US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is in a “state of collapse” and has asked Washington to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though he did not provide evidence. The claim comes as the vital global trade route remains shut following weeks of conflict involving the US and Israel. Trump reiterated that Iran faces a leadership crisis, adding to a series of assertions made in recent weeks. Meanwhile, negotiations to end the blockade and broader tensions have made little progress. Iran has proposed reopening the strait in exchange for easing restrictions, but no agreement has been reached, leaving around 2,000 ships stranded in the region.

The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave oil production groups OPEC and OPEC+ from May 1 after months of differences over output limits.   Officials said the decision is part of a long-term energy plan. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said it followed a “careful review”.   The move comes as global markets face pressure due to conflicts affecting oil supply.   The UAE has been a key member of these oil production groups for decades. Its exit may weaken unity and create uncertainty over future output plans. (PC: HT)

A legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has moved to a US court, marking a new phase in their long dispute over OpenAI.   Musk claims Altman “swindled” him and moved the firm away from its non-profit goal. He is seeking damages and changes in the company’s structure.   OpenAI denies the claims. It says Musk left after failing to gain control and is now acting out of “jealousy”.   Both co-founded OpenAI in 2015. Musk exited in 2018. The case will include key witnesses and could impact the future direction of AI development. (PC: BBC)

A luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov sailed through the Strait of Hormuz despite an ongoing blockade. The vessel, Nord, travelled from Dubai to Muscat over the weekend. It is among the few private boats to pass through the route in recent months. The waterway is key for global oil and gas supply. Tensions remain high after the United States imposed restrictions and Iran limited shipping access. Maritime traffic has dropped sharply. It is not clear if Mordashov was on board during the journey. (PC: BBC)

King Charles III will tell the US Congress that the UK and US have “always found ways to come together”, despite differences. The speech comes during his state visit with Queen Camilla. He is expected to express sympathy after the recent Washington DC shooting. The King will call for “reconciliation and renewal” of ties and stress shared values like liberty and tolerance. He will also urge support for NATO and Ukraine. The visit began with a welcome by Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House under tight security. (PC: BBC)

Abbas Araghchi has praised Iran’s growing relationship with Russia following high-level diplomatic talks, describing it as a “strategic partnership” amid regional instability. Writing on X, Araghchi said recent developments have demonstrated the depth and strength of ties between the two countries. He expressed satisfaction at engaging with Russian leadership at the highest level as geopolitical tensions continue to rise. The Iranian foreign minister also welcomed Moscow’s support for diplomacy, highlighting cooperation during a period of significant flux in the region. The remarks underline closer coordination between Tehran and Moscow as both navigate ongoing conflicts and evolving global alignments.

South Korea has overtaken the United Kingdom to become the world’s eighth-largest stock market, driven by a strong rally in artificial intelligence-linked chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Korea’s market capitalisation has surged over 45% this year to $4.04 trillion, surpassing the UK’s $3.99 trillion. The rise reflects global investor focus on AI supply chains, with chip giants dominating benchmark indices. Pro-market reforms under President Lee Jae Myung have also supported gains. The shift mirrors Taiwan’s surge and signals a structural rebalancing of global equities toward AI-driven Asian markets. (PC: CNBC)

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington for a historic state visit marking 250 years of American independence and reaffirming US-UK ties. Welcomed at Joint Base Andrews, the royals are scheduled to meet Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House for tea. The visit includes ceremonial engagements and a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence, continuing a tradition dating back to 1939. During their stay, the royals also toured White House grounds, including a beehive installation. The visit underscores enduring diplomatic relations and follows Trump’s recent state visit to Britain last year.

Peace talks between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked, with Donald Trump expressing dissatisfaction over Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war. The plan suggests reopening the Strait of Hormuz while postponing nuclear negotiations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the proposal as better than expected, but concerns persist in Washington. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the US for the failure of earlier talks, citing excessive demands. Discussions continue behind the scenes, even as tensions escalate regionally, including renewed violence in Lebanon. The ongoing stalemate highlights deep mistrust and complicates efforts to secure a comprehensive diplomatic resolution. (PC: X)

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States for a four-day state visit. They landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and were welcomed with flowers and military honours. The royal couple will stay at Blair House and meet Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House. Officials hope the visit will help improve UK-US ties. It is King Charles’s first US visit as monarch and the first British royal state visit since 2007. (PC: Reuters)