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Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at Tehran University, has said the United Arab Emirates has “decided to be a kind of Israel proxy” and warned that Iranians will not accept such a position. He said the UAE is becoming increasingly isolated within the Gulf region and urged the United States to reassess its military and diplomatic strategies in the Middle East. “Right now, the Emiratis are in many different conflicts, not only with the Iranians but also with the Saudis, with Qatar and also with Oman,” he said. “The global economy is bleeding. This is a fact. So the Americans should think more about their lack of strategy regarding this war.” Eslami also said Iran is still considering diplomatic options, while rejecting any idea of surrender. “Right now, the Iranians are thinking about diplomatic solutions. It doesn’t mean that they are going to think about surrender. They are thinking about the political settlements,” he said.#From Al Jazeera

Spain has called for the “immediate release” of a Spanish activist detained in Israel after being taken from international waters off Greece last week. Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila had their detentions extended by a court. The two were part of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli human rights organisation Adalah said the activists are on a hunger strike, with Tuesday marking the sixth day. On Monday, it alleged that they had been subjected to physical and psychological abuse while in detention. Lawyers for Adalah challenged Israel’s jurisdiction, arguing that the “unlawful abduction” of the two activists took place in international waters roughly 1,000 kilometres away from the country. #From Al Jazeera

A day after a major defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she would not resign, insisting that her party had not actually lost the mandate. She alleged that the Election Commission of India engaged in “nasty games” targeting her party during the electoral process, reports NDTV. The results mark a historic shift in the state’s political landscape, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) poised to form its first-ever government in West Bengal on May 9. The party secured 207 out of 294 seats, while Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) won only 80 seats, ending its long-standing dominance in the state. Vote counting begins in key Indian state elections, spotlight on West Bengal showdown In another setback, Banerjee also lost her traditional stronghold in Bhabanipur to her former close aide Suvendu Adhikari, who is now a senior leader of the BJP and served as Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing assembly. Banerjee, who has been Chief Minister since 2011, alleged large-scale “seat manipulation” and irregularities in the election process. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the outcome, stating that West Bengal had been “freed from fear” and would now move towards development and progress. This election was the first held after the controversial deletion of around 9 million voters in West Bengal under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Get smarter responses, upload files and images, and more.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Beijing today for talks with his Chinese counterpart. In a brief statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi will meet Wang Yi to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments. The visit comes amid a continued stalemate between the United States and Iran in negotiations aimed at ending the devastating war launched against Iran by Israel and the US on February 28. Israel warns of strikes on 12 Lebanon towns, tells residents to flee China has positioned itself as an active diplomatic player in the crisis, leveraging its longstanding policy of noninterference in internal affairs and maintaining working relations with all parties involved in the conflict. Source: Al Jazeera

Tensions in the Persian Gulf surged again as the United States military launched operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab Emirates reported renewed attacks attributed to Iran, testing an already fragile ceasefire. The U.S. military said it struck Iranian forces and destroyed six small boats allegedly targeting civilian vessels as part of an effort to secure maritime traffic through the key shipping route. Officials also said two American-flagged commercial ships successfully passed through the strait under a new U.S.-led initiative. In response, UAE authorities said their air defence systems intercepted multiple incoming threats, including missiles and drones. One drone reportedly caused a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah, injuring three foreign workers. British defence sources also reported cargo vessels catching fire near UAE waters. Iran has not directly confirmed the attacks, but Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned both Washington and Abu Dhabi against being drawn back into conflict. Iranian state media separately denied any intention to target UAE facilities, blaming U.S. military operations for escalating tensions. The U.S. Central Command said it had established a secure passage through the strait and claimed Iranian missiles, drones and boats targeting civilian shipping were intercepted or destroyed. Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces neutralised all threats and ensured safe transit for commercial vessels. Former U.S. President Donald Trump defended the operation, calling it part of “Project Freedom,” aimed at restoring navigation through the waterway after months of disruption. Iran has previously restricted movement through the strait, a vital global energy corridor, leading to rising fuel prices and international concern. Tehran has accused the U.S.-led mission of violating the ceasefire that has been in place for several weeks. The UAE strongly condemned the latest incidents, calling them a “dangerous escalation.” Authorities said missile alerts were issued for the first time since the ceasefire began, prompting temporary disruptions, including mid-air diversions of commercial flights. Additional reports from Oman and South Korea indicated separate maritime incidents in the region, including a fire on a cargo vessel near the strait, though no casualties were reported. Iranian military officials have warned that foreign naval forces entering the area could be targeted, further raising risks for commercial shipping companies, many of which remain reluctant to transit the strait despite U.S. assurances. The escalation comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve broader regional tensions remain stalled, with little progress reported in negotiations involving sanctions relief, military withdrawal, and nuclear-related disputes.  

