The Economic Times

Two years after their dramatic Shark Tank India pitch where their drone nearly crashed, Vecros founders Prem Sai and Rajashree Devta have made it to Y Combinator Startup School. The Andhra Pradesh-registered startup is building autonomous spatial AI drones for GPS-denied environments. Prem Sai recently shared the update on social media.

India and South Korea are strengthening ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee Jae-myung announced the India-Korea Friendship Festival. This event celebrates their ancient shared heritage and modern cultural exchange. A new Mumbai Korea Centre will also be established. This center will blend K-pop and Bollywood, fostering deeper cultural understanding between the two nations.

Following his death, tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and fans across the entertainment industry. Many remembered Patrick Muldoon for his warmth, charisma, and generosity.

Why are US stock market futures down today, and will Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq continue to drop or rise again? US stock futures fell after a strong rally as Iran tensions returned and oil prices jumped. Investors reduced risk positions while earnings season approaches. Energy shares gained while volatility increased. Analysts expect market swings in the near term as geopolitics, earnings, and economic outlook shape investor sentiment and trading decisions.

Archana Puran Singh Acting Career Stalled: Archana Puran Singh revealed her long stint on The Kapil Sharma Show brought fame but limited film roles due to tight schedules. The shift to Netflix's season-based format now offers her flexibility for new projects. Despite a four-decade career, she feels filmmakers still perceive her solely as a laughing personality, hoping recent work will change this.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced a 'Durga Squad' for women's safety if the Bharatiya Janata Party wins in West Bengal. He promised strict action against those troubling women and assured the rule of law. Singh stated the election is about fear versus trust and development versus corruption. He predicted a BJP victory and the end of darkness on May 4.

Tesla has reportedly saved over 400 million dollars on US taxes. This was achieved through a financial maneuver involving its units in the Netherlands and Singapore. These units posted 18 billion dollars in profits that were not taxed in those countries. This practice allowed Tesla to reduce its tax bill in the United States.

A woman engineer at TCS Nashik has detailed alleged harassment and religious coercion. She reported derogatory remarks about Hindu deities and inappropriate touching by colleagues. Police have registered nine FIRs and arrested eight individuals. One accused is still being traced. TCS has suspended the employees involved and initiated an internal probe.

Kevin Warsh faces a crucial Senate hearing for the Federal Reserve chief nomination. Lawmakers will question his economic ideas and monetary policy. Warsh, a former Fed governor, has been a vocal critic of the central bank. His nomination comes amid intense scrutiny of the Fed's independence and calls for significant changes to its operations.

Rashid Khan Indian Citizenship Offer: Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan reportedly rejected offers of citizenship and the chance to play for India and Australia. The book Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom reveals his unwavering commitment to representing his home country, Afghanistan, despite lucrative opportunities elsewhere.

Kolkata's Rashbehari constituency faces a heated election battle. Trinamool Congress MLA Debasish Kumar is up against Bharatiya Janata Party's Swapan Dasgupta. The TMC holds the seat, but the BJP aims to win. Key issues include infrastructure development and welfare schemes. The election is scheduled for April 29. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Lyrid meteor shower Tonight Time: Skywatchers have a chance to see the Lyrid meteor shower this week. Early mornings offer the best views due to clear skies and a favourable moon. Look towards the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega. Meteors appear to originate from Lyra but are best seen by scanning the wider sky.

In preparation for the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has announced a ban on alcohol sales in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, introducing dry days leading up to polling and during vote counting. Authorities are mandated to enforce these restrictions rigorously, promoting a fairer and more tranquil voting atmosphere.

Jacqueline Fernandes seeks to become an approver in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving Sukesh Chandrasekhar. The Enforcement Directorate requested more time to review her application, deeming it vague. The Patiala House Court has scheduled the next hearing for May 8. Fernandes claims she is ready to cooperate with the investigation.

Bhagyathara BT-50 Lottery Result (20-04-2026): Kerala State Lotteries Department conducts the high-stakes draw for the Bhagyathara BT-50 weekly lottery today, April 20, 2026. The event saw the ticket holder of PL 561807 coming out as the winner of the grand first prize of 1 crore.

JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 toppers List: The National Testing Agency will soon release the JEE Main Session 2 Result 2026 on its official website. Candidates can check their scores and the list of toppers. The agency will also announce state, category, and gender-wise topper lists. Previous session toppers are also mentioned. Students can download their scorecards by logging in with their application number and password.

