뉴스

President Murmu to confer Padma awards on June 23

The President has approved the conferment of 131 Padma awards this year, including to actors Mammootty and R. Madhavan, as well as the late Satish Shah, whose kin will receive the honour posthumously

India's much N-eeded in energy mix

Over the past decade, GoI has expanded investments in solar power, wind energy, transmission infrastructure and pumped hydro storage. Electric mobility initiatives and domestic battery manufacturing programmes are also being promoted as part of a broader strategy to reduce oil dependence.Recent geopolitical developments in the Gulf, which largely supply India's crude and LPG needs, have brought renewed focus to nuclear energy as a stable domestic source for baseload electricity. A milestone in India's nuclear programme was achieved in April, when a prototype fast-breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained first criticality. Developed indigenously by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), the 500 MWe reactor marks India's formal entry into the second stage of its 3-stage nuclear programme envisioned by Homi Bhabha.Also a welcome development is the latest news of GoI reportedly considering measures that include assured power purchase agreements (PPAs), to attract private sector investments in the nuclear energy sector. It is also reportedly preparing to notify rules under SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Act 2025.India's nuclear strategy has been designed around the country's resource profile. While it has limited uranium reserves, it possesses some of the world's largest thorium deposits. The 3-stage programme was conceived to enable large-scale utilisation of thorium for power generation.Thorium is not a fertile or fissile material, and has to be converted to fissile Uranium-233 in a FBR. The third stage aims to use U-233-based reactors for sustained energy generation. PFBR is important for the eventual thorium utilisation. India's thorium reserves, largely located in coastal monazite sands in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, are seen as a potential long-term strategic energy resource.Another significant development came with the passage of the aforementioned SHANTI Act last December. It modernises India's nuclear legal and regulatory framework, and allows limited private sector participation in nuclear projects.Traditionally, India's nuclear sector has been dominated by state-controlled entities. The Act is intended to streamline approvals, encourage investment, and support domestic manufacturing and technological partnerships. Reforms reflect recognition that achieving large-scale nuclear expansion will require both public and private participation.Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) is developing several advanced reactor designs, including 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe SMR-55, and a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) intended for hydrogen production. SMRs are expected to be modular, with modules produced under controlled conditions in a factory and assembled at the site in a short time. They are also expected to be safer, making them acceptable to the public.GoI has indicated that at least 5 indigenously designed SMRs will become operational by 2033. India has set a long-term target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. At present, the country's installed nuclear capacity stands at about 8.7 GW, contributing around 3% of total electricity generation. Coal continues to account for nearly 70% of electricity production. Achieving the 100 GW target would require substantial expansion in infra, manufacturing, financing and human resources.The Strait of Hormuz disruption has reinforced the importance of diversifying India's energy mix and reducing exposure to external supply shocks. The current policy direction reflects a combination of RE expansion, electrification, domestic manufacturing and renewed emphasis on nuclear power.The broad objective of improving energy security through a diversified and domestically supported energy system must remain a central policy priority. RE, along with energy storage required to balance it, remains the major first step. Electricity can substitute fossil fuels in many sectors. Coal can be replaced by nuclear as a baseload supplier.Nuclear projects involve high upfront capital costs and long construction timelines. Land acquisition and public acceptance remain sensitive issues. Waste management, safety regulation and development of skilled technical manpower will require sustained institutional support.Thorium-based technologies, although strategically important for India, have not yet been deployed commercially at scale in the world. Policymakers will need to balance investments across nuclear, solar, wind, storage and grid modernisation to ensure affordability and energy security.SHANTI Act, PFBR, investment in SMRs and increased private participation suggest that nuclear energy may play a larger role in India's long-term energy strategy than anticipated. We need an integrated policy framework to achieve energy aatmanirbharta.Saini is senior research analyst, and Parikh is chairman, Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe), New Delhi

US-Iran Peace Deadlock Explained: Is Israel The Reason & Is Bharat Ready For Direct War Impact?

