A rare 700-kg albino buffalo in Bangladesh has become an internet sensation after locals said it resembles US President Donald Trump because of its golden hair and facial features. The buffalo, kept at a farm in Narayanganj, is attracting large crowds ahead of Eid al-Adha celebrations. Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the nickname started as a family joke but quickly went viral online. Visitors travelling to the farm said the buffalo’s hairstyle and face closely resemble Trump. Another buffalo at the farm, nicknamed “Benjamin Netanyahu”, has also gained attention online for its energetic and aggressive behaviour. (PC: Economic Times)

Kim Aris, the son of Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has called on the country’s military-backed government to provide “proof of life” for his mother. Speaking outside the UK Parliament, Aris said there was still no credible and independently verified evidence that Suu Kyi is alive more than five years after Myanmar’s military coup. The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner has not been seen publicly since her arrest in February 2021. Concerns over her health and whereabouts grew after authorities recently released an undated photograph claiming to show her under house arrest. (PC: X)

Deepening poverty and severe hunger in Afghanistan are forcing families into heartbreaking decisions, with some parents selling their children to survive. In Ghor province, fathers told the BBC they struggle daily to find work, while millions across the country face extreme food shortages after major international aid cuts.   One father said he was willing to sell his daughters to feed the rest of his family, while another sold his five-year-old daughter to pay for her medical treatment. Hospitals are overwhelmed with malnourished children, and doctors warn rising poverty and lack of medicines are worsening child deaths across Afghanistan. (PC: BBC)

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked despite fresh mediation efforts by Pakistan. A senior US official described Tehran’s revised peace proposal as “insufficient”, while reports said US President Donald Trump will meet his national security team to discuss possible military options.   Iran is seeking sanctions relief, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a permanent end to hostilities. Regional tensions have intensified following drone attacks near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant and renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon, raising fears of a wider Middle East conflict. (PC: HT)

The US-Iran crisis deepened after US President Donald Trump rejected any concessions on Iran’s nuclear programme and warned Tehran that it knows “what’s going to be happening soon.” Speaking to the New York Post, Trump dismissed the latest Iranian peace proposal as inadequate and signalled Washington may consider renewed military action. The remarks followed weekend meetings with his national security team amid reports of possible coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran. Trump also reversed his earlier suggestion of accepting a temporary uranium enrichment moratorium, saying he is “not open to anything right now.” The statement has intensified fears that the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran may soon collapse. (PC: X)

The United States has extended for 30 days a sanctions waiver allowing trade in Russian seaborne oil, citing requests from multiple countries seeking additional time to continue purchases. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the temporary license would help energy-vulnerable nations access Russian oil stranded at sea and stabilise global crude markets following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The waiver, first introduced in March during the US-Israel-Iran conflict, permits limited access to sanctioned Russian petroleum products without violating broader US restrictions on companies such as Rosneft and Lukoil. India has emerged as a major beneficiary, reportedly purchasing around 30 million barrels of Russian oil under the exemption after refiners previously reduced imports due to sanctions.

Iran sharply escalated tensions with the United States on Monday, warning that the “Sea of Oman could become your graveyard” if Washington continues its blockade of Iranian ports. Speaking on state television, former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei called the blockade an “act of war” and said Iran’s armed forces remain on high alert while diplomacy continues. Tehran also confirmed it had submitted a revised peace proposal through Pakistan to restart stalled US-Iran negotiations. Iranian officials insisted Washington must prove it is trustworthy before progress can be made. The remarks come as fears grow over renewed conflict, threats to the Strait of Hormuz, and disruptions to global energy supply chains.

Pakistan has reportedly deployed 8,000 troops, fighter jets, drones and an HQ-9 air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a confidential mutual defence pact amid the ongoing Iran conflict. According to Reuters, the deployment includes around 16 Chinese-made JF-17 fighter aircraft, two drone squadrons and Pakistani-operated defence systems financed by Riyadh. Sources described the force as combat-capable and intended to support Saudi Arabia if the kingdom faces further attacks. The pact reportedly allows deployment of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops if required. The move comes as Islamabad simultaneously acts as the principal mediator in US-Iran peace talks. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have not officially commented on the deployment, while reports also suggest Saudi retaliatory strikes inside Iran remained undisclosed publicly. (PC: X)

Pakistan has shared a revised peace proposal from Iran with the United States as efforts continue to end the ongoing conflict in West Asia. According to reports, Pakistan has emerged as the main mediator between Washington and Tehran during the temporary ceasefire.   A Pakistani source said both sides continue to change their demands, warning that “there is not much time” left for negotiations. Iran confirmed exchanges were taking place through Pakistan and signalled willingness to end the war. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned that “the clock is ticking” for Iran to reach a deal. (PC: HT)

Lai Ching-te said Taiwan will neither provoke conflict nor surrender its sovereignty after US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed Taiwan during their Beijing summit. Lai said Taiwan is already a sovereign and democratic country and rejected Beijing’s claims over the island. He stressed that Taiwan’s future must be decided by its people and reaffirmed support for maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Lai also welcomed continued US arms sales and security cooperation, calling them essential for regional peace as China increases military pressure around Taiwan. (PC: BBC)