The Economic Times

Google Chrome AI model: A report by security researcher Alexander Hanff has raised concerns that Google Chrome may be downloading a 4GB AI model onto some users devices without clear permission. The file, linked to on-device AI features, is reportedly installed after Chrome checks system compatibility. Many users may not notice the download until they see reduced storage or increased data usage.

Tamil Nadu leads all states in average MLA wealth at 48.34 crore, driven largely by the Martin family, AIADMK's Leemarose Martin from Lalgudi tops the national list with assets worth 5,863.7 crore, followed by TVK's C Joseph Vijay at 648.9 crore.

Puducherry's 15th Legislative Assembly has been dissolved by Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan, effective May 5. This follows the election results announced on May 4, which saw N Rangasamy's AINRC-led NDA secure a decisive victory, winning 18 seats in the 30-member House.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's success involved key figures beyond Vijay. N Anand, Aadhhav Arjuna, K G Arunraj, K A Sengottaiyan, and J C D Prabhakar were instrumental. Their diverse backgrounds, from fan club leadership to former civil service and veteran politics, contributed significantly. These individuals' efforts shaped the party's electoral outcomes.

African Proverb of the day: An African proverb compares knowledge to a garden, emphasizing that intellectual and personal growth requires consistent care and effort. Just as a garden needs nurturing to yield a harvest, knowledge must be actively developed through practice and continuous learning to produce wisdom, skill, and success.

Quote of the day by Angelina Jolie: She emphasizes that life's trajectory is shaped by everyday choices, not just grand plans. Her philosophy highlights that personal growth stems from action and experience, rather than a pursuit of perfection, ultimately defining who we become.

Chandranath Rath, executive assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. The attack occurred on a public road in Madhyamgram. Rath sustained critical injuries and was declared dead at a hospital. This incident follows violence in Sandeshkhali's Nazat, where security personnel were injured.

Congress MLAs in Kerala will meet in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to select a new chief minister. Senior leaders Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken are in the state capital to gather opinions. The party aims to complete the selection process by Sunday. Several leaders are considered frontrunners for the top post.

Roth IRA is a smart way to pass money to family with less tax. It allows tax-free growth and easy transfer to heirs. There are simple rules for withdrawal and time limits heirs must follow. It also helps avoid extra legal costs. Many people use it to build long-term wealth and give financial support to the next generation safely.

Vijay's TVK party won 108 seats and sought to form the government. The governor's approval for the oath-taking ceremony was uncertain. Congress offered conditional support to TVK, breaking ties with DMK. Left parties and AIADMK ruled out support for TVK. Talks of a DMK-AIADMK alliance surfaced but were deemed unworkable.

Landman Season 3 update: Season 3 of Landman is progressing quickly, with director Stephen Kay confirming that episodes are being edited during filming. The series, created by Taylor Sheridan, continues to gain momentum after strong viewership. While details about the plot remain limited, returning cast members are expected.

The new BJP government in West Bengal will be sworn in on May 9. The oath-taking ceremony will take place at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the event. Senior leader Suvendu Adhikari is reportedly leading the race for the chief minister's post.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has resigned with his cabinet. This paves the way for a new NDA government. The Governor has accepted the resignation and the dissolution of the assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the new government's swearing-in ceremony. This event is anticipated to occur after May 11.

New Ministry of Defence guidelines introduce stricter penalties for defence suppliers. Companies failing to meet contract terms or supplying underperforming equipment face a five-year ban. Those involved in ethical misconduct, including corruption and bribery, can be banned for up to ten years.

The psychology of workplace favoritism shows that it is rarely about one employee being more capable than another. Instead, it often stems from a leaders insecurities, personal biases and desire for control.

India's services exports hit a record $421.3 billion in fiscal year 2026. This pushed total goods and services exports to an all-time high of $863.1 billion. Services exports saw an 8.7% increase. Merchandise exports also grew, contributing significantly. This performance highlights India's strong export capabilities amidst global challenges. Each quarter of fiscal year 2026 achieved peak export levels.

Companies are fighting a rising tide of fake goods. Brands from toothpaste to cigarettes are changing packaging and tightening checks. Counterfeiters are becoming more skilled, replicating even holograms. This crisis is escalating, forcing businesses to take enforcement into their own hands. Social media amplifies the damage to brand image, making continuous education of distributors and retailers crucial.

India's power ministry is planning a significant 20,000 crore scheme for carbon capture technology. Cabinet approval is expected by July. This initiative aims to reduce emissions from crucial industries like power, steel, and cement. The scheme will support decarbonisation efforts and help balance energy needs with climate goals.

Operation Sindoor has significantly altered India's defense strategy. The armed forces are now prioritizing unmanned warfare and integrating advanced technology. Procurement processes are being streamlined for faster acquisition of modern weaponry. New combat units are being formed, emphasizing speed and self-reliance.

JPMorgan Chase offered one million dollars to settle sexual assault and harassment claims. These claims were made by a former investment banker, Chirayu Rana. The offer came before his lawsuit, filled with serious allegations, gained widespread attention on Wall Street. Rana had initially demanded over twenty million dollars. JPMorgan maintains its internal investigation found no evidence to support the claims.

India's services sector saw strong growth in April, reaching a five-month peak. Domestic demand and new orders fueled this expansion. Manufacturing activity also improved. The combined economic activity showed renewed momentum. Service providers are optimistic about future demand. However, concerns about global conflicts and rising costs persist. Input costs increased, but firms absorbed some of these expenses.

The Maharashtra government has halted planned Hindi language tests for its officers. This decision follows strong opposition from political parties like MNS and UBT Sena. The examinations were scheduled for June 28. Minister Uday Samant stated the necessity of these exams will be reviewed.

