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Hungary’s pro-European centre-right leader Peter Magyar was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister on Saturday, almost a month after a landslide victory in parliamentary elections that ended Viktor Orban’s 16 years in power. Magyar’s center-right Tisza party defeated Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz in a stunning blow, gaining more votes and seats in Parliament than any other party in Hungary’s post-Communist history.&nbsp;Magyar, 45, who leads the centre-right Tisza party, swept the polls on promises of change after years of economic stagnation under Orban and strained ties with the European Union. His party has a huge parliamentary majority, winning 141 of the 199 seats.&nbsp;<h2>New PM Peter Magyar faces several key challenges</h2>&nbsp;Magyar invited Hungarians to “step through the gate of regime change”.&nbsp;However, he faces several key challenges, including restoring Budapest’s relations with the EU, reviving the economy, and tackling a budget deficit that reached almost three-quarters of its full-year target by April.The swearing-in ceremony was held inside Hungary’s neo-Gothic parliament building, and the EU flag, removed under Orban, was displayed inside the chamber for the first time in 12 years.&nbsp;The newly appointed speaker, Agnes Forsthoffer, in her first decision, ordered the flag’s reinstatement, while Magyar aims to strike a deal with the EU that would unlock around $20 billion in frozen funding. The money was withheld over concerns about worsening human rights under Orban and a decline in the rule of law.&nbsp;<h2>Hungary drifted away from the EU during Orban’s tenure</h2>&nbsp;Hungary drifted away from the EU during Orban’s tenure and deepened ties with Moscow as he used his veto in the European Council to oppose sanctions on Russia and block support for Ukraine.Magyar was largely unknown until early 2024, when he got embroiled in a public dispute with Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, of which he had previously been a prominent member.&nbsp;After he was sworn in, Magyar said Hungarians had given his party a mandate to launch a “new chapter” in the country’s history. “A mandate not only to change the government but to change the system as well. To start again.” Under Orban, Hungary had become the most corrupt country in the EU, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;He reiterated his earlier calls for Orban-era appointees to resign, asking them to do so by the end of the month. The first should be Tamás Sulyok, he said, in a reference to the president.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Pledges to build a more inclusive Hungary</h2>&nbsp;Magyar pledged to build a more inclusive Hungary, one that would be more free, humane, and hopeful than under Orban’s nationalist movement.&nbsp;“Hungary will be home for every Hungarian, and everyone can feel like they have a place in the Hungarian nation. Family, friends, and communities will be able to speak to each other again.”&nbsp;Magyar burst into public view in early 2024, after he turned on the party, laying bare the inner workings of a system he described as rotten and accusing officials of expanding their power and wealth at the expense of ordinary Hungarians.

The centre-right Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, 45, swept the polls on promises of change after years of economic stagnation under former prime minister Viktor Orban and strained ties with the European Union. The Tisza party got a huge parliamentary majority, winning 141 of the 199 seats.

Hungary’s pro-European centre-right leader Peter Magyar was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister on Saturday, almost a month after a landslide victory in parliamentary elections that ended Viktor Orban’s 16 years in power. Magyar’s center-right Tisza party defeated Orbán’s nationalist-populist Fidesz in a stunning blow, gaining more votes and seats in Parliament than any other party in Hungary’s post-Communist history. Magyar, 45, who leads the centre-right Tisza party, swept the polls on promises of change after years of economic stagnation under Orban and strained ties with the European Union. His party has a huge parliamentary majority, winning 141 of the 199 seats. New PM Peter Magyar faces several key challenges Magyar invited Hungarians to “step through the gate of regime change”. However, he faces several key challenges, including restoring Budapest’s relations with the EU, reviving the economy, and tackling a budget deficit that reached almost three-quarters of its full-year target by April. The swearing-in ceremony was held inside Hungary’s neo-Gothic parliament building, and the EU flag, removed under Orban, was displayed inside the chamber for the first time in 12 years. The newly appointed speaker, Agnes Forsthoffer, in her first decision, ordered the flag’s reinstatement, while Magyar aims to strike a deal with the EU that would unlock around $20 billion in frozen funding. The money was withheld over concerns about worsening human rights under Orban and a decline in the rule of law. Hungary drifted away from the EU during Orban’s tenure Hungary drifted away from the EU during Orban’s tenure and deepened ties with Moscow as he used his veto in the European Council to oppose sanctions on Russia and block support for Ukraine. Magyar was largely unknown until early 2024, when he got embroiled in a public dispute with Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, of which he had previously been a prominent member. After he was sworn in, Magyar said Hungarians had given his party a mandate to launch a “new chapter” in the country’s history. “A mandate not only to change the government but to change the system as well. To start again.” Under Orban, Hungary had become the most corrupt country in the EU, he said. He reiterated his earlier calls for Orban-era appointees to resign, asking them to do so by the end of the month. The first should be Tamás Sulyok, he said, in a reference to the president. Pledges to build a more inclusive Hungary Magyar pledged to build a more inclusive Hungary, one that would be more free, humane, and hopeful than under Orban’s nationalist movement. “Hungary will be home for every Hungarian, and everyone can feel like they have a place in the Hungarian nation. Family, friends, and communities will be able to speak to each other again.” Magyar burst into public view in early 2024, after he turned on the party, laying bare the inner workings of a system he described as rotten and accusing officials of expanding their power and wealth at the expense of ordinary Hungarians.

The centre-right Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, 45, swept the polls on promises of change after years of economic stagnation under former prime minister Viktor Orban and strained ties with the European Union. The Tisza party got a huge parliamentary majority, winning 141 of the 199 seats.

