World

Han Kang, Karen Hao and Arundhati Roy were honoured at the National Book Critics Circle Awards. Frances FitzGerald received lifetime achievement, while NPR and PBS were also recognised

S Jaishankar met Anita Anand at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, discussing West Asia crisis, trade, and cooperation. Focus remained on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global shipping

Donald Trump praised Narendra Modi, expressing confidence in stronger India-US ties. During discussions on West Asia tensions, both leaders emphasised peace, stability, and ensuring the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains secure

AI chatbots often flatter and validate users excessively, reinforcing harmful behaviour and poor decisions, according to a Stanford-led study published in Science. Researchers found leading AI systems frequently agreed with users more than humans, raising concerns about their influence on relationships

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is seeking a deal after American strikes severely damaged its military. Senior officials said Iran’s forces were weakened, while diplomatic efforts continue alongside economic and military pressure to push Tehran towards negotiations

The United States has opened a diplomatic channel with Iran through Pakistan even as military strikes continue under Operation Epic Fury. Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington presented a 15-point peace framework to Tehran via Islamabad, signalling possible de-escalation despite tensions.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a friendship and cooperation treaty in Pyongyang, strengthening bilateral ties, voicing solidarity against Western pressure, and emphasizing collaboration to protect sovereignty amid global geopolitical tensions

On Bangladesh’s 56th Independence Day, the Awami League reaffirmed its commitment to the 1971 Liberation War principles, democratic values, and economic emancipation, paying tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and condemning attacks undermining national symbols and freedom fighters

Juries in Los Angeles and New Mexico held Meta and YouTube liable for harms to children, including mental health issues and sexual exploitation. Experts say the verdicts signal growing accountability for Big Tech and could reshape social media regulation globally

Amid rising tensions, Iran allowed ships from friendly nations, including India, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while restricting adversaries, asserting control over the crucial global oil transit route

Tel Aviv: A missile fired from Iran has evaded Israel’s air defence systems and struck the city of Dimona, near which Israel’s main nuclear facility and reactor are located, state-owned Kan TV reported. Air raid sirens in the area sounded in the morning and early afternoon on Wednesday (local time), warning of incoming missile attacks, […]

US President Donald Trump will travel to China on May 14–15 for a rescheduled summit with President Xi Jinping, following a delay caused by the ongoing Gulf conflict. The White House confirmed that First Lady Melania and Peng Liyuan will also participate in reciprocal visits later this year

Jannik Sinner defeated Alex Michelsen in straight sets to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals and stay on course for the Sunshine Double, while Martin Landaluce continued his impressive run by upsetting Sebastian Korda to enter the last eight

Connor Esterhuizen smashed 75 off 33 balls as South Africa defeated New Zealand by 33 runs in the fifth Twenty20 in Christchurch, sealing the five-match series 3-2 with a strong batting and disciplined bowling performance

Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal and launched fresh attacks on Israel and Gulf states as the Middle East war escalated. The US is deploying additional troops while diplomatic efforts face major hurdles amid rising casualties and fears of a global energy crisis

Declassified transcripts reveal Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger refused to condemn Pakistan’s 1971 crackdown in East Pakistan despite genocide warnings from Archer Blood, exposing US reluctance to criticise an ally during the crisis

An Iranian military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, ridiculed United States ceasefire efforts, saying Washington is “negotiating with itself.” Iran rejected the proposal, signalling continued defiance and dim prospects for de-escalation amid escalating regional tensions

The Donald Trump administration proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran via intermediaries as the US boosts troop deployment in the Middle East. Ongoing strikes, denials of talks, and Strait of Hormuz tensions continue to escalate regional instability

Brazil’s Supreme Court allowed former President Jair Bolsonaro to serve his 27-year sentence for a coup attempt under house arrest due to health concerns, following his hospitalisation and recommendation by the Attorney General

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Miami Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets win over Zheng Qinwen, while Coco Gauff reached the last eight and will face Belinda Bencic after both players registered strong victories

The AIFF Technical Committee recommended considering Indian coaches for the senior women’s national team and appointed Renjith TA as assistant coach for the senior men’s team. A study group will assess U23 player performance for potential senior-level promotion

A temporary US pause on Iran strikes fuels cautious hopes of de-escalation, but ongoing attacks, conflicting claims, and uncertain back-channel talks suggest it may be a tactical breather