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Iran on Sunday (May 10) warned Britain and France against sending any warships to the Strait of Hormuz, saying that its armed forces would launch “a decisive and immediate response.” This comes after both Paris and London dispatched vessels to the Gulf. The two nations are leading efforts to create an international coalition to secure the strategic water, but only after a peace deal between the US and Iran is secured. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country had “never envisaged” a naval deployment but rather a security mission that would be “coordinated with Iran”In a post on X, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned, “We remind them that both in times of war and in times of peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and it will not allow any country to interfere in such matters.”<h2>Macron says ‘never envisaged’</h2>Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi ahead of the African summit, Macron reiterated his stance remains the same on the issue – opposing a blockade from either side. He had that he “reject any toll” to ensure ships are able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.In response to Iranian threats, Macron said, “There was never any question of a deployment but we are ready.”He added, “We have put together an ad hoc mission, co-led with the British, which has brought together 50 countries and international organisations to enable, in a coordinated way with Iran and by deconflicting the situation with all the countries of the region and the United States, the resumption of maritime traffic as soon as conditions allow.”Macron added that the whole continent of Africa was a “victim of the blockade” of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockade has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices.Last week, France announced that its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, had passed through the Suez Canal in preparation for such an operation.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran warned Britain and France against deploying warships to the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a “decisive response,” as Paris and London push for a maritime security coalition.

Iran on Sunday (May 10) warned Britain and France against sending any warships to the Strait of Hormuz, saying that its armed forces would launch “a decisive and immediate response.” This comes after both Paris and London dispatched vessels to the Gulf. The two nations are leading efforts to create an international coalition to secure the strategic water, but only after a peace deal between the US and Iran is secured. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country had “never envisaged” a naval deployment but rather a security mission that would be “coordinated with Iran” In a post on X, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned, “We remind them that both in times of war and in times of peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and it will not allow any country to interfere in such matters.” Macron says ‘never envisaged’ Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi ahead of the African summit, Macron reiterated his stance remains the same on the issue – opposing a blockade from either side. He had that he “reject any toll” to ensure ships are able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. In response to Iranian threats, Macron said, “There was never any question of a deployment but we are ready.” He added, “We have put together an ad hoc mission, co-led with the British, which has brought together 50 countries and international organisations to enable, in a coordinated way with Iran and by deconflicting the situation with all the countries of the region and the United States, the resumption of maritime traffic as soon as conditions allow.” Macron added that the whole continent of Africa was a “victim of the blockade” of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockade has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices. Last week, France announced that its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, had passed through the Suez Canal in preparation for such an operation. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran warned Britain and France against deploying warships to the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a “decisive response,” as Paris and London push for a maritime security coalition.

‘Will not allow any country to interfere’: Iran warns France, UK against any Hormuz deployment; Macron says ‘never envisaged’ it

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview on Sunday that the Iran war is ‘not over’ until all its enriched uranium is removed and its enrichment facilities are dismantled. Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium must be taken out before the US-Israeli war against Iran can be considered over, Netanyahu said in an interview to CBS News.&nbsp;Netanyahu said that the highly enriched uranium needs to be taken out of Iran and the country’s enrichment facilities need to be dismantled.“It’s not over, because there’s still nuclear material—enriched uranium—that has to be taken out of Iran. There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” Netanyahu said.&nbsp;Netanyahu said that US President Donald Trump had a similar position.&nbsp;<h2>‘Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it’</h2>&nbsp;“Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it,” said the Israeli PM, referring to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as well as its proxy forces in other countries and its missile-making capacity. “But all that is still there, and there’s work to be done.”International monitors estimate that Iran still has around 970 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium.&nbsp;&nbsp;On being asked how the uranium stockpiles could be taken out from Iran, Netanyahu said he would prefer an agreement. “I think it can be done physically. That’s not the problem. If you have an agreement and you go in and you take it out, why not? That’s the best way.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Several other war aims yet to be accomplished’</h2>&nbsp;Netanyahu said there were several other war aims also that had yet to be accomplished. “There’s still proxies that Iran supports, their ballistic missiles that they still want to produce. Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it, but all that is still there and there’s work to be done,” he said but refused to specify what would happen if agreement was not reached with Iran on its nuclear material.“I’m not going to give a timetable to it, but I’m going to say that’s a terrifically important mission,” Netanyahu said.&nbsp;“I’m not going to talk about military means, but the president, what President Trump has said to me – ‘I want to go in there’.”&nbsp;However, Trump is under increasing domestic pressure to end the Iran war, and he insists that Tehran’s nuclear programme has been contained.&nbsp;Trump said in an interview that Iran was “militarily defeated” and insisted that the uranium could be removed “whenever we want.”“We’ll get that at some point, whenever we want. We’ll have it surveilled,” he said, adding, “We have that very well surveilled. If anybody got near the place, we will know about it and we’ll blow them up.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

President Donald Trump is under increasing domestic pressure to end the Iran war, and he insists that Tehran’s nuclear programme has been contained. Trump said in an interview that Iran was “militarily defeated” and insisted that the uranium could be removed “whenever we want.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview on Sunday that the Iran war is ‘not over’ until all its enriched uranium is removed and its enrichment facilities are dismantled. Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium must be taken out before the US-Israeli war against Iran can be considered over, Netanyahu said in an interview to CBS News. Netanyahu said that the highly enriched uranium needs to be taken out of Iran and the country’s enrichment facilities need to be dismantled. “It’s not over, because there’s still nuclear material—enriched uranium—that has to be taken out of Iran. There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu said that US President Donald Trump had a similar position. ‘Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it’ “Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it,” said the Israeli PM, referring to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as well as its proxy forces in other countries and its missile-making capacity. “But all that is still there, and there’s work to be done.” International monitors estimate that Iran still has around 970 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium. On being asked how the uranium stockpiles could be taken out from Iran, Netanyahu said he would prefer an agreement. “I think it can be done physically. That’s not the problem. If you have an agreement and you go in and you take it out, why not? That’s the best way.” ‘Several other war aims yet to be accomplished’ Netanyahu said there were several other war aims also that had yet to be accomplished. “There’s still proxies that Iran supports, their ballistic missiles that they still want to produce. Now, we’ve degraded a lot of it, but all that is still there and there’s work to be done,” he said but refused to specify what would happen if agreement was not reached with Iran on its nuclear material. “I’m not going to give a timetable to it, but I’m going to say that’s a terrifically important mission,” Netanyahu said. “I’m not going to talk about military means, but the president, what President Trump has said to me – ‘I want to go in there’.” However, Trump is under increasing domestic pressure to end the Iran war, and he insists that Tehran’s nuclear programme has been contained. Trump said in an interview that Iran was “militarily defeated” and insisted that the uranium could be removed “whenever we want.” “We’ll get that at some point, whenever we want. We’ll have it surveilled,” he said, adding, “We have that very well surveilled. If anybody got near the place, we will know about it and we’ll blow them up.”

President Donald Trump is under increasing domestic pressure to end the Iran war, and he insists that Tehran’s nuclear programme has been contained. Trump said in an interview that Iran was “militarily defeated” and insisted that the uranium could be removed “whenever we want.”

‘Iran war not over until uranium is removed, facilities dismantled,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu

UAE’s Ministry of Education announced that in-person learning for all schools and nurseries across the country will begin from Monday (May 11). This is applicable to all students, teachers and administrative staff in both public and private institutions. The decision comes after continuous monitoring of developments and coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure that the educational process and academic assessments are not disrupted. The in-person education will also resume in all universities and higher education institutes across the Gulf nation.The ministry said that all educational institutions would continue to implement approved safety and security protocols and procedures, Gulf News reported. Authorities said the institutions will also remain prepared to activate alternative learning models if necessary, depending on the ongoing developments and continuous assessments. The ministry added that they will continue to coordinate with educational institutions across the country to ensure a smooth return to classroom learning.The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has also announced that all public and private universities and higher education institutions across the UAE will begin in-person learning from Monday. The decision is applicable to students, academic staff and administrative employees. The officials said that they are in coordination with the higher education institutions to ensure a smooth return to on-campus learning.The UAE announced shifting to remote learning mode from May 5 to 8 as a precautionary measure amid heightened tensions and emergency alerts from drone interceptions by UAE air defence systems.Earlier, when the war broke out in the region, the authorities had announced shifting classes to online mode following Iranian attacks on the country.

The UAE will resume in-person classes in schools, nurseries and universities from May 11 after days of remote learning imposed amid regional tensions and drone interception alerts.

UAE’s Ministry of Education announced that in-person learning for all schools and nurseries across the country will begin from Monday (May 11). This is applicable to all students, teachers and administrative staff in both public and private institutions. The decision comes after continuous monitoring of developments and coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure that the educational process and academic assessments are not disrupted. The in-person education will also resume in all universities and higher education institutes across the Gulf nation. The ministry said that all educational institutions would continue to implement approved safety and security protocols and procedures, Gulf News reported. Authorities said the institutions will also remain prepared to activate alternative learning models if necessary, depending on the ongoing developments and continuous assessments. The ministry added that they will continue to coordinate with educational institutions across the country to ensure a smooth return to classroom learning. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has also announced that all public and private universities and higher education institutions across the UAE will begin in-person learning from Monday. The decision is applicable to students, academic staff and administrative employees. The officials said that they are in coordination with the higher education institutions to ensure a smooth return to on-campus learning. The UAE announced shifting to remote learning mode from May 5 to 8 as a precautionary measure amid heightened tensions and emergency alerts from drone interceptions by UAE air defence systems. Earlier, when the war broke out in the region, the authorities had announced shifting classes to online mode following Iranian attacks on the country.

The UAE will resume in-person classes in schools, nurseries and universities from May 11 after days of remote learning imposed amid regional tensions and drone interception alerts.

