The Economic Times

Turkmenistan, a nation known for its secrecy, is witnessing a subtle shift. E-commerce and social media are gaining traction, signaling a new era for its citizens. While the government maintains firm political control, private businesses and digital platforms are emerging. This evolution offers a glimpse into a changing society, even as the country navigates its unique path.

Jabalpur boat accident: A viral video captures tourists enjoying strong winds moments before a tragic Jabalpur boat capsize, which claimed nine lives. Despite pleas to turn back as the storm intensified, the crew allegedly ignored warnings. Survivors recount a lack of safety measures, with life jackets only distributed as the boat overturned in severe winds.

A massive prehistoric snake named Vasuki indicus has been discovered in Gujarat. Fossilized bones suggest this ancient serpent lived 47 million years ago. It may have stretched up to 50 feet, rivaling the largest snakes known. This discovery sheds light on India's potential role in the origin of giant snakes. The findings are based on 27 fossilized vertebrae.

Garena Free Fire MAX offers players daily rewards through redeem codes, which are 12-character alphanumeric combinations released regularly. These codes are time-limited and can only be used once. Players can claim their free items by visiting the official redemption site and logging in with their game-linked account.

India's new indigenous cell broadcast system for disaster alerts was tested on Saturday, startling many mobile users with a loud Extremely Severe notification. The government-issued message, intended to reassure citizens it was a trial run, highlighted the system's aim to provide real-time emergency warnings and strengthen national disaster preparedness.

President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly ignored federal court orders. This defiance spans various policy areas, from immigration to foreign aid. Judges have found widespread noncompliance, a situation legal experts deem unprecedented. Higher courts have sometimes sided with the administration, critics say this emboldens further disregard for judicial rulings. The Justice Department often disputes accusations of noncompliance.

MSBSHSE 12th Result 2026: The Maharashtra HSC Class 12 results for 2026 has been released today by the MSBSHSE at 1 PM. Students can access their marksheets via the official websites, DigiLocker, or the UMANG app. It is advised to have login details ready to avoid delays due to expected high traffic.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are bracing for a heatwave with temperatures expected to be 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal, coupled with high humidity, until May 5. Several districts will experience significantly higher temperatures, with Vellore already recording 42.4C. Isolated heavy rains with thunderstorms are also forecast for some districts.

Re-polling is underway in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. Voters are casting ballots again at 15 booths in Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour constituencies. This follows the Election Commission's order due to reported irregularities. Security is tight with Rapid Action Force personnel deployed.

The first Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar commenced on May 2, 2026, significantly reducing travel time to five hours. This new direct rail link, featuring 20 coaches, offers reliable, all-weather connectivity across challenging terrain. Regular services will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, with fares ranging from Rs 715 to Rs 1,515.

The Supreme Court has not issued any orders regarding the Trinamool Congress's challenge to the Election Commission's directive on vote counting supervisors. The Election Commission assured the court that its circular will be fully implemented. This circular involves deploying Central government and PSU employees for vote counting supervision. The court noted the circular is not against existing rules.

A new video shows passengers scrambling for life jackets as a boat capsized in Jabalpur's Bargi Dam, claiming nine lives. Survivors allege life jackets were not distributed promptly, contributing to the tragedy. Investigations are underway, with officials taking action against those responsible for negligence.

Iran has caused significant damage to American military bases across the Gulf. Reports reveal extensive destruction at facilities in Kuwait and Qatar. Key assets like aircraft and radar systems were hit. This marks a new vulnerability for US installations in the region. Many troops evacuated positions. Iran's enhanced satellite capabilities played a role.

MSBSHSE 12th Toppers 2026: Maharashtra HSC Result 2026 will be released online by the Maharashtra State Board. Students can check their performance and division-wise statistics. The board will not publish a toppers list to reduce student pressure. Details on passing marks, grading, and revaluation procedures will be available. Students who do not pass can appear for supplementary exams.