At least 26 people were killed and 61 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in central China, state media reported on Tuesday. The blast occurred on Monday afternoon at a facility in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, according to Xinhua News Agency. The factory was operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, a county-level city under Changsha known as a major hub for fireworks production, China Daily reported. Footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV showed thick white smoke still rising from parts of the site on Tuesday, with several structures either collapsed or severely damaged. Authorities deployed nearly 500 rescuers to the scene and evacuated residents from nearby risk zones due to concerns over two black powder storage facilities close to the blast site, Xinhua said. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway, and police have detained the person in charge of the company. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to locate missing persons and treat the injured. He also urged a swift investigation and strict accountability, while directing authorities to strengthen safety management and conduct risk assessments in key industries. Rescue teams took precautionary measures, including spraying water and humidifying the area to reduce hazards during operations. Three robots were also deployed to assist in search and rescue efforts. Liuyang has a long-standing tradition in fireworks manufacturing. According to Guinness World Records, the origins of fireworks can be traced back to Li Tian, a monk from the Tang dynasty (618–907 C.E.), who is credited with creating early firecrackers using gunpowder packed in bamboo to produce explosive sounds. Earlier this year, China reported two separate deadly explosions at fireworks shops during the Lunar New Year period.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Supremo Mamata Banerjee suffered a high-profile defeat in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, losing to Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by 15,114 votes. The TMC supremo had built a commanding early lead, but it steadily narrowed as counting progressed. By the end of the seventh round, Mamata was ahead by over 17,000 votes, polling 32,822 against Adhikari’s 15,451. However, the gap began shrinking thereafter and eventually she lost to Suvendu. The BJP has registered a historic win in West Bengal as it appears all set to bag over 200 seats in the state. Notably, this is the second time when Adhikari has defeated Banerjee in Assembly polls. During the 2021 polls, Banerjee suffered a humiliating defeat against Adhikari by close to 2,000 votes from Nandigram. Voting for the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal was held across two phases on April 23 and April 29. Mamata had sent message to polling agents Mamata has alleged that the BJP and the Election Commission were “stealing” the election from her party. Earlier, Banerjee also sent a message to her polling agents, urging them not to leave counting centres and to remain focused on the ongoing trends. "Do not lose hearts, we will win after sundown," she said. "We are ahead by more than 100 seats, which is not being reported. Everything is being reported wrong. The Election Commission is working entirely as per its own will, and central forces are also with them. The police are also working with the central forces," Mamata Banerjee alleged. She also alleged that counting has been halted at many places as a tactic to benefit the BJP. "Counting agents and candidates should not leave the counting centre. This is the BJP's plan, I have been saying this since yesterday that they will be shown ahead first. They have stopped counting at many places. Such machines have been found in Kalyani, where there is no match; atrocities are being committed against TMC from all sides through central forces," she said.