Why are the US and Iran unable to achieve peace? Is Israel the main reason behind the deadlock? And most importantly, is Bharat prepared to face the direct impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict?In this explainer, we break down the key factors behind the US-Iran peace deadlock, Israel’s role in the crisis, Donald Trump’s possible peace options, and why the Bab-Al-Mandeb Strait is so crucial for global trade and the world economy.The discussion also focuses on India’s preparedness as tensions in West Asia threaten oil supplies, shipping routes, inflation, energy security, Indian workers in the Gulf, and trade flows. With the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-Al-Mandeb becoming major flashpoints, Bharat’s diplomatic and economic strategy is under close watch. n18oc_the-right-stand n18oc_india n18oc_world News18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Virality a weapon in secret war on India: How PM Modi's strategy works in many battles of narrative | Point Blank

Just as armies once relied on pinpoint missiles, hostile actors now use pinpoint tweets, curated posts and targeted Instagram content, says Shishir Gupta

Private sector banks are the best contrarian bet for the next 3 years, says S Naren

The continued rise in leverage among retail and high-net-worth investors through derivatives and margin trading facilities (MTFs) remains a key concern for the market, S Naren, Executive Director and CIO of ICICI Prudential AMC said at ICICI Securities India Investor Conference 2026.While there has been significant discussion around the sustainability of mutual fund inflows and SIP contributions, Naren believes leverage in the derivatives market poses a much bigger risk than any moderation in mutual fund investments.Also Read | Sensex down over 10K points from Dec peak. Should investors buy the dip, hold positions, or wait on sidelines? "The level of leverage in the derivatives market and the amount of margin trading funding taken from brokers have continued to increase. That is a concern because leverage among retail and HNI investors is rising," he said.According to Naren, even if SIP inflows witness a marginal slowdown, it is unlikely to pose a significant challenge as mutual fund investors are typically long-term participants who invest without leverage. In contrast, derivative traders often operate with borrowed money, increasing risks during periods of market volatility.He noted that margin trading facility exposure is currently at its highest-ever level, highlighting the growing appetite for leveraged market participation.Against this backdrop, Naren sees an interesting contrarian opportunity emerging in segments that have witnessed relentless foreign institutional investor (FII) selling over the last 20 months."If you look for something contrarian today, it would be stocks where FIIs have been persistent sellers over the last 20 months," he said.Among these, private sector banks stand out as one of the most attractive investment opportunities for long-term investors, according to Naren.He believes private banks could emerge as the best-performing sector over the next three years. One key reason is the significant reduction in foreign ownership resulting from sustained FII selling.Also Read | Four mutual funds restrict large inflows into gold ETFs and FoFs; Rs 25 crore cap imposed "FIIs used to have nearly 40% of their India portfolios allocated to private banks. Whenever they wanted to reduce exposure to India, private banks became the natural source of liquidity," Naren explained.As a result, FIIs have consistently sold private banking stocks over the last 20 months, creating a valuation opportunity for long-term investors willing to take a contrarian view.Beyond equities, Naren remains optimistic about India's debt markets following recent policy measures aimed at improving foreign investor participation.According to him, two critical factors that influence foreign investment in debt markets—currency stability and taxation—have both moved decisively in India's favour."In debt, there are two factors: currency and taxation. Both have turned very positive, which significantly improves India's attractiveness," he said.Naren believes these developments improve India's chances of gaining inclusion in global bond indices such as the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index and have contributed to a highly optimistic mood in the domestic debt market.He pointed out that bond yields have moved well below policy rates in several segments, particularly in three-year corporate bonds, creating attractive investment opportunities.However, Naren cautioned that the global fixed-income environment today is very different from what prevailed during the 2013 taper tantrum period.At that time, interest rates across much of the developed world were close to zero, making India's bond yields highly attractive to international investors. Today, investors can earn meaningful returns even in developed-market government bonds."US 30-year government bonds are yielding around 5%, and even Japanese government bond yields are at levels not seen for decades," he said.As a result, the yield differential between India and developed markets has narrowed significantly compared with 2013.Also Read | Gold and silver ETFs slip up to 8% amid Israel attack and crude oil spike. What should investors do? While India has strengthened its macroeconomic position considerably over the past decade, global investors now have a wider range of attractive fixed-income options available to them.Naren also highlighted the relatively small size of foreign portfolio investor exposure to Indian debt compared with equities.According to him, FPI debt investments remain only a fraction of FPI equity allocations. In contrast, foreign investors had built substantial equity positions in India during a period when domestic valuations traded at significant premiums to other emerging markets.He noted that Indian equities became exceptionally expensive after 2023 as domestic investors increasingly channelled savings into equities rather than debt."Valuations in India reached levels that were several times higher than markets like China. In such an environment, FIIs logically chose to reduce equity exposure," he said.At the same time, India has historically adopted a cautious approach towards opening its debt markets to foreign investors.Naren believes this measured approach has helped preserve financial stability while gradually increasing foreign participation in government securities.With improving debt market fundamentals, supportive policy measures, and attractive opportunities emerging in sectors overlooked by foreign investors, Naren sees both fixed income and select equity segments offering compelling opportunities for long-term investors.Commenting on the recent correction in Kospi, Naren said that it is a healthy correction but even now I don't think on market cap terms it is cheap.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in alongwith your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.

