Iran has accused the United States of choosing military action over diplomacy after fresh clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would not bow to pressure. The US said its forces struck Iranian vessels and blocked tankers from entering Iranian ports. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire remains in place and urged Iran to accept a deal. The tensions have raised concerns over oil supplies and fears of a wider conflict in the Gulf region. (PC: EPA)

The official X handle of Kolkata Police has unfollowed former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee following the BJP’s victory in the Bengal Assembly elections.   The account has now started following Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with the official handles of the PMO and Ministry of Home Affairs. The digital shift comes amid political changes in the state and coincides with reports of reduced security deployment at Trinamool Congress offices and leaders’ residences across Kolkata. (PC: X)

A special tribute to David Attenborough lit up London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus as the legendary broadcaster celebrated his 100th birthday. BBC Studios displayed a two-minute video on the famous Piccadilly Lights, honouring Sir David’s decades-long contribution to wildlife storytelling and conservation. (PC: BBC)   Born on May 8, 1926, Attenborough has spent more than seven decades bringing nature closer to millions through landmark documentaries. His recent series Wild London highlighted the biodiversity thriving across the British capital. Colleagues who worked with him described him as curious, warm and deeply passionate about wildlife even at 99. Conservationists said his legacy continues to inspire generations to protect the natural world.

Suvendu Adhikari will take oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today. He was chosen as leader of the BJP legislature party after the party won 207 of 294 seats in the Assembly elections. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are expected to attend the ceremony in Kolkata. Adhikari said the people have given the BJP a historic mandate. He promised to fulfil all election promises. He becomes the first BJP leader and the ninth person to serve as Chief Minister of West Bengal. (PC: ANI)

US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to May 11. The pause in fighting will include a prisoner exchange, with both sides releasing 1,000 prisoners each. Trump said he spoke directly to Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both leaders confirmed the agreement. Trump called the move a possible “beginning of the end” of the war, which started in 2022. Zelenskyy thanked the United States for helping broker the deal and said Ukraine hopes Russia follows the terms of the ceasefire. (PC: AP)

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) has been appointed as India’s next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He will take over from General Anil Chauhan, whose term ends on May 30. Lt Gen Subramani is currently serving as Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat. He retired as Vice Chief of Army Staff in July 2025. During his 39-year Army career, he held several key positions and received many awards for his service. In another major appointment, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been named the next Chief of the Indian Navy. He will take charge on May 31 after Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi retires. (PC: PIB)

The United States government has released a large batch of previously classified UFO or UAP files following a directive from President Donald Trump. The declassified archive includes infrared military images, radar footage, Apollo 17 Moon photographs and reports of mysterious airborne objects across different regions. Among the most discussed materials are unexplained lights seen above the lunar surface during the Apollo 17 mission and a “football-shaped” object reportedly spotted near Japan by the US Indo-Pacific Command. Officials described the files as “unresolved cases” lacking sufficient explanation. More documents, videos and photographs are expected to be released in phases over the coming weeks. (PC: X)

Political uncertainty continues in Tamil Nadu as Governor Rajendra Arlekar remains firm on seeking clear majority numbers from Vijay before inviting him to form the government. Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but is still short of the 118-seat majority mark. Reports say no official communication regarding the swearing-in ceremony has been issued yet. Intense political negotiations are underway as TVK seeks support from Congress, Left parties and independents, while rival parties DMK and AIADMK continue strategic discussions amid the post-election deadlock. (PC: The Hindu)

West Bengal is preparing for a historic political transition as the BJP finalised government formation after securing a sweeping Assembly election victory. Senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, are expected to attend the May 9 swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata. Suvendu Adhikari emerged as the frontrunner and was later chosen as the BJP legislature party leader, paving the way for him to become West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister. The development follows Governor RN Ravi dissolving the Assembly after the BJP’s landslide victory over the Trinamool Congress, ending the party’s 15-year rule in the state. (PC: NDTV)

China has, for the first time, officially acknowledged providing on-site technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes on terror camps in 2025. Engineers from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that they assisted the Pakistan Air Force during the four-day conflict. Engineer Zhang Heng said the team worked under extreme conditions to ensure Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets performed effectively. Another engineer, Xu Da, described the aircraft as a “child” they nurtured. The revelation underscores deepening China-Pakistan military integration and Beijing’s expanding operational involvement in regional conflicts. (PC: India Today)