Peter Magyar takes oath as Hungary’s PM, ends Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule

A Frontier flight aborted its takeoff from the Denver International Airport late Friday (May 8) after it hit a person on the runway. While the pedestrian who was struck by the plane was killed, 12 passengers reported minor injuries, five of whom were taken to local hospitals. Frontier Flight 4345 was evacuated shortly after the incident. In a statement, the airport said that its Runway 17L will remain closed while the investigation is being conducted.A video on social media emerged, captured by a passenger on the flight, showing the moment the plane’s engine caught fire after hitting the person. In the clip, as the aircraft gains speed to take off, a sound of impact is heard, and a blaze is seen. Passengers on board can be heard screaming at the sudden incident.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: Watch as a Frontier Airlines aircraft forced to make an emergency after a pedestrian on the runway was struck and sucked into one of the jet’s engines⁰⁰ 📌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Denver?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Denver</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colorado?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Colorado</a> Watch as horrifying footage from earlier this morning shows the moment Frontier Flight… <a href="https://t.co/jvaWjzvMey">pic.twitter.com/jvaWjzvMey</a>&mdash; R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/rawsalerts/status/2053105042173960311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to the flight tracking website, Flightradar24, the aircraft had reached a a maximum speed of 127 knots before applying brakes and coming to a stop. It added that the Airbus A321neo suffered an engine fire and smoke filled the cabin resulting in an evacuation via slides.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Late last night in Denver, Frontier Airlines flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F94345?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F94345</a> struck a person on the runway during its take off roll resulting in the person’s death and an engine fire. Pilots aborted the take off and evacuated on the runway. Authorities are investigating. <a href="https://t.co/1HPKA2BOaU">https://t.co/1HPKA2BOaU</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Rp1P2wQ90">pic.twitter.com/3Rp1P2wQ90</a>&mdash; Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) <a href="https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/2053111488659738651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What happened at Denver airport?</h2>The Denver Int’l Airport said in a statement, “At approximately 11:19 p.m., Frontier Flight 4345 reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN. Emergency crews responded to the scene. Passengers were bussed to the terminal and the majority have since departed DEN on a new Frontier flight.”It added, “DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway. The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified.”“We are extremely saddened by this incident and express our sympathies to those involved,” it said.In a statement, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said that a trespasser breached the airport security at Denver International Airport and ran out onto a runway after deliberately scaling a perimeter fence.&nbsp;He added that the “trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed. The pilot stopped takeoff procedures immediately. The Frontier plane was then quickly evacuated while law enforcement and firefighters responded.”Duffy said that the local law enforcement that handles the airport security is investigating the incident with support from the FAA and the TSA.“No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” he said in a stern warning.

A Frontier Airlines flight aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport after striking a person on the runway late Friday, sparking an engine fire. The person was killed, while 12 passengers suffered minor injuries.

A Frontier flight aborted its takeoff from the Denver International Airport late Friday (May 8) after it hit a person on the runway. While the pedestrian who was struck by the plane was killed, 12 passengers reported minor injuries, five of whom were taken to local hospitals. Frontier Flight 4345 was evacuated shortly after the incident. In a statement, the airport said that its Runway 17L will remain closed while the investigation is being conducted. A video on social media emerged, captured by a passenger on the flight, showing the moment the plane’s engine caught fire after hitting the person. In the clip, as the aircraft gains speed to take off, a sound of impact is heard, and a blaze is seen. Passengers on board can be heard screaming at the sudden incident.

A Frontier Airlines flight aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport after striking a person on the runway late Friday, sparking an engine fire. The person was killed, while 12 passengers suffered minor injuries.

Moment Frontier flight catches fire after hitting person on runway at Denver Airport | VIDEO

German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, recently emphasised that Europe wants to preserve a strong and functioning NATO alliance, despite growing discord with US President Donald Trump over his decision to pull some US troops from Germany. Speaking alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on May 9, 2026, Merz highlighted that maintaining "unity of purpose" is more critical than troop numbers alone. Donald Trump's latest moves foreshadow what could be the enduring legacy of the US war on Iran.&nbsp;"We are really willing to keep this alliance alive for the future," said Merz at a press conference. "We know that there are some differences. We know that we are seeing challenges, all of us, but our final goal is to bring this conflict to an end and to guarantee that ​Iran is not able to produce nuclear weapons," Merz said. "And this goal is a common goal between ​America and Europe."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-ukraine-peace-deal-very-long-way-off-1778333332672">Kremlin pours cold water on Trump’s Ukraine optimism says peace ‘a very long way off’</a>The relation between the US and its traditional ally in Europe deteriorated following Germany's and other European nations' refusal to support direct military participation in the Iran war, though they share the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump has specifically singled out Germany following Merz's comments that Iran was humiliating the US. Trump responded by ordering 5000 US troops to be withdrawn and cancelling the planned deployment of Tomahawk missiles. Merz said that Germany has a “unity of purpose” with America, and it would serve US interests to have a strong European component of NATO.&nbsp;Merz continues to warn that Russia remains an imminent danger to Europe, necessitating billions in new defence spending from European nations to rebuild their militaries. Merz also expressed his dissatisfaction at Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who had decided to joint Russian victory parade, to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.&nbsp;

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe remains committed to NATO despite tensions with US President Donald Trump over Iran policy and the withdrawal of American troops from Germany.

