The Economic Times
Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
Hantavirus Outbreak: A hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sparks Covid-19 comparisons. Experts clarify hantavirus is distinct, with limited human spread. Unlike Covid-19, hantavirus symptoms appear faster, aiding containment. Its high mortality and rapid progression make a global pandemic unlikely. Public health officials monitor outbreaks closely.
The Enforcement Directorate has taken former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose into custody, a move that underscores the intensifying scrutiny over corruption in the region. This swift action stems from a money laundering investigation associated with a scandal involving recruitment irregularities across various municipalities.
Quote of the Day: Katharine Hepburn, a resilient Hollywood icon, shared a powerful message about enduring life's hardships with strength and grace. Her words emphasize facing adversity with inner toughness and determination, a philosophy reflected in her own remarkable career marked by overcoming criticism and professional setbacks. Hepburn's enduring legacy lies in her unapologetic individuality and her ability to inspire perseverance.
As the clock strikes May 15, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets forth on a pivotal journey through Europe and the Middle East. His itinerary includes visits to the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. Central to this tour is the aim to bolster trade relations, foster energy collaboration, and forge strategic partnerships.
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy was shot at a concert in Mississippi early Sunday morning, leading to an ongoing investigation into the circumstances. Sources told ESPNs Pete Thamel that Hardy was alert and moving on Monday, with cautious optimism about recovery. However, many details, including the shooters identity and exact events, remain unknown as authorities continue their inquiry.
The Bajaj Group marks its centenary, a century of contributing to India's growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged its role in job creation and innovation. The conglomerate, founded by Jamnalal Bajaj, now plans to expand into the healthcare sector. This marks a new chapter for the esteemed Indian business house.
Manoj Agarwal, the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, has been appointed as the state's new Chief Secretary. A 1990 batch IAS officer, Agarwal previously served as the food and supplies secretary and successfully conducted the 2026 Assembly polls. His appointment follows a day after Subrata Gupta was named advisor to the chief minister.
Indias business culture is changing fast. Yet one community understood entrepreneurial learning decades earlier. The Marwari business mindset still shapes some of Indias strongest business families and young entrepreneurs. While millions of students prepare only for exams, many Marwari teenagers enter family businesses before graduation. They learn inventory, supplier management, cash flow, logistics, and customer psychology in real markets. According to several industry estimates, Marwari busin
This Taurus New Moon is reminding people that growth does not always look dramatic. Sometimes, transformation looks like setting boundaries. Sometimes it means resting. Sometimes it means finally admitting what is emotionally draining you.
Ooty flower show 2026 date: Preparations are in full swing for Ooty's 128th annual flower show. The Government Botanical Garden is being adorned with 50,000 flower pots and nearly 275 varieties of flowers. Over ten lakh flower plants are in bloom across the garden. The event is scheduled from May 16 to May 21, promising a vibrant display for visitors.
U.S Fed held rates steady at its April 29 meeting in an unusually divisive 84 vote, the closest since 1992. U.S. inflation remains well above the Fed's 2 per cent target.
President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's latest peace proposal. He stated the ceasefire between the two nations is fragile. Trump also expressed disappointment with Kurdish intermediaries. He indicated that Iran's proposal was unacceptable. The President emphasized that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. He projected strength regarding the ongoing conflict.
Chinese proverb of the day highlights the idea that rules create order and direction. The proverb Without standards, no boundaries are set explains why discipline, structure and expectations guide work culture, success and daily life. It teaches that without norms, progress becomes difficult and chaos can grow. The teaching comes from ancient Chinese thought and remains useful in modern workplaces, relationships and personal growth.
India's private space sector is experiencing a surge in global investment. Skyroot Aerospace has become the country's first space unicorn, while Agnikul Cosmos is in talks for new funding. These developments signal growing investor confidence. However, companies face long development cycles and regulatory hurdles.
In a stirring address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged the people of India to embrace local products and minimize their dependence on imports. He highlighted the importance of decreasing fuel consumption and making conscious choices about spending abroad. These collective efforts are essential to strengthen India's economy amid global uncertainties.
