US desperate for ceasefire? Trump forced Pakistan to broker temporary truce with Iran

For weeks, the Trump administration relied on Pakistan to act as an intermediary, urging it to persuade Iran to agree to a pause in hostilities that would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad’s role as a Muslim-majority neighbour was seen as key to making the proposal acceptable to Tehran. Back-channel diplomacy spearheaded by Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir culminated late Tuesday with the US, Iran and Israel announcing a two-week ceasefire.

China played bigger role than Pak in getting Iran to negotiation table

China has confirmed its "own efforts" to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran, a move echoed by President Trump who credited Beijing with bringing Tehran to the negotiating table. Following a two-week pause in hostilities, diplomatic outreach by China, including extensive talks and a peace initiative with Pakistan, aims for long-term regional stability.

From Brahmaputra to backwaters - Assam, Kerala, Puducherry head to vote

Voters in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are heading to the polls today to decide the fate of numerous candidates. Assam witnesses a direct fight between the BJP-led NDA and Congress. Kerala faces a choice between continuity with the ruling LDF and a comeback bid by the UDF. Puducherry presents a multi-cornered contest with new political forces emerging.

Sony Pictures to layoff hundreds in job cuts that are not just cost-cutting exercise

Sony Pictures Entertainment has initiated layoffs across its motion picture, television, and corporate divisions as part of a multi-month restructuring. The company is strategically repositioning to prioritize growth-oriented segments like anime and PlayStation adaptations, while scaling back non-core areas. These targeted cuts aim to align the organization with future business direction and strengthen differentiated capabilities.

H-1B visa data reveals how much Meta paid for engineering roles in the US in 2025

Meta significantly boosted its engineering and AI workforce in 2025, offering exceptionally high base salaries, with some roles exceeding $400,000, to attract top global talent. Despite a reported halving of H-1B filings in late 2025 due to program changes, the company continued its aggressive AI expansion, ending the year with nearly 79,000 employees.

BJK Cup: Vaishnavi, Sahaja post milestone wins; India beat New Zealand

Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli earned their first wins in India colours, helping India take an unbeatable lead against New Zealand in the BJK Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie. Later, Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale ensured a clean 3-0 win.

Strait of Hormuz: How Trump gave Iran a weapon deadlier than any nuke

A recent conflict has shifted control of the vital Strait of Hormuz. Iran may now charge transit fees for ships passing through. This follows a US-Iran ceasefire agreement. The situation signals a significant change in regional maritime control. Global oil trade routes are impacted by these developments.

Strait of Hormuz toll? Iran to demand crypto payment from shipping firms - report

Under the proposed system, tankers would be required to share cargo details via email before being assigned a transit fee, reportedly set at $1 per barrel. Payments would be made in digital currencies. “Once the email arrives and Iran completes its assessment, vessels are given a few seconds to pay in bitcoin, ensuring they can’t be traced or confiscated due to sanctions,” Hosseini added.

GoPro layoffs: CEO says board has approved restructuring plan to slash costs

US-based GoPro is set to slash 23% of its workforce, impacting around 145 employees, as part of a significant restructuring to cut costs and improve its financial standing. The wearable camera maker anticipates charges between $11.5 million and $15 million for severance and benefits.

BCCI introduces stricter IPL rule, curbs extra players’ movement on field

BCCI has introduced new IPL 2026 rules restricting substitute players’ movement. Only the 16 named players can enter the field, while others must stay in the dugout. A maximum of five substitutes can be near the boundary. The move tightens existing rules to reduce on-field crowding and improve discipline, though no official reason has been provided.

India takes critical step in nuclear dream: How thorium will power energy self-reliance

PSL team owner contradicts Naqvi on empty stands: Pakistan was...

Empty stadiums in PSL 2026 have sparked debate after Islamabad United owner Ali Naqvi linked the decision to Pakistan’s role in global peace efforts. His claim conflicts with PCB’s earlier explanation citing a fuel crisis. Critics say the situation is being overstated, arguing that logistical issues are being framed as a larger diplomatic sacrifice.

Cabinet approves Jaipur metro phase-2 worth Rs 13,038 crore, check routes

UK visa costs are changing from April 8: British High Commission says ‘We are making …’

UK visa costs are set to increase from April 8, 2026, as announced by the British High Commission in India. These changes aim to streamline and digitize the immigration system, ensuring a secure and efficient service. Specific visa categories, including Visit, Study, and Work visas, will see price adjustments, with no cap on application numbers.

Hidden charges? Gulf conflict may raise LPG prices, but not your restaurant bill, says CCPA

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has declared additional restaurant charges like "LPG charges" or "fuel surcharge" unlawful, reinforcing price transparency. These operational costs must be factored into menu prices, not added later without explicit consumer consent. This intervention aims to dismantle unfair trade practices and restore trust in everyday transactions.