Times of India

AI pioneer Ben Goertzel predicts human-level AGI within two to three years, warning of a significant 'job apocalypse' as most professions become obsolete. While manual labor and some creative roles may persist longer, the focus for humans will shift from earning a living to finding purpose, potentially ushering in a utopian world with more leisure time and UBI.

Srinivas Narayanan, OpenAI's CTO for B2B applications, is departing the company next week after nearly three years. He plans to visit his parents in India before considering future professional endeavors. Narayanan, who previously served as VP of Engineering, shared his departure on LinkedIn, calling his tenure at the AI firm 'three incredible years'.

The Budget Session of Parliament concluded sine die after the women's reservation Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. The government also deferred the contentious delimitation proposal amid Opposition pushback, ending the session on a politically charged note.

Nashik police are searching for a 26-year-old TCS employee accused of religious harassment at work. Her husband, detained in Mumbra, stated a relative took her to Nashik. The woman, now a co-accused in multiple cases, plans to seek anticipatory bail citing pregnancy. The SIT has deployed teams to locate her.

Iran's enriched uranium stockpile has become a focal point in a global power contest, with the US, China, and Russia vying for influence. Tehran insists the material will not be handed over, despite US claims of an impending agreement for its recovery. This dispute highlights the complex political and strategic stakes surrounding Iran's nuclear program.

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.