The Economic Times

US-Iran war news: American forces intercepted 31 vessels, mostly oil tankers, as part of a blockade against Iran. This action follows Iran firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump extended a ceasefire but maintained the blockade. Iran condemned the naval restrictions as an act of war. The US demands Iran surrender enriched uranium for any permanent agreement.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Araqchi, has warned South Korea's envoy that those who start a war will be held accountable for its consequences. This strong statement from Tehran suggests a serious escalation of tensions, with Iran placing the blame squarely on any potential aggressors for any future conflict.

UP Board Result 2026 Class 12: The Class 12 UP Board results are coming out today, along with Class 10 results. The result link will be activated after a press conference at 4 pm. The UP Class 12 results 2026 can be checked on official websites upmsp.edu.in, upresults.nic.in, DigiLocker, UMANG app and also through SMS service.

Businesses face rising costs and supply chain disruptions due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Companies report higher transport and raw material expenses. Consumer confidence is dented, impacting demand. Many firms are signaling price hikes or cutting financial forecasts. The conflict's duration and impact on oil flows are key concerns for future outlooks.

This Russian proverb talks about focus and concentration in life. It explains that trying to do many things at the same time can lead to failure. The message teaches that people should choose one goal and work on it properly. It is often used to explain the importance of attention, discipline, and avoiding distraction in daily life and work.

President Donald Trump announced Iran would not execute eight women protesters. He stated this was a sign of respect for his request. Iranian officials, however, denied any executions were planned. They called Trump's claims false and an attempt to save face. Some women are facing prison sentences, not death. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

SoftBank Group is seeking a substantial $10 billion loan. This loan is backed by its shares in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. The move signals SoftBank's aggressive push into artificial intelligence. This follows previous significant investments and loans for the AI firm. The company is increasing its debt to fund its AI ambitions.

West Bengal politics remains a high-stakes battle between the long-standing dominance of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) under Mamata Banerjee and the rising challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite BJPs rapid growth and strong national presence, it continues to face hurdles such as the outsider perception, weaker grassroots networks, and lack of a fully established local leadership structure. In contrast, the TMC benefits from deep organisational reach, strong emotional connect wit

Assembly elections 2026: Voting for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal polls commences today. Mock polling ensured readiness. Tamil Nadu votes in a single phase, while West Bengal has two phases. Counting is on May 4. Key contests are between DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, and Trinamool Congress and BJP in West Bengal. By-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra are also happening.

US forces have intercepted at least three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters. These vessels were near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. The US military is redirecting them away from their locations. This action is part of a broader US blockade on Iran's maritime trade. Iran has also reported capturing two container ships.

Shipping giants are demanding safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Top executives state that until vessels can transit without risk, oil and cargo movement from the Gulf will remain stalled. Companies await reassurance of secure navigation. The situation has created significant uncertainty for global energy supplies. Normalisation of voyages is hard to foresee.

Quote of the Day by Walt Disney: All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them is a famous quote by Mickey Mouse creator Walt Disney. The quote means that any dream can become real if we are brave enough to go after it. Disney says if you have the courage to try and not give up on your dreams, then you can achieve your goals.

Today's Jewish proverb of the day teaches that words are very powerful and cannot be taken back once spoken. It reminds people to think before speaking and choose words carefully. The saying focuses on responsibility, communication, and the impact of speech in daily life. It shows how simple words can affect relationships and leave a lasting effect on others.

America's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Gulf and Asian nations seek currency swap lines from the US. These requests aim to manage energy shocks and Middle East war impacts. The US also extended sanctions relief on Russian oil for vulnerable countries. This move aims to stabilize oil markets and prevent price surges.

Talk about Iran's World Cup spot is growing after a suggestion to replace it with Italy. The idea came from a US envoy and is linked to politics and global tensions. Iran says it is ready to play, while FIFA has not made any change. Right now, Iran stays in the tournament and no official decision has been taken.

Iran has seized two ships and fired on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This action tightens Iran's control over the strategic waterway. One vessel may have been heading to Gujarat. Iran stated the Strait would not reopen while a US naval blockade remained. The Revolutionary Guards seized the vessels for maritime violations.

Tesla stock went up after strong earnings in Q1 2026. The company made better profit than expected, which helped boost investor confidence. But sales growth is still slow and competition is rising. Tesla is also planning big spending on AI and robotaxis. These factors make investors both hopeful and worried about Tesla stocks future performance and growth.

Darrell Sheets, a popular face from Storage Wars, became famous for his bold storage locker deals and big discoveries. He built a strong career and earned good money from the show. His sudden death at 67 has shocked fans. People are now searching about his life, career, net worth, and what really happened to him in his final days.

Why are oil prices up today, and will US WTI, Brent crude futures continue to rise or fall again? Oil prices rose after a drop in US fuel stocks and new tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports of ship attacks and supply changes from Russia also supported the market. Analysts say supply risks, fuel demand, and geopolitical events will decide the next move. Investors are watching inventory data, sanctions policy, and shipping routes.

Quote of the day by Audrey Hepburn: Her words offer strength when life is tough. Her belief in happiness as true beauty and the promise of tomorrow inspires many. Hepburn's message encourages optimism and faith, reminding people of the possibility of miracles and the importance of helping others.