German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, recently emphasised that Europe wants to preserve a strong and functioning NATO alliance, despite growing discord with US President Donald Trump over his decision to pull some US troops from Germany. Speaking alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on May 9, 2026, Merz highlighted that maintaining "unity of purpose" is more critical than troop numbers alone. Donald Trump's latest moves foreshadow what could be the enduring legacy of the US war on Iran. "We are really willing to keep this alliance alive for the future," said Merz at a press conference. "We know that there are some differences. We know that we are seeing challenges, all of us, but our final goal is to bring this conflict to an end and to guarantee that Iran is not able to produce nuclear weapons," Merz said. "And this goal is a common goal between America and Europe." Also Read: Kremlin pours cold water on Trump’s Ukraine optimism says peace ‘a very long way off’ The relation between the US and its traditional ally in Europe deteriorated following Germany's and other European nations' refusal to support direct military participation in the Iran war, though they share the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump has specifically singled out Germany following Merz's comments that Iran was humiliating the US. Trump responded by ordering 5000 US troops to be withdrawn and cancelling the planned deployment of Tomahawk missiles. Merz said that Germany has a “unity of purpose” with America, and it would serve US interests to have a strong European component of NATO. Merz continues to warn that Russia remains an imminent danger to Europe, necessitating billions in new defence spending from European nations to rebuild their militaries. Merz also expressed his dissatisfaction at Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who had decided to joint Russian victory parade, to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe remains committed to NATO despite tensions with US President Donald Trump over Iran policy and the withdrawal of American troops from Germany.

German Chancellor Merz vows to keep NATO strong amid Trump troop pullout

Kremlin on Saturday, May 9, said that peace with Ukraine remains a “very long way off”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that while the United States was in a ‌hurry to clinch a peace deal to end the Ukraine war, the underlying issues are too complex for a quick resolution. A US-brokered three-day ceasefire is currently in effect on the occasion of Victory Day celebration in Russia.&nbsp;“Reaching a peace agreement [between Russia and Ukraine] is a very long road, full of complex details. Just like, for example, the road the United States must travel with Iran,” said Peskov as reported by the Russian state media TASS. Peskov added that no discussion of a possible extension of the ceasefire with Ukraine beyond May 11 has happened.&nbsp;On Friday, May 8, 2026, President Donald Trump expressed strong optimism about the prospects for peace in Ukraine, describing a newly brokered three-day ceasefire as a potential "beginning of the end" of the four-year war. He highlighted a significant exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side as a sign of tangible cooperation. Trump has vowed to end the Ukraine war and has cast his failure ​to do so as one of his biggest disappointments. President Trump also expressed his readiness to send a US delegation to Moscow to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ai-ipo-bubble-openai-xai-anthropic-trillion-dollar-valuations-1778314696852">Are AI IPOs the next dot-com bubble? OpenAI, xAI and Anthropic chase trillion-dollar valuations</a>Peskov, responding to &nbsp;Trump's remarks about potentially sending a US delegation to Moscow for Ukraine peace talks, &nbsp;said that there were no “specifics yet, but naturally, Russia is always ready to do so.”While both sides have accused each other of violations of the ceasefire previously, Peskov confirmed that no attempts were made to disrupt Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Russia held its annual Victory Day parade to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II on Red Square, where Russian President Vladimir Putin was joined by leaders from several foreign countries, including Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kremlin said peace between Russia and Ukraine remains “a very long way off” despite a US-brokered ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts by President Donald Trump.

Kremlin on Saturday, May 9, said that peace with Ukraine remains a “very long way off”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that while the United States was in a ‌hurry to clinch a peace deal to end the Ukraine war, the underlying issues are too complex for a quick resolution. A US-brokered three-day ceasefire is currently in effect on the occasion of Victory Day celebration in Russia. “Reaching a peace agreement [between Russia and Ukraine] is a very long road, full of complex details. Just like, for example, the road the United States must travel with Iran,” said Peskov as reported by the Russian state media TASS. Peskov added that no discussion of a possible extension of the ceasefire with Ukraine beyond May 11 has happened. On Friday, May 8, 2026, President Donald Trump expressed strong optimism about the prospects for peace in Ukraine, describing a newly brokered three-day ceasefire as a potential "beginning of the end" of the four-year war. He highlighted a significant exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side as a sign of tangible cooperation. Trump has vowed to end the Ukraine war and has cast his failure to do so as one of his biggest disappointments. President Trump also expressed his readiness to send a US delegation to Moscow to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Also Read: Are AI IPOs the next dot-com bubble? OpenAI, xAI and Anthropic chase trillion-dollar valuations Peskov, responding to Trump's remarks about potentially sending a US delegation to Moscow for Ukraine peace talks, said that there were no “specifics yet, but naturally, Russia is always ready to do so.” While both sides have accused each other of violations of the ceasefire previously, Peskov confirmed that no attempts were made to disrupt Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Russia held its annual Victory Day parade to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II on Red Square, where Russian President Vladimir Putin was joined by leaders from several foreign countries, including Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

The Kremlin said peace between Russia and Ukraine remains “a very long way off” despite a US-brokered ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts by President Donald Trump.