UAE announces schools and universities to resume in-person classes from tomorrow

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s former ally and Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons has become the latest Labour MP to call for the resignation of the PM. Simons said the prime minister has “lost the country” as he called on him to set out a timetable for his departure from 10 Downing Street.&nbsp;“This is bigger than any one person. All of us must be honest about these challenges, including those vying to replace the prime minister. We need radicalism, energy, and immense courage,” he wrote in the Sunday Times.Simons was forced to resign in March amid a probe into claims that a Labour think tank he once ran paid for an investigation to “smear” journalists.&nbsp;One of Labour’s biggest union backers also warned that the party is at risk of “going extinct” if it does not change direction and Sir Keir attempts to fend off a leadership ultimatum.&nbsp;Labour MP Catherine West has also issued an ultimatum to cabinet members, telling them to challenge Sir Keir by Monday, or she will start formally gathering names to trigger a contest.PM Starmer has, meanwhile, vowed to lead Labour into the next general election and promised to forge closer ties with Europe as he deals with the fallout from disastrous results for the party in the local election.&nbsp;<h2>Can an MP launch a leadership challenge?</h2>&nbsp;Every political party has its own set of rules for ousting a leader. In Labour party, a leadership election can be triggered only if the leader resigns, or if 20 per cent of MPs nominate a challenger, which means Catherine West needs to get 81 people to back her in her nominating a single person.West said she does not have a candidate yet, but says “there are several people who would like to do it, who have been planning for months”.Labour Party members and affiliated supporters are eligible to vote.&nbsp;Starmer is under immense pressure over his leadership after Labour party suffered devastating electoral losses across the country.&nbsp;<h2>‘We have a problem and we have to move quickly’</h2>&nbsp;“We have a problem and we have to move quickly, said Catherine West on Sunday morning, after threatening to challenge Starmer unless the cabinet can agree on a replacement.On Saturday, she said she would challenge the PM herself if a cabinet minister didn’t step forward by Monday.&nbsp;Starmer will try to reset his premiership in a major speech on Monday before Wednesday’s King’s Speech, in which the government will set out the new laws it intends to pass in the coming year.

Labour MP Catherine West has also issued an ultimatum to cabinet members, telling them to challenge PM Keir Starmer by Monday, or she will start formally gathering names to trigger a contest. PM Starmer has, meanwhile, vowed to lead Labour into the next general election.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s former ally and Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons has become the latest Labour MP to call for the resignation of the PM. Simons said the prime minister has “lost the country” as he called on him to set out a timetable for his departure from 10 Downing Street. “This is bigger than any one person. All of us must be honest about these challenges, including those vying to replace the prime minister. We need radicalism, energy, and immense courage,” he wrote in the Sunday Times. Simons was forced to resign in March amid a probe into claims that a Labour think tank he once ran paid for an investigation to “smear” journalists. One of Labour’s biggest union backers also warned that the party is at risk of “going extinct” if it does not change direction and Sir Keir attempts to fend off a leadership ultimatum. Labour MP Catherine West has also issued an ultimatum to cabinet members, telling them to challenge Sir Keir by Monday, or she will start formally gathering names to trigger a contest. PM Starmer has, meanwhile, vowed to lead Labour into the next general election and promised to forge closer ties with Europe as he deals with the fallout from disastrous results for the party in the local election. Can an MP launch a leadership challenge? Every political party has its own set of rules for ousting a leader. In Labour party, a leadership election can be triggered only if the leader resigns, or if 20 per cent of MPs nominate a challenger, which means Catherine West needs to get 81 people to back her in her nominating a single person. West said she does not have a candidate yet, but says “there are several people who would like to do it, who have been planning for months”. Labour Party members and affiliated supporters are eligible to vote. Starmer is under immense pressure over his leadership after Labour party suffered devastating electoral losses across the country. ‘We have a problem and we have to move quickly’ “We have a problem and we have to move quickly, said Catherine West on Sunday morning, after threatening to challenge Starmer unless the cabinet can agree on a replacement. On Saturday, she said she would challenge the PM herself if a cabinet minister didn’t step forward by Monday. Starmer will try to reset his premiership in a major speech on Monday before Wednesday’s King’s Speech, in which the government will set out the new laws it intends to pass in the coming year.

Labour MP Catherine West has also issued an ultimatum to cabinet members, telling them to challenge PM Keir Starmer by Monday, or she will start formally gathering names to trigger a contest. PM Starmer has, meanwhile, vowed to lead Labour into the next general election.

‘Starmer has lost the country, should resign as PM,’ says former Labour ally

Iran has claimed that a US fighter jet declared a mid-air emergency while flying near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday (May 10). It said that the aircraft, identified as Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, transmitted the emergency code 7700 – an urgent distress signal. This comes as tensions over the strategic waterway continue between Tehran and Washington. The US has not confirmed the incident.According to the flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft was heading towards the UAE airspace, flying over the Gulf of Oman. After being tracked near the UAE, the jet’s transponder went dark, which is a common practice during a military operation or after a safe landing. The cause of the emergency was not immediately clear.Iranian Consulate General in Hyderabad, India said in a post on X, “A few minutes ago, a US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet transmitted the emergency code 7700 while flying over the Sea of ​​Oman.”It added, “Sending this code means there is an urgent emergency situation that requires a landing.”<h2>What is emergency code 7700?</h2>In aviation, the emergency code 7700 is a universal transponder “squawk” code used by pilots to declare a general emergency. When a pilot enters this four-digit code into the aircraft’s transponder, it immediately alerts Air Traffic Control (ATC) and surrounding radar facilities that the aircraft requires priority handling and assistance. The code may be used for a wide range of issues, including mechanical failures, onboard hazards or as a precautionary measure.<h2>Iran renews attacks across Gulf</h2>The incident comes amid heightened military tensions in the region between the US and Iran, with Tehran launching fresh attacks in the Gulf. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire.The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X.In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones.A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X.Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”.While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.”Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran claimed a US F-35 declared a mid-air emergency near the Strait of Hormuz by transmitting code 7700, amid rising Gulf tensions and fresh drone and maritime attacks.

Iran has claimed that a US fighter jet declared a mid-air emergency while flying near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday (May 10). It said that the aircraft, identified as Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, transmitted the emergency code 7700 – an urgent distress signal. This comes as tensions over the strategic waterway continue between Tehran and Washington. The US has not confirmed the incident. According to the flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft was heading towards the UAE airspace, flying over the Gulf of Oman. After being tracked near the UAE, the jet’s transponder went dark, which is a common practice during a military operation or after a safe landing. The cause of the emergency was not immediately clear. Iranian Consulate General in Hyderabad, India said in a post on X, “A few minutes ago, a US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet transmitted the emergency code 7700 while flying over the Sea of Oman.” It added, “Sending this code means there is an urgent emergency situation that requires a landing.” What is emergency code 7700? In aviation, the emergency code 7700 is a universal transponder “squawk” code used by pilots to declare a general emergency. When a pilot enters this four-digit code into the aircraft’s transponder, it immediately alerts Air Traffic Control (ATC) and surrounding radar facilities that the aircraft requires priority handling and assistance. The code may be used for a wide range of issues, including mechanical failures, onboard hazards or as a precautionary measure. Iran renews attacks across Gulf The incident comes amid heightened military tensions in the region between the US and Iran, with Tehran launching fresh attacks in the Gulf. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X. In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones. A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X. Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran claimed a US F-35 declared a mid-air emergency near the Strait of Hormuz by transmitting code 7700, amid rising Gulf tensions and fresh drone and maritime attacks.

Iran claims US F-35 Lightning II fighter jet declared mid-air emergency near Strait of Hormuz – What we know

At least four miners have lost their lives after an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Colombia on Sunday (May 10, 2026), where a similar incident claimed the lives of nine people a week ago, according to a senior official.&nbsp;"The four miners who were trapped in the #LasQuintas mine" in the municipality of Cucunuba were discovered dead, Jorge Emilio Rey, governor of the Cundinamarca department, confirmed on social media.<h3>Nine coal miners die in a gas explosion</h3>Similarly, nine people lost their lives in an explosion at a coal mine in Colombia a week ago. Following the incident, emergency workers confirmed that they had rescued six miners from the shafts in Sutatausa, north of the capital, Bogotá.&nbsp;Colombia’s national mining agency stated that the explosion, which occurred at 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Monday, was likely triggered by a build-up of gases inside the mine. The agency also released a list of safety recommendations previously issued to the mine operators following an inspection conducted less than a month earlier, during which officials had warned about a “potentially dangerous gas accumulation.”&nbsp;Many mines in Colombia operate informally and often lack adequate safety measures. Regional fire department captain Álvaro Farfán said rescue teams were continuing efforts to recover the bodies of the miners, while survivors were receiving treatment in the hospital. Mining accidents remain a frequent occurrence in Colombia.&nbsp;In July last year, 18 workers were rescued from an illegal gold mine after being trapped underground for 18 hours following a mechanical malfunction. One of the most fatal recent mining disasters also took place in Sutatausa in 2023, when an explosion ripped through a network of coal mine tunnels, killing 21 people.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-fresh-drone-attacks-across-gulf-after-threatening-us-1778412340717">Iran launches fresh drone attacks across Gulf after threatening US</a>

An explosion at a Colombian coal mine on Sunday has left at least four miners dead. The incident occurred at the same place where nine people died during the explosion a week ago.

At least four miners have lost their lives after an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Colombia on Sunday (May 10, 2026), where a similar incident claimed the lives of nine people a week ago, according to a senior official. "The four miners who were trapped in the #LasQuintas mine" in the municipality of Cucunuba were discovered dead, Jorge Emilio Rey, governor of the Cundinamarca department, confirmed on social media. Nine coal miners die in a gas explosion Similarly, nine people lost their lives in an explosion at a coal mine in Colombia a week ago. Following the incident, emergency workers confirmed that they had rescued six miners from the shafts in Sutatausa, north of the capital, Bogotá. Colombia’s national mining agency stated that the explosion, which occurred at 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Monday, was likely triggered by a build-up of gases inside the mine. The agency also released a list of safety recommendations previously issued to the mine operators following an inspection conducted less than a month earlier, during which officials had warned about a “potentially dangerous gas accumulation.” Many mines in Colombia operate informally and often lack adequate safety measures. Regional fire department captain Álvaro Farfán said rescue teams were continuing efforts to recover the bodies of the miners, while survivors were receiving treatment in the hospital. Mining accidents remain a frequent occurrence in Colombia. In July last year, 18 workers were rescued from an illegal gold mine after being trapped underground for 18 hours following a mechanical malfunction. One of the most fatal recent mining disasters also took place in Sutatausa in 2023, when an explosion ripped through a network of coal mine tunnels, killing 21 people. Also read: Iran launches fresh drone attacks across Gulf after threatening US

An explosion at a Colombian coal mine on Sunday has left at least four miners dead. The incident occurred at the same place where nine people died during the explosion a week ago.

