US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is “not over”. His remarks came after attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. He said US ships moved safely, showing the route is “clear”. Iran warned that the conflict is not finished. The US has launched “Project Freedom” to guide ships in the area. The United Arab Emirates also reported missile and drone attacks. Tensions remain high. Experts say the situation could worsen if both sides do not step back. (PC: BBC)

Russia and Ukraine have announced separate ceasefires this week. Russia said it will pause fighting on May 8 and 9. Ukraine said it will start an open-ended ceasefire from May 6. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Russia to stop attacks and move to talks. Despite this, missile and drone strikes killed five people and injured many in Ukraine. In Russia, two people died in a drone attack. Both sides accused each other of violence. The ceasefires are not agreed together. Fighting and tensions continue as both sides prepare for next steps. (PC: DSNS Ukraine)

US President Donald Trump congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the BJP’s victory in West Bengal. He called it a “historic, decisive” win. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 206 seats in the 294-member Assembly, crossing the majority mark. The results were announced by the Election Commission of India. The win ends years of rule by the Trinamool Congress. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. The results show a major political shift in the state. (PC: Reuters)

A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker issued a “7700” emergency signal while flying over the Persian Gulf near Qatar. The aircraft later went missing from radar, according to flight data. It had taken off from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Data showed the plane circled in the air before descending. The cause of the emergency is not clear. There is no official statement from the US military. Reports also said there is no confirmation of any attack linked to the incident so far. (PC: Fightradar and AFP)

A powerful explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan, China killed 26 people and injured 61, state media said. The blast struck the Huasheng Fireworks plant on Monday afternoon. Authorities evacuated people within a 3km radius. Over 1,500 responders joined rescue work and saved seven trapped people. Two gunpowder warehouses raised fears of more blasts. Police took “control measures” against staff. Xi Jinping called for full rescue efforts and a probe. Officials said air and water quality remain normal. (PC: BBC)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States not to be “dragged back into the quagmire” after fresh attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The US says Iran fired missiles and drones at military and commercial ships. Tehran denies some claims. US President Donald Trump said American forces destroyed seven Iranian fast boats, which Iran rejected. Washington has launched “Project Freedom” to escort ships out of the waterway. Around 2,000 vessels remain stuck. Shipping firm Maersk said one of its ships exited with US military support. (PC: BBC)

3 Indian nationals were injured after Iran launched fresh missile and drone strikes on the United Arab Emirates, officials said. The attack caused a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. Authorities said four cruise missiles were fired. Three were intercepted and one fell into the sea. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said it is in touch with local authorities. “We are ensuring proper medical care and welfare,” it said. UAE officials called the strikes a “serious escalation” and said they reserve the right to respond. The injured were taken to hospital with moderate injuries. (PC: India Today)

Three people have died after a suspected outbreak of Hantavirus on board the MV Hondius, the World Health Organization said. A 70-year-old Dutch passenger fell ill and died after reaching St Helena. His 69-year-old wife later died in a Johannesburg hospital. A 69-year-old British man is the only confirmed case and is in intensive care. Two crew members also need urgent medical help. Officials said the virus spreads through contact with infected rodent droppings. Dutch authorities are arranging repatriation of two patients and one body still on the ship. (PC: BBC)

A Chinese court has ruled that companies cannot terminate employees solely because artificial intelligence can perform their roles. The Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court upheld a decision in favour of an employee dismissed after his duties were partly replaced by AI systems. The court found that automation does not qualify as a “major change in circumstances” under China’s labour laws and that offering a significantly lower-paying role was unreasonable. It concluded the dismissal was unlawful, reinforcing that employers must meet legal obligations despite adopting AI. The ruling sets a precedent, emphasising that technological upgrades cannot override worker protections or justify arbitrary job cuts. (PC: X)

At least four people were hospitalised after an indiscriminate drive-by shooting in Brixton, London, with one victim in critical condition. The injured include individuals aged 21, 25, 47 and 70, including a pensioner. Around an hour later, a 33-year-old man was found nearby with multiple stab wounds, prompting police to investigate a possible link between the two incidents. Authorities received initial reports of gunfire on Coldharbour Lane, followed by a stabbing on Acre Lane. Law enforcement has launched a probe into both incidents, focusing on whether they were coordinated or connected acts of violence in the area.