Times

• The SBS romantic comedy "My Royal Nemesis" has become a global hit, driven by viral momentum on short-form video platforms. • The series saw domestic growth from a 5.4% viewership rating in its second episode to 6% by the fourth, according to Nielsen Korea. • Internationally, the show reached No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list and ranked in the Top 10 across 84 countries, including the U.S. and Japan.

• India will launch its first-ever Index of Services Production (ISP) in July to accurately measure the output of the country's critical services sector. • The new index is designed to track short-term shifts in services production, complementing the existing Index of Industrial Production (IIP). • This initiative matters because it fills a significant data gap in India's economic dashboard, providing a more comprehensive pulse of the overall economy.

• Asian markets traded higher on Friday, led by Japan's Nikkei 225 which surged more than 2 per cent and Taiwan's market which climbed nearly 1.5 per cent. • The rally was driven by improved investor sentiment following hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in peace talks between the US and Iran. • Despite the gains, markets remain cautious due to rising oil prices and instability in the Strait of Hormuz, which continue to fuel inflation worries.

• GIFT Nifty indicates a positive start for the BSE Sensex and Nifty50 as they enter the final trading session of the week this Friday. • The market is currently navigating volatility driven by high crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict. • Market analysts emphasize that the indices must sustain positions above key resistance levels to confirm a broader, stronger recovery trend.

• India is set to launch its first-ever Index of Services Production (ISP) around July to track short-term production movements in the services sector. • The ISP will complement a new Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series, which is scheduled for release on June 1 using a revised base year of 2022-23. • This initiative is critical because the services sector now contributes more than half of India's GDP and serves as a primary driver for millions of jobs.

• SpaceX scrubbed the launch of its upgraded Starship rocket from Texas on Thursday after multiple countdown pauses caused by fuel temperature and pressure issues. • The company plans to retry the launch this coming Friday following the technical delays that occurred seconds before the planned liftoff. • Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuba that the U.S. remains focused on changing the island's communist system.

• US stocks trended higher on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with the S&P 500 rising 0.3% in early trade to approach its previous record high. • The market recovery was driven by easing pressure in the bond market through lower Treasury yields and a series of stronger-than-expected corporate earnings reports. • This shift in sentiment is significant as it marks a potential reversal after the market experienced four consecutive sessions of losses.

• The Indian stock market closed in the red on Thursday, with the Sensex ending 135 points lower and the Nifty 50 slipping below 23,700. • Markets erased morning gains due to expiry day volatility, rising bond yields, and selling by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), impacting stocks like Bajaj Finance (-2%) and IndiGo (+3%). • In a major corporate move, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone announced the acquisition of a 100% stake in Jaypee Fertilizers & Industries for Rs 1,500 crore.

• The European Broadcasting Union has announced the launch of Eurovision Asia, a new branch of the iconic international song contest. • While the specific host country and presenters have been confirmed, the announcement aims to expand the competition's global reach beyond its traditional European roots. • This expansion marks a significant strategic shift for the brand, potentially introducing a new demographic of viewers and artists to the franchise.

• The BBC has confirmed the lineup of UK presenters and commentators for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. • The guide details the specific hosts assigned to provide commentary throughout the semi-finals and the grand final. • This announcement ensures viewers have a designated guide for the competition, maintaining the BBC's tradition of comprehensive coverage for the event.