The Economic Times

The United Democratic Front is set to take power in Keralam. VD Satheesan will be sworn in as Chief Minister today. Senior Congress leaders and Chief Ministers from other states are attending the ceremony. The new government promises to fulfill election guarantees.

Bain Capital has raised $10.5 billion for its sixth Asia-focused private equity fund, including $9.1 billion from external investors, exceeding its original $7 billion target. Bain Capital partners, employees and related entities contributed the remaining capital and became the funds largest investor group.

Uttar Pradesh government has expanded its cabinet. New ministers and promoted leaders have been given important portfolios. This move strengthens the administrative team ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party aims for a third consecutive term. New ministers have taken their oath of office.

Chinas industrial output growth slowed to 4.1% in April from 5.7% in March, missing market expectations of a 5.9% rise, official data showed on Monday.

Petrol, Diesel prices today: Petrol and diesel prices remained steady on Monday after a recent Rs 3 per litre hike, with further increases anticipated due to rising global oil prices. This surge, driven by Middle East conflict and US-Iran tensions, is pressuring India's foreign exchange reserves as the nation imports most of its crude oil.

Ebola in India: The WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency with over 300 cases and 88 deaths. Indian health experts assure no need for panic, emphasizing Ebola's direct contact spread, unlike COVID-19, while stressing vigilance and early detection. There are two vaccines for Ebola.

China has agreed to address U.S. concerns over shortages of specialty rare earth minerals and critical materials caused by Beijings export controls, according to a White House factsheet released after last weeks U.S.-China summit.

Ladakh's daily wage earners will see a substantial pay increase. Skilled workers will now earn Rs 575 daily, and unskilled workers Rs 450 daily. This decision comes ahead of crucial meetings with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The administration aims to provide dignified wages, aligning with the Minimum Wages Act.

Four crew members safely ejected after two U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler jets collided mid-air during an aerial demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Idahos Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday.

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Chinas Guangxi region early Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou city to evacuate.

Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She requested the release of prisoners from the region before Eid ul-Azha. Mufti stated this would be a significant confidence-building step. It would convey a message of reconciliation and healing to the people of the Union Territory.

Karnataka, Bengaluru weather today: Bengaluru is set to experience thunderstorms and rainfall on Monday, May 18, with temperatures ranging from 23C to 33C. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru and most of interior Karnataka for the next three days, with an orange alert for parts of south interior Karnataka for the next 24 hours.

The West Bengal government has raised the upper age limit for recruitment to state government jobs across categories through amendments to the West Bengal Services (Raising of Age-limit) Rules, 1981.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said President Donald Trump secured a commitment from China not to provide material support to Iran during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Indias Ministry of External Affairs condemned the drone attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, calling it a dangerous escalation and urging restraint and diplomacy amid rising Gulf tensions.

Federal officials urged unions representing workers at the Long Island Rail Road to resume negotiations after a strike entered its second day, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of commuters in New York.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged top European companies to increase investments in India during a high-level meeting with the European Round Table for Industry in Gothenburg, Sweden. The event was co-hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Samsung Electronics and its South Korean labour union will resume government-mediated pay talks on Monday in an effort to avoid a strike planned for Thursday. The talks come after an earlier round of negotiations over wages and bonuses collapsed at the worlds largest memory chipmaker.

India's external accounts are under strain. The current account deficit is widening, and capital may flow out. The rupee has weakened significantly. Policymakers are considering various measures beyond interest rate hikes to stabilize the currency. These include incentives for foreign deposits and liberalizing capital inflows. State-owned banks may also issue foreign currency bonds.

IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a playoff berth by defeating Punjab Kings by 23 runs. Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer scored half-centuries, setting a target of 222. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's early bowling spell crippled Punjab Kings. The team's batting faltered, leading to their sixth consecutive loss and near elimination from the tournament.

Abhishek Porel and KL Rahul's fluent half-centuries powered Delhi Capitals to a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals. The opening pair's 105-run stand set the stage for the chase, with Axar Patel's unbeaten 34 sealing the win in 19.2 overs. Delhi successfully overhauled RR's competitive total of 193.

Four of the newly empanelled executive directors - Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray and Sudhakar Malli - belong to the common seniority group (CSG) cadre, while Ravi Shankar is from the department of statistics and information management (DSIM) cadre.