A woman bathing her pet dog in the Ganga at Haridwar's Sarvanand Ghat has caused a stir. Priests and locals objected, citing the river's sanctity. The woman argued with those present. A video of the incident went viral, drawing mixed reactions online. Some defended the act, questioning hypocrisy, while others condemned it.

Hezbollah is using inexpensive fibre-optic drones against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. These drones are difficult to detect and counter. The Israeli military has confirmed casualties from these attacks. This tactic represents a shift in Hezbollah's strategy. Israel is adapting its defenses and studying similar technologies from the Ukraine war.

GSEB 10th 12th Result 2026 Date and Time: Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) is expected to announce Class 10 and 12 results in May 2026, with Class 12 results possibly on May 4 and Class 10 on May 6. Students can check their results online via gseb.org, SMS, or WhatsApp. A minimum of 33% in each subject and overall is required to pass.

Indian financial markets are showing strength amid global challenges. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted that future growth hinges on increasing liquidity and participation. The economy is growing fast, with inflation under control. The banking sector is robust. The RBI is implementing measures to improve market efficiency and transparency.

Kerala's 2026 assembly elections saw a record 78.27% voter turnout, with exit polls indicating a close contest between the UDF and LDF. Attention now turns to May 4th results, with questions arising about the potential impact of the Middle East crisis on the state's deep ties to the Gulf.

A Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act has spurred Republican officials in several states to redraw congressional districts. Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee are holding special legislative sessions to alter voting maps, potentially impacting upcoming midterm elections. This move follows a national trend of states adjusting districts after the ruling.

President Donald Trump told top US lawmakers on Friday that hostilities in Iran had ended, after coming under pressure from Congress to seek authorization for the conflict as it headed into its third month. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated, he wrote in letters to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley. ft/acb

The UAE has exited OPEC and OPEC+, ending decades of Saudi economic influence. Analysts call it a political rebellion prioritizing market share and independent foreign policy towards the US, Israel, and Asia. This move aims to monetize oil reserves before they become stranded assets and fund a green economy transition, potentially reshaping regional energy dynamics and challenging Saudi Arabia's dominance.

The Allahabad High Court ruled that public land is not for exclusive religious use. Individuals cannot unilaterally use such property for Namaz. Religious practice is subject to public order and others' rights. The court dismissed a petition seeking exclusive use of land for Namaz. Such activities impacting public domain are subject to state regulation, it said.

Maharashtra HSC Result 2026: The Maharashtra Board is releasing the HSC Class 12 results today at 11 am via a press conference. Students can check their results on official websites like mahahsscboard.in and hscresult.mkcl.org from 1 pm. A minimum of 35% is required to pass, with distinction awarded for 75% and above.

Chinese philosopher Li Si argued that true progress requires breaking free from the past. His quote reflects radical reform during Chinas Qin dynasty, where he helped unify systems but supported harsh measures like burning books. His legacy highlights the tension between innovation and preserving history.

Canada's intelligence agency has identified Khalistani elements as a violent extremist threat. The CSIS report also highlights foreign interference in Canadian politics by China, Russia, India, Iran and Pakistan.

Petrol, Diesel Prices Today: Fuel prices remain steady today, May 2, 2026, despite global oil market turmoil. While commercial LPG saw a significant jump, petrol and diesel rates are unchanged. But government sources have indicated that the prices of petrol and diesel may go up and the rates will see a hike of Rs 4-5 per litre.

BSE Odisha 10th Result 2026: Odisha Class 10 results are set to be released today, May 2, 2026, by the Board of Secondary Education Odisha at 4 PM. Students can access their scorecards online from 6 PM onwards on bseodisha.ac.in and bseodisha.nic.in. A minimum of 33 percent marks is required to pass.

Weather update: India braces for above-normal May rainfall, with the southwest monsoon expected around May 14-16. Delhi anticipates partly cloudy skies and light rain with thunderstorms on May 3. Kerala faces a yellow alert for heavy showers and strong winds across all districts. Widespread rain has been forecast for various regions, including heavy downpours in the Northeast and East, as per the IMD.