3 factors to build a ₹100-cr portfolio: Radhika Gupta

Micro-dramas send actors vertically up

India's booming micro-drama industry is giving rise to a new category of performers calling themselves "vertical actors", as short-form storytelling platforms emerge as an alternative to television and streaming services.Actors, producers, and app founders told ET that emotionally charged performances, stronger roles, rapid audience recognition, and the ability to build dedicated fan bases are drawing talent to the format.Established vertical actors typically work on at least three series a month, earning Rs 1-3.5 lakh per project, giving financial security in addition to the recognition, according to producers. Industry executives expect the trend to create bona fide "vertical stars" whose fame is built largely through micro-dramas consumed on mobile phones in portrait mode.One of the key aspects that differentiates a vertical actor from performers in other storytelling formats is the pace, according to micro-drama directors and actors.“Vertical actors are defined by their ability to work at a fast pace,” said Samay Bhattacharya, a director who has helmed four micro-drama series. “They have to understand characters quickly and deliver spontaneous performances under tight production schedules.”Typically, a micro-drama series comprising 50 episodes—each less than two minutes long—is shot at a brisk pace in fewer than 10 days.“I compare acting across different forms of storytelling to driving,” said actor Karanvir Bohra, a major draw in the Indian micro-drama space. “Films are first gear, while television and web series are second and third gear. Then comes content creation in fourth gear. Finally, vertical acting or storytelling is the highest gear. It demands the best performance and impact in the shortest possible time.”Vertical actors said the format has provided them with much-needed recognition despite spending decades in the industry.“The use of close-ups, melodramatic performances, strong cliffhangers, diverse plots and relatively better roles than television in vertical content has brought significant recognition to actors like me,” said actor Piyush Sahdev. “Despite working for more than 25 years across mediums, today I am easily recognised for my micro-drama series The Secret Khiladi.”“Micro-dramas are reviving the careers of many actors. The careers of actors such as Asmit Patel, Omkar Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor have been revitalised,” said Vicky Bahri, producer and founder & CEO of KLIP, a micro-drama app. “In the future, I foresee bona fide ‘vertical stars’ known for their micro-drama work, given the high viewership numbers.”Vertical actors also view micro-dramas as a way to build an audience base for their work in longer storytelling formats.“Micro-drama content reaches pan-India audiences,” said actor Rajniesh Duggal, known for his debut film 1920. “By working as a vertical actor, I am building my own audience base. This very audience will come to watch my films in theatres. This is one of my chief motivations."

IDFC First Bank shares fall after CBI conducts searches, lender shares update on Rs 646 crore fraud case

The shares of IDFC First Bank fell nearly 1% on Monday morning after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches in six locations, while the private lender announced that it has received the forensic review report from KPMG regarding the fraud case worth Rs 646 crore at one of its branches in Chandigarh.CBI conducted searches at six locations in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Delhi-NCR in connection with the alleged fraud case involving the siphoning of government funds from departments of the Haryana government and the Chandigarh administration.The searches were held on Friday at premises linked to senior Haryana cadre public servants and Noida-based Vipam Consultancy Pvt Ltd and its director as part of an ongoing probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds parked with IDFC First Bank and AU Finance Bank, an official statement said.Also Read | CBI conducts searches in Rs 661 crore IDFC First Bank-AU Finance Bank fraud case"During investigation evidences have surfaced suggesting that the public servants had colluded with bank officials and had facilitated in opening of accounts, transfer of funds and subsequent diversion thereof," the statement said.KPMG's forensic reviewIn an exchange filing released in the post-market hours of Friday, IDFC First Bank said that KPMG's review reaffirmed that the incident arose from collusion involving certain employees or former staff at the branch, some state government employees along with certain third parties. It reiterated that the net principal amount of Rs 646 crore was reported as part of the alleged fraud case.Also Read | IDFC First Bank fraud was isolated case involving collusion, says KPMG“The Bank paid the aforesaid amount and applicable interest to the concerned departments and has recognised the same in the books of accounts in Q4 FY26. The Bank is a victim of this financial fraud and is working with investigative authorities,” IDFC First Bank said.Fraud at IDFC First Bank's Chandigarh branchIDFC First Bank had announced that it has discovered an incident of alleged fraud by some employees at one of its Chandigarh branches in February, involving accounts related to the Haryana government. The lender had received a request from one of the departments of the Haryana government to close its account and transfer funds to another bank. While reviewing the request, it found some discrepancies in the amount mentioned against the balance in the account. This led to a massive 16% crash in the private lender’s share price, to record its worst single-day plunge since March 2020.IDFC First Bank share priceIDFC First Bank shares fell nearly 1% to trade at Rs 71.64 apiece on Monday. The stock is down 16% in 2026 so far. The shares of the company have however gained over 1% in the past one week. The company currently has a market capitalisation of nearly Rs 62,000 crore.Also Read | Why is market crashing today? 7 factors behind selloff(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