At least four dead after blast rocks Colombian coal mine

Hungary's incoming Health Minister Zsolt Hegedus went viral on social media with his stunning performance on the steps of the country's parliament on Saturday (May 9). Hegedus, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, showed off his dance moves after Peter Magyar was inaugurated as the prime minister of Hungary. In widely shared videos, Hegedus is seen dancing to music before tens of thousands of supporters gathered along the Danube, where crowds watched the ceremony on giant screens. Magyar was also seen applauding alongside fellow lawmakers as the celebrations continued.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The new government of Hungary after inauguration. Never been so cool to be Hungarian. <a href="https://t.co/9B4f1P6opA">pic.twitter.com/9B4f1P6opA</a>&mdash; SzabadonMagyarul 🇬🇧🇭🇺🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@SzabadonMagyar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SzabadonMagyar/status/2053144182131175882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Magyar becomes Hungary's prime minister</h3>The 45-year-old Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's prime minister on Saturday, formally bringing an end to Viktor Orban's 16-year tenure in power. Magyar's Tisza party secured a landslide victory in the April 12 parliamentary election, winning 141 of 199 seats. "Hungary's new government after inauguration. It's never been so nice to be Hungarian," Magyar posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a video from the day. "I will not rule over Hungary; I will serve my country," he said after taking the oath. In his address, Magyar also vowed to “begin a new chapter in Hungary’s history” and promised a government aimed “not just at changing the administration, but transforming the entire system.” While his speech focused on politics and reform, it was Minister Hegedus who became the highlight on social media. Hegedus, who had earlier gone viral for his celebratory dance following Tisza’s election triumph, repeated the performance on the steps of Parliament as festivities unfolded. Hegedus, who is likely to lead the health ministry in the new government of Magyar, gained his first attention on social media in April when footage of him dancing at Tisza's victory rally hit millions of views. But, dance moves performed on Saturday after crowds cheered and waved Hungarian and EU flags in Kossuth Square cemented his status as the "dancing politician" of Hungary.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/all-eyes-on-modern-look-vijay-chooses-black-pantsuit-over-traditional-shirt-veshti-at-tn-cm-oath-ceremony-1778399089933">All eyes on modern look: Vijay chooses black pantsuit over traditional shirt-veshti at TN CM oath ceremony</a>

Hungary's new Health Minister, Zsolt Hegedus, went viral for his celebratory dance on Parliament's steps following PM Peter Magyar’s inauguration on May 9. Magyar’s Tisza party ended Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule with a landslide win, vowing to transform the system and serve the nation.

Hungary's incoming Health Minister Zsolt Hegedus went viral on social media with his stunning performance on the steps of the country's parliament on Saturday (May 9). Hegedus, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, showed off his dance moves after Peter Magyar was inaugurated as the prime minister of Hungary. In widely shared videos, Hegedus is seen dancing to music before tens of thousands of supporters gathered along the Danube, where crowds watched the ceremony on giant screens. Magyar was also seen applauding alongside fellow lawmakers as the celebrations continued.

Hungary's new Health Minister, Zsolt Hegedus, went viral for his celebratory dance on Parliament's steps following PM Peter Magyar’s inauguration on May 9. Magyar’s Tisza party ended Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule with a landslide win, vowing to transform the system and serve the nation.

WATCH: Hungary’s ‘dancing politician’ steals spotlight at PM Peter Magyar's swearing-in

Iran has sent a response to the latest US proposal to end the war in the region via mediator Pakistan, Iranian state media reported on Sunday (May 10). This comes after the Foreign Ministry spokesman said several times that Tehran’s views and considerations regarding the US proposals would be sent after a review and final conclusions are made.&nbsp;“The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today through Pakistani mediators its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war,” the official IRNA news agency reported.“According to the proposed plan, at this stage, negotiations will focus on ending the war in the region,” the report added.According to the ISNA news agency, Iran’s response to the United States focuses on “ending the war and maritime security”.“It should be noted that the main focus of Iran's response to the US proposal is on 'ending the war and maritime security' in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” ISNA reported.<h2>Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues new directive</h2>Meanwhile, Iran’s head of the military central command, Ali Abdollahi, met with the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian state media reported on Sunday (May 10). The report added that he issued fresh directions ordering the continuation of the operation against the US.&nbsp;Khamenei issued “new directives and guidance for the continuation of operations to confront the enemy” state TV said. It did not specify when or where the meeting took place.<h2>Iran launches fresh drone attacks</h2>Meanwhile, Iran on Sunday launched fresh drone attacks in the Gulf. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. The strikes came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire.The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X.In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones.A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X.Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”.While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.”Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Iran has sent its response to a US proposal to end the regional war through Pakistani mediators, state media reported, after Tehran reviewed Washington’s latest peace terms.

Iran has sent a response to the latest US proposal to end the war in the region via mediator Pakistan, Iranian state media reported on Sunday (May 10). This comes after the Foreign Ministry spokesman said several times that Tehran’s views and considerations regarding the US proposals would be sent after a review and final conclusions are made. “The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today through Pakistani mediators its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war,” the official IRNA news agency reported. “According to the proposed plan, at this stage, negotiations will focus on ending the war in the region,” the report added. According to the ISNA news agency, Iran’s response to the United States focuses on “ending the war and maritime security”. “It should be noted that the main focus of Iran's response to the US proposal is on 'ending the war and maritime security' in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” ISNA reported. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues new directive Meanwhile, Iran’s head of the military central command, Ali Abdollahi, met with the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian state media reported on Sunday (May 10). The report added that he issued fresh directions ordering the continuation of the operation against the US. Khamenei issued “new directives and guidance for the continuation of operations to confront the enemy” state TV said. It did not specify when or where the meeting took place. Iran launches fresh drone attacks Meanwhile, Iran on Sunday launched fresh drone attacks in the Gulf. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. The strikes came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X. In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones. A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X. Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran has sent its response to a US proposal to end the regional war through Pakistani mediators, state media reported, after Tehran reviewed Washington’s latest peace terms.

Iran sends response to US proposal to end war via Pakistan

New Delhi: Portugal has thrown its weight behind the long-awaited India-EU Free Trade Agreement, with a key minister declaring the pact is now in its “last mile” and on track to take effect on 1 January 2027.&nbsp;João Rui Ferreira, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Economy, told WION’s Sidhant Sibal that Lisbon had backed the agreement “since day one” and remained a strong supporter. “We believe we are in the last mile now,” he said. “We are confident… it will be in place on the first of January 2027.”&nbsp;The presence in India of the Presidents of the European Commission and Council, alongside the Trade Commissioner, demonstrated the strength of European commitment, Mr Ferreira added. “In a complex world, in uncertainty [at this] moment, agreements like this will give companies, businesses a new opportunity,” he said, pointing to India’s rapid growth as the world’s fourth-largest economy, on course to become the third.&nbsp;With its young population and ambitious infrastructure and manufacturing plans under “Make in India” and the 2047 vision, India offers major scope for collaboration, he argued. Portuguese firms could bring know-how in decarbonised industry, clean energy technologies and sustainable manufacturing. “I think we can bring… complementarity to that ambition,” Mr Ferreira said.&nbsp;Portuguese companies eye infrastructure and tech partnerships. The minister drew a clear distinction between infrastructure and industrial opportunities. Portuguese companies were keen to participate as contractors in energy, electrical systems, waste management and broader infrastructure projects. Industrial firms and a growing cohort of startups showcase the potential in advanced technologies and joint ventures.&nbsp;“For Portuguese companies to succeed… local partnerships, local joint ventures [are key],” he stressed. “India is a continent, so the market is huge. Companies need to focus on sectors, or regions or cities.”&nbsp;Mr Ferreira said that the recent reopening of Portugal’s trade and investment agency office in New Delhi is a sign of long-term commitment. “This is just the beginning of a journey,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indian companies have been invited to invest in Portugal across several high-growth sectors. Mr Ferreira highlighted space and defence, including satellites, aeronautics and drones; pharmaceuticals and life sciences; advanced manufacturing backed by strong STEM education; battery value chains from lithium to production; data centres; and digital technologies.&nbsp;Energy stood out as a particular strength. “Eighty per cent of our energy comes from renewable sources at a very competitive price,” he said, describing Portugal as well-positioned for industrial development. Portugal is also open to skilled Indian workers. “Qualified, skilled workers will always have an opportunity in Portugal,” the minister said, citing programmes with companies and sector associations, supported by the embassy and consulate in India.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr Ferreira acknowledged the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations but insisted the focus was now firmly on the future. “We are proud of our history, but we are looking to the future… The numbers are still far from the potential we have and that’s what we want to change,” he said.

Portuguese companies are eyeing infrastructure and tech partnerships and are keen to participate as contractors in energy, electrical systems, waste management and broader infrastructure projects, said Portugal’s Secretary of State for Economy João Rui Ferreira.

New Delhi: Portugal has thrown its weight behind the long-awaited India-EU Free Trade Agreement, with a key minister declaring the pact is now in its “last mile” and on track to take effect on 1 January 2027. João Rui Ferreira, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Economy, told WION’s Sidhant Sibal that Lisbon had backed the agreement “since day one” and remained a strong supporter. “We believe we are in the last mile now,” he said. “We are confident… it will be in place on the first of January 2027.” The presence in India of the Presidents of the European Commission and Council, alongside the Trade Commissioner, demonstrated the strength of European commitment, Mr Ferreira added. “In a complex world, in uncertainty [at this] moment, agreements like this will give companies, businesses a new opportunity,” he said, pointing to India’s rapid growth as the world’s fourth-largest economy, on course to become the third. With its young population and ambitious infrastructure and manufacturing plans under “Make in India” and the 2047 vision, India offers major scope for collaboration, he argued. Portuguese firms could bring know-how in decarbonised industry, clean energy technologies and sustainable manufacturing. “I think we can bring… complementarity to that ambition,” Mr Ferreira said. Portuguese companies eye infrastructure and tech partnerships. The minister drew a clear distinction between infrastructure and industrial opportunities. Portuguese companies were keen to participate as contractors in energy, electrical systems, waste management and broader infrastructure projects. Industrial firms and a growing cohort of startups showcase the potential in advanced technologies and joint ventures. “For Portuguese companies to succeed… local partnerships, local joint ventures [are key],” he stressed. “India is a continent, so the market is huge. Companies need to focus on sectors, or regions or cities.” Mr Ferreira said that the recent reopening of Portugal’s trade and investment agency office in New Delhi is a sign of long-term commitment. “This is just the beginning of a journey,” he said. Indian companies have been invited to invest in Portugal across several high-growth sectors. Mr Ferreira highlighted space and defence, including satellites, aeronautics and drones; pharmaceuticals and life sciences; advanced manufacturing backed by strong STEM education; battery value chains from lithium to production; data centres; and digital technologies. Energy stood out as a particular strength. “Eighty per cent of our energy comes from renewable sources at a very competitive price,” he said, describing Portugal as well-positioned for industrial development. Portugal is also open to skilled Indian workers. “Qualified, skilled workers will always have an opportunity in Portugal,” the minister said, citing programmes with companies and sector associations, supported by the embassy and consulate in India. Mr Ferreira acknowledged the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations but insisted the focus was now firmly on the future. “We are proud of our history, but we are looking to the future… The numbers are still far from the potential we have and that’s what we want to change,” he said.