Jannik Sinner made history by becoming the first Italian man to win the Italian Open in 50 years, also achieving the rare feat of winning all nine Masters 1000 events. His dominant 6-4, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud extended his winning streak to 29 matches, positioning him as a strong favorite for the upcoming French Open.

Regulators are examining overseas investments by Indian companies. The Reserve Bank of India is seeking details on the purpose and structure of these foreign ventures. This scrutiny follows a significant increase in overseas direct investment outflows. Companies must demonstrate genuine business intent for these investments. The RBI aims to ensure funds are used appropriately and profits are repatriated.

UDF finalized its Cabinet list after two days of discussions, with CM-designate VD Satheesan submitting it to the Kerala governor. The full Cabinet, including the CM, is scheduled for swearing-in on Monday. Satheesan was announced as the Congress Legislature Party leader and next chief minister on May 14.

A Pakistani terrorist, Mohammed Usman Jatt, infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir for Lashkar-e-Taiba. He paused his terror mission to get a hair transplant in Srinagar. Jatt told interrogators that life in Kashmir differed from his training. He crossed the border with instructions for attacks but witnessed a different reality. The NIA is investigating the case.

CBI has arrested nine individuals, including alleged kingpins, in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The agency is actively seeking the source of the leak and is investigating the larger conspiracy involving an organized paper leak gang. Several co-accused are yet to be identified and apprehended.

Congress MP Digvijaya Singh has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This comes after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled due to alleged paper leaks. Singh criticized the National Testing Agency and the government's handling of exam irregularities. He also raised concerns about the government's gold import policies and past economic decisions.

A drone attack in the Moscow region has claimed the life of one Indian national and injured three others. The incident occurred during a large-scale Ukrainian drone raid. India's Embassy in Russia is working with local authorities and the company involved to provide assistance to the victims.

A BJP leader, Arjun Singh Maida, was discovered hanging from a tree in Banswara, Rajasthan. Police are investigating the incident. Maida, a district secretary, reportedly left home after an argument with his wife. Injury marks were found on the body. The post-mortem report will determine the exact cause of death. All angles are being explored.

Quote of the day by Mae West shares a short line about love, wealth, relationships, marriage, peace and pain. The quote says love conquers many problems but not poverty and toothache. This explainer looks at the meaning, relevance, and life lessons from the quote. It also explains the life and career of Mae West and how her words connect with real life today.

Union Minister Amit Shah visited Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He stated West Bengal's development has stalled for fifty years. Shah inaugurated several development projects in Gujarat. These included a tech park, a global capability center, and a milk processing plant. He highlighted Gujarat's structured development model and entrepreneurial spirit. Shah also emphasized the dairy sector's role in women empowerment.

Census 2027 field operations are underway, with enumerators conducting house-to-house surveys in multiple states. A self-enumeration facility is also available, allowing residents to participate digitally. This marks a significant step towards digitising the census process.

Quote of the day by Nikola Tesla shares a statement about inventions and married men. The story explains Teslas life, inventions, struggles, relationships, and achievements. It explores lessons about work, success, science, and personal choices. The article also covers Teslas journey from Europe to the United States and the impact of his work on modern technology.

Classified intelligence suggests Cuba has acquired over 300 military drones and is discussing plans to attack U.S. interests, including the Guantanamo Bay base and potentially Florida. This development escalates tensions amid speculation of U.S. military action against the island, with Havana denouncing the reports as an anti-Cuban campaign.

The psychology behind women falling asleep around their partners suggests that the behavior is often linked to emotional safety, trust and a relaxed nervous system. In a world where many people remain under constant stress or emotional vigilance, feeling calm enough to fully rest beside someone can become a strong sign of comfort, security and emotional connection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in Gothenburg. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new partnerships between the two nations. They discussions covered trade, technology, defence, and green transition. The visit is part of Modi's European tour.

African proverb of the day shares a message about relationships, romance, wealth, and trust. It explains how small actions create strong bonds. The proverb shows that care, effort, and attention matter more than expensive gifts. It also connects love with patience, honesty, and daily effort. This message continues to guide people who want stable and healthy relationships.

International Atomic Energy Agency said emergency diesel generators were providing power to the plant's unit 3, and called for maximum military restraint near any nuclear power plant, adding that it was following the situation closely.