Kremlin pours cold water on Trump’s Ukraine optimism says peace ‘a very long way off’

Prayagraj: The Indian Army has invited the defense technology arm of the Dhash Group, Dhash Defense Systems, for user trials of its indigenous all-terrain mobility platforms after the companies participated in the North Tech Symposium 2026, which ended in Prayagraj on Wednesday, said the company.&nbsp;Both platforms, the DHASH 4x4 4S (Four Seater All-Terrain Vehicle) and the DHASH 4x4 5S (Closed Cabin Five Seater) are part of the Ministry of Defence’s IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, which is the top priority category of procurement under the Defence Acquisition Procedure.The company will also conduct trials of the platforms at various operational theatre sites over the coming months, officials said. Those sites have not been revealed due to operational sensitivities.&nbsp;The company said both platforms experienced strong interaction with Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth as they visited the symposium pavilions and also with high-ranking Army officials and officers of the Northern Command and Central Command, GOC-in-Cs, Lieutenant Generals Pratik Sharma and Anindya Sengupta, respectively. The vehicles were then demonstrated to the visiting leadership at the site.&nbsp;The company additionally provided answers to problem statements that were circulated by the Army prior to the symposium, which represent issues and gaps with tactical mobility capabilities for the Northern and Central theatres.&nbsp;On the sidelines of the event, Dhash Defense Systems entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT-R) for collaborative research and joint development of next generation mobility and defense technology platforms with the Defense Research and Innovation Foundation (DRIF). The company has said that their product portfolio goes beyond just these two vehicles showcased in Prayagraj and there are more indigenous mobility and combat systems in development with multiple industry collaborations with Indian manufacturing and academic ecosystems.&nbsp;“Building defense capability for India is the most consequential contribution a manufacturing group can make to nation building. Our platforms at North Tech Symposium are entirely designed and developed in India, and they are our concrete commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Manjunath Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Dhash Defense Systems, said.&nbsp;The company’s IDDM efforts received public recognition during the showcase, with a senior Army personnel felicitating the Dhash Defense Systems for indigenous design and development of the platforms.The North Tech Symposium 2026, organised by the Indian Army’s Northern and Central Commands in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) under the theme ‘Raksha Triveni Sangam: Where Technology, Industry and Soldiering Converge’, hosted 284 private defense manufacturers showcasing unmanned aerial systems, counter-UAV technology, all-terrain vehicles, surveillance equipment and tactical communication platforms. The event took place against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor anniversary, which both the Defence Minister and the Minister of State for Defence cited in their addresses as evidence of the operational efficacy of indigenous Indian weapons systems.&nbsp;For Indian start-ups operating in the IDDM space, an Army invitation for user trials does not, by itself, constitute procurement. It does, however, represent the most credible early-stage validation an Indian defense start-up can secure, and typically positions a company for participation in subsequent Make-II and Army Technical Board Project engagements, which have driven a substantial share of India's recent indigenous defense procurement.

Dhash Defense Systems said that its product portfolio goes beyond just these two all-terrain vehicles showcased in Prayagraj, and there are more indigenous mobility and combat systems in development with multiple industry collaborations with Indian manufacturing and academic ecosystems.

Prayagraj: The Indian Army has invited the defense technology arm of the Dhash Group, Dhash Defense Systems, for user trials of its indigenous all-terrain mobility platforms after the companies participated in the North Tech Symposium 2026, which ended in Prayagraj on Wednesday, said the company. Both platforms, the DHASH 4x4 4S (Four Seater All-Terrain Vehicle) and the DHASH 4x4 5S (Closed Cabin Five Seater) are part of the Ministry of Defence’s IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, which is the top priority category of procurement under the Defence Acquisition Procedure. The company will also conduct trials of the platforms at various operational theatre sites over the coming months, officials said. Those sites have not been revealed due to operational sensitivities. The company said both platforms experienced strong interaction with Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth as they visited the symposium pavilions and also with high-ranking Army officials and officers of the Northern Command and Central Command, GOC-in-Cs, Lieutenant Generals Pratik Sharma and Anindya Sengupta, respectively. The vehicles were then demonstrated to the visiting leadership at the site. The company additionally provided answers to problem statements that were circulated by the Army prior to the symposium, which represent issues and gaps with tactical mobility capabilities for the Northern and Central theatres. On the sidelines of the event, Dhash Defense Systems entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT-R) for collaborative research and joint development of next generation mobility and defense technology platforms with the Defense Research and Innovation Foundation (DRIF). The company has said that their product portfolio goes beyond just these two vehicles showcased in Prayagraj and there are more indigenous mobility and combat systems in development with multiple industry collaborations with Indian manufacturing and academic ecosystems. “Building defense capability for India is the most consequential contribution a manufacturing group can make to nation building. Our platforms at North Tech Symposium are entirely designed and developed in India, and they are our concrete commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Manjunath Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Dhash Defense Systems, said. The company’s IDDM efforts received public recognition during the showcase, with a senior Army personnel felicitating the Dhash Defense Systems for indigenous design and development of the platforms. The North Tech Symposium 2026, organised by the Indian Army’s Northern and Central Commands in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) under the theme ‘Raksha Triveni Sangam: Where Technology, Industry and Soldiering Converge’, hosted 284 private defense manufacturers showcasing unmanned aerial systems, counter-UAV technology, all-terrain vehicles, surveillance equipment and tactical communication platforms. The event took place against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor anniversary, which both the Defence Minister and the Minister of State for Defence cited in their addresses as evidence of the operational efficacy of indigenous Indian weapons systems. For Indian start-ups operating in the IDDM space, an Army invitation for user trials does not, by itself, constitute procurement. It does, however, represent the most credible early-stage validation an Indian defense start-up can secure, and typically positions a company for participation in subsequent Make-II and Army Technical Board Project engagements, which have driven a substantial share of India's recent indigenous defense procurement.

Dhash Defense Systems said that its product portfolio goes beyond just these two all-terrain vehicles showcased in Prayagraj, and there are more indigenous mobility and combat systems in development with multiple industry collaborations with Indian manufacturing and academic ecosystems.