The United States said its forces engaged Iranian units and sank six small boats targeting civilian shipping as it sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, while the United Arab Emirates reported coming under attack for the first time since a ceasefire took effect in early April. The US military said two American-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited the strait under a new initiative to restore safe passage through the key waterway. The UAE Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 15 missiles and four drones launched from Iran. Authorities in Fujairah reported that one drone ignited a fire at a major oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. The British military also reported two cargo ships ablaze off the UAE coast. Iran did not clearly confirm or deny the attacks. Early Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on social media that both the US and the UAE should avoid being drawn back into a wider conflict. Earlier, Iranian state television quoted an unnamed official as saying Tehran had “no plan” to target the UAE or its oil facilities, blaming the incident on what it described as US military actions aimed at forcing an “illegal passage” through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, has been effectively restricted by Iran since late February, pushing up global fuel prices and heightening economic concerns. The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center said ships were being advised to use routes through Omani waters under enhanced security arrangements. US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces had cleared a safe corridor free of Iranian mines and repelled multiple threats, including cruise missiles, drones and small boat attacks on vessels under US protection. President Donald Trump said efforts to block the strait would be met with force if necessary, describing the US initiative, dubbed “Project Freedom,” as aimed at assisting stranded commercial vessels in the Gulf. The UAE condemned what it termed “renewed treacherous Iranian aggression” and called for an immediate halt to attacks. Residents received multiple missile alerts on Monday — the first since the ceasefire began — while several inbound commercial flights to the UAE were diverted midair. In neighbouring Oman, authorities reported that a residential building near the strait was struck, injuring two foreign workers and damaging vehicles. Iran has warned that all vessels transiting the strait must coordinate with its forces, cautioning that any foreign military presence, particularly that of the US, could be targeted. Meanwhile, South Korea said a fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the strait had been extinguished with no casualties among the 24 crew members. Earlier reports said the Panama-flagged ship experienced an explosion and engine fire while anchored near the UAE. The UAE also accused Iran of targeting an oil tanker linked to its national energy company with drones, though no injuries were reported. The ongoing disruption has strained energy-dependent economies in Europe and Asia, driving up oil and gas prices. The US has warned shipping companies against paying transit fees to Iran and has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since mid-April, turning back dozens of commercial vessels. US officials hope the pressure will push Tehran to make concessions in negotiations over its nuclear programme and other disputes. However, little progress has been reported. Iran’s latest proposal calls for lifting US sanctions, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing foreign forces from the region and halting all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon. Iranian officials say the proposal does not address nuclear issues and aims to resolve other disputes within 30 days, rather than extend the current ceasefire. Trump has expressed doubts that the proposal will lead to a breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks American vessels involved in “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with media, Trump said he believes Iran has become “much more malleable” in ongoing peace negotiations, while stressing that the United States continues to expand its military presence in the region. “We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst. Trump says US holding ‘very positive discussions’ with Iran over war He added that the US possesses advanced equipment and maintains well-stocked military bases across the world, which could be deployed if necessary. Source: Al Jazeera

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist party on Monday wrested control of the state of West Bengal, an opposition stronghold, in a key election. The Election Commission of India released partial results showing the Bharatiya Janata Party won at least 124 seats in the 294-member West Bengal assembly, and was leading in 83 others. Final results are expected Monday evening. It would be a significant breakthrough for Modi's party, which had tried for years to dislodge the All India Trinamool Congress government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has never governed West Bengal, a politically influential state, where Banerjee — one of Modi's most prominent critics — has held power since 2011. BJP leads in West Bengal, opposition faces major setback Opposition parties have sharply criticized the polls in West Bengal after the Election Commission removed millions of voters from electoral rolls. Three other states also took part in the latest election. The South Asian country of more than 1.4 billion people has 28 states and eight federal territories. Staggered state elections are held at different times across India, with a few state polls scheduled almost every year. India's opposition faces a setback The outcome in West Bengal is expected to boost Modi's standing and strengthen his position midway through his third term in office. The 2024 national election forced his ruling party to rely on regional allies to form a government. He is expected to run for a record fourth term in 2029. Addressing supporters at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi said the results pointed to the party's widening appeal in a state where it had historically struggled to gain ground. "A new chapter has been added to Bengal's destiny," Modi told a cheering crowd. India's opposition has struggled to mount a unified and sustained challenge to the BJP's dominance nationwide. Banerjee had emerged as one of Modi's most prominent national rivals, particularly after positioning herself as a key leader to unite regional parties against the BJP. Her defeat is likely to weaken her leverage within an opposition bloc already divided by regional power struggles. Film star-turned-politician scores breakthrough win In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, popular movie star Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party only two years ago, ousted the ruling DMK party. Tamil Nadu, one of India's most developed states, has a history of electing movie stars to the top office. In Kerala, another southern state, the Indian National Congress-led opposition defeated the ruling communist government, ending leftist rule in one of its last remaining strongholds. Modi's party also returned to power in the northeastern state of Assam for a third consecutive term.