The Economic Times

A ship was seized by Iranian personnel near the UAE. US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. An Indian cargo vessel was sunk off Oman. Iran is making deals for ships to pass through the strait. Iran's Judiciary Spokesperson stated seizures are under law. Iran's threat capability is degraded.

President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to China. He met with President Xi Jinping. The visit featured business deals and discussions. President Xi issued a strong warning regarding Taiwan. Trump expressed hope for a stronger relationship. China agreed to purchase Boeing jets. Discussions also covered Iran and trade.

African proverb of the day: One-sided love involves unreturned affection, leading to emotional imbalance and exhaustion. An African proverb illustrates that love cannot be forced, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and recognizing when feelings are not mutual. Understanding this helps foster emotional maturity and healthier relationships built on reciprocity.

Quote of the day by Paulo Coelho: Paulo Coelho highlights how enjoying your work fuels positive energy. This enthusiasm, not just success or money, drives motivation and happiness. When people love what they do, challenges become easier. This perspective offers a powerful way to combat burnout and find purpose. Coelho's insights encourage pursuing passions for a more fulfilling life.

Cactus evolving faster than expected explained: New research reveals cacti are evolving and creating new species at a surprisingly fast rate, challenging long-held ideas about plant evolution. Scientists discovered that rapid changes in flower shape, rather than flower size, are the key driver behind this rapid diversification, making cacti one of Earth's fastest-evolving plant groups.

Quote of the day by John Milton: His words highlight that ruling oneself is greater than ruling others. True strength comes from mastering passions, desires, and fears. This inner control offers wisdom, stability, and peace. In today's world, this self-discipline is a vital achievement. Milton, a renowned English poet, penned this profound insight.

Quote of the day by William Blake: William Blake's powerful words remind us that facing life's mountains, or challenges, leads to significant achievements. These obstacles forge strength and reveal potential. Blake explored themes of spirituality and human experience. His quote inspires perseverance, showing that difficulties are opportunities for growth and accomplishment.

Spanish philosopher Baltasar Gracin's witty observation about synonyms reveals a timeless human fear of appearing ignorant. The quote highlights how people often use simpler words to avoid admitting uncertainty, a behavior that remains relevant despite technological advancements. Gracin's concise style and sharp wit continue to resonate centuries later.

Chinese proverb of the day: A Chinese saying guides us to stand firmly in the present while focusing on the future. This approach helps appreciate today's moments and reduce stress. Simultaneously, planning for tomorrow provides direction and motivation. This balanced philosophy encourages steady progress. It involves practical action and thoughtful planning for a better tomorrow.

The Indian IT industry is currently navigating an impressive talent boom, with job seeker numbers jumping by 32% in just four months. This trend is fueled by international market changes and an uptick in AI integration. Although traditional IT roles are seeing some strain, specialized talents are in fierce demand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a crucial Council of Ministers meeting on May 21. This mid-term review will focus on a renewed push for the government's reform agenda. Discussions will center on reducing compliance burdens and simplifying rules to improve ease of living. Ministries have submitted detailed reports on reforms undertaken since June 2024.

In multiple cases, individuals have used dozens of fake permanent account numbers (PANs) with the same name but different addresses and dates of birth to transfer money under RBI's liberalised remittance scheme (LRS) which bars a resident from spending and investing more than $250,000 a year abroad.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The meeting comes amid a delay in portfolio allocation after the Cabinet expansion. The Public Works Department is a key point of discussion. The central leadership wants a new minister to get the influential PWD department. Suspense over the distribution of departments continues.

Soon after the Congress named V D Satheesan as Kerala chief minister, signs of internal dissent surfaced with senior leader Ramesh Chennithala expressing displeasure to Rahul Gandhi over being overlooked despite his seniority and experience. Chennithala later skipped the Congress Legislature Party meeting where Satheesan was elected leader. Meanwhile, K C Venugopal backed the high commands decision, pledged full support to the new government and dismissed criticism over social media attacks by S

Top Indian companies are boosting their green logistics plans. PepsiCo is expanding its electric vehicle corridors. Maruti Suzuki aims to shift more vehicle dispatches to railways. Hindustan Unilever is increasing renewable energy use. Dabur India is deploying more EVs and rail transport.

