefire, the IDF has revealed the Forward Defence Line in southern Lebanon, detailing the operational zone of five divisions and naval forces. These forces are actively dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure and preventing threats to northern Israel, aiming to fundamentally change the security reality along the border.

Iran is not currently planning to attend talks with the United States, state media said, after President Donald Trump ordered US negotiators to travel to Pakistan on Monday, just days before a ceasefire in the Middle East expires. Iran and the United States, along with Israel, are just three days away from the end of the two-week ceasefire that halted the Middle East war, ignited by surprise US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Iran-U.S. war: United States of America has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then reimposed its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war began almost two months ago handled roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply.

Trump Tariffs Refunds: Importers and their brokers will be able to begin claiming refunds through an online portal.

Bengal's election campaign intensifies as Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee directs party workers to reach out to all voters. Cadres are instructed to explain government schemes and development work. They are also told to remain vigilant on polling day, monitor EVMs, and report any intimidation.

Global geopolitical tensions are impacting new technology center openings in India. While the number of new centers slowed, existing ones are expanding. Experts predict continued growth in greenfield centers if uncertainties ease. The GCC ecosystem is steadily rising, driven by new capabilities in AI and product engineering.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has launched a special development package for Chennai. This initiative focuses on improving urban infrastructure and creating future job opportunities. Key promises include enhanced drinking water supply and a new cultural center. The plan also aims to expand the Chennai Metro Rail and invest in a dedicated hub for artificial intelligence and related technologies.

Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs reported over 3,400 deaths in the recent conflict with the US and Israel. This announcement follows a two-week ceasefire, with the latest toll indicating 3,468 martyrs lost. Previous reports had cited slightly lower figures, while a US-based agency estimated over 3,600 fatalities, including civilians and military personnel.

West Bengal faces heightened election scrutiny. The Election Commission has marked 55 constituencies as expenditure sensitive. This year, 100 observers are deployed, the highest number across poll-bound regions. Seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies have surged. Several border areas and urban centers are under close watch to ensure fair elections.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has apprehended a senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation official and a consultant linked to Reliance Industries. The arrests stem from an alleged bribery case involving 2.5 lakh for drone import approvals. The DGCA deputy director-general is accused of demanding payment for granting permissions. The consultant is also associated with a drone manufacturing firm.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested a Kolkata businessman in a money laundering investigation. The probe targets a criminal syndicate operating in the poll-bound state. Searches were conducted at the businessman's residence and that of a Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner. The case is linked to alleged organized criminal activities and illegal fund generation.

Voters in Coimbatore are shifting their support away from the BJP. Some students who were inspired by K Annamalai are now considering voting for actor-politician Vijay. Former volunteers who worked for Annamalai are also stepping back. However, some party loyalists continue to campaign for the BJP, believing the party is paramount.

Iran's Civil Aviation Organization announced that international flights will resume from Mashhad Airport starting Monday. This marks the beginning of a phased reopening of Iranian airspace, with transit flights and eastern airports being prioritized. Travelers can now purchase tickets for international routes to and from Mashhad.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is advocating for a unified national industrial land bank. This initiative aims to create an online system simplifying land acquisition for factories. The proposed system will offer comprehensive land details. Reforms include standardized impact assessments and faster acquisition processes. Uniform stamp duty is also recommended to streamline investments across states.

London police are probing potential Iranian involvement in recent arson attacks targeting Jewish sites. The UK Chief Rabbi warns of a growing campaign of violence. A pro-Iranian group has claimed responsibility for some incidents. Counter-terrorism units are actively investigating these threats. Authorities are vigilant about hostile Iranian activity within the UK. These events highlight a concerning escalation of tensions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Trinamool and Congress for allegedly conspiring to defeat the Women's Reservation Bill. He addressed rallies in West Bengal's tribal regions, accusing the ruling party of betraying women. Modi promised financial assistance and the creation of Lakhpati Didis if the BJP forms the government, highlighting women's empowerment.

Violence against women and children is a major election issue in Tamil Nadu. The opposition alleges the DMK government is soft on crime and that drugs are freely available. Concerns over safety are widespread. The DMK is trying to win over female voters with promises of increased financial aid.

Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy have welcomed daughter as Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence become grandpas.