Times of India

President Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz permanently open for China and the world, claiming Beijing assured him it would cease arms shipments to Iran. This announcement follows a naval blockade, causing global economic disruption. Trump's unpredictable approach, blending military pressure with personal diplomacy, fuels speculation about escalation or de-escalation, while European allies consider greater defense autonomy.

Felix “xQc” Lengyel and Imane “Pokimane” Anys clashed online over her “victims” comment while discussing Thomas “Sykkuno” allegations. Pokimane pointed to possible multiple affected people, while xQc demanded clear proof and precise wording. Their debate, shared across Twitch and X, turned into a larger discussion about language, meaning, and how serious claims should be communicated carefully.

R Vaishali created history by winning the 2026 Women’s Candidates, earning the right to challenge China’s reigning champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown. She beat Kateryna Lagno in the final round after Divya Deshmukh held Bibisara Assaubayeva to a draw. Vaishali now faces reigning champion Ju Wenjun and is guaranteed €28,000 plus additional bonuses.

A critical Iran-US ceasefire deadline looms with no agreement, fueling uncertainty. Pakistan is actively mediating, dispatching a high-level delegation to Tehran with a new US message and aiming for further talks. Key disputes over Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz persist, as both nations issue mixed signals regarding the truce's future

S&P Global in its latest report titled India's Strong Fundamentals Would Cushion The Blow Of An Oil Shock says India is equipped to handle some strain. The report assumes a base case scenario of oil prices at an average of $130 per barrel for 2026 and $100 in 2027.

Amid ongoing chatter about celebrity bodyguards allegedly earning crores every year, Yaseen Khan has weighed in, calling such claims far from reality. The ex-security aide of Shah Rukh Khan opened up about the actual payment structure in the industry, while also recalling how compensation practices have evolved over time. Reacting to social media buzz pegging bodyguards’ earnings at Rs 2–2.5 crore annually, Yaseen said such numbers are largely exaggerated and don’t reflect how the system functions.

Samrat Choudhary’s journey to the top has hardly followed a conventional BJP path. Unlike many leaders nurtured within the Sangh ecosystem, he comes from outside that fold. His father, veteran politician Shakuni Choudhary, was a founding member of the Samata Party and a contemporary of both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Samrat himself began in the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the 1990s and entered government early, serving as a minister under Rabri Devi.

Former US President Donald Trump shared a new AI-generated image showing Jesus embracing him. This follows criticism for a previous image where he was depicted as Jesus healing a man. Trump defended the earlier post, claiming it was meant to represent him as a doctor. The controversial images have drawn varied reactions from different groups.

Skipper Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field after a painful elbow blow during Lucknow Super Giants’ match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday. Struggling against Josh Hazlewood, Pant was hit by a short ball and walked off in pain, with Nicholas Pooran replacing him, disrupting LSG’s early momentum.

Carlos Alcaraz admitted that online hate affected him after losing the World No. 1 ranking to Jannik Sinner at Monte-Carlo. He spoke openly about self-doubt and social media pressure. Despite the setback, he bounced back with a win in Barcelona. Sam Querrey praised his mindset, saying his acceptance of losses makes him even more dangerous moving forward.

WrestleMania 42 is set for Las Vegas, featuring a two-night spectacle hosted by John Cena. The event boasts marquee matchups including Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship and CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship, with over 40,000 fans expected.

Rohit Sharma is set to miss Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings due to a recurring hamstring injury sustained against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. MI said he is being assessed. Rohit retired hurt in that match, and his absence adds to MI’s struggles after three straight defeats this season.

R Madhavan's success in 'Dhurandhar 2' is matched by his son Vedaant's swimming achievements. Madhavan has instilled values in Vedaant, emphasizing the responsibilities that come with public recognition. He expressed pride in Vedaant, acknowledging his son's privileged life while preparing him for public scrutiny.

Over 10,000 additional US troops are deploying to the Middle East this month, including personnel aboard the USS George HW Bush and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. This build-up coincides with the potential end of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, as planning for ground operations, including securing enriched uranium, is under way.