India's economic growth faces challenges due to the Iran war. S&P Global Market Intelligence has lowered India's FY27 growth forecast. Geopolitical tensions are impacting fiscal space and capital expenditure. Infrastructure spending, a key growth driver, may be constrained. India's debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise. Despite these near-term risks, structural drivers like services, manufacturing, and AI support medium-term growth.

Bank lending in the UAE is slowing down. Lenders are becoming more careful with new loans. This is happening because of the ongoing Iran conflict. Businesses in real estate and construction are finding it harder to get credit. Banks are setting aside more money to cover potential risks. Some businesses are now looking for private lenders.

New rules are set for companies managing their own provident fund trusts. Mandatory annual audits are replaced by a risk-based system. Interest rates offered by these trusts will now be capped. Exempted establishments can retain their status after mergers and acquisitions. These changes aim to strengthen oversight and improve ease of doing business.

India's Op Sindoor offers a model for modern warfare. Unlike protracted conflicts, it used calibrated force with clear objectives. The operation swiftly degraded Pakistani infrastructure and restored deterrence. This approach achieved mission goals within 88 hours. It highlights the importance of controlled escalation and disengagement for national interests and prestige.

India and Vietnam elevated their ties to an 'Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership', signing 13 MoUs focused on defense and economic cooperation, including banking and digital payments. Both nations aim to boost bilateral trade to $25 billion by 2030 and strengthen financial connectivity through central bank cooperation and linking payment systems.

Diageo has experienced an unforeseen surge in sales for the latest quarter, attributed to robust growth in Africa and Latin America that successfully counterbalanced a slowdown in the U.S. market. As the company upholds its annual forecast, it is simultaneously grappling with issues stemming from decreased consumer expenditure and shifting market dynamics.

Anthropic pre-IPO valuation explained: AI startup Anthropic's implied pre-IPO valuation has surged to a record $1.2 trillion, a 20% increase in just one week. This rapid ascent, driven by significant cloud and chip spending plans and strategic partnerships, positions Anthropic as a major player in the global tech landscape.

Quad foreign ministers will convene in Delhi to counter China's growing influence, focusing on critical minerals, technology, and supply chains. This meeting follows the US President's China visit. Meanwhile, Indian companies committed a record $20.5 billion in investments to the US, bolstering bilateral trade and strengthening supply chains, particularly in pharmaceuticals.

Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot multiple times in North 24 Parganas district. The incident occurred Wednesday night in the Madhyamgram area. Rath was targeted on a public road and is receiving treatment at a private hospital. Police have launched an investigation into the attack.

Social Security May 2026 benefits update: The hidden calendar shift behind later SSA payments for millions of Americans. Social Security May 2026 payment schedule is trending across searches this week. Nearly 75 million Americans depend on these monthly benefits. This May feels different. Payments seem late at first glance. But the Social Security May 2026 payment schedule has not changed.

Thought of the day: Haruki Murakami has crafted a literary universe where the lines between reality and imagination often blur, yet his insights into human nature remain remarkably clear.

Chinese proverb of the day explains how a childs life is shaped by every interaction with parents, teachers, and society. The proverb compares childhood to paper that receives marks from everyone. The message highlights parenting, motherhood, education, human nature, mentorship, and responsibility. It reminds adults that daily words and actions influence development, values, personality, and life direction. The teaching encourages care, kindness, and awareness in every moment with children.

A new report says many Gen Z workers are facing job struggles as companies change hiring rules in the AI era. Experts say the issue is linked to changing work values, fewer beginner jobs, and different expectations between young employees and employers. As AI grows, Gen Z may need to rethink career choices and workplace habits to succeed.

Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs Wednesday, the first since an April 17 ceasefire, targeting a Hezbollah Radwan Force commander. This escalation follows continued fighting in southern Lebanon and previous major strikes on Beirut in early April. The unannounced attack marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict.

Hayden Panettiere has publicly come out as bisexual, sharing her journey in her new memoir. The actress revealed it was a scary experience dating women due to paparazzi and societal perceptions, but she is now comfortable sharing her truth. Panettiere also discussed her past struggles with abusive relationships and addiction.

An American fighter jet destroyed the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday for attempting to breach a US blockade. The incident occurred despite an official ceasefire and ongoing negotiations for a war-ending agreement. US Central Command stated multiple warnings were issued to the vessel.

Ethereum ETH USD price prediction: Ethereum ETFs have experienced three consecutive days of inflows, totaling nearly $260 million, indicating growing institutional confidence. BlackRock and Fidelity are leading these investments, coinciding with a steady rise in ETH's price. Technical indicators also suggest a strengthening bullish momentum for Ethereum.

President Donald Trump has signed a new national counterterrorism strategy. This plan prioritizes neutralizing threats in the Americas by crippling cartel operations. It also targets violent, anti-American political groups within the United States. The strategy aims to protect America's homeland. International partners will also be consulted on combating threats from Iran.

Barak Ravid and the Iran Leak Pipeline: The name Barak Ravid keeps appearing whenever sensitive Iran stories break in Washington. A new leak about Iranian responses to U.S. proposals. A private White House discussion. Israeli intelligence assessments. Anonymous officials shaping the narrative before formal policy announcements. Again and again, the same reporter lands at the center of the information cycle. That repetition has triggered a broader debate far bigger than one journalist. Is this si

Malkajgiri's new Police Commissioner, B Sumathi, bravely posed as a lone woman at a late-night bus stand to assess public safety. She was approached by nearly 40 men, many intoxicated, who made vulgar remarks. Police intervened, detaining and counselling the individuals. This bold operation underscores concerns about women's security after dark and sends a strong anti-harassment message.