Dhash Defense Systems indigenous all-terrain platforms invited for Army trials after North Tech showcase

Bahrain’s interior ministry on Saturday (May 9) said that it has uncovered a spying network linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and arrested 41 of its suspected members. It said that the country’s security services had dismantled an organisation accused of having Iranian connections. This comes as tension in West Asia remains high, with a looming uncertainty over a deal between the United States and Iran to end the war.Bahrain hosts a major US military base that was hard-hit by Iranian attacks when Tehran retaliated across the Gulf following the US and Israeli strikes.“In accordance with previous investigations carried out by the prosecutor's office in cases of espionage on behalf of foreign entities and sympathy for Iranian aggression, the security services dismantled an organisation linked to the Revolutionary Guards,” the ministry said in a statement.Human rights activists allege authorities targeting Shia religious figuresBahrain, which is a Sunni-ruled nation, has a large Shia population. Human rights activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei said earlier on X that authorities had carried out “arrests against some of the country's most prominent Shia religious figures.”“This move is unprecedented and has not occurred on this scale even during the peak of the 2011 repression,” said Alwadaei of London-based NGO Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD).Earlier in 2011, the Gulf nation witnessed massive protests demanding an elected government, triggering a widespread crackdown on dissent. The ruling family accused Tehran of training and backing the protesters in an attempt to topple the government, allegations that Iran strongly denied. Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, Bahrain has intensified its crackdown on individuals expressing support or sympathy for Tehran.According to Human Rights Watch, dozens of people were arrested in March. Last month, the kingdom revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals accused of supporting Tehran, while on Thursday, parliament expelled three lawmakers who opposed a royal decree related to citizenship cases.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.

Bahrain says it uncovered an Iranian-linked spying network tied to the Revolutionary Guards and arrested 41 suspects amid rising regional tensions and a crackdown on pro-Tehran voices.

Bahrain’s interior ministry on Saturday (May 9) said that it has uncovered a spying network linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and arrested 41 of its suspected members. It said that the country’s security services had dismantled an organisation accused of having Iranian connections. This comes as tension in West Asia remains high, with a looming uncertainty over a deal between the United States and Iran to end the war. Bahrain hosts a major US military base that was hard-hit by Iranian attacks when Tehran retaliated across the Gulf following the US and Israeli strikes. “In accordance with previous investigations carried out by the prosecutor's office in cases of espionage on behalf of foreign entities and sympathy for Iranian aggression, the security services dismantled an organisation linked to the Revolutionary Guards,” the ministry said in a statement. Human rights activists allege authorities targeting Shia religious figures Bahrain, which is a Sunni-ruled nation, has a large Shia population. Human rights activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei said earlier on X that authorities had carried out “arrests against some of the country's most prominent Shia religious figures.” “This move is unprecedented and has not occurred on this scale even during the peak of the 2011 repression,” said Alwadaei of London-based NGO Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD). Earlier in 2011, the Gulf nation witnessed massive protests demanding an elected government, triggering a widespread crackdown on dissent. The ruling family accused Tehran of training and backing the protesters in an attempt to topple the government, allegations that Iran strongly denied. Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, Bahrain has intensified its crackdown on individuals expressing support or sympathy for Tehran. According to Human Rights Watch, dozens of people were arrested in March. Last month, the kingdom revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals accused of supporting Tehran, while on Thursday, parliament expelled three lawmakers who opposed a royal decree related to citizenship cases. 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.

Bahrain says it uncovered an Iranian-linked spying network tied to the Revolutionary Guards and arrested 41 suspects amid rising regional tensions and a crackdown on pro-Tehran voices.

Bahrain dismantles spy network linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, arrests 41

New Delhi is set to host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on 31 May, aiming to energise relations with the continent after a decade-long gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The last summit was held in 2015. Senior officials will meet on 28 May, followed by a gathering of foreign ministers on 29 May. The leaders’ summit on 31 May will be followed by a high-profile Big Cat Alliance meeting on 1 June, involving several African nations.Sources in New Delhi say India has invited all African countries and expects strong participation from African leaders. A “forward-looking” outcome document is under discussion, with officials promising “concrete outcomes that matter to Africa”.“Outcomes that respond to Africa’s interests will be announced,” a source said. “We are confident of good participation.” Ties between India and Africa are rooted in a shared “civilizational compact”, officials emphasise.Thirty-nine African countries have already joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA), while cooperation on digital public infrastructure (DPI) is expanding, India has framework agreements with seven nations.Agriculture, education and food security are expected to feature prominently. India is home to over 7,000 Zimbabwean students, and knowledge-sharing initiatives are growing. Capacity building and food security form key pillars of the agenda.Trade and investment will remain central. “Trade and investment will remain an important pillar of ties,” sources said, noting India’s engagement with African customs unions. The Indian Commerce Secretary recently visited Kenya and Tanzania.“If we can partner with Africa, our companies can engage with them, it will be win-win,” one official added. India has adopted a “consultative, demand-driven” approach.In the past decade, there have been about 50 high-level visits from India to Africa and nearly 100 from Africa to India. New Delhi now has 46 diplomatic missions across the continent, 17 of them opened in recent years, and offers duty-free market access to many African nations.Defence and security ties are deepening. India contributes around 5,000 UN peacekeepers in Africa, collaborates on critical minerals, and has growing defence exports to the continent. Energy security, maritime cooperation and countering piracy are also high on the agenda.Think tank dialogues and an India-Africa Film Festival will run alongside the summit, adding soft-power dimensions. Officials describe the relationship as substantive and future-oriented. “We are looking at India-Africa ties in a substantive manner,” a source said, highlighting that the summit aims to deliver tangible results rather than mere declarations.

Agriculture, education and food security are expected to feature prominently. India is home to over 7,000 Zimbabwean students, and knowledge-sharing initiatives are growing. Capacity building and food security form key pillars of the agenda.

