Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary under US President Donald Trump, received congratulations from Iran after announcing the birth of her daughter on social media. However, Iran’s embassy in Armenia also referred to children allegedly killed in a strike on a school in Minab during the Iran-US-Israel conflict. Sharing Leavitt’s post, the embassy urged her to remember the mothers of the children killed in the attack. The remarks came as tensions continue between Tehran and Washington over ceasefire talks and regional security in West Asia.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing his first public leadership challenge after Labour MP Catherine West openly questioned his future as party leader. The remarks have triggered intense discussions within the Labour Party following recent political setbacks and dissatisfaction among MPs. While West reportedly has support from around 10 MPs, a formal challenge would require backing from 81 Labour lawmakers. Discussions within the party have also centred around Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a possible future contender. Downing Street has so far dismissed concerns and said Starmer plans to lead Labour into the next election.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is backing senior party leader K. C. Venugopal for the Kerala chief minister’s post, sources said, triggering intense discussions within the party after the UDF’s massive election victory. Rahul Gandhi reportedly held a separate meeting with Venugopal before senior Congress leaders met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. Sources said Congress leader V. D. Satheesan opposed Venugopal’s candidature and raised concerns over factional politics. The Congress leadership is now trying to build consensus as the party balances central leadership preferences with local support in Kerala. (PC: NDTV)

Israel reportedly built a secret military base in Iraq before launching its air campaign against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The outpost allegedly housed Israeli special forces and search-and-rescue teams to support operations near Iran. The report claimed Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Iraqi troops after the base was nearly discovered during a military patrol in March. Iraq later condemned the strike, which reportedly killed a soldier. The base reportedly helped Israel respond quickly during rescue operations after Iran shot down a US fighter jet near Isfahan during the conflict. (PC: HT)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay began his first day in office by signing key welfare and governance files, including 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, a women’s safety force, and anti-drug units in every district. The TVK chief also announced a white paper on the state’s finances, alleging the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government left Tamil Nadu with a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore. Promising transparent governance, Vijay said there would be no multiple power centres in his administration. The actor-turned-politician also assured supporters that education, healthcare, food supply and women’s safety would remain top priorities. (PC: India Today)

Himanta Biswa Sarma will continue as the Chief Minister of Assam after being elected leader of the BJP and NDA legislature parties. This confirms his second consecutive term in office. He is scheduled to take oath on May 12 in Guwahati. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ceremony. In the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, the BJP won 82 seats. Its allies, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front, won 10 seats each. Together, the NDA secured a strong majority in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly.

The United States is still waiting for Iran to respond to a peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. President Donald Trump said he expected a reply soon, but Tehran has not responded. Fighting also continued in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes killed at least 17 people, according to Lebanese authorities. Britain has sent warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East to support possible security operations. The Strait of Hormuz remained calm on Sunday after recent clashes. The United States has imposed new sanctions on individuals and companies accused of helping Iran build drones and support its military activities. (PC: AP)

India successfully tested the Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology from Odisha on Friday. The missile can carry multiple nuclear warheads and hit different targets with a single launch. It has a range of more than 5,000 kilometres. The Defence Ministry said all mission objectives were achieved. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the test strengthens India's defence preparedness. The Agni-5 was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). India first tested this technology in 2024 under Mission Divyastra. The successful trial places India among a small group of countries with advanced MIRV missile capability and strengthens its strategic deterrence.

Spanish medical teams are preparing to receive the MV Hondius in Tenerife, Spain, after three passengers died from the rare Andes strain of hantavirus. The cruise ship arrived after weeks at sea and will remain isolated in the port of Granadilla. Doctors in Spain will examine all passengers and crew before they disembark. More than 100 people from 23 countries will be flown home on charter planes. The World Health Organization said the risk to the public in Spain is low. Spanish hospitals are on standby. Around 30 crew members will stay on board and sail the ship to the Netherlands. (PC: BBC)

Actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a grand ceremony in Chennai on Sunday. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader became the state's first non-Dravidian Chief Minister in nearly 60 years. Thousands of supporters celebrated across Tamil Nadu. Vijay's parents watched emotionally as he took oath. Actor Trisha Krishnan and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the event. Nine ministers were also sworn in. Vijay's party won 108 seats and later secured support from Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML to form the government. He must now prove his majority in the Assembly through a floor test.