‘Peddi’ BO day 4: Ram Charan–Janhvi Kapoor film crosses Rs 233 cr

Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor's 'Peddi' saw a significant surge in its fourth-day earnings, crossing Rs 31.90 crore domestically. The film's worldwide gross has now touched approximately Rs 233.02 crore, with its Telugu version driving revenue. Meanwhile, Nithya Menen commented on on-screen objectification, advocating for actors to assert boundaries.

Government hospitals’ share in organ donation rises in Tamil Nadu

A number of factors has contributed to this, including systematic reorientation for government doctors, standardisation of operational protocols, and multi-level periodic reviews

Jeff Bezos wants people to stop blaming Airbnb for high rents in New York city

Jeff Bezos argued on CNBC that government policies limiting housing supply, not Airbnb, are the primary drivers of high rents in New York City. He cited zoning and permitting restrictions as key factors, stating that subsidizing demand while constraining supply inevitably leads to soaring prices. Bezos also criticized corporate welfare and special tax provisions as forms of crony capitalism.

Poonam Dhillon praises Ranveer Singh for offering compensation in 'Don 3' row: 'Kudos to him'

CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon defended Ranveer Singh amid the 'Don 3' dispute, praising his professionalism and offering compensation after his exit. Dhillon emphasized actors' right to creative input, stating their intelligence and projection warrant a say in scripts for a project's betterment. The Producers Guild is now mediating the issue. Read on to know more in detail.

FIIs, weak global cues among 5 factors that could keep D-St under pressure this week