Portuguese companies are eyeing infrastructure and tech partnerships and are keen to participate as contractors in energy, electrical systems, waste management and broader infrastructure projects, said Portugal’s Secretary of State for Economy João Rui Ferreira.

Portugal confident India-EU trade deal will enter force in 2027; sees investments growing

Tensions were reignited in the Gulf on Sunday (May 10) with Iran launching fresh drone attacks across the region. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire.<h2>UAE, Kuwait report drone attacks</h2>The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X.In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones.<h2>Vessel targeted in Gulf waters</h2>A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X.Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”.While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.”Meanwhile, the South Korean foreign ministry said that its cargo ship was struck by “two unidentified aircraft” in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. The statement came days after the fire-damaged HMM Namu arrived at port in Dubai. The ministry did not specify what type of aircraft struck the vessel.<h2>‘Restraint is over’</h2>Iranian parliament's national security commission spokesman on Sunday warned the United States against any attacks on Iranian vessels in the Gulf waters, saying that Tehran’s restraint was over.“Our restraint is over as of today. Any attack on our vessels will trigger a strong and decisive Iranian response against American ships and bases,” Ebrahim Rezaei said in a post on X.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Tensions flared in the Gulf as Iran launched fresh drone attacks on Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait. A cargo vessel was hit in Qatari waters after Tehran threatened US bases and “enemy ships.”

Tensions were reignited in the Gulf on Sunday (May 10) with Iran launching fresh drone attacks across the region. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire. UAE, Kuwait report drone attacks The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X. In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones. Vessel targeted in Gulf waters A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X. Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.” Meanwhile, the South Korean foreign ministry said that its cargo ship was struck by “two unidentified aircraft” in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. The statement came days after the fire-damaged HMM Namu arrived at port in Dubai. The ministry did not specify what type of aircraft struck the vessel. ‘Restraint is over’ Iranian parliament's national security commission spokesman on Sunday warned the United States against any attacks on Iranian vessels in the Gulf waters, saying that Tehran’s restraint was over. “Our restraint is over as of today. Any attack on our vessels will trigger a strong and decisive Iranian response against American ships and bases,” Ebrahim Rezaei said in a post on X. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Tensions flared in the Gulf as Iran launched fresh drone attacks on Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait. A cargo vessel was hit in Qatari waters after Tehran threatened US bases and “enemy ships.”

Iran launches fresh drone attacks across Gulf after threatening US

Iran’s head of the military central command, Ali Abdollahi, met with the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian state media reported on Sunday (May 10). The report added that he issued fresh directions ordering the continuation of the operation against the US. This comes days after the Islamic Republic’s President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Mojtaba, who has not made any public appearance since the war began in West Asia.Khamenei issued “new directives and guidance for the continuation of operations to confront the enemy” state TV said. It did not specify when or where the meeting took place.&nbsp;Several theories and rumours have circulated over his health and condition since he was named supreme leader, with many reports suggesting that he had been wounded in the US-Israeli strikes that killed his father.&nbsp;<h2>UAE, Kuwait report drone attacks</h2>Meanwhile, tensions were reignited in the Gulf on Sunday (May 10) with Iran launching fresh drone attacks across the region. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire.The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X.In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones.<h2>Vessel targeted in Gulf waters</h2>A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X.Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”.While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.”Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s military chief Ali Abdollahi met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, state media said, days after President Pezeshkian’s meeting. Khamenei reportedly issued fresh directives amid rumours over his health.

Iran’s head of the military central command, Ali Abdollahi, met with the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian state media reported on Sunday (May 10). The report added that he issued fresh directions ordering the continuation of the operation against the US. This comes days after the Islamic Republic’s President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Mojtaba, who has not made any public appearance since the war began in West Asia. Khamenei issued “new directives and guidance for the continuation of operations to confront the enemy” state TV said. It did not specify when or where the meeting took place. Several theories and rumours have circulated over his health and condition since he was named supreme leader, with many reports suggesting that he had been wounded in the US-Israeli strikes that killed his father. UAE, Kuwait report drone attacks Meanwhile, tensions were reignited in the Gulf on Sunday (May 10) with Iran launching fresh drone attacks across the region. While cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement on X. In a statement, Kuwait military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures,” the general staff of the army said on X, without specifying the origin of the drones. Vessel targeted in Gulf waters A commercial vessel was struck in Gulf waters on Sunday. The Qatari Defence Ministry said that a cargo ship was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters. The incident resulted in a fire on board the vessel. “A commercial cargo vessel in the country’s territorial waters – northeast of Mesaieed Port – coming from Abu Dhabi, was targeted by a drone on Sunday morning. The incident resulted in a limited fire on board the vessel, with no reported injuries,” the Qatari ministry said on X. Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that a bulk carrier was hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by an “unknown projectile”. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Iran’s Fars news agency reported, citing a source, that “the bulk carrier that was struck near the coast of Qatar was sailing under the US flag and belonged to the United States.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s military chief Ali Abdollahi met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, state media said, days after President Pezeshkian’s meeting. Khamenei reportedly issued fresh directives amid rumours over his health.

‘Confront the enemy’: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues new directive after meeting military head

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that the Iranian nation will “never bow to the enemy”, while insisting that any future negotiations would be aimed at protecting national interests rather than signalling surrender. Speaking during a meeting of a working group tasked with repairing damage caused by the recent conflict, Pezeshkian said diplomacy would only be pursued to secure the rights of the Iranian people and strengthen the country’s position.&nbsp;“If there is talk of dialogue or negotiation, its meaning is not surrender or retreat; rather, the goal is to fulfil the rights of the Iranian people and provide a powerful defence of national interests,” the Iranian president said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-pentagon-releases-footage-of-us-navy-f-a-18-super-hornet-bombing-2-iranian-tankers-in-hormuz-1778299459298">WATCH: Pentagon releases footage of US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet bombing 2 Iranian tankers in Hormuz</a>&nbsp;His remarks came as the Iranian government intensified efforts to support families affected by what officials have described as the “Third Imposed War”, following months of heightened regional tensions and conflict.&nbsp;Pezeshkian said the administration’s immediate priority was ensuring the “psychological security and peace of mind” of families impacted by the fighting, while also accelerating reconstruction and compensation measures.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-s-the-status-of-iran-truce-trump-says-we-ll-let-you-know-declines-to-reveal-if-strikes-could-resume-1777961346771">What’s the status of Iran truce? Trump says, ‘we’ll let you know’, declines to reveal if strikes could resume</a>&nbsp;The president outlined plans for closer coordination between the government and domestic manufacturers to speed up recovery efforts. According to Pezeshkian, the state is prepared to provide industries with raw materials and logistical support, while producers are expected to assist affected households through discounts and favourable conditions on essential goods.&nbsp;He also urged manufacturers to treat the supply of household necessities as a national responsibility, particularly for citizens displaced or financially affected by the conflict.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/removal-of-us-sanctions-compensation-for-damages-and-more-here-s-what-s-inside-iran-s-14-point-plan-to-end-war-1777790104668">Removal of US sanctions, compensation for damages and more: Here’s what’s inside Iran’s 14-point plan to end war</a>

President Pezeshkian vowed Iran will not surrender following the "Third Imposed War," prioritising domestic reconstruction and psychological security. He framed future negotiations as a strategic means to defend national rights.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that the Iranian nation will “never bow to the enemy”, while insisting that any future negotiations would be aimed at protecting national interests rather than signalling surrender. Speaking during a meeting of a working group tasked with repairing damage caused by the recent conflict, Pezeshkian said diplomacy would only be pursued to secure the rights of the Iranian people and strengthen the country’s position. “If there is talk of dialogue or negotiation, its meaning is not surrender or retreat; rather, the goal is to fulfil the rights of the Iranian people and provide a powerful defence of national interests,” the Iranian president said. Also read: WATCH: Pentagon releases footage of US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet bombing 2 Iranian tankers in Hormuz His remarks came as the Iranian government intensified efforts to support families affected by what officials have described as the “Third Imposed War”, following months of heightened regional tensions and conflict. Pezeshkian said the administration’s immediate priority was ensuring the “psychological security and peace of mind” of families impacted by the fighting, while also accelerating reconstruction and compensation measures. Also read: What’s the status of Iran truce? Trump says, ‘we’ll let you know’, declines to reveal if strikes could resume The president outlined plans for closer coordination between the government and domestic manufacturers to speed up recovery efforts. According to Pezeshkian, the state is prepared to provide industries with raw materials and logistical support, while producers are expected to assist affected households through discounts and favourable conditions on essential goods. He also urged manufacturers to treat the supply of household necessities as a national responsibility, particularly for citizens displaced or financially affected by the conflict. Also read: Removal of US sanctions, compensation for damages and more: Here’s what’s inside Iran’s 14-point plan to end war

President Pezeshkian vowed Iran will not surrender following the "Third Imposed War," prioritising domestic reconstruction and psychological security. He framed future negotiations as a strategic means to defend national rights.

Iran will ‘never bow to the enemy’, says Pezeshkian as Tehran pushes recovery efforts after conflict

In order to expand and bolster its nuclear force, North Korea has reportedly made sweeping changes to its constitution. The amendment mandates automatic nuclear strike if its leader Kim Jong Un is Assassinated. After two days of meeting the new law was added to the constitution in its parliament after being passed by North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), where leader Kim Jong Un addressed participants and called the move historic, reported the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)&nbsp;According to Kim the move is a powerful political lever to boost national defense capabilities and protect national interests.&nbsp;The amendment states, “If the command-and-control system over the state’s nuclear forces is placed in danger by hostile forces’ attacks … a nuclear strike shall be launched automatically and immediately,” as part of Article 3 of North Korea’s nuclear policy law.<h2>Amendment comes after killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The amendment to the constitution comes amid heightened global tensions following the US-Iran war in which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials were killed.&nbsp;The move further consolidates North Korea's views on strengthening its nuclear force and shuns the idea of denuclearising or giving up its weapons, a key demand of the US and its Western allies.&nbsp;Kim also justified Pyongyang’s weapons development programme by highlighting trilateral military cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan – which he termed as the worst threat.&nbsp;There were other changes too intoduced in the constitution like the removal of references to Korean reunification, strengthening territorial definitions of the DPRK, and a further emphasis on nuclear deterrence as a core element of national policy.&nbsp;

The move further consolidates North Koreas views on strengthening its nuclear force and shuns the idea of denuclearising or giving up its weapons, a key demand of the US and its Western allies.