Chinese electronics giant OPPO has reportedly punished several senior executives after facing backlash over a controversial social media advertisement joking about a woman having two husbands. The now-deleted Weibo post, which referred to a celebrity as a second husband, drew criticism from Chinese authorities and state-backed organisations, who accused the brand of crossing moral boundaries while trying to attract younger consumers.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Assam on May 12, embarking on his second term. He described his first term as merely a preview, hinting that the real show begins now.
Assam Congress leaders met after election results. They are preparing to build a 'New Congress' for a 'Greater Assam'. The party will focus on correcting mistakes and taking its message to the grassroots. They aim to counter the BJP's misinformation. Congress will not attend the new government's swearing-in ceremony.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma flagged off 144 Mizo youths for Territorial Army training. This marks a historic moment for the state. The recruits will undergo training in Shillong and Bengaluru. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to central leaders for their support. Efforts are underway for further recruitment. The Territorial Army offers employment and a path to disciplined living.
Savannah Guthrie, the Today host, is set to host a new game show based on the popular Wordle game. The series will feature contestants in teams battling for a cash prize. The show is produced by Jimmy Fallon and will air on NBC. Filming was delayed due to Guthrie's mother's disappearance.
Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini: Ducati has launched the ultra-exclusive Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini in India at Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom), with all allotted units already sold out. Inspired by the Lamborghini Revuelto, the limited-edition motorcycle features extensive carbon fibre components, Lamborghini-inspired styling and a powerful 1,103cc V4 engine producing 216 bhp. Globally, only 630 units of the motorcycle will be produced, making it one of the rarest and most expensive superbikes ever
US stock market today is navigating a delicate balance between geopolitical risk and inflation uncertainty. The Dow Jones edged up 0.01% to 49,613.98, the S&P 500 gained 0.24%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.09% as of Monday morning trading. Oil surged past $100 after President Trump called Iran's proposal otally unacceptable. The DRAM ETF hit $6.5 billion in assets in 36 days, faster than any ETF in history, led by Micron's 5.5% rally. VIX climbed 5.12%, signaling rising anxiety ahead of April CPI and
The Election Commission is preparing to launch the third phase of its Special Intensive Revision of voters' lists. This upcoming exercise will cover the remaining 22 states and Union Territories, aiming to update the electoral rolls for nearly 40 crore electors. This move follows the completion of recent assembly elections.
NEDFi and Veefin Solutions have partnered to implement a digital lending ecosystem aimed at enhancing credit access across Northeast India. This multi-year agreement will deploy cloud-hosted solutions, including loan origination, management, and collection systems, along with mobile apps and a customer portal. The initiative seeks to reach entrepreneurs in remote areas and expand financial product offerings.
Bengaluru's recent flooding highlights a recurring issue in Indian cities: infrastructure upgrades fail to prevent disruptions due to a lack of integrated planning. Despite investments, isolated departmental decisions and fragmented development lead to systems that don't work together, causing predictable failures during heavy rainfall.
Indian businesses are urged to embrace bold thinking, fearless innovation, and strategic investment. Geopolitical shifts demand a new global economic order focused on resilience and technological capability. The government is implementing measures to strengthen the economy and safeguard against global disruptions. Diversifying export markets and investing in infrastructure and renewable energy are key.
Quote of the Day by Yoko Ono: Yoko Onos powerful quote challenges conventional ideas of age and time, suggesting that youth and aging are not defined by years alone but by mindset and emotional outlook. The quote also questions the traditional human perception of time as a fixed structure, presenting it instead as a concept created to organize life. The timeless message encourages readers to rethink aging, embrace perspective over numbers, and understand life beyond chronological limits.
In India's drought-hit Anantapur district, farmer Mekala Shiva Shankar Reddy transformed 180 acres into a high-income, water-efficient agricultural model. He adopted drip irrigation, fertigation, and diversified into high-value horticultural crops like grapes and exotic fruits, demonstrating that challenging landscapes can be highly productive with innovation.
White House UFC Freedom 250 event, featuring leading UFC fighters, will also coincide with President Donald Trumps 80th birthday and is billed as a premier affair on the Washington DC calendar.