New Delhi is set to host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on 31 May, aiming to energise relations with the continent after a decade-long gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The last summit was held in 2015. Senior officials will meet on 28 May, followed by a gathering of foreign ministers on 29 May. The leaders’ summit on 31 May will be followed by a high-profile Big Cat Alliance meeting on 1 June, involving several African nations. Sources in New Delhi say India has invited all African countries and expects strong participation from African leaders. A “forward-looking” outcome document is under discussion, with officials promising “concrete outcomes that matter to Africa”. “Outcomes that respond to Africa’s interests will be announced,” a source said. “We are confident of good participation.” Ties between India and Africa are rooted in a shared “civilizational compact”, officials emphasise. Thirty-nine African countries have already joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA), while cooperation on digital public infrastructure (DPI) is expanding, India has framework agreements with seven nations. Agriculture, education and food security are expected to feature prominently. India is home to over 7,000 Zimbabwean students, and knowledge-sharing initiatives are growing. Capacity building and food security form key pillars of the agenda. Trade and investment will remain central. “Trade and investment will remain an important pillar of ties,” sources said, noting India’s engagement with African customs unions. The Indian Commerce Secretary recently visited Kenya and Tanzania. “If we can partner with Africa, our companies can engage with them, it will be win-win,” one official added. India has adopted a “consultative, demand-driven” approach. In the past decade, there have been about 50 high-level visits from India to Africa and nearly 100 from Africa to India. New Delhi now has 46 diplomatic missions across the continent, 17 of them opened in recent years, and offers duty-free market access to many African nations. Defence and security ties are deepening. India contributes around 5,000 UN peacekeepers in Africa, collaborates on critical minerals, and has growing defence exports to the continent. Energy security, maritime cooperation and countering piracy are also high on the agenda. Think tank dialogues and an India-Africa Film Festival will run alongside the summit, adding soft-power dimensions. Officials describe the relationship as substantive and future-oriented. “We are looking at India-Africa ties in a substantive manner,” a source said, highlighting that the summit aims to deliver tangible results rather than mere declarations.

Agriculture, education and food security are expected to feature prominently. India is home to over 7,000 Zimbabwean students, and knowledge-sharing initiatives are growing. Capacity building and food security form key pillars of the agenda.

India-Africa Summit 2026: New Delhi pushes ‘Concrete Outcomes’ to deepen ties with continent

A newly released collection of Pentagon and FBI records has brought renewed attention to one of the most unusual claims contained in Cold War-era UFO investigations, reports describing small humanoid ‘crewmen’ allegedly seen emerging from unidentified flying objects during the 1960s.&nbsp;The files were published on Friday as part of a wider UFO transparency initiative launched under US President Donald Trump. Hundreds of documents, photographs, infrared images and mission transcripts were uploaded to the Department of War archive, including internal FBI memoranda examining sightings reported across the United States and abroad.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-a-bogey-a-brilliant-body-with-trillions-of-particles-fbi-files-reveal-gemini-7-astronauts-chilling-1965-ufo-sighting-1778321101405">‘A bogey… a brilliant body with trillions of particles’: FBI files reveal Gemini 7 astronauts’ chilling 1965 UFO sighting</a>&nbsp;Among the most discussed documents is an FBI memo dated October 19, 1966, sent from the bureau’s San Francisco office to FBI Director J Edgar Hoover under the subject line ‘Unidentified Flying Objects’. The memo stated that “1965 was the year of the greatest number of UFO sightings” and summarised reports involving metallic craft capable of hovering silently, travelling at “fantastic speeds” and allegedly interfering with electromagnetic equipment.&nbsp;<h2>Witnesses described ‘crewmen’ in helmets and suits</h2>&nbsp;One section of the memo focused on eyewitness testimonies involving apparent occupants of unidentified craft. According to the Daily Mail, the document said, “a few witnesses have reported seeing crewmen who had landed from the objects”.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-flying-saucers-over-air-base-for-30-mins-fbi-ufo-files-reveal-chilling-1948-non-human-craft-encounters-near-military-sites-1778314899499">‘Flying saucers over air base for 30 mins’: FBI UFO files reveal chilling 1948 ‘non-human craft’ encounters near military sites</a>&nbsp;The figures were described as “three and a half to four feet tall, wearing what appear to be space suits and helmets”.The files also referred to claims that wreckage from crashed flying saucers had been recovered on several occasions. Some witnesses reportedly described unusual metallic debris containing microscopic spheres, though the documents provided no scientific confirmation regarding the origin of the materials.&nbsp;Despite the striking accounts, the files do not conclude that extraterrestrial life was involved. Instead, they document how federal agencies catalogued and circulated reports during a period of heightened public interest surrounding UFOs.

Hundreds of documents, photographs, infrared images and mission transcripts were uploaded to the Department of War archive, including internal FBI memoranda examining sightings reported across the United States and abroad.