Sea otters are highly intelligent marine mammals known for their unique survival skills and playful nature. One of their most fascinating behaviors is using rocks as tools to open hard-shelled prey like clams, crabs, and mussels. Many sea otters even keep a preferred rock in a special skin pocket, using it repeatedly over time.

The rupee ended fiscal 2026 as the worst performer in Asia against the US losing close to 10% of its value in a year marked by record exits from Indian equities by overseas investors amid a global scramble for dollar-based assets. Opening the financial year at Rs 85.59 per dollar, the rupee ended at Rs 94.83. It has since weakened to an all-time Rs 95.96 per dollar.

Hermann Hesse's timeless quote highlights that hatred for another person often stems from something within ourselves. This profound insight encourages introspection, urging readers to examine their own reactions. Hesse's work, exploring identity and inner peace, continues to resonate today. His philosophy remains relevant, offering a path to understanding our hidden selves.

West Bengal schools now have a new directive. All state-run and aided schools must sing Vande Mataram. This will happen during morning assemblies. Students will sing the six-stanza song before classes begin. An official order has been issued. This supersedes all previous orders and practices. The singing of Vande Mataram is now mandatory.

The Supreme Court has allowed Sunjay Kapur's wife to hold a board meeting for Raghuvanshi Investment. However, key decisions on new directors and bank signatories are postponed. The court urged all parties to settle disputes amicably before mediation. The next hearing is scheduled for August 6. This ongoing legal battle involves the estate of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a significant government goal. India is actively working to eliminate deaths caused by heat waves. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for disaster risk reduction. The focus is on leveraging forecasting and meteorological data to protect lives and property. The aim is to achieve zero casualties from such events.

Chinese Proverb of the Day explores the meaning of The unfaithful woman has remorse, the faithful one has regret. The traditional saying reflects ideas about loyalty, emotional conflict, desire, responsibility, and the consequences of personal choices. It explains how both action and restraint can create different forms of emotional burden, showing the complexity of human relationships and emotional decision-making.

As China grapples with the impacts of rising oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, the country's gasoline demand is projected to decline sharply this year. This shift not only reflects an immediate response to economic pressures but also accelerates the transition to electric vehicles, indicating a progressive move away from traditional petrol-powered cars.

The National Investigation Agency's charge sheet details the 2025 Red Fort blast. Triacetone Triperoxide, or TATP, was used in the explosive device. Ten individuals, including the main perpetrator, were linked to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. This group, an offshoot of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, aimed to overthrow the Indian government and impose Sharia rule.

BRICS foreign ministers met in New Delhi to discuss the West Asia conflict. They emphasized dialogue and diplomacy to end the war. Ensuring safe passage through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea was a key focus. The ministers also addressed the Gaza conflict and its humanitarian impact.

The CBI is investigating potential public servant involvement in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The agency is seeking custodial interrogation of an accused and has arrested two more individuals, bringing the total to seven. Searches were conducted at multiple locations. The leaked papers were allegedly circulated via social media and sold for significant amounts.

Posting on social media in mid-April, Trump predicted Xi would give him a big, fat hug upon his arrival in Beijing. Come Thursday morning, Trump was offered a firm handshake instead of the warm embrace he had hoped for. The handshake lasted more than 10 seconds, with the American leader patting Xi on his arm a couple of times.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly criticized the United States at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. He labeled US actions as ullying and cautioned against the conduct of empires in decline. Araghchi stated that countries worldwide recognize regional instability as a lose-lose situation for everyone, including aggressors.

The Election Commission is launching the third phase of its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. This exercise will cover 16 states and three Union Territories. It aims to ensure only eligible voters are included in the electoral roll. The process begins in May-end and will conclude with final roll publications between September and December.

New performance rules for central public sector enterprises are now in effect. Strict penalties will be applied for not meeting corporate social responsibility goals. Delays in paying small businesses will also incur penalties. Failure to prepare succession plans will result in mark deductions. These changes aim to boost accountability and support small businesses. The new parameters are set for FY27.

