Masoud Pezeshkian may remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over stalled talks with the United States, reports said. He is accused of “defying orders” and not keeping the presidency informed. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also backs the move. Reports claim Araghchi acted on directions from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran has not confirmed the claims. Talks remain stuck as both sides try to turn a fragile ceasefire into a lasting deal. (PC: AFP)

The United States Central Command has proposed deploying the “Dark Eagle” hypersonic weapon near Iran, a report said. The system can travel over five times the speed of sound. It is designed for long-range strikes. No final decision has been made yet. The move comes despite a ceasefire since April 9. The weapon is built by Lockheed Martin and costs about $15 million per missile. Only eight missiles are available now. Officials say the plan aims to target deep missile sites. Tensions remain high, and future conflict could be more deadly. (PC: ConflictXtweets/X)

A mother and her four-year-old son were found dead after a cruise boat capsized in the Narmada River near Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. Rescuers said the mother was holding the child close when they were found. They were tourists from Delhi. The father and daughter survived. A survivor, Syed Riyaz Hussain, said, “No one could understand what was happening. There was screaming… people were crying for help.” He added he was trapped in water for nearly two hours before rescue teams saved him. So far, nine people have died. Authorities rescued 24 people. Several others are still missing, including children. (PC: India Today)

Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla near the Greek island of Crete in Greece and detained about 175 activists, officials said. The Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces boarded vessels in international waters and called the action “piracy”. It said boats were damaged and some people were left stranded. Israel said the operation was legal and carried out “peacefully and without any casualties”. It described the flotilla as a “PR stunt”. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the detained activists would be released on a Greek beach. Greece called for restraint and said it was coordinating for safe disembarkation. (PC: BBC)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions in Congress over President Donald Trump and his “mental stability” during a hearing. Democratic lawmaker Sara Jacobs asked if Trump was “mentally stable enough” to lead. Hegseth did not give a direct answer. He instead defended Trump and said he would not engage in “disparagement”. He later called Trump an “incredible commander-in-chief who puts our troops first”. The exchange comes as Trump’s recent social media posts during the Iran crisis have raised concerns and drawn criticism from some lawmakers.

The UK government has raised the national terror threat level from “substantial” to “severe” after a stabbing attack in Golders Green, London. Security minister Dan Jarvis said people should stay “alert and vigilant” but “not alarmed”. He added the move was due to wider risks, including Islamist and far-right threats. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the decision may worry many, especially the Jewish community. She urged people to report concerns. Police said the attack is being treated as terrorism. Authorities added that security agencies are “working round the clock” to keep people safe. (PC: BBC)

The ongoing Iran conflict is triggering a wider food security crisis across Asia by disrupting fertiliser supplies. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global fertiliser trade has sharply reduced exports from the Gulf, pushing urea prices up over 40%. At the same time, China, the world’s largest fertiliser producer, has restricted exports to protect domestic food security. This dual shock is hitting Southeast Asian agriculture hard, especially in countries like Vietnam and Philippines, which depend heavily on imports. Farmers are cutting planting, raising concerns about reduced rice output and cascading food supply disruptions across the region. (PC: BBC)

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson stated that the United States is “not at war” with Iran as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution approaches. The law limits presidential military engagement without congressional approval. Donald Trump had notified Congress of operations on March 2, placing the deadline on May 1. Johnson emphasized that active combat operations have paused, with Washington focusing on negotiations and maintaining a ceasefire announced in April. Despite earlier military action, US officials maintain the situation does not constitute a formal war, highlighting the legal and political sensitivity surrounding ongoing tensions and diplomacy with Tehran. (PC: AP)

Donald Trump announced the removal of tariffs on Scottish whisky as a gesture to King Charles III and Queen Camilla following their US state visit. The decision reverses duties that had impacted the UK whisky industry, a key export sector heavily reliant on the American market. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed the move as part of broader trade understandings between the two allies. The step comes amid tensions over the Iran conflict, suggesting an effort to reinforce transatlantic ties. The tariff rollback is expected to boost UK exports while signalling continued economic and diplomatic cooperation between Washington and London. (PC: X)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn attention after saying he would urge King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India during the monarch’s US visit. Speaking ahead of a 9/11 memorial event, Mamdani highlighted the jewel’s colonial origins, noting it was taken by Britain in the 19th century. His remarks resonated strongly in India, where many view the diamond as a symbol of colonial exploitation and have long demanded its return. However, it remains unclear whether Mamdani raised the issue directly with the King. The diamond’s ownership continues to be disputed by multiple countries.