US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will end “immediately after” the November midterm elections, claiming Tehran cannot sustain the conflict much longer. Trump accused Iran of trying to influence the US vote so it could face weaker politicians and pursue a nuclear weapon. He said Washington was seeking more than a nuclear deal but was not actively negotiating with Tehran, while leaving open the possibility of talks. Trump also warned of more US attacks in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran claimed strikes on 10 vessels. Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel amid concerns over global oil supplies. (PC: India Today)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clashed with AfD leader Alice Weidel in parliament after the far-right party won nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt. Merz called the AfD a “destructive force” and said its “remigration” plans could amount to “ethnic cleansing” of skilled workers with migration backgrounds. Weidel said Merz’s coalition had failed and warned that mass migration was fuelling crime and insecurity. The AfD fell three seats short of an outright majority and is seeking potential coalition support to form a government. The result marks a major breakthrough for Germany’s far-right and has been praised by US President Donald Trump. (PC: BBC)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s Islamic Republic was “very close” to collapse, while Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards outlined conditions for ending the war with the United States. The IRGC demanded an end to US military action and threats, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to the Yemen blockade, release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and a pledge not to interfere with Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Meanwhile, escalating attacks pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel, amid growing fears over energy supplies. Fighting has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. US strikes on Iranian tankers and Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities further heightened market concerns. (PC: X)

Pakistan may activate the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, potentially conducting airstrikes against the Iran-backed group in Yemen. The agreement, signed last month, includes a collective-defence clause that Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif indicated could be triggered if fighting in Yemen spills into Saudi territory. Reports suggest Pakistani airstrikes on Houthi positions could take place soon and be publicly announced afterward. However, Islamabad may distinguish between defending Saudi territory and supporting a broader Saudi military offensive inside Yemen. This could make the situation the first major test of the pact’s collective-defence commitment. The potential intervention comes after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia reportedly caused casualties and fires at oil facilities. (PC: Reuters)

Ahmedabad has been ranked the world’s least-prepared city to deal with climate disasters, placing below Lahore in a global assessment of 72 cities. The AlphaGeo index assessed cities based on their exposure to risks such as floods, extreme heat, drought, wildfires and hurricanes, as well as their ability to adapt. Chicago topped the ranking, benefiting from its temperate climate, freshwater access and infrastructure investments. South Asian cities dominated the least-resilient list, with Ahmedabad ranked last, followed by Hyderabad in Pakistan, Multan, Dhaka and Lahore. Kolkata also featured among the 10 least-resilient cities, ranking sixth, according to the assessment. (PC: X)

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro accused China of coercion and bullying after a Chinese representative interrupted his remarks during a security forum in Seoul. While Teodoro was speaking, a man approached and handed him a note reportedly objecting to his comments about China. Teodoro publicly read the note before firmly rejecting its message, saying such actions reflected attempts at intimidation. He maintained that the Philippines would continue speaking openly about regional security concerns and defending its interests. The incident highlights growing tensions between Manila and Beijing, particularly over territorial disputes and China’s activities in the South China Sea.

Iran has launched ballistic missiles toward U.S. military targets in Jordan, escalating its confrontation with Washington after U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. Iran also claimed it had captured a U.S. underwater drone near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, though American officials described the device as an older, malfunctioning system. Tehran additionally threatened or attacked vessels around the waterway, raising concerns over global energy supplies. The escalation has disrupted shipping through the Strait, a major oil transit route. Brent crude subsequently climbed above $100 a barrel as markets reacted to growing fears of prolonged supply disruptions. (PC: X)

More than 150 flights were cancelled on Wednesday as disruption continued for a second day after a technical problem at UK air traffic control provider Nats. The glitch caused widespread delays and cancellations on Tuesday, with about 1,750 flights cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Hundreds of thousands of passengers were affected, while Ryanair said more than 65,000 customers faced delays of up to eight hours. Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe apologised and said the incident would be investigated. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has summoned Rolfe for a meeting and is expected to tell MPs that a cyberattack was “categorically” not responsible. (PC: BBC)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the complainant in a criminal defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to follow the prescribed procedure for an early hearing, rejecting allegations that Gandhi was being treated as a “VVIP”. Chief Justice Surya Kant-led bench said, “Everyone is equal before us,” and asked senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia to file an application seeking early listing. The case concerns Gandhi’s 2022 remarks about the India-China clash in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhatia, representing former BRO director Uday Shankar Srivastava, also sought de-tagging of the case from a separate matter involving The Wire. (PC: HT)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has clarified that its probe into the alleged terror links of US mercenary Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals is still underway. The clarification came after the agency’s chargesheet did not include provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), despite initially invoking Section 18. The accused were charged under the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The NIA said further investigation and supplementary chargesheets remain possible. VanDyke and the Ukrainians were arrested in March over allegations that they illegally entered Myanmar through Mizoram to train ethnic armed groups fighting Myanmar’s military junta. (PC: India Today)