What is Donnyland, and where is it? Ukrainian negotiators explored naming a part of the Donbas region Donnyland to influence US support during Russia war talks. The idea appeared in discussions but never became policy. Talks included free economic zone plans, governance questions, and stalled negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. This explainer covers the proposal, the Monaco model, the Donbas conflict, and ongoing diplomacy.

The Enforcement Directorate is actively investigating several money laundering cases across West Bengal. These probes target alleged corruption, chit fund scams, and recruitment irregularities. The agency claims to have uncovered the involvement of senior ministers, MLAs, and state officials. Investigations are ongoing into cases related to political consultancy firms, teacher recruitment, coal smuggling, and municipality jobs.

Meta is using a new tool to track employee activity like typing, clicks, and screen actions to train its AI systems. The company wants AI to learn real work tasks and improve automation. While Meta says there are safety steps, many workers feel uncomfortable and fear job loss as the company increases AI use and investment.

Godrej Industries Group aims for a 5 lakh crore market capitalization by 2031. The group plans to grow from three to five listed companies. Godrej Capital and its chemicals business are potential listing candidates. The strategy focuses on existing businesses for value creation. Over 15% annual sales growth and more than 20% earnings growth are targeted.

Devin Nunes, a former California congressmen in Donald Trump's first term, is being replaced temporarily by digital media executive Kevin McGurn as chief executive officer. The company, Trump Media & Technology, didn't give a reason for Nunes leaving or provide a timeline for his permanent replacement.

Ukraine Donnyland proposal: Ukrainian negotiators reportedly proposed renaming a contested Donbas territory Donnyland, a move analysts suggest could be a strategic appeal to Donald Trump for increased support. The proposal, which included a flag and anthem drafted by AI, aims to secure the region's protection amidst stalled peace talks.

Future financial markets require enhanced agility, intelligence, and integration. CCIL Chairman Rajeshwar Rao highlighted the need to manage cyber threats and supply chain disruptions. Emerging technologies like AI and machine learning will boost efficiency and resilience. CCIL aims to create a unified workspace for trading and risk management. Expansion into new services and global reach are key objectives.

India's government has confirmed that Indian ships have not paid any tolls to Iran or other groups for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This statement addresses claims about the captain of the Sanmar Herald making a payment. The captain reportedly fell victim to cyber criminals after an alleged transaction for passage rights.

The SASCI scheme has boosted state capital spending to 2.7% of GDP. However, utilization of central loans for capital expenditure is uneven across states. Some states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra show strong uptake, while others like Kerala and Telangana lag. This divergence is attributed to fiscal constraints and structural differences.

India and Germany have agreed on a roadmap for defense industry cooperation. This pact focuses on co-developing and producing military equipment. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin. The agreement aims to identify key technologies and weapon systems for joint development. This collaboration strengthens the strategic alignment between the two nations.

Polling for 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly and first phase of West Bengal elections covering 152 seatswill be held on Thursday. A look at eligible voter counts, parties, their candidates, and key contest

Companies laying off employees this week: A new wave of layoffs is impacting thousands of US workers this week as numerous companies announce job cuts. Businesses are responding to economic pressures and automation, with significant reductions reported in California, Texas, and Massachusetts. Industries affected range from tech and finance to hospitality and manufacturing.

Europe is bracing for prolonged high energy prices. The Iran conflict has severely damaged vital gas infrastructure in Qatar, with recovery expected to take years. This disruption is impacting global energy markets, leading to higher costs for natural gas and other fuels. EU officials emphasize the need to reduce consumption and accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources.

US President Donald Trump announced Iran has stopped plans to execute eight women arrested during protests. Trump had asked Iran to release the women to aid peace talks. Iran has denied planning the executions. This development marks a significant moment in international relations. The US President expressed his appreciation for Iran's action.

A fielding mix-up involving Rishabh Pant proved costly for Lucknow Super Giants as Donovan Ferreira was given a reprieve. Despite dislodging the stumps, Pant fumbled the ball, allowing Ferreira to scramble back safely. This moment of chaos, during an otherwise strong bowling display, highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.

Chinese proverb of the day: Ancient Chinese proverbs continue to offer valuable life lessons. These sayings emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and personal development. They encourage curiosity and humility, reminding us that knowledge has no age limit. Adapting to today's rapidly changing world requires a commitment to continuous growth.

Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump are reportedly making significant changes to their inner circle amid fears of information leaks. Following Woods recent DUI arrest, media attention around the couple has intensified, prompting concerns about privacy. Sources suggest they have reduced staff and become more cautious about who they trust. Insiders describe the pair as paranoid of leaks, with Trump particularly wary of press coverage.

According to the IMD, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi may see heatwave conditions on April 24-25, while similar conditions are likely to prevail over parts of Uttar Pradesh (April 23-26), Rajasthan (April 24-26), Madhya Pradesh (April 23-26), Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh (April 24-27), and Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand (April 22-23).

In order to test civil defence preparedness in the state, a civil defence air raid/blackout mock exercise will be conducted in all districts at 8 pm, according to directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs

On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, global leaders paid tribute to the victims. The US, Israel, and Australia reaffirmed their solidarity with India. They pledged to strengthen cooperation in the ongoing fight against terrorism. The attack, which claimed 26 lives, drew widespread condemnation. These nations stand united against terrorism in all its manifestations.