The Indian stock market ended last week in the red, with analysts flagging multiple factors that could keep pressure on Sensex and Nifty when trading resumes on Monday.On Friday, the Sensex closed 117 points lower at 74,243, while the Nifty 50 declined 50 points to settle at 23,367. Among the top laggards on the Sensex were Trent, TCS, Tata Steel, NTPC, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance Industries, with losses of 1-2%.Here are five key factors likely to drive the stock market in the week ahead.1) Weak global cuesWall Street ended sharply lower on Friday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunging more than 4% to log its steepest single-day decline since April 2025, after a stronger-than-expected US jobs report fuelled concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer.The Nasdaq Composite tumbled 4.2%, dragged down by a more than 6% slide in Nvidia and an almost 8% drop in Broadcom. Broadcom’s weaker-than-expected guidance heightened concerns that AI-driven demand may not expand as rapidly as markets had anticipated. The Dow Jones fell 1.4%, while the S&P 500 dropped nearly 3%.European markets closed mixed, while Asian equities ended broadly lower. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined more than 1%, while South Korea’s Kospi plunged nearly 6%. China’s Shanghai Composite also ended about 1% lower.Also read: Why did Nasdaq plunge 4% to log worst day in over a year2) RBI policy impactReserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday announced that the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, as it assessed the impact of rising energy prices and supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. The RBI also increased the investment limit for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) in equity instruments.Indian equity markets are likely to remain range-bound next week amid a mix of domestic and global triggers, according to Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research, Wealth Management, at Motilal Oswal Financial Services.“While the Reserve Bank of India’s measures to attract foreign capital and the government’s tax relief for foreign investors in government securities could support sentiment, we expect market movement to be driven largely by bottom-up stock picking and sector-specific action in the near term,” he said.Khemka noted that the central bank raised its FY27 inflation forecast to 5.1% and lowered its FY27 GDP growth projection to 6.6%, reinforcing concerns over energy prices, geopolitical tensions in West Asia and weather-related uncertainties.“If inflationary pressures remain elevated and external risks persist, the possibility of a future monetary tightening cycle could increase, keeping investors cautious. Going forward, investors will closely track energy prices, developments in the West Asia conflict, monsoon progress, FII flows and the impact of RBI’s policy measures for further market direction,” he added.3) FII selling continuesForeign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the Indian market during the first week of June, offloading shares worth Rs 31,120 crore, according to Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President – Research at Bajaj Broking. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), meanwhile, continued to provide support as net buyers.“Investor sentiment remained subdued amid persistent geopolitical tensions, which kept crude oil prices elevated. Heightened global uncertainty, coupled with prevailing macroeconomic challenges, led to cautious market participation. Going forward, institutional flows are likely to remain highly sensitive to developments in US-Iran relations and movements in oil prices,” he said.4) Iran-US tensions US forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites on Saturday after intercepting drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said. Reuters, citing a US official, reported that the military believes the four Iranian drones were targeting regional maritime traffic. US Central Command said on X that it subsequently struck Iran’s surveillance sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island, both located along the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for the strikes and fired on four tankers attempting to cross the strait without its permission. The developments renewed concerns over escalating tensions in the oil-rich Middle East.Also read: GIFT Nifty tumbles 1.5% as US stock market plunges. Will Dalal Street crash on Monday?5) Bond yields Rising inflation concerns pushed US Treasury yields higher. The yield on the 2-year Treasury note, which is highly sensitive to expectations around Federal Reserve policy, climbed to a 15-month high. Elevated interest rates typically make bonds more attractive relative to equities, weighing on stock market sentiment.Technical view on NiftyThe benchmark Nifty index ended lower for the second consecutive week, reflecting the cautious undertone prevailing in the market, said Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities.According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, Nifty 50 has been moving within a defined range as markets digest the RBI’s policy announcement. He noted that sentiment remains weak, with the index continuing to trade below key moving averages. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) also remains subdued, indicating a lack of positive momentum.“In the near term, the index is likely to consolidate within the 23,300–23,500 range. A decisive breakout above 23,500 could trigger an upmove towards 25,700 and beyond, while a break below the 23,300 support level may result in a sharper correction,” he said.(With inputs from agencies)(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Driver held for illegal transport of river sand near Katpadi

The police said that the consignment was proceeding to Chengalpattu district for private contractors from Andhra Pradesh

'Look at the form': Agarkar's blunt explanation for Suryakumar T20 exit

Agarkar said Suryakumar's recent form was one of the factors behind the change, though not the only one.

Anxiety Is More Than Worry, Depression More Than Sadness: Why Mental Health Matters | News18

Anxiety is more than everyday worry, and depression is far more than occasional sadness. In this special episode of Health Matters, experts explain the critical differences between normal emotional ups and downs and serious mental health conditions that can affect millions of people worldwide.The discussion explores the warning signs, risk factors, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, while emphasizing three important messages: depression is a real medical condition, seeking professional help is a sign of strength—not weakness—and recovery is possible with the right treatment and support. Experts also highlight the importance of early intervention, accessible mental healthcare, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. n18oc_world n18oc_breaking-newsn18oc_IndiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Pocket-friendly packets: Why Indians are swapping big snack packs for smaller ones

Consumers are increasingly opting for smaller pack sizes of everyday goods, from edible oils to soaps, as rising costs strain monthly budgets. This shift, driven by economic stress and geopolitical factors, is leading FMCG companies to reduce grammage in popular low-priced packs to maintain affordability and protect profit margins.

Between visibility and storytelling: Huma Qureshi and Kritika Kamra on Bollywood’s future

Upcoming actors struggle for opportunities because Hindi film production has fallen by half, says Ms. Qureshi; we are making movies for numbers and mid-budget movies have disappeared, says Ms. Kamra

Lokesh invites Russia's Rosatom to set up small reactors in A.P. for power generation

At a meeting with the top officials of the State-owned corporation, he also proposes construction of a nuclear desalination plant in one of A.P.’s mega industrial parks

Diesel price surge puts pressure on coal contractors