VD Satheesan has been appointed the new Chief Minister of Kerala. The Congress high command made this decision after days of deliberation. Satheesan, a six-term legislator, secured the position with support from allies and public sentiment. He takes charge after the United Democratic Front's victory. Satheesan expressed gratitude to the party and workers.

More than 38 people from Kuki and Naga communities are held captive in Manipur. The United Naga Council alleged 20 civilians were abducted. Efforts are underway for their safe release. The government is discussing with civil society and political leaders. The Union Home Ministry has been informed. Three Kuki individuals were killed in an ambush.

The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the independence of the Election Commission of India. Judges questioned the current selection process for election commissioners. They emphasized the need for the ECI to appear independent. The court is hearing petitions challenging the new law governing these appointments. The focus is on ensuring a truly neutral selection mechanism.

Cerebras stock (CBRS) price today: AI chipmaker Cerebras experienced a remarkable Nasdaq debut, with shares surging approximately 90% to open at $350, valuing the company at over $75 billion. This strong performance underscores intense investor demand for AI infrastructure, with offering subscriptions exceeding available shares twentyfold.

Blackstone has successfully raised $1.75 billion through its initial public offering for a new trust focused on artificial intelligence infrastructure. This significant funding underscores strong investor interest in data centers driven by the AI boom. The trust plans to acquire established data centers valued between $250 million and $1.5 billion.

William Wordsworth, a key figure of English Romanticism, believed the human mind's capacity for imagination and emotion far surpasses the beauty of the natural world. His poetry, born from ordinary experiences and a deep connection to nature, transformed reflections on memory and feeling into universal art.

The Calcutta High Court has ordered police to maintain law and order and ensure the safe return of anyone illegally evicted from their shops or homes in West Bengal. This directive comes after allegations of post-poll violence, with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appearing in court.

The Suvendu Adhikari government has enforced strict regulations on animal slaughter in West Bengal, mandating compliance with the 1950 Act. The order prohibits public slaughter and requires a fitness certificate for animals, with violations punishable by jail time and fines. Additionally, authorities are cracking down on illegal cattle markets and unauthorized slaughterhouses.

The NIA charge sheet in the 2025 Red Fort blast case reveals the use of TATP in a vehicle-borne IED, which killed 11 people. Ten accused, linked to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an Al-Qaeda offshoot, were involved in 'Operation Heavenly Hind' to overthrow the Indian government and impose Sharia rule.

African proverb of the day explains the meaning of the Burundian proverb Where there is love, there is no darkness. The story explores love as light, healing power, trust, and hope. It explains how compassion removes fear, hatred, and confusion in relationships and communities and how love helps people overcome challenges and conflict.

For decades, China has used the powerful symbolism of food during landmark official events and when receiving distinguished foreign visitors. In China's modern history, famines and political turmoil that caused decades of widespread rationing turned food into a potent status symbol in Chinese culture.

Thought of the Day: Whether through Olivia Benson or her real-life activism, Mariska Hargitay consistently highlights compassion, healing and resilience. Her quote suggests that lifes interruptions, losses and challenges do not always arrive without purpose. Sometimes, they uncover priorities that had been buried beneath routine, ambition or distraction.

The Power Ministry has suggested that its public sector undertakings explore allowing employees to work from home. This move could permit up to 20 percent of staff to work remotely on any given day. PSUs like NTPC and Power Grid are evaluating the operational feasibility of this new policy. This initiative aims to bring flexibility to the power sector workforce.

Halleys Comet naming controversy is reshaping astronomy history after new medieval research revealed a forgotten discovery from nearly 1,000 years ago. Researchers from Leiden University say English monk Eilmer of Malmesbury may have recognized Halleys Comet as a repeating object centuries before Edmond Halley made his famous calculations. Historical records linked the comets terrifying 1066 appearance with war, royal deaths, and the Norman conquest of England. Scientists now believe this discov

April marked a significant slowdown in China's credit growth, tumbling below projections. Banks curtailed the issuance of new loans, while households took decisive steps, repaying outstanding debts at unprecedented levels. This decline in borrowing signals a growing unease about future investments in the Chinese economy.