In order to expand and bolster its nuclear force, North Korea has reportedly made sweeping changes to its constitution. The amendment mandates automatic nuclear strike if its leader Kim Jong Un is Assassinated. After two days of meeting the new law was added to the constitution in its parliament after being passed by North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), where leader Kim Jong Un addressed participants and called the move historic, reported the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) According to Kim the move is a powerful political lever to boost national defense capabilities and protect national interests. The amendment states, “If the command-and-control system over the state’s nuclear forces is placed in danger by hostile forces’ attacks … a nuclear strike shall be launched automatically and immediately,” as part of Article 3 of North Korea’s nuclear policy law. Amendment comes after killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei The amendment to the constitution comes amid heightened global tensions following the US-Iran war in which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials were killed. The move further consolidates North Korea's views on strengthening its nuclear force and shuns the idea of denuclearising or giving up its weapons, a key demand of the US and its Western allies. Kim also justified Pyongyang’s weapons development programme by highlighting trilateral military cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan – which he termed as the worst threat. There were other changes too intoduced in the constitution like the removal of references to Korean reunification, strengthening territorial definitions of the DPRK, and a further emphasis on nuclear deterrence as a core element of national policy.

The move further consolidates North Korea's views on strengthening its nuclear force and shuns the idea of denuclearising or giving up its weapons, a key demand of the US and its Western allies.

North Korea amends constitution, mandates nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated: Report

US President Donald Trump told Italian media that he is "still considering" relocating troops from bases in Italy, adding that Italy was never present to help the US when needed. Trump has been speaking against Meloni after she refused to back Trump's war in Iran. “Italy was not there when we needed it, and I am considering moving our troops from Italian bases,” local newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Saturday (May 9). The newspaper said that Trump made the remarks in a phone interview. Italy's ANSA news agency had reported on May 1 that Trump said he may reduce US military presence in Spain and Italy, slamming European allies for not helping in the US-Israeli war against Iran.&nbsp;In response to Trump's remarks, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that he "cannot understand" the reasoning behind that. He noted that Italy is working with countries in a coalition to prepare a mission in the Strait of Hormuz focused on mine clearance and the protection of maritime navigation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-verify-think-before-sharing-says-giorgia-meloni-after-her-ai-made-image-in-lingerie-goes-viral-1778010741625">‘Verify, think before sharing,’ says Giorgia Meloni after her AI-made image in lingerie goes viral</a><h3>What Trump said against Meloni</h3>Earlier in April, Trump strongly criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she opposed American attacks on Pope Leo and distanced Italy from the ongoing Iran conflict. Responding to Meloni calling his remarks against the Pope unacceptable, Trump said that “she is the one who is unacceptable.” He further accused her of not taking the Iran threat seriously, claiming that she was unwilling to support efforts to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump also argued that Italy benefits from oil routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz while refusing to support US-led military efforts in the region. He claimed Meloni wanted America to “do the work” while Italy stayed out of the conflict. The US President additionally questioned her commitment towards NATO and criticised her reluctance to back Washington’s position on Iran.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-s-latest-tussle-is-with-meloni-says-she-is-the-one-who-is-unacceptable-1776222213439">Trump's latest tussle is with Meloni, says 'she is the one who is unacceptable'</a><h3>Meloni’s stance on Iran war</h3>Italian PM Giorgia Meloni has maintained a cautious position on the Iran conflict and made it clear that Italy does not intend to participate in military operations led by the United States and Israel. In April 2026, she announced the suspension of Italy’s long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, signalling a major shift in Rome’s foreign policy approach. Meloni described the Iran conflict as one of the gravest international crises in decades and warned that it reflected a wider collapse of the global legal and diplomatic order. While meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome, Italy reiterated its preference for diplomacy over military escalation amid growing tensions between Washington and several European allies over the war.

Trump said he is considering relocating US troops from Italy, criticising Giorgia Meloni for refusing to back the US-Israel campaign against Iran. Meloni has maintained that Italy will stay out of the conflict and continue pushing for diplomacy over military escalation.

US President Donald Trump told Italian media that he is "still considering" relocating troops from bases in Italy, adding that Italy was never present to help the US when needed. Trump has been speaking against Meloni after she refused to back Trump's war in Iran. “Italy was not there when we needed it, and I am considering moving our troops from Italian bases,” local newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Saturday (May 9). The newspaper said that Trump made the remarks in a phone interview. Italy's ANSA news agency had reported on May 1 that Trump said he may reduce US military presence in Spain and Italy, slamming European allies for not helping in the US-Israeli war against Iran. In response to Trump's remarks, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that he "cannot understand" the reasoning behind that. He noted that Italy is working with countries in a coalition to prepare a mission in the Strait of Hormuz focused on mine clearance and the protection of maritime navigation. Also Read: ‘Verify, think before sharing,’ says Giorgia Meloni after her AI-made image in lingerie goes viral What Trump said against Meloni Earlier in April, Trump strongly criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she opposed American attacks on Pope Leo and distanced Italy from the ongoing Iran conflict. Responding to Meloni calling his remarks against the Pope unacceptable, Trump said that “she is the one who is unacceptable.” He further accused her of not taking the Iran threat seriously, claiming that she was unwilling to support efforts to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump also argued that Italy benefits from oil routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz while refusing to support US-led military efforts in the region. He claimed Meloni wanted America to “do the work” while Italy stayed out of the conflict. The US President additionally questioned her commitment towards NATO and criticised her reluctance to back Washington’s position on Iran. Also Read: Trump's latest tussle is with Meloni, says 'she is the one who is unacceptable' Meloni’s stance on Iran war Italian PM Giorgia Meloni has maintained a cautious position on the Iran conflict and made it clear that Italy does not intend to participate in military operations led by the United States and Israel. In April 2026, she announced the suspension of Italy’s long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, signalling a major shift in Rome’s foreign policy approach. Meloni described the Iran conflict as one of the gravest international crises in decades and warned that it reflected a wider collapse of the global legal and diplomatic order. While meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome, Italy reiterated its preference for diplomacy over military escalation amid growing tensions between Washington and several European allies over the war.

Trump said he is considering relocating US troops from Italy, criticising Giorgia Meloni for refusing to back the US-Israel campaign against Iran. Meloni has maintained that Italy will stay out of the conflict and continue pushing for diplomacy over military escalation.

'Italy was not there...': Trump targets Meloni again, hints at withdrawing troops from Italian bases

US President Donald Trump on Saturday flooded his Truth Social account with over a dozen posts featuring AI-generated Iran war images and golf tournament snapshots. His social media account was inactive throughout the morning till early afternoon, but then at 3:51 p.m., he shared an artificial image showing drones marked with Iranian flags sinking into the sea, describing them as “dropping like butterflies.” Shortly afterwards, he posted another fabricated image showing a US warship firing laser beams into the sky, causing massive explosions, along with the caption: “Bye Bye, Drones.” Trump then turned his attention to attacking former Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, seemingly blaming them for failing to take military action against Iran.<h3>Post on claims of US forces sinking 159 Iranian vessels</h3>One split-screen graphic contrasted a destroyed Iranian naval fleet labelled “Trump” with untouched ships under “Obama/Biden,” reinforcing Trump’s earlier claim that US forces had sunk 159 Iranian vessels. He later shared an AI-generated image portraying himself aboard a ship, gazing through binoculars as an approaching fleet erupted in flames. Trump’s war-based social media posts followed amid an ongoing tenuous ceasefire between the US and Iran, as both nations are enforcing duelling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent developments show the tensions remain broadly unpopular with the American public.<h3>LIV Golf tournament</h3>Alongside the war-themed content, Trump also shared several images from a LIV Golf tournament held Saturday at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. A few of the pictures, apparently taken from a television broadcast, showcased the vast property overlooking the Potomac River. Trump was present at the event and was seen seated behind bulletproof glass beside his son, Eric Trump. The appearance came just days after he attended the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Florida.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-again-hints-at-withdrawing-troops-from-italian-bases-italy-was-not-there-when-we-needed-1778399365915">'Italy was not there...': Trump targets Meloni again, hints at withdrawing troops from Italian bases</a>

Trump’s war-themed social media posts came amid a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with both countries continuing to enforce rival blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. 

US President Donald Trump on Saturday flooded his Truth Social account with over a dozen posts featuring AI-generated Iran war images and golf tournament snapshots. His social media account was inactive throughout the morning till early afternoon, but then at 3:51 p.m., he shared an artificial image showing drones marked with Iranian flags sinking into the sea, describing them as “dropping like butterflies.” Shortly afterwards, he posted another fabricated image showing a US warship firing laser beams into the sky, causing massive explosions, along with the caption: “Bye Bye, Drones.” Trump then turned his attention to attacking former Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, seemingly blaming them for failing to take military action against Iran. Post on claims of US forces sinking 159 Iranian vessels One split-screen graphic contrasted a destroyed Iranian naval fleet labelled “Trump” with untouched ships under “Obama/Biden,” reinforcing Trump’s earlier claim that US forces had sunk 159 Iranian vessels. He later shared an AI-generated image portraying himself aboard a ship, gazing through binoculars as an approaching fleet erupted in flames. Trump’s war-based social media posts followed amid an ongoing tenuous ceasefire between the US and Iran, as both nations are enforcing duelling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent developments show the tensions remain broadly unpopular with the American public. LIV Golf tournament Alongside the war-themed content, Trump also shared several images from a LIV Golf tournament held Saturday at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. A few of the pictures, apparently taken from a television broadcast, showcased the vast property overlooking the Potomac River. Trump was present at the event and was seen seated behind bulletproof glass beside his son, Eric Trump. The appearance came just days after he attended the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in Florida. Also read: 'Italy was not there...': Trump targets Meloni again, hints at withdrawing troops from Italian bases

Trump’s war-themed social media posts came amid a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with both countries continuing to enforce rival blockades in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;

'Bye bye, drones': Trump floods truth social with AI Iran war images, LIV Golf photos

For the second consecutive year, global perception of the US has deteriorated and is even below Russia, revealed an annual study on ​democracy. According to the report US is at number 5 in the list of worst perceived countries in the world alongside Israel (the worst), North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran.&nbsp;Notably, there is not a single region in the world, including the Americas, where the US is better perceived than China. If statistics are to be believed, 76% of the 83 countries surveyed have a better perception of China. And the remaining 24% of countries that look to tilt towards US are on the margin, more leaning neutral than true US believers like Brazil.&nbsp;The net perception of the US was -16% from +22% two years ago, placing it behind Russia at -11% and China at +7%. It did not provide a reason for the positive sentiment on China.&nbsp;There seems to be only 4 countries where the public remains genuine US believers which is Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Ukraine.<h2>‘US poses greatest threat to world’</h2>&nbsp;According to the Denmark-based Alliance of Democracies Foundation, which commissioned the survey, US was also most frequently named when asked which country posed the greatest threat to the world, after Russia and Israel.&nbsp;Also, out of the 97 countries where the US has some kind of a military base 93 want them to move out of their country, which goes on to say how US' popularity has downgraded.&nbsp;“The fast decline of the United States’ perception around the world is saddening but not shocking,” alliance founder and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.&nbsp;“U.S. foreign policy over the past 18 months has, among other things, called into question the transatlantic relationship, imposed widespread tariffs, and threatened to invade a NATO ally’s territory,” he added.&nbsp;Some of the factors that is being seen at the reason for US' declining position are Trump’s tariffs, his repeated threats to control Greenland, a cut in U.S. aid to Ukraine and the US-Israeli war against Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 If statistics are to be believed, 76% of the 83 countries surveyed have a better perception of China. And the remaining 24% of countries that look to tilt towards US are on the margin.