A newly released collection of Pentagon and FBI records has brought renewed attention to one of the most unusual claims contained in Cold War-era UFO investigations, reports describing small humanoid ‘crewmen’ allegedly seen emerging from unidentified flying objects during the 1960s. The files were published on Friday as part of a wider UFO transparency initiative launched under US President Donald Trump. Hundreds of documents, photographs, infrared images and mission transcripts were uploaded to the Department of War archive, including internal FBI memoranda examining sightings reported across the United States and abroad. ALSO READ: ‘A bogey… a brilliant body with trillions of particles’: FBI files reveal Gemini 7 astronauts’ chilling 1965 UFO sighting Among the most discussed documents is an FBI memo dated October 19, 1966, sent from the bureau’s San Francisco office to FBI Director J Edgar Hoover under the subject line ‘Unidentified Flying Objects’. The memo stated that “1965 was the year of the greatest number of UFO sightings” and summarised reports involving metallic craft capable of hovering silently, travelling at “fantastic speeds” and allegedly interfering with electromagnetic equipment. Witnesses described ‘crewmen’ in helmets and suits One section of the memo focused on eyewitness testimonies involving apparent occupants of unidentified craft. According to the Daily Mail, the document said, “a few witnesses have reported seeing crewmen who had landed from the objects”. ALSO READ: ‘Flying saucers over air base for 30 mins’: FBI UFO files reveal chilling 1948 ‘non-human craft’ encounters near military sites The figures were described as “three and a half to four feet tall, wearing what appear to be space suits and helmets”. The files also referred to claims that wreckage from crashed flying saucers had been recovered on several occasions. Some witnesses reportedly described unusual metallic debris containing microscopic spheres, though the documents provided no scientific confirmation regarding the origin of the materials. Despite the striking accounts, the files do not conclude that extraterrestrial life was involved. Instead, they document how federal agencies catalogued and circulated reports during a period of heightened public interest surrounding UFOs.

Hundreds of documents, photographs, infrared images and mission transcripts were uploaded to the Department of War archive, including internal FBI memoranda examining sightings reported across the United States and abroad.

‘Four-foot crewmen’ emerged from UFOs? Declassified FBI files reveal chilling 1960s reports

One of the major financial stories of 2026 is happening now: a wave of massive AI IPO is building, and the question of whether sky-high valuations signal a bubble peak is very much driving the market sentiment. There is a massive trillion-dollar gap in the economy, driven by top executives making decisions that are, in turn, driven by a speculative capital supercycle with bubble-like characteristics for chatbots that have a questionable profit model, and in the worst-case scenario, it could result in a crash.&nbsp;<h2>What is happening with the AI giants?</h2>OpenAI is targeting a listing as early as Q4 2026. Its most recent venture capital funding round puts its value at $852 billion, and it will be exploring a valuation of $1 trillion while going public. Elon Musk has combined SpaceX with xAI for its public debut at an astounding 10-figure amount, north of $1.75 trillion. It's also targeting mid-2026, possibly in June. Similarly, Anthropic is planning for its IPO in June 2026 and seeking a valuation of over $1 trillion. Other AI-driven startups like Anduril Industries, Databricks, Cerbras are also calling themself IPO ready and planning to hit the market.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-iran-drone-missile-network-china-uae-belarus-1778309174036">US sanctions 10 individuals, companies across 5 countries over Iran missile and drone program</a><h2>Why is the math worrying for these AI giants?</h2>OpenAI has raised $180 billion in total across 13 rounds from 70 investors, according to Tracxn. The latest was in a single round of $122 billion driven by investments from Amazon, Nvidia and SoftBank. They have generated $13.1 billion in revenue in 2025, according to CFO Sarah Friar. HSBC projects the cumulative loss at $115 billion through 2029 and $76 billion per annum by 2030. Similarly, according to Crunchbase, Anthropic has raised over $64 billion, and the majority of the money was burnt at compute, and as of March 2025, it raised $30 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, xAI generated only $250 million in revenue over its last six reported months and lost $2.5 billion in the process. The noticeable trend here is that all of these giants are spending huge amounts of money to remain operational while incurring huge losses.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to SEC filings and secondary sources like Bloomberg, Crunchbase and Fortune, all of these companies have raised an estimated $320 billion and are seeking a combined valuation of approximately $4 trillion. Altogether, they burn over $100 billion in operational costs each year, and incur roughly 62 per cent loss. To put it in perspective, every $1 they earn, they spend $1.62, US GDP is $29 trillion, the most valuable and liquid company, Apple, has a public worth of $3 trillion, and that has been built over 48 years. Now they are asking for a comparable valuation, without being profitable.&nbsp;<h2>Why could these IPOs potentially crush the stock market?</h2>There is a hidden flaw in the accounting that no one wants to discuss, even though everyone knows. All of these companies are seeking at least 30 to 40 times their revenue in public valuation. It's like a tech gold rush, but it's more and more appearing like a ticking time bomb which could explode anytime, burn portfolios, and create chaos on Wall Street. It only works if they have a sort of monopoly over the global market and zero operating costs. But that's not the case; each of these is competing with the other and has massive operating costs. Every prompt in any AI tool requires real resources, power chips, and cooling, turning growth into a cost multiplier, even before it reaches profitability and scalability. There is no solid foundation; every floor is built upon perception and private valuation. Notably, there is only a finite amount of wealth in Wall Street, irrespective of paper valuation, and to fund massive IPOs, institutional money could be pulled out of companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, triggering selling pressure across the S&amp;P 500. Going public would shed light on the true cost of the financial reality of AI infrastructure. It could shed light on the controversial cloud deals, revealing whether AI revenue streams are truly sustainable. Historically, when tech companies rush to cash out on the private valuation, it means the window of maximum hype is closing in, the narrative could collapse, and the biggest tech revolution could turn into a massive delusion. &nbsp;

A wave of massive AI IPOs led by OpenAI, xAI and Anthropic is raising fears of a speculative tech bubble as firms seek trillion-dollar valuations despite massive losses and rising infrastructure costs.


