A new batch of declassified UFO files released by the US Department of War has reignited interest in unexplained aerial phenomena and historic space mission accounts. The documents include audio from the 1969 Apollo 12 mission, where astronauts Pete Conrad, Richard Gordon, and Alan Bean described seeing mysterious “streaks of light” while in deep space. The release also features over 220 files, videos, and reports involving glowing orbs, unidentified aircraft movements, and military encounters worldwide. While the Pentagon says many incidents remain unresolved, NASA previously attributed some Apollo-era visual phenomena to internal eye-related effects rather than extraterrestrial activity. (PC: NASA)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a special plan to make FIFA World Cup matches more affordable for residents. The city will offer 1,000 tickets for $50 each along with free round-trip bus rides to MetLife Stadium. The tickets will be given through a lottery system for seven World Cup matches. Mamdani said the aim is to help working-class people enjoy the tournament. Ticket prices for the World Cup have become very expensive, with many costing hundreds of dollars. The programme is a joint effort between the city and the NY/NJ World Cup host committee. (PC: X)

The United States has paused a proposed $14 billion weapons sale to Taiwan to ensure enough military supplies are available for operations linked to the Iran conflict. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the decision during a Senate hearing, saying the pause was needed to maintain munitions for the joint US-Israel operation known as “Epic Fury”. Taiwan’s presidential office said it had not received official notice of any change. The move comes as President Donald Trump weighs final approval of the arms package amid tensions with China over Taiwan. (PC: BBC)

The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions have triggered a global fertiliser crunch, forcing farmers to seek unconventional alternatives including chicken manure, biofertilisers and even processed human urine. Around one-third of globally traded urea originates from the Gulf region, pushing prices to multi-year highs after supply chains were hit. Farmers in Britain, Malaysia, Thailand and the US are increasingly experimenting with waste-based and microbial products to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers. French startup Toopi Organics reported a 25% sales jump for its urine-based bacteria feed products. The UN warned prolonged disruptions could weaken harvests, raise food prices and push 45 million more people into acute food insecurity amid rising global agricultural uncertainty worldwide. (PC: Bloomberg)

Israeli security officials fear Iran may launch a surprise missile and drone attack targeting Israel and Gulf countries amid ongoing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations, according to reports cited by the Jerusalem Post. The possibility of a preemptive Iranian strike was discussed during a high-level security assessment involving senior military officials and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. Officials reportedly warned Tehran could act before Washington and Jerusalem conclude diplomacy has failed and shift toward military action. The reported threat emerges amid growing differences between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over strategy toward Iran during the fragile ceasefire negotiations. (PC: X)

A rare albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” has become a major attraction at a livestock farm in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, ahead of Eid al-Adha celebrations. The 700-kilogram buffalo belongs to farmer Zia Uddin Mridha, who said visitors compared the animal’s long blond hair to the hairstyle of US President Donald Trump. Families, influencers and residents from nearby districts have travelled to see and photograph the buffalo. Caretakers wash and groom the animal several times daily. Bangladesh livestock officials said albino buffaloes are extremely rare because of low melanin production. Mridha said the buffalo has lost weight due to heavy public attention.

Mount Everest witnessed a historic climbing milestone as a record 274 climbers successfully reached the summit from the Nepal side in a single day. The achievement surpassed the previous Nepal-side record set in 2019 and came during a brief period of favorable weather after delays caused by dangerous ice conditions. Heavy crowding was reported in the “death zone,” raising renewed concerns about safety and overcrowding on the world’s tallest peak. Nepal has issued nearly 500 climbing permits this season despite criticism from mountaineering experts. Veteran Sherpas Kami Rita Sherpa and Lhakpa Sherpa also extended their own Everest summit records during the season. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump reacted strongly after Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly refused to send Iran’s enriched uranium abroad. Trump said the US would “destroy” the uranium stockpile and would not allow Iran to retain materials that could support nuclear weapons development. The remarks come amid fragile ceasefire and peace negotiations involving the US, Iran, and Israel after months of regional conflict. Iran insists the uranium is for civilian purposes and considers its removal a threat to national security. The dispute has further complicated ongoing diplomatic talks and increased tensions in the Middle East. (PC: Reuters)

Arjamand Gulzar alias Burhan Hamza, a top operational commander of the banned terror outfit Al-Badr, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Gulzar, originally from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was wanted in India for allegedly running terror recruitment, funding, and arms networks in South Kashmir. Indian authorities had declared him a terrorist in 2022 and linked him to multiple anti-India operations. Security officials said he played a major role in radicalising youth through digital propaganda. His killing is part of a continuing trend since 2023, where several wanted terror operatives have been targeted in Pakistan and PoK. (PC: NDTV)

An opinion piece in Republic World described US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming India visit as a crucial moment for reviving India-US ties under President Donald Trump’s second administration. The article argued that despite strong personal chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, both nations missed several diplomatic and trade opportunities due to slow bureaucratic engagement. The commentary stressed the need for stronger public diplomacy, faster decision-making, and deeper cooperation in trade, defence, energy, and Quad initiatives. Rubio’s May 23-26 India visit is expected to focus on strategic partnerships and economic collaboration. (PC: X)