For the second consecutive year, global perception of the US has deteriorated and is even below Russia, revealed an annual study on democracy. According to the report US is at number 5 in the list of worst perceived countries in the world alongside Israel (the worst), North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran. Notably, there is not a single region in the world, including the Americas, where the US is better perceived than China. If statistics are to be believed, 76% of the 83 countries surveyed have a better perception of China. And the remaining 24% of countries that look to tilt towards US are on the margin, more leaning neutral than true US believers like Brazil. The net perception of the US was -16% from +22% two years ago, placing it behind Russia at -11% and China at +7%. It did not provide a reason for the positive sentiment on China. There seems to be only 4 countries where the public remains genuine US believers which is Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Ukraine. ‘US poses greatest threat to world’ According to the Denmark-based Alliance of Democracies Foundation, which commissioned the survey, US was also most frequently named when asked which country posed the greatest threat to the world, after Russia and Israel. Also, out of the 97 countries where the US has some kind of a military base 93 want them to move out of their country, which goes on to say how US' popularity has downgraded. “The fast decline of the United States’ perception around the world is saddening but not shocking,” alliance founder and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. “U.S. foreign policy over the past 18 months has, among other things, called into question the transatlantic relationship, imposed widespread tariffs, and threatened to invade a NATO ally’s territory,” he added. Some of the factors that is being seen at the reason for US' declining position are Trump’s tariffs, his repeated threats to control Greenland, a cut in U.S. aid to Ukraine and the US-Israeli war against Iran.

&nbsp;If statistics are to be believed, 76% of the 83 countries surveyed have a better perception of China. And the remaining 24% of countries that look to tilt towards US are on the margin.

Global perceptions of US takes a beating for second year in a row, falls below Russia under Trump

A towering gold statue of US President Donald Trump was unveiled at his golf resort in Doral during a dramatic dedication ceremony led by Evangelical pastor Mark Burns. The 22-foot statue, placed on a pedestal amid palm trees at Trump National Doral Miami, depicts Trump raising his fist in the air, mirroring the gesture he made after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. The sculpture was revealed before a crowd of invited guests seated around the display.&nbsp;The statue, draped in white and blue fabric resembling a Greek toga before its unveiling, was praised by Burns as a symbol of “resilience, freedom, patriotism, strength, and the will power to keep fighting for the future of America”.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am a founding member of the President&#39;s Evangelical Advisory Board, a member of Pastors for Trump, and the informal spiritual adviser to the most powerful man on earth. I need you to understand that the 22-foot golden statue we unveiled at Trump National Doral on Wednesday is… <a href="https://t.co/AmvmsPPwMJ">pic.twitter.com/AmvmsPPwMJ</a>&mdash; Peter Girnus 🦅 (@gothburz) <a href="https://twitter.com/gothburz/status/2053098498766106748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Let me be clear: this is not a golden calf,” Burns said during the ceremony, rejecting comparisons to idol worship. He added that the monument represented “a celebration of life” and suggested it stood as proof that God was protecting Trump after multiple assassination attempts.&nbsp;At one point during the event, Burns held his mobile phone to the microphone so attendees could hear Trump address the gathering remotely. “I want to thank Mark Burns, a pastor, he’s a good pastor, he's a good man,” Trump said. “I’ve known him a long time; he’s been with me from the beginning.”&nbsp;“I want to thank everybody there,” he added. “I know it was done from love.” According to reports by The Daily Beast, the statue was funded by a group of cryptocurrency investors promoting their memecoin, $PATRIOT. Sculptor Alan Cottrill told The Times earlier this year that he had agreed to create the bronze sculpture for $300,000 and later suggested coating it in gold leaf after payment delays.&nbsp;Cottrill said the proposal was met with enthusiastic support from the investors. However, he also claimed he withheld the statue in a warehouse until he received the full agreed payment. The investors later disputed the claim, saying in a statement that the sculpture had been “paid in full a year ago” and praising Cottrill’s work on what they called a “historic statue”.&nbsp;The installation is among several recent sculptures featuring Trump that have appeared across the United States. Other controversial works displayed near the US Capitol included “Best Friends Forever”, portraying Trump alongside late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and “King of the World”, which depicted the pair recreating a famous pose from Titanic. Both artworks, commissioned by protest group Secret Handshake, were later removed. &nbsp;

A 22-foot gold-leafed Trump statue was unveiled at Doral, funded by $PATRIOT cryptocurrency investors. Dedicated by Pastor Mark Burns, it symbolises resilience following the Pennsylvania assassination attempt and patriotic strength.

A towering gold statue of US President Donald Trump was unveiled at his golf resort in Doral during a dramatic dedication ceremony led by Evangelical pastor Mark Burns. The 22-foot statue, placed on a pedestal amid palm trees at Trump National Doral Miami, depicts Trump raising his fist in the air, mirroring the gesture he made after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. The sculpture was revealed before a crowd of invited guests seated around the display. The statue, draped in white and blue fabric resembling a Greek toga before its unveiling, was praised by Burns as a symbol of “resilience, freedom, patriotism, strength, and the will power to keep fighting for the future of America”.

A 22-foot gold-leafed Trump statue was unveiled at Doral, funded by $PATRIOT cryptocurrency investors. Dedicated by Pastor Mark Burns, it symbolises resilience following the Pennsylvania assassination attempt and patriotic strength.

Why was a 22-foot gold statue of Trump unveiled at his Florida golf resort?

On February 28 Israel along with its ally United States launched airstrikes on Iran saying it was aimed at stopping Tehran from enriching uranium for nuclear weapons. In the strike, Iran's supreme leader Ayahtollah Ali Khamenei was killed along with many of its top officials. Several months after this attack it has come to the fore that Israel reportedly set up a secret military base in the Iraqi desert before the attack to support its aerial campaign.&nbsp;According a report by Wall Street Journal that cites US official sources, &nbsp;Israel built the base shortly before the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, to serve as a hub for logistics to support the Israeli Air Force.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-locked-onto-american-targets-iran-warns-us-against-any-further-aggression-against-iranian-oil-tankers-1778390237063">'Locked onto American targets': Iran warns US against any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers</a>&nbsp;The base housed special forces troops and search-and-rescue teams ready to act if any Israeli pilots were downed, said the report further.&nbsp;Iraqi forces nearly discovered the outpost in early March - after a local shepherd witnessed “unusual military activity,” including helicopters and gunfire in a remote area - and they had to launch airstrikes against Iraqi forces. One Iraqi soldier was killed in the attack as confirmed by Baghdad.<h2>Was US also Involved?</h2>&nbsp;The Israeli strikes deterred Iraqi forces from carrying out further investigations.&nbsp;Iraq had initially blamed the March attack on the US and said “This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval.”&nbsp;The US was not involved in the operation, reported the media outlet.&nbsp;“It appears there was a certain force on the ground before the strike, supported from the air, operating beyond the capabilities of our units,” a top Iraqi military official said at the time.The IDF has yet to make any comments on the report.&nbsp;

The base also housed special forces troops and search-and-rescue teams ready to act if any Israeli pilots were downed, said the report further.

On February 28 Israel along with its ally United States launched airstrikes on Iran saying it was aimed at stopping Tehran from enriching uranium for nuclear weapons. In the strike, Iran's supreme leader Ayahtollah Ali Khamenei was killed along with many of its top officials. Several months after this attack it has come to the fore that Israel reportedly set up a secret military base in the Iraqi desert before the attack to support its aerial campaign. According a report by Wall Street Journal that cites US official sources, Israel built the base shortly before the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, to serve as a hub for logistics to support the Israeli Air Force. ALSO READ: 'Locked onto American targets': Iran warns US against any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers The base housed special forces troops and search-and-rescue teams ready to act if any Israeli pilots were downed, said the report further. Iraqi forces nearly discovered the outpost in early March - after a local shepherd witnessed “unusual military activity,” including helicopters and gunfire in a remote area - and they had to launch airstrikes against Iraqi forces. One Iraqi soldier was killed in the attack as confirmed by Baghdad. Was US also Involved? The Israeli strikes deterred Iraqi forces from carrying out further investigations. Iraq had initially blamed the March attack on the US and said “This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval.” The US was not involved in the operation, reported the media outlet. “It appears there was a certain force on the ground before the strike, supported from the air, operating beyond the capabilities of our units,” a top Iraqi military official said at the time. The IDF has yet to make any comments on the report.

The base also housed special forces troops and search-and-rescue teams ready to act if any Israeli pilots were downed, said the report further.

Israel built secret base in Iraqi desert to carry out airstrikes on Iran: Report

The Coronavirus years of 2020, 2021 had shaken the world as thousands had lost their near and dear ones and the world economy was limping. And three years down the line as life returns to normal, there is another scare of coronavirus lingering around. According to a recent study published in journal Cell, scientists in Thailand have identified a new coronavirus in bats that may have the potential to infect humans.&nbsp;Though, there is currently no evidence of the virus spreading among humans, the finding still raises concern as the virus has the potential of binding to human cells in a way similar to some broad family as Covid-19 causing viruses, known as sarbecoviruses.&nbsp;The study, conducted by an international team including researchers from the University of Tokyo, said there are several bat coronaviruses circulating in Thailand and identifying such viruses early can help scientists better understand future outbreak.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/polymarket-bets-on-aliens-being-real-as-trump-hypes-ufo-files-release-1778231561466">Polymarket bets on aliens being REAL as Donald Trump hypes UFO files release</a>&nbsp;Viruses found in animals do not automatically infect humans but in this case researchers have found that the has the capability to &nbsp;bind to ACE2 receptors, proteins found on human cells that are also used by SARS-CoV-2 to enter the body.&nbsp;Sarbecovirus that includes SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are a subgroup of coronaviruses commonly found in bats. Notably, the SARS-CoV-1 variant was responsible for the 2003 SARS outbreak, while SARS-CoV-2 led to theCovid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;This should be viewed as a scientific warning about possible future risks rather than evidence of an active outbreak, said experts.&nbsp;

The finding still raises concern as the virus has the potential of binding to human cells in a way similar to some broad family as Covid-19 causing viruses.