Nitish Kumar will continue to oversee development work in Bihar. He will spend most of his time in the state, touring it to ensure progress continues. This comes after he stepped down as Chief Minister last week. The JD(U) leader will focus on parliamentary sessions in Delhi. His son, Nishant, has been accepted as the party's future leader.

Visitors are returning to Kashmir, demonstrating renewed confidence in the region's safety. This comes as the first anniversary of a deadly terror attack approaches. Authorities have introduced a QR code system to enhance security and public trust. Analysts highlight the attack's impact on tourism and call for strong action against terrorism and its sponsors.

Iran has executed two more members of the People's Mujahedin group. Authorities state they were hanged for spying for Israel. These hangings are part of a recent surge in executions of political prisoners. Rights groups warn of more executions to come. They urge a halt to all executions and release of prisoners in any talks with Iran.

Rahul Gandhi criticizes the BJP government for the conflict in Manipur. He alleges the party is trying to control states from Delhi. Gandhi also states the BJP seeks to impose one tradition and language across India. He claims the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has become an instrument of the BJP due to corruption.

BJP leader Nitin Nabin accused the Trinamool Congress of betraying women by opposing the central government's women's reservation bill. He stated that the TMC's stance on this issue contrasts with their alleged support for minority reservations. Nabin highlighted concerns about women's safety in West Bengal and criticized the state government's policies regarding infiltrators.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 Date and Time: Tamil Nadu's Legislative Assembly elections are set for April 23, 2026, with vote counting on May 4. Over 5.6 crore voters will participate in a significant three-way contest. Polling will occur from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM across all constituencies.

Israel's military is warning Lebanese civilians not to return to southern villages. The military claims Hezbollah is violating a recent ceasefire agreement. Displaced residents have started returning home since the truce began. Israel states its forces remain deployed defensively. Hezbollah officials have also cautioned residents about potential Israeli actions.

As West Bengal braces for electoral battles, state officials are implementing rigorous security strategies. With more than 135 arrests made to date, the focus is on ensuring a tranquil election process. The Election Commission is harnessing advanced AI surveillance technology and outfitting security personnel with bodycams.

American, Philippine, and Japanese forces have commenced joint military exercises in the Philippines. The drills involve thousands of personnel and advanced weaponry. These war games are taking place with the Middle East conflict in the background. Tensions are also high in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.

In the latest episode of the SaaS CMO Circle podcast, top marketing thinkers from LinkedIn and Zoho reveal how B2B video content is engaging buyers and helping to close deals in ways that traditional static content cant. Traditional B2B marketing tactics revolve around content that buyers read. From product brochures and how-to guides through to case study PDFs, thought leadership blog posts, and detailed research reports, the core of B2B has involved exchanging written information for contact d

India and South Korea will resume talks to upgrade their economic partnership agreement. The goal is to increase bilateral trade to 50 billion dollars by 2030. Both nations will also enhance cooperation in critical technologies and supply chains. An economic security dialogue will be established. Discussions will cover shipbuilding, steel, and sustainability. Industrial collaboration will expand through new agreements.

Gurgaon Drug Racket: Authorities in Gurgaon have busted a major illegal pharmaceutical racket involving spurious Mounjaro KwikPen (tirzepatide injections) worth over Rs 70 lakh, with two men arrested after a joint operation by the Drugs Control Department and police intercepted a vehicle carrying suspected fake diabetes and weight-loss drugs stored in violation of safety norms. The raid near Super Mart-1 led to the recovery of multiple cartons of injections in different strengths, with officials

Assam voted in a crucial election. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's BJP faced a challenge from Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi. The outcome could reshape Congress's future in the Northeast. Sarma's leadership and BJP's organizational strength were key factors. Congress focused on governance reforms and economic revival. The results will influence opposition politics nationwide.

Reports have emerged suggesting that Iranian forces may have opened fire on Indian ships passing through the vital Strait of Hormuz. This unsettling occurrence coincided with increased activity among commercial fleets in the area. Furthermore, Iran is pointing fingers at the United States, alleging that Washington's maneuvers are not only obstructing diplomatic channels but also exacerbating conflict.

An IIT-Kharagpur graduate rejected a 4.3 crore job and Stanford PhD to co-found Giga, an AI startup that recently raised $61 million. Despite the success, the company faces allegations of malpractices and misleading employees from a former worker, which Giga denies as an extortion attempt.