President Trump described U.S. naval actions against Iran as like pirates after seizing a ship and its oil cargo. This comes amid the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which has led to blockades and significant casualties. The conflict has also disrupted global oil shipments.

LPG Gas Cylinder Price: Domestic LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged, offering relief to 33 crore users. However, commercial 19-kg LPG cylinders have seen a significant Rs 993 price hike, reaching Rs 3,071.50 in Delhi. This increase, the highest single-day hike by OMCs, is attributed to global energy cost rises and disrupted West Asian supply flows.

Voting is underway at 15 polling stations in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. The Election Commission ordered repolls in Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour assembly constituencies. This follows reports of electoral malpractices during the second phase of state elections. The Election Commission is also considering repolling in the Falta assembly constituency. Vote counting is scheduled for May 4.

Steve Jobs quote reveals harsh truth: are you quitting too early before success compounds after years of hidden effort? Overnight success is a persistent optical illusion. Data shows most instant viral wins actually take ten years of silent labor. Steve Jobs turned repeated failure into global dominance by mastering this truth. Jobs transformed Apple from a failing entity into a global titan by identifying a singular human flaw: the tendency to abandon the Long Game exactly when the momentum beg

Iran's Revolutionary Guard is tightening its grip on vital waterways. New rules aim to boost control over the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. This move signals Iran's intent to assert dominance in the region. Supreme Leader Khamenei has also spoken out against foreign military presence. He described US bases as ineffective.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said he considers it reasonous for critics to claim that the United States is not winning the war with Iran. He also claimed Iran's military capacity had been significantly degraded, with the claim that the Iranian leadership had been weakened.

The U.S. will withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany within a year, fulfilling President Trump's threat amid disagreements over the Iran conflict. This decision, impacting 14% of American forces in Germany, has drawn criticism from Democrats and think tanks who fear it weakens U.S. security and benefits Russia.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he was ot satisfied with a new Iranian negotiating proposal, as peace talks remain frozen despite a weeks-long ceasefire. At this moment I'm not satisfied with what they're offering, Trump told reporters, blaming stalled talks on remendous discord within Iran's leadership.

The US approved over $8.6 billion in military sales to West Asian allies amid high regional tensions with Iran. President Trump declared criticism of the US war effort against Iran as reasonous, asserting significant military success and the degradation of Iran's capabilities.

Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed excitement about India's market. The company achieved strong double-digit growth in India for iPhones, iPadApple posts strong growth in India despite global smartphone slowdowns, and Macs. This success occurred even as the overall Indian smartphone market faced a downturn. Apple's aspirational appeal is growing, bringing new users into its ecosystem. The company is navigating memory chip cost increases.

GameStop and eBay share price moved after a report said GameStop is preparing a takeover offer for eBay. The report linked the plan to CEO Ryan Cohens strategy to raise market value and expand online business. Investors reacted in extended trading as eBay shares jumped and GameStop stock gained. Markets are watching the potential deal, financing options, shareholder response, and future impact on retail and e-commerce sectors.

The finance ministry has authorized force majeure for government contracts impacted by the West Asia conflict, treating it as war. This offers relief to companies, including drone manufacturers, facing supply chain disruptions and delivery delays of two to four months. The move shields firms from penalties for missed deadlines due to the ongoing conflict.

What is mifepristone, and why is it used? A federal appeals court has restricted access to mifepristone by blocking mailing of prescriptions. The ruling requires in-person clinic visits for the abortion pill. The decision affects telemedicine abortion, FDA rules, Louisiana abortion ban enforcement, and miscarriage care access across the United States.

Roblox, Reddit and Atlassian stock prices and earnings explain market reaction after forecast changes and AI growth signals. Roblox shares fell after a bookings forecast cut tied to safety changes and competition risks. Reddit shares rose on AI-driven advertising growth and strong revenue outlook. Atlassian raised revenue forecasts after cloud and AI demand increased. Investors now assess user growth, advertising revenue, enterprise demand, and competition risks across these companies.