The Coronavirus years of 2020, 2021 had shaken the world as thousands had lost their near and dear ones and the world economy was limping. And three years down the line as life returns to normal, there is another scare of coronavirus lingering around. According to a recent study published in journal Cell, scientists in Thailand have identified a new coronavirus in bats that may have the potential to infect humans. Though, there is currently no evidence of the virus spreading among humans, the finding still raises concern as the virus has the potential of binding to human cells in a way similar to some broad family as Covid-19 causing viruses, known as sarbecoviruses. The study, conducted by an international team including researchers from the University of Tokyo, said there are several bat coronaviruses circulating in Thailand and identifying such viruses early can help scientists better understand future outbreak. ALSO READ: Polymarket bets on aliens being REAL as Donald Trump hypes UFO files release Viruses found in animals do not automatically infect humans but in this case researchers have found that the has the capability to bind to ACE2 receptors, proteins found on human cells that are also used by SARS-CoV-2 to enter the body. Sarbecovirus that includes SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are a subgroup of coronaviruses commonly found in bats. Notably, the SARS-CoV-1 variant was responsible for the 2003 SARS outbreak, while SARS-CoV-2 led to theCovid-19 pandemic. This should be viewed as a scientific warning about possible future risks rather than evidence of an active outbreak, said experts.

The finding still raises concern as the virus has the potential of binding to human cells in a way similar to some broad family as Covid-19 causing viruses.

Scientists identify new coronavirus having potential of infecting humans. Will it cause another outbreak?

At least 12 Pakistani police officers were killed in a car bombing and subsequent ambush in the country’s northwestern region, police said on Sunday (May 10), in one of the deadliest recent attacks targeting security personnel near the Afghan border.According to police officials, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a police outpost on Saturday before storming the premises and opening fire on officers stationed there. The attack took place in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district.&nbsp;Images from the scene showed the police post reduced to rubble, with charred wreckage, scattered bricks and mangled vehicles spread across the area. Police official Sajjad Khan said in a statement that the bodies of 12 officers had been recovered from the collapsed outpost, while three surviving personnel were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-locked-onto-american-targets-iran-warns-us-against-any-further-aggression-against-iranian-oil-tankers-1778390237063">'Locked onto American targets': Iran warns US against any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers</a>&nbsp;A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attackers first detonated the explosive-filled vehicle and then entered the compound to fire at any surviving officers.&nbsp;“Other law enforcement personnel were sent to help the police, but the terrorists ambushed them and caused some casualties,” the official said. Police sources also claimed the militants used drones during the assault, though no further details were immediately provided. Emergency services and ambulances from rescue agencies and civil hospitals rushed to the site, while authorities declared a state of emergency at government hospitals in Bannu to deal with the casualties. A militant alliance known as the Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;The incident comes amid persistent tensions along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, where militant violence has threatened to reignite broader conflict between the neighbouring countries. The worst fighting in years broke out in February after Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant hideouts. Although clashes have since reduced, sporadic skirmishes continue along the border, and no formal ceasefire has been reached.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peter-magyar-takes-oath-as-hungary-s-pm-ends-viktor-orban-s-16-year-rule-1778344658190">Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule</a>&nbsp;

Twelve Pakistani police officers were killed in a suicide car bombing and gunfight in Bannu. Militant alliance Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the deadly ambush near the unstable Afghan border.

At least 12 Pakistani police officers were killed in a car bombing and subsequent ambush in the country’s northwestern region, police said on Sunday (May 10), in one of the deadliest recent attacks targeting security personnel near the Afghan border. According to police officials, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a police outpost on Saturday before storming the premises and opening fire on officers stationed there. The attack took place in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district. Images from the scene showed the police post reduced to rubble, with charred wreckage, scattered bricks and mangled vehicles spread across the area. Police official Sajjad Khan said in a statement that the bodies of 12 officers had been recovered from the collapsed outpost, while three surviving personnel were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. Also read: 'Locked onto American targets': Iran warns US against any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attackers first detonated the explosive-filled vehicle and then entered the compound to fire at any surviving officers. “Other law enforcement personnel were sent to help the police, but the terrorists ambushed them and caused some casualties,” the official said. Police sources also claimed the militants used drones during the assault, though no further details were immediately provided. Emergency services and ambulances from rescue agencies and civil hospitals rushed to the site, while authorities declared a state of emergency at government hospitals in Bannu to deal with the casualties. A militant alliance known as the Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident comes amid persistent tensions along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, where militant violence has threatened to reignite broader conflict between the neighbouring countries. The worst fighting in years broke out in February after Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant hideouts. Although clashes have since reduced, sporadic skirmishes continue along the border, and no formal ceasefire has been reached. Also read: Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule

Twelve Pakistani police officers were killed in a suicide car bombing and gunfight in Bannu. Militant alliance Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the deadly ambush near the unstable Afghan border.

Pakistan: 12 police officers die in car bomb blast and gunfight near Afghan Border

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday (May 9) in a strong message to US warned against any threat to its oil tankers or commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. It said that any misadventure by the US would lead to a "heavy assault" on American centres and military ships in the Persian Gulf.&nbsp;Taking to microblogging site X the IRGC wrote, "Warning! Any aggression against Iran's oil tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy assault against one of the American centres in the region and the enemy's ships."&nbsp;In a separate post the IRGC Aerospace Force said its missiles and drones have already been "locked onto American targets in the region".&nbsp;"IRGC Aerospace Force missiles and drones have locked onto American targets in the region and the enemy aggressor's ships. We are awaiting the order to fire," the post read.<h2>US, Iran trade blame game</h2>&nbsp;The warning comes amid heightened tensions after American forces destroyed Iranian attackers "targeting" three US Navy destroyers as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz,The confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz was confirmed by US President Trump, who said three US Navy destroyers "transited very successfully" out of the Strait of Hormuz, noting they were fired upon by Iranian forces during the passage.&nbsp;He also claimed that the Iranian naval boats were "completely destroyed" in the exchange of fire.&nbsp;While the US blamed Iran for the exchange of fire, Iran's version of events was different. Tehran's military command accused Washington of initiating the exchange of fire, specifically by attacking an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, and said its forces "immediately and in retaliation attacked American military vessels." Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran would communicate its position to mediator Pakistan after “finalising its views.”&nbsp;

In a separate post the IRGC Aerospace Force said its missiles and drones have already been “locked onto American targets in the region” if US dared any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers, commercial vehicles.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday (May 9) in a strong message to US warned against any threat to its oil tankers or commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. It said that any misadventure by the US would lead to a "heavy assault" on American centres and military ships in the Persian Gulf. Taking to microblogging site X the IRGC wrote, "Warning! Any aggression against Iran's oil tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy assault against one of the American centres in the region and the enemy's ships." In a separate post the IRGC Aerospace Force said its missiles and drones have already been "locked onto American targets in the region". "IRGC Aerospace Force missiles and drones have locked onto American targets in the region and the enemy aggressor's ships. We are awaiting the order to fire," the post read. US, Iran trade blame game The warning comes amid heightened tensions after American forces destroyed Iranian attackers "targeting" three US Navy destroyers as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz, The confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz was confirmed by US President Trump, who said three US Navy destroyers "transited very successfully" out of the Strait of Hormuz, noting they were fired upon by Iranian forces during the passage. He also claimed that the Iranian naval boats were "completely destroyed" in the exchange of fire. While the US blamed Iran for the exchange of fire, Iran's version of events was different. Tehran's military command accused Washington of initiating the exchange of fire, specifically by attacking an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, and said its forces "immediately and in retaliation attacked American military vessels." Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran would communicate its position to mediator Pakistan after “finalising its views.”

In a separate post the IRGC Aerospace Force said its missiles and drones have already been “locked onto American targets in the region” if US dared any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers, commercial vehicles.

'Locked onto American targets': Iran warns US against any further aggression against Iranian oil tankers

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9) backed Iran while calling its war with US a “difficult one.” Putin said that there is no evidence of Iran seeking to develop nuclear weapons. He once again offered to help the US in handling Iranian uranium and highlighted that it would be overseen by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Putin highlighted Russia's past cooperation in 2015 and emphasised that ongoing projects, including the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran, remain focused on peaceful energy purposes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking to the media after the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Putin said, "As for Iran and the United States, it's a very difficult conflict. It puts us in a difficult position because we have good relations with Iran and with the Persian Gulf nations. We maintain contact with both sides. I hope that this conflict will be brought to an end as soon as possible. I believe no one is interested in keeping it going," Putin said, adding that compromises remain possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking on Iran's alleged ambition to acquire a nuclear weapon, “If everybody agrees to it, Iran can be fully confident that it will export these materials to a friendly country that has cooperated and will continue to cooperate on the peaceful atom, and it doesn't strive to weaponise it. We have never once said that there is any evidence about Iran's striving for nuclear weapons.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Putin also recalled previous initiatives to manage Iran's uranium program, including proposals to process uranium in joint ventures under international supervision. “Our offers are still on the table. First, we could see how much uranium there is. Second, it would all be under the control of the IAEA. And third, the work would be organised under the supervision of the IAEA. We just want to make a possible contribution.”&nbsp;Iran's nuclear programme has always remained a central issue in ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran as part of the negotiations in order to achieve a complete solution to the hostilities in West Asia. The US has turned down Russia's offer to take Iranian uranium.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-living-in-underground-bunkers-out-of-fear-of-assassination-coup-attempts-kremlin-dismisses-reports-1778229026216">Putin living in bunkers fearing assassination, coup attempts? Kremlin dismisses reports</a>&nbsp;<h2>Why Russia wants Iran's uranium?</h2>Russia's primary motivation to take Iran's uranium can be a way to project itself as a central mediator in the nuclear standoff between Tehran and the US. It becomes interesting as Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived travelled to Russia, for high-level meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Since Tehran trusts Moscow more than Washington, Russia offers a secure location for the stockpile that satisfies Iranians as well as establishing a moral hegemony on the demands by the US.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-aggressive-force-armed-by-nato-putin-calls-moscow-s-war-in-ukraine-just-in-victory-day-speech-1778324718396"> ‘Aggressive force armed by NATO’: Putin calls Moscow’s war in Ukraine ‘just’ in Victory Day speech</a>&nbsp;Russia has proposed converting the highly enriched material into fuel for civilian nuclear reactors, potentially benefiting its own state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. But low-enriched uranium is commonly used for civilian nuclear reactors. Highly enriched uranium can potentially be used in nuclear weapons. According to US, Iran has roughly 450 kilograms enriched to 60 percent purity, around 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20 percent and about 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6 percent. The 60 percent stockpile is sensitive because it is considered only a short technical step from weapons-grade enrichment of about 90 percent. That makes Iran’s uranium special. Some analysts have also pointed out that the enriched uranium in Russia's custody gives them an edge in the hegemonic war with the West and a strategic leverage in the world plagued by wars.&nbsp;

