US President Donald Trump said fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday after he decided to halt what he described as a "massive" planned military strike. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran and key US allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, urged him to delay the attack as they believed a diplomatic deal was within reach. He said discussions would focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has not confirmed the talks and denied requesting any pause in military action. Oil prices fell after Trump's announcement, reflecting hopes of easing regional tensions. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said the United States cancelled what he called the “biggest attack since World War II” against Iran and would instead begin negotiations with Tehran on Monday over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar urged Washington to halt military action, believing diplomacy could succeed. He stressed there was no deadline for talks and said he preferred a deal over conflict. Iran rejected Trump's claim that it sought a pause in military action, calling it “a new lie”, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Oman-mediated Hormuz negotiations were progressing toward finalisation. (PC: AFP)

A suicide blast struck a peace rally in Kabal town of Pakistan’s Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than two dozen others. According to officials, demonstrators had gathered near a police station, chanting anti-militant slogans and demanding peace when the attacker detonated explosives. Police chief Omar Khan said at least five police officers were among those killed. Rescue 1122 Swat said doctors at Kabal Hospital confirmed five deaths, while nine more bodies were shifted to Central Hospital Saidu Sharif. Authorities have launched an investigation as security forces assess the aftermath of the deadly attack targeting the peaceful public gathering.

At least five people were killed and 41 remained missing after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry caught fire off Indonesia's Madura Island on Sunday. The vessel was carrying 271 passengers and crew members, with 225 rescued as search and rescue operations continued. The ferry was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the blaze erupted between 6 am and 7 am near Sumenep regency. According to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the ferry operator reported the incident about an hour later after receiving information from the captain. Authorities later lost contact with the burning vessel as rescue efforts intensified.

The body of renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja has been recovered days after a devastating avalanche struck during an expedition in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. The avalanche claimed the lives of several team members and triggered an extensive search operation under difficult weather and terrain conditions. Purja, celebrated for scaling all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in record time, was among those missing after the disaster. Recovery teams located his body following days of intensive efforts. The tragedy has deeply shocked the global mountaineering community, with tributes pouring in for Purja and the other victims. (PC: NDTV)

Two firefighting helicopters collided midair while battling a major wildfire in the Psatha area, west of Athens, Greece, triggering an urgent search and rescue operation. The crash occurred as hundreds of firefighters and multiple aircraft struggled to contain fast-moving blazes fueled by strong winds, extreme heat, and dry conditions. Authorities said one helicopter crew was rescued, while efforts continued to locate the second crew. The wildfires have already destroyed more than 100 homes, scorched vast forest and farmland, and forced evacuations across affected regions. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned that Greece faces “extremely difficult” days ahead. (PC: AP)

At least 72 people have died after an estimated 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in the largest mass migration to the territory. Spanish officials said most migrants have since returned to Morocco, while security forces continue patrolling the area. Authorities have blamed criminal gangs and social media rumours for encouraging the crossing. The crisis has sparked political tensions across Europe, with several EU countries calling for a coordinated response to prevent further uncontrolled migration. Pope Leo XIV also expressed concern and appealed for a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the 100-week Nasha Mukta Yuva Abhiyaan, a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating drug abuse and promoting a drug-free India. Addressing the launch via video conference, Modi urged young people to stay away from drugs and become leaders of the movement. Every Sunday over the next 100 weeks will feature activities such as sports, cultural programmes, art and meditation to encourage participation. The campaign is part of the government's broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Modi also said strict action is being taken against drug traffickers while focusing on protecting India's youth from substance abuse. (PC: HT)

Amid escalating tensions with the United States, Iran has intensified diplomatic outreach by holding high-level consultations with key regional partners over growing security concerns in the Middle East. According to Iranian officials, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held urgent talks with counterparts and senior leaders from Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia to discuss the rapidly evolving situation following recent US actions. During discussions with Pakistan's Field Marshal and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Araghchi warned against what Tehran described as destabilising US actions and cautioned that further military adventurism could worsen regional insecurity. He reiterated that Iran remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security against any aggression. (PC: AFP)

The body of veteran Nepalese-British mountaineer Nirmal Purja was recovered on Sunday, three days after a devastating avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the 43-year-old's body was found at an altitude of around 5,700 metres. Purja was among 10 climbers swept away when the avalanche hit the mountain during an expedition. Rescue teams have so far recovered five bodies, while search operations continue for the remaining five missing climbers. Purja, regarded as one of the world's greatest mountaineers, had earned global recognition for scaling all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in a record-breaking time during 2019. (PC: X)