Tensions in the Middle East escalated after the UAE said it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones targeting the country, leaving three people injured. The attacks came amid renewed clashes between Iran and the United States near the Strait of Hormuz despite an ongoing ceasefire claim by Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of launching a “reckless military adventure” and warned that Iran would not bow to pressure. The US said its forces retaliated after Iranian attacks on American destroyers in the region. Rising conflict fears also pushed global oil prices higher and unsettled international markets. (PC: HT)

Actor-turned-politician Vijay crossed his first major political hurdle after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured support from smaller parties to touch the crucial 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. TVK had initially won 108 seats in the 2026 elections and later gained backing from Congress, CPI, CPM, and VCK to form the government. The development ended days of political uncertainty and strengthened Vijay’s claim before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The victory is being seen as a dramatic shift in Tamil Nadu politics, challenging the long-standing dominance of DMK and AIADMK. (PC: X)

Suvendu Adhikari thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah after being named the next Chief Minister of West Bengal on Friday. Speaking at the BJP legislature party meeting in Kolkata, Adhikari called Shah the “modern-day Chanakya” of India. He also thanked BJP workers for their efforts during the Assembly elections and remembered 321 party workers who allegedly died during the Trinamool Congress rule. Amit Shah said the BJP would work to improve democracy, law and order, and national security in Bengal. Adhikari is set to take oath as Chief Minister on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground.

Suvendu Adhikari will become the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday. Shah made the announcement after a meeting with newly elected BJP MLAs in Kolkata. Suvendu Adhikari is set to take oath as Chief Minister at 11 A.M. on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend the ceremony. The BJP won 207 seats in the Assembly elections, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee. (PC: PTI)

Suvendu Adhikari was elected as the BJP legislature party leader on Friday, clearing the way for him to become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Kolkata. The oath-taking ceremony for newly elected BJP MLAs will take place on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground. The BJP recently won a historic victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee. Governor RN Ravi dissolved the Assembly on Thursday. (PC: ANI)

India has successfully carried out the first flight trial of the indigenously developed Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha. The trial was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force on May 7. The Defence Ministry said TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system that can convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons. The system was developed by Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad along with other DRDO labs. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams involved in the project. (PC: The Hindu)

IndiGo has opened ticket bookings ahead of its commercial flight operations from Noida International Airport in Jewar starting June 15. The airline will begin services with special inaugural flights from Lucknow to Noida, followed by flights to Bengaluru. IndiGo said the airport will connect Noida with more than 16 domestic destinations, including Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Srinagar and Navi Mumbai. Ticket bookings are being released in phases through IndiGo’s website, app and travel partners. The new airport will become the third operational airport in the National Capital Region after Delhi’s IGI Airport and Hindon Airport.

Police have arrested Nida Khan, the main accused in the TCS-linked Nashik sexual harassment and alleged religious conversion case, after 25 days on the run. She was arrested in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday night. Khan is accused of hurting religious sentiments and helping people linked to sexual exploitation cases. Police said she was tracked through mobile phone locations and possible hideouts after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected. A special investigation team is probing nine cases linked to harassment and molestation at the Nashik BPO unit. TCS said employees involved in the case have been suspended under its zero-tolerance policy. (PC: X)

The World Health Organization said the current Hantavirus outbreak is not similar to Covid-19 and is unlikely to become a pandemic. WHO official Maria Van Kerkhove said hantavirus spreads very differently and mainly requires close and prolonged contact. The outbreak is linked to a cruise ship and involves the Andes strain, which can rarely spread between humans. WHO officials said public health measures like contact tracing and isolation can stop further spread. The organisation added that the risk to the public remains low. Hantavirus usually spreads through contact with infected rodent urine, saliva or droppings.

A US trade court has struck down former US President Donald Trump’s temporary 10% global tariffs, calling them “invalid” and “unauthorised by law”. A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that Trump exceeded the powers given to the president by Congress. The tariffs were imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after earlier tariffs were blocked by the Supreme Court. Small businesses had challenged the tariffs in court. The ruling stopped tariff collection from three plaintiffs, including two companies and the state of Washington. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision. (PC: Reuters)