Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday, marking the leader’s first publicly acknowledged interaction since assuming the country’s top position in early March. Speaking after the meeting in Tehran, Pezeshkian praised Khamenei’s “vision” and described his conduct as “humble and sincere.” The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and growing international scrutiny over Iran’s political and military posture. Khamenei has largely remained out of public view since his appointment, fuelling speculation about internal political dynamics and decision-making within the Islamic Republic’s leadership structure. The meeting is likely to be closely watched for signals on Iran’s domestic governance and broader regional strategy.

The BCCI has issued an eight-page advisory to all 10 IPL franchises after multiple protocol violations during IPL 2026, including vaping in dressing rooms and unauthorised phone usage. Secretary Devajit Saikia warned teams about “honey trap” risks, banned unauthorised visitors in hotel rooms, and ordered strict movement reporting for players and staff. Franchise owners were also barred from interacting with players in dugouts, dressing rooms, or restricted zones during matches. The advisory prohibits vaping, e-cigarettes, and banned substances across stadiums, hotels, and practice facilities. Teams must maintain guest approval systems, movement logs, and mandatory compliance briefings. The BCCI warned violations could invite fines, suspensions, disqualification, or even legal action against individuals and franchises.

US President Donald Trump said he held a “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with both leaders agreeing that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons. Trump stated that Washington and the European Union were “completely united” on preventing Tehran from developing nuclear capabilities and linked the discussion to wider security concerns in West Asia. The leaders also discussed EU-US trade ties and implementation of the Turnberry trade framework agreed in Scotland. Trump urged the EU to honour tariff reduction commitments and warned tariffs could rise if progress stalls before America’s 250th Independence anniversary. Von der Leyen later reaffirmed commitment to trade cooperation and regional stability. (PC: Pixabay)

R. N. Ravi on Thursday dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, officially ending the tenure of the outgoing government and paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to form its first government in the state following its sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The dissolution order came into effect from May 7 under the Governor’s constitutional authority after the Assembly’s term concluded amid intense political confrontation and post-poll unrest. The BJP, which secured a decisive mandate in the elections, is now expected to begin the formal government formation process. The move marks a major political shift in West Bengal after years of rule by Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress. (PC: X)

Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is reportedly considering a mass resignation of all 107 MLAs if either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is invited to form the government amid the ongoing Tamil Nadu political deadlock. Sources said the move reflects mounting frustration within TVK as negotiations remain stalled despite the party emerging as the single largest force with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, still short of the majority mark. The development follows reports that the DMK initiated backchannel discussions with the AIADMK to prevent TVK from taking power after the closely contested Assembly elections. (PC: PTI)

US President Donald Trump claimed three American Navy destroyers successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz “under fire” from Iranian forces without sustaining damage, escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump said missiles targeting the vessels were intercepted, drones were destroyed midair, and Iranian attack boats were eliminated. In a strongly worded Truth Social post, he warned Iran of harsher retaliation if a deal was not signed quickly, calling the country “not normal” and its leaders “lunatics”. Iran accused the US of initiating the confrontation and said it retaliated against American naval assets. The latest exchange has raised fears over the fragile ceasefire established after weeks of conflict.

West Bengal Police said vehicles with fake number plates were used in the murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead near Kolkata airport days after the Assembly election results. Investigators believe the attack was a planned ambush involving multiple bike-borne assailants armed with sophisticated weapons. Police recovered a seized bike with erased chassis details and traced one fake registration number to a North Bengal resident unrelated to the crime. The CID has taken over the high-profile investigation amid rising political tensions between the BJP and Trinamool Congress, with both parties accusing each other over escalating post-poll violence in the state. (PC: The Hindu)

Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has reportedly warned that all 107 of its MLAs may resign if the rival DMK and AIADMK join hands to form the next Tamil Nadu government. The warning comes amid intense political uncertainty after TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats but fell short of the majority mark. Sources said Vijay’s camp views any DMK-AIADMK alliance as a betrayal of the public mandate for political change. Congress has already extended conditional support to TVK, while negotiations with smaller parties continue. The Governor has reportedly asked Vijay to prove support from at least 118 MLAs before staking claim. (PC: PTI)

India remained the world’s largest recipient of remittances in 2024, receiving over $137 billion from overseas Indians, according to the UN-backed International Organization for Migration’s World Migration Report 2026. India became the only country to cross the $100 billion mark, far ahead of Mexico, the Philippines and France. The report highlighted the growing economic contribution of the Indian diaspora and noted strong remittance growth across South Asia. Since 2010, India’s remittance inflows have steadily surged from $53 billion to nearly $138 billion. The UN also said India is working to convert “brain drain” into “brain gain” through diaspora engagement and innovation initiatives. (PC: Reuters)

West Bengal Governor RN Ravi dissolved the state assembly on May 7 after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to resign following the Trinamool Congress’s crushing defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections. The BJP secured over 200 seats, while Mamata alleged the mandate was “looted” and questioned the election process. The Governor issued the dissolution order under Article 174 of the Constitution as the assembly’s five-year term expired. The political standoff triggered debates over constitutional procedures, caretaker governance, and possible legal challenges. The BJP has demanded her immediate removal, while the Trinamool Congress plans to challenge the election outcome in court. (PC: NDTV)