Pop star Katy Perry has criticised the White House for using her hit song "Firework" in a TikTok video showing US military strikes on Iran. The video, captioned “Iran has been warned,” featured footage of the attacks backed by the song. Perry said she had not given permission for its use and condemned the post. “I am deeply appalled and angry... I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it,” she wrote on X. Perry said the song was created as “an anthem of hope, healing and self-belief,” not violence. (PC: NDTV)

More than 300,000 people have been forced to flee as massive wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain. Around 250,000 residents were evacuated from France's Gironde and Landes regions, while nearly 60,000 people left their homes in Spain near Madrid and Ávila. Strong winds and high temperatures have made the fires difficult to control. Spanish authorities confirmed one death after a man was found inside his car near Valencia. France has deployed military support to assist firefighters, while both countries have received additional aircraft and emergency resources through the European Union's civil protection mechanism. (PC: BBC)

A vehicle ploughed into a crowd during a Berlin Pride event on Saturday night, killing 1 person and injuring 16 others, according to German police. The white vehicle crashed into a tree in Tiergarten before those inside fled. Police have identified the main suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B., who they describe as armed and dangerous and linked to the Islamist spectrum. Authorities also said several people suffered stab wounds after the vehicle attack. Thousands of officers, supported by helicopters and thermal imaging cameras, are searching across Berlin. Officials have not confirmed the motive or whether other suspects were involved. Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed a full investigation. (PC: BBC)

The United States has paused its military strikes on Iran after nearly 2 weeks of daily attacks, following President Donald Trump's decision not to approve fresh operations on Friday. Trump said Washington is holding talks with Tehran, while warning the US remains ready to resume military action if needed. Reports suggest Oman is mediating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. Israel remains on alert despite the pause, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, highlighting that tensions across West Asia remain high despite diplomatic efforts. (PC: HT)

After 13 consecutive nights of airstrikes on Iran, the United States is reportedly seeking a temporary ceasefire and renewed negotiations with Tehran under the previously suspended Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). According to reports, Washington has asked Qatar and Pakistan to mediate the proposed truce, with discussions also expected to include Yemen and the Houthis. The diplomatic push follows weeks of escalating military exchanges, including US strikes across Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. However, reports said Iran has rejected negotiations this week, while President Donald Trump simultaneously warned of a possible “massive attack” larger than any previous US operation. (PC: News 18)

Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a large-scale missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia, targeting Aramco energy facilities in Jizan and Yanbu in retaliation for overnight Saudi airstrikes on Hodeidah city and Kamaran Island. The Houthis said they carried out two coordinated operations using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, claiming both strikes achieved their intended objectives with "precise and direct hits". The group accused Saudi Arabia of conducting "criminal and unjust" attacks that violated Yemen's sovereignty and caused material and moral damage. The latest escalation signals a widening regional confrontation, with the Houthis warning of "escalation for escalation" amid growing instability and threats to regional security. (PC: Times Now)

More than 220,000 people have been evacuated as massive wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain. Around 200,000 people were moved from south-west France, while thousands left their homes near Madrid. Spain has declared a national emergency as firefighters struggle to control the flames. “The wildfire is at its peak and is currently beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain,” Madrid emergency chief Carlos Novillo said. French President Emmanuel Macron has deployed the military to help. Strong winds, high temperatures and dry weather have worsened the fires. Authorities have urged people to follow safety instructions. (PC: EPA, Getty Images)

The US-Iran conflict entered its 13th consecutive night of fighting, with Washington continuing airstrikes across Iran and Tehran launching fresh missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Amid escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump claimed China and Russia would not sell weapons to Iran and warned that future damage to ships or cargo would be compensated using Iranian funds under US control. Trump also said he was considering a "massive attack" on Iran, claiming Tehran had "not received enough pain yet" despite remaining interested in negotiations. Separately, eight countries condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while fresh explosions were reported on Iran's Qeshm Island amid regional tensions. (PC: Times Now)

Asian stock markets fell sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from more than 80 countries, including India, China, Canada, the UK and EU nations. The move, aimed at addressing alleged forced-labour practices, sparked fears of a renewed global trade war. Japan's Nikkei, South Korea's Kospi, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's SSE all posted significant losses as investors worried about slowing global growth. Several countries condemned the tariffs, while economists warned of higher trade uncertainty, inflationary pressures and potential legal challenges to the U.S. policy. (PC: EPA)

US President Donald Trump has said that any future civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia would depend on the Kingdom recognising Israel. Speaking on the issue, Trump indicated that normalising ties with Israel remains a key condition for advancing the proposed nuclear cooperation. The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, where the United States has sought to expand the Abraham Accords and encourage Arab-Israeli normalisation. Saudi Arabia has maintained that recognition of Israel is linked to progress toward a Palestinian state. The statement highlights the continued intersection of regional diplomacy, security, and nuclear cooperation. (PC: AP)