Times of India

Iran is planning to implement new transit fees to regulate ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz, requiring prior coordination with Iranian authorities for passage. While "friendly" vessels will be permitted, "hostile military vessels" from the US and Israel will be denied entry. Iran asserts its sole control over the strait's management and security.

Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) is expected to announce the Class 10 Result 2026 in the third or fourth week of April. Over 4.3 lakh students appeared for the exams held from February 3 to 17, 2026. Previous years show fluctuating result dates and stable pass percentages, with 2025 recording 91.71%. The result will be available on official portals using roll number credentials. Cut-off trends suggest a stable performance level in 2026 as well.

Cricket star Virat Kohli's recent 'like' on German model LizLaz's photo has gone viral, sparking social media buzz. Laz, surprised by the attention, expressed gratitude and admitted to being an RCB fan. This incident echoes a similar past event involving another influencer, prompting Kohli to issue a clarification about algorithmic errors.

Donald Trump declared himself "The Peace President," claiming to have settled eight wars while simultaneously issuing stern warnings of military action against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail. He highlighted potential progress in West Asia, including a reported ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, though Iran disputed claims about the Strait of Hormuz.

The US has extended a sanctions waiver on Russian oil purchases, offering temporary relief for countries importing crude. This move allows for continued procurement of Russian oil, particularly beneficial for India which relies heavily on imports and has increased its intake amid Middle East supply pressures. The waiver provides a crucial window for India to secure energy needs.

The Strait of Hormuz's reopening remains uncertain despite Iranian and US claims. While some vessels attempted passage, many turned back, with the International Maritime Organization seeking clarification on safety. The US maintains its naval blockade, while Iran warns of re-closure if the blockade persists, impacting vital global oil and LNG transit.

Meta is cutting close to 8,000 employees on May 20 in the first wave of what could be its biggest round of layoffs ever—surpassing even the 2022–23 "year of efficiency." A second wave is planned for later in 2026, with details still being finalised. The cuts are tied to Zuckerberg's massive AI spending push, with roles in sales, recruiting, middle management, and non-AI-adjacent functions considered most at risk.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru faces Delhi Capitals with a key question surrounding Virat Kohli's role. After an ankle injury, Kohli played as an Impact Player against LSG, scoring 49. While expected to be fit, his workload management could see him reprise the Impact Player role. RCB, in strong form, aims for a top spot.

A major disagreement has surfaced between AI leaders Dario Amodei and Jensen Huang. Amodei compared US chip sales to China to providing nuclear weapons. Huang strongly rejected this, calling it lunacy. He defended chip sales, estimating significant revenue. Huang also warned of a divided global AI ecosystem if access is cut. This highlights a growing Silicon Valley debate.

United States President Donald Trump has declared Israel is prohibited from conducting further airstrikes in Lebanon. This statement surprised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Iran announced it is reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. This move signals potential progress in broader United States-Iran diplomacy. Despite the ceasefire, some military activity was reported.

MS Dhoni will not play today against Sunrisers Hyderabad as he continues to recover from a calf strain. While his rehabilitation is progressing well, CSK is taking a cautious approach. He is expected to return for upcoming matches against Mumbai Indians or Gujarat Titans.

Pune airport operations have resumed after an Indian Air Force Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure during a hard landing, blocking the runway. Repair work was completed on a war footing, with departure operations starting at 7:30 AM and arrivals at 8:00 AM. Several flights were cancelled due to the incident.

TCS clarified that an individual wrongly identified as an HR manager in the Nashik controversy was a process associate with no recruitment involvement. The company denied reports of the unit's shutdown and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, while also stating no internal complaints were received. An independent inquiry, supported by external agencies, is underway.

Global markets surged Friday as easing West Asia tensions spurred a broad risk rally. Wall Street benchmarks hit record highs, led by small-cap stocks, as falling oil prices boosted confidence. Investors anticipate an end to the conflict, with US President Trump expressing optimism for a swift resolution and a deal on uranium.

President Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is pleased with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump anticipates a "special and potentially historic" meeting next month in China, where "much will be accomplished." This comes amid disruptions to global oil supplies due to Middle East conflict.

Shubman Gill has taken the lead in the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race with 251 runs after a match-winning 86. Virat Kohli follows closely in second with 228 runs, while Heinrich Klaasen, Rajat Patidar, and Ishan Kishan round out the top five in a tightly contested batting battle.

The US Treasury Department has issued a new license extending a waiver for global buyers to purchase Russian oil shipments already at sea until May 16. This decision reverses earlier statements and aims to manage energy market volatility, despite criticism from lawmakers who argue it supports economies engaged in conflicts.