India's unemployment rate climbed to 5% in the January-March quarter. This rise was primarily due to an increase in joblessness among women. Overall urban unemployment saw a slight decrease, while rural unemployment edged up. Youth unemployment also experienced an upward trend during this period. Labour force participation and the worker population ratio saw minor dips.
Amidst the turmoil in West Asia, India is stepping up its efforts to secure vital supply chains and ensure a steady energy supply for its citizens. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently convened a meeting dedicated to maritime security and economic resilience. With robust petroleum reserves in place, the government is also promoting fuel conservation to ease financial strain.
Micron stock surged 6% to $790 on May 11, hitting a 52-week high of $818. Deutsche Bank raised its price target to $1,000. DRAM revenue exploded 207% while total revenue tripled to $23.86 billion. Yet MU trades at a forward P/E of just 12, half the sector median. What makes this rally remarkable is not just the scale of the move, but the speed. Micron stock has climbed dramatically since bottoming near $64 last year.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has allocated key portfolios to the first five members of his council of ministers. Senior BJP leaders have been assigned crucial administrative, welfare, and regional development departments, balancing organizational experience with social representation. The Chief Minister will oversee the remaining departments.
Quote of the day: At its heart, Adam Brodys quote is about self-acceptance. It pushes back against the idea that only polished, fearless or conventionally charismatic people deserve admiration. Instead, it suggests that awkwardness and confidence can exist side by side. A person can feel uncertain and still be deeply lovable. They can struggle socially and still leave a meaningful, lasting impression.
A UN task force warns that tens of millions face hunger if fertilizers are blocked from the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's retaliation for a US-Israel war has disrupted this vital trade, threatening global food security. The UN needs political will from key nations to allow passage and avert a humanitarian crisis.
A content creator named Kaajal recently shared on Instagram that she lost 5 kg in just four weeks after starting Mounjaro, calling the rapid progress both exciting and emotionally overwhelming. The influencer explained that while her workout routine and high-protein diet remained mostly unchanged, the medication naturally reduced her calorie intake and quietened constant thoughts about food.
Quote of the Day by Sylvia Plath: Sylvia Plaths powerful quote highlights the connection between love and emotional identity in human behavior. It expresses how intimacy can become a way of seeking validation, where affection is tied to self-worth and personal importance. The statement reveals deep emotional vulnerability and the human desire to feel seen, valued, and recognized through relationships. The timeless quote of the day challenges readers to reflect on emotional dependence, self-image
A new government program, Rural Prosperity and Rural Resilience, will connect industries directly with rural producers. This initiative aims to boost value chains, skills, and market access. It will foster distributed manufacturing and corporate presence in rural areas. The program seeks to transform local economies by integrating livelihoods, enterprise, and digital systems.
Why is gold price down and silver rate up, and will precious metals witness wild swings? Gold slipped as inflation fears, interest rate uncertainty, geopolitics, and policy signals shaped markets. Silver gained strongly while platinum and palladium also rose. Investors are tracking U.S. inflation data, global tensions, and demand signals from India and China. Market outlook now depends on rate expectations, currency moves, and global risk events.
Quote of the Day: Maya Angelou, a celebrated writer and activist, overcame immense personal trauma and discrimination to become a powerful voice for resilience and self-discovery. Her life, marked by hardship and triumph, inspired millions through her honest memoirs, powerful poetry, and impactful public speaking.
PM Modi urged Indians to reduce cooking oil consumption by 10%, saying it would benefit both personal health and the nation. Speaking in Hyderabad, he remarked, Isse desh seva bhi hogi aur deh seva bhi hogi. Health experts say cutting down on oil does not mean sacrificing flavour, and simple changes such as using non-stick cookware, switching to air-frying, measuring oil before cooking and relying more on herbs and spices can help Indian households prepare healthier meals while reducing unnecess
The former coal-mining town of Cumberland is becoming a powerful example of how abandoned fossil-fuel infrastructure can be repurposed for clean energy. After more than 80 years of coal extraction, the underground tunnels beneath the town may now help heat and cool buildings using geothermal energy. Researchers working with the University of Victorias Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative are studying how water trapped inside the old mine shafts can function as a massive

32 C