Putin called the US-Iran conflict “very difficult” and said Russia sees no evidence that Iran seeks nuclear weapons. Putin backed renewed diplomacy, highlighted Russia’s role in Iran’s peaceful nuclear projects, and said Moscow remains ready to help

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9) backed Iran while calling its war with US a “difficult one.” Putin said that there is no evidence of Iran seeking to develop nuclear weapons. He once again offered to help the US in handling Iranian uranium and highlighted that it would be overseen by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Putin highlighted Russia's past cooperation in 2015 and emphasised that ongoing projects, including the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran, remain focused on peaceful energy purposes. Speaking to the media after the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Putin said, "As for Iran and the United States, it's a very difficult conflict. It puts us in a difficult position because we have good relations with Iran and with the Persian Gulf nations. We maintain contact with both sides. I hope that this conflict will be brought to an end as soon as possible. I believe no one is interested in keeping it going," Putin said, adding that compromises remain possible. Speaking on Iran's alleged ambition to acquire a nuclear weapon, “If everybody agrees to it, Iran can be fully confident that it will export these materials to a friendly country that has cooperated and will continue to cooperate on the peaceful atom, and it doesn't strive to weaponise it. We have never once said that there is any evidence about Iran's striving for nuclear weapons.” Putin also recalled previous initiatives to manage Iran's uranium program, including proposals to process uranium in joint ventures under international supervision. “Our offers are still on the table. First, we could see how much uranium there is. Second, it would all be under the control of the IAEA. And third, the work would be organised under the supervision of the IAEA. We just want to make a possible contribution.” Iran's nuclear programme has always remained a central issue in ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran as part of the negotiations in order to achieve a complete solution to the hostilities in West Asia. The US has turned down Russia's offer to take Iranian uranium. Also Read: Putin living in bunkers fearing assassination, coup attempts? Kremlin dismisses reports Why Russia wants Iran's uranium? Russia's primary motivation to take Iran's uranium can be a way to project itself as a central mediator in the nuclear standoff between Tehran and the US. It becomes interesting as Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived travelled to Russia, for high-level meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Since Tehran trusts Moscow more than Washington, Russia offers a secure location for the stockpile that satisfies Iranians as well as establishing a moral hegemony on the demands by the US. Also Read: ‘Aggressive force armed by NATO’: Putin calls Moscow’s war in Ukraine ‘just’ in Victory Day speech Russia has proposed converting the highly enriched material into fuel for civilian nuclear reactors, potentially benefiting its own state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. But low-enriched uranium is commonly used for civilian nuclear reactors. Highly enriched uranium can potentially be used in nuclear weapons. According to US, Iran has roughly 450 kilograms enriched to 60 percent purity, around 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20 percent and about 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6 percent. The 60 percent stockpile is sensitive because it is considered only a short technical step from weapons-grade enrichment of about 90 percent. That makes Iran’s uranium special. Some analysts have also pointed out that the enriched uranium in Russia's custody gives them an edge in the hegemonic war with the West and a strategic leverage in the world plagued by wars.

Putin called the US-Iran conflict “very difficult” and said Russia sees no evidence that Iran seeks nuclear weapons. Putin backed renewed diplomacy, highlighted Russia’s role in Iran’s peaceful nuclear projects, and said Moscow remains ready to help

Putin offers to take Iranian uranium again, says no evidence of Tehran 'striving for nuclear weapons'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes the Ukraine war is nearing an end, while signalling openness to new European security talks. Speaking after Moscow’s Victory Day parade, Putin backed negotiations involving former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder



'I think that the matter...': Putin issues BIG statement on Russia-Ukraine war after calling it 'just'

Iran is initiating steps to take full control of all 7 undersea internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran also proposes to impose a toll for submarine cables that provide internet communications. Iran has proposed a governance model for underwater submarine cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, already a chokepoint for global oil shipments, is equally vital for the digital world. Several fibre-optic cables lie across the seabed of the strait, connecting countries from India and Southeast Asia to Europe via the Gulf states and Egypt.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-deploys-warship-hms-dragon-to-middle-east-ahead-of-likely-mission-to-secure-hormuz-1778355101142">UK deploys warship HMS Dragon to Middle East ahead of likely mission to secure Hormuz</a>&nbsp;“In the proposed governance model for the Strait of Hormuz, the passage of submarine cables must be conducted with a permit and payment of tolls, and foreign companies must also operate under Iranian laws,” said Iran’s FARS News Agency in a post.“Furthermore, the management, repair, and maintenance of these cables can be exclusively entrusted to Iranian companies, so that the Strait of Hormuz becomes one of Iran’s digital power levers,” it added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peter-magyar-takes-oath-as-hungary-s-pm-ends-viktor-orban-s-16-year-rule-1778344658190">Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule</a>&nbsp;Fibre-optic cables laid on the sea floor carry around 99% of the world’s internet traffic. They are essential for cloud services and online communications.&nbsp;As Iran moves to take control of undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz, foreign operators may be forced to get Iranian permits, pay transit fees, and follow Iranian law, according to Fars. The cables carry a large share of global data traffic between Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Iran also wants all management and maintenance handled exclusively by domestic companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ed-arrests-punjab-minister-sanjeev-arora-in-rs-100-crore-money-laundering-probe-aap-slams-bjp-1778338481914">ED arrests Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in Rs 100 crore money laundering probe; AAP slams BJP</a>&nbsp;The IRGC has previously warned it could target submarine cable infrastructure used by Gulf states for internet, banking, and cloud services.

The undersea cables carry a large share of global data traffic between Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Tehran proposes to impose a toll for submarine cables that provide internet communications. Iran also wants all management and maintenance handled exclusively by domestic companies.

Iran is initiating steps to take full control of all 7 undersea internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran also proposes to impose a toll for submarine cables that provide internet communications. Iran has proposed a governance model for underwater submarine cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, already a chokepoint for global oil shipments, is equally vital for the digital world. Several fibre-optic cables lie across the seabed of the strait, connecting countries from India and Southeast Asia to Europe via the Gulf states and Egypt. Also Read: UK deploys warship HMS Dragon to Middle East ahead of likely mission to secure Hormuz “In the proposed governance model for the Strait of Hormuz, the passage of submarine cables must be conducted with a permit and payment of tolls, and foreign companies must also operate under Iranian laws,” said Iran’s FARS News Agency in a post. “Furthermore, the management, repair, and maintenance of these cables can be exclusively entrusted to Iranian companies, so that the Strait of Hormuz becomes one of Iran’s digital power levers,” it added. Also Read: Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule Fibre-optic cables laid on the sea floor carry around 99% of the world’s internet traffic. They are essential for cloud services and online communications. As Iran moves to take control of undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz, foreign operators may be forced to get Iranian permits, pay transit fees, and follow Iranian law, according to Fars. The cables carry a large share of global data traffic between Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Iran also wants all management and maintenance handled exclusively by domestic companies. Also Read: ED arrests Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in Rs 100 crore money laundering probe; AAP slams BJP The IRGC has previously warned it could target submarine cable infrastructure used by Gulf states for internet, banking, and cloud services.

The undersea cables carry a large share of global data traffic between Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Tehran proposes to impose a toll for submarine cables that provide internet communications. Iran also wants all management and maintenance handled exclusively by domestic companies.

Iran mulls taking full control of all 7 undersea internet cables passing through Strait of Hormuz

Britain said on Saturday it was deploying its warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. The air defence destroyer was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in March, shortly after the start of the Iran war, to help defend Cyprus.The relocation of HMS Dragon to the Middle East comes after France deployed its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea, as the two countries work together on a defensive plan aimed at restoring confidence in the trade route. HMS Dragon is being pre-positioned in the region for a potential UK-French-led operation aimed at safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vck-and-iuml-finally-extend-unconditional-support-to-tvk-clear-vijay-s-path-to-tamil-nadu-cm-s-chair-1778328208215">VCK and IUML finally extend unconditional support to TVK, clear Vijay’s path to Tamil Nadu CM’s chair</a>&nbsp;“The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to ⁠secure the strait when conditions allow,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Ministry of Defence said.&nbsp;The HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer previously stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus, will stand ready to join a UK- and French-led maritime initiative.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ed-arrests-punjab-minister-sanjeev-arora-in-rs-100-crore-money-laundering-probe-aap-slams-bjp-1778338481914">ED arrests Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in Rs 100 crore money laundering probe; AAP slams BJP</a>&nbsp;The proposed mission, backed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;France and Britain have been working on a proposal ⁠to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the strait once the situation stabilises.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peter-magyar-takes-oath-as-hungary-s-pm-ends-viktor-orban-s-16-year-rule-1778344658190">Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule</a>&nbsp;Britain’s participation in any protective mission will be restrained by the stretched ⁠Royal Navy, which is much smaller now than in the past and has had to retire some ships before replacements became available.&nbsp;Tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.The US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the waterway since April 13.

The HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, which was stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus earlier, will now stand ready to join a UK- and French-led maritime initiative. France and Britain are working on a plan ⁠to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the strait.

Britain said on Saturday it was deploying its warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. The air defence destroyer was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in March, shortly after the start of the Iran war, to help defend Cyprus. The relocation of HMS Dragon to the Middle East comes after France deployed its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea, as the two countries work together on a defensive plan aimed at restoring confidence in the trade route. HMS Dragon is being pre-positioned in the region for a potential UK-French-led operation aimed at safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: VCK and IUML finally extend unconditional support to TVK, clear Vijay’s path to Tamil Nadu CM’s chair “The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to ⁠secure the strait when conditions allow,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Ministry of Defence said. The HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer previously stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus, will stand ready to join a UK- and French-led maritime initiative. Also Read: ED arrests Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in Rs 100 crore money laundering probe; AAP slams BJP The proposed mission, backed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. France and Britain have been working on a proposal ⁠to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the strait once the situation stabilises. Also Read: Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule Britain’s participation in any protective mission will be restrained by the stretched ⁠Royal Navy, which is much smaller now than in the past and has had to retire some ships before replacements became available. Tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the waterway since April 13.

The HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, which was stationed in the eastern Mediterranean near Cyprus earlier, will now stand ready to join a UK- and French-led maritime initiative. France and Britain are working on a plan ⁠to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the strait.

UK deploys warship HMS Dragon to Middle East ahead of likely mission to secure Hormuz

Newly released Pentagon UFO files reveal that multiple NASA astronauts reported mysterious lights, objects, and flashes during Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab missions.

UFO files: 5 times NASA astronauts reported mysterious sightings in space | PICS

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