Groww reports strong profit and revenue growth. However, foreign investor selling and global tensions create a mixed market. This boosts short-term trading activity on the platform. But sustained foreign selling could slow new user growth and asset inflows in the medium term. The company manages these market dynamics.

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 has shaken northeastern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the tremor off the coast. Tsunami warnings have been issued for areas including Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido prefectures. The quake's epicentre was in the Pacific Ocean. It was strong enough to make movement difficult and cause damage to walls.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hypocrisy regarding women's reservation. He stated the Centre delayed implementation despite opportunities. Siddaramaiah highlighted the Congress party's historical support for women's reservation, citing past amendments. He questioned the timing and linkage with delimitation, suggesting it disadvantages southern states.

Apple's upcoming WWDC event artwork suggests a significant upgrade for Siri. The assistant is expected to gain a new look within the Dynamic Island. Users will see improved conversational abilities and the power to handle multiple requests in one command. This move aims to make Siri a more capable AI assistant, integrating deeper with third-party apps.

At the SaaS CMO Circle, leading marketing thinkers from Adobe and LinkedIn shared new insights into how todays tech buyers feel about B2B purchase decisions, and how marketers can respond.

Concerns over a ceasefire collapse grew as the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship, prompting Iran to vow retaliation and reject further peace talks. The incident jeopardizes efforts for regional peace, with Iran citing blockades and U.S. demands. Oil prices surged amid fears of continued Gulf traffic disruptions.

The Supreme Court has rejected a public interest plea. The petition sought to declare Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army responsible for India's independence. It also asked for Netaji to be named 'National Son'. The court refused to declare his birth anniversary and the INA's foundation day as national days.

India's MSME manufacturing sector continued to grow in early 2026. However, expansion slowed due to global issues, especially the West Asia crisis. This crisis caused longer shipping times and higher costs. Business activity saw new orders and production increase, but hiring remained steady. The outlook for the next quarter is positive but cautious. Policy support is vital for sustained growth.

Explore five easy mushroom recipes designed for the Indian palate, from spicy Masala Roasts to comforting Pulaos. These simple, everyday meals focus on traditional spices and quick cooking techniques, making mushrooms the perfect versatile ingredient for busy 2026 lifestyles without requiring any complicated culinary skills.

Irans leader President Pezeshkian urges a return to diplomacy in light of escalating tensions with the United States. With a ceasefire on the brink of collapse, negotiations are on the horizon in Pakistan, but Iran's candidate delegation remains unconfirmed.

A Ukrainian drone attack hit Russia's Tuapse port, causing a fire and killing at least one person. This major southern port is a key oil export hub and home to a large refinery. Debris from the drones damaged several buildings, including a kindergarten and a church. Russia's defense ministry reported destroying many drones overnight.

Uttar Pradesh farmers can now sell wheat at government procurement centers without prior online registration. This decision comes after many farmers faced difficulties registering and were forced to sell to middlemen. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered immediate implementation. Farmers can now sell their wheat as they did in previous years, ensuring fair prices for their produce.

A viral video showcasing a compact Mumbai apartment for 1.6 crore has sparked widespread debate. While many expressed shock at the price for the small space, others defended its prime location and sea view. The clip highlights Mumbai's challenging housing market, where space comes at a significant premium, prompting discussions about affordability and urban living.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar accused Akhilesh Yadav of lying about women's reservation, claiming the Samajwadi Party opposed the bill fearing BJP credit. Yadav, however, stated opposition parties support women's reservation but want SC, ST, and OBC inclusion. Prime Minister Modi criticized the opposition for blocking the bill, calling it an insult to women.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nationwide heatwave alert in India, warning of a 24C rise in temperatures across north and central regions, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. With severe heatwave conditions, rising AQI levels in Delhi, and temperatures crossing 43C in Raipur, experts warn of increasing heat stress, dehydration risks, and public health concerns. A western disturbance from April 23 may bring temporary relief, but extreme heatwave conditi

A cricket final in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district descended into chaos when a local politician allegedly drove a tractor onto the pitch, destroying it. The politician, reportedly upset over not receiving an invitation to the MLA Trophy final, vandalized the playing surface. The match was called off due to unsafe conditions, and police intervened.

US-Iran war: A United States warship, the USS Miguel Keith, sailed through the vital Strait of Malacca over the weekend. Indonesian Navy officials confirmed the transit on Saturday, April 18. They stated the passage adhered to international law. The warship is based in Japan and was conducting routine operations. The Strait of Malacca is a crucial global shipping lane.