One of the major financial stories of 2026 is happening now: a wave of massive AI IPO is building, and the question of whether sky-high valuations signal a bubble peak is very much driving the market sentiment. There is a massive trillion-dollar gap in the economy, driven by top executives making decisions that are, in turn, driven by a speculative capital supercycle with bubble-like characteristics for chatbots that have a questionable profit model, and in the worst-case scenario, it could result in a crash. What is happening with the AI giants? OpenAI is targeting a listing as early as Q4 2026. Its most recent venture capital funding round puts its value at $852 billion, and it will be exploring a valuation of $1 trillion while going public. Elon Musk has combined SpaceX with xAI for its public debut at an astounding 10-figure amount, north of $1.75 trillion. It's also targeting mid-2026, possibly in June. Similarly, Anthropic is planning for its IPO in June 2026 and seeking a valuation of over $1 trillion. Other AI-driven startups like Anduril Industries, Databricks, Cerbras are also calling themself IPO ready and planning to hit the market. Also Read: US sanctions 10 individuals, companies across 5 countries over Iran missile and drone program Why is the math worrying for these AI giants? OpenAI has raised $180 billion in total across 13 rounds from 70 investors, according to Tracxn. The latest was in a single round of $122 billion driven by investments from Amazon, Nvidia and SoftBank. They have generated $13.1 billion in revenue in 2025, according to CFO Sarah Friar. HSBC projects the cumulative loss at $115 billion through 2029 and $76 billion per annum by 2030. Similarly, according to Crunchbase, Anthropic has raised over $64 billion, and the majority of the money was burnt at compute, and as of March 2025, it raised $30 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, xAI generated only $250 million in revenue over its last six reported months and lost $2.5 billion in the process. The noticeable trend here is that all of these giants are spending huge amounts of money to remain operational while incurring huge losses. According to SEC filings and secondary sources like Bloomberg, Crunchbase and Fortune, all of these companies have raised an estimated $320 billion and are seeking a combined valuation of approximately $4 trillion. Altogether, they burn over $100 billion in operational costs each year, and incur roughly 62 per cent loss. To put it in perspective, every $1 they earn, they spend $1.62, US GDP is $29 trillion, the most valuable and liquid company, Apple, has a public worth of $3 trillion, and that has been built over 48 years. Now they are asking for a comparable valuation, without being profitable. Why could these IPOs potentially crush the stock market? There is a hidden flaw in the accounting that no one wants to discuss, even though everyone knows. All of these companies are seeking at least 30 to 40 times their revenue in public valuation. It's like a tech gold rush, but it's more and more appearing like a ticking time bomb which could explode anytime, burn portfolios, and create chaos on Wall Street. It only works if they have a sort of monopoly over the global market and zero operating costs. But that's not the case; each of these is competing with the other and has massive operating costs. Every prompt in any AI tool requires real resources, power chips, and cooling, turning growth into a cost multiplier, even before it reaches profitability and scalability. There is no solid foundation; every floor is built upon perception and private valuation. Notably, there is only a finite amount of wealth in Wall Street, irrespective of paper valuation, and to fund massive IPOs, institutional money could be pulled out of companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, triggering selling pressure across the S&P 500. Going public would shed light on the true cost of the financial reality of AI infrastructure. It could shed light on the controversial cloud deals, revealing whether AI revenue streams are truly sustainable. Historically, when tech companies rush to cash out on the private valuation, it means the window of maximum hype is closing in, the narrative could collapse, and the biggest tech revolution could turn into a massive delusion.

A wave of massive AI IPOs led by OpenAI, xAI and Anthropic is raising fears of a speculative tech bubble as firms seek trillion-dollar valuations despite massive losses and rising infrastructure costs.

Are AI IPOs the next dot-com bubble? OpenAI, xAI and Anthropic chase trillion-dollar valuations

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9) defended Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in his address to the annual Victory Day parade. Describing his war goals as “just”, the Russian leader said that his country’s soldiers were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by the entire NATO alliance. Speaking at the Red Square ceremony in Moscow, Putin also compared the current war with Ukraine to the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II.Victory Day celebrations have long been a major symbol of national pride in Russia, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. However, this year’s parade was noticeably smaller amid growing security concerns caused by repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks. For the first time in nearly two decades, no military hardware was displayed during the parade, and attendance by foreign leaders was limited mostly to close Russian allies.“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said. “They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward.”“I firmly believe that our cause is just,” he added.<h2>Three-day ceasefire</h2>The Victory Day celebrations come after US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting today. He added that the ceasefire will include a suspension of all fighting between the two nations and a prisoner swap. The US president also expressed hopes for ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, saying that negotiations are ongoing. Trump added that the temporary truce was announced following a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Moscow had threatened a “massive” strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted the Victory Day celebrations.Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree on Friday (May 8) ordering the Ukrainian military not to attack the parade. He also confirmed that his government would adhere to the ceasefire and the prisoner swap of 1,000 detainees from each side.“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” Zelensky said, referring to the historic site in Moscow where the annual event is held.

Russian President Putin defended Moscow’s war in Ukraine during Victory Day celebrations, calling it “just” and accusing NATO of backing an “aggressive force” against Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9) defended Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in his address to the annual Victory Day parade. Describing his war goals as “just”, the Russian leader said that his country’s soldiers were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by the entire NATO alliance. Speaking at the Red Square ceremony in Moscow, Putin also compared the current war with Ukraine to the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. Victory Day celebrations have long been a major symbol of national pride in Russia, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. However, this year’s parade was noticeably smaller amid growing security concerns caused by repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks. For the first time in nearly two decades, no military hardware was displayed during the parade, and attendance by foreign leaders was limited mostly to close Russian allies. “The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said. “They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward.” “I firmly believe that our cause is just,” he added. Three-day ceasefire The Victory Day celebrations come after US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting today. He added that the ceasefire will include a suspension of all fighting between the two nations and a prisoner swap. The US president also expressed hopes for ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, saying that negotiations are ongoing. Trump added that the temporary truce was announced following a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Moscow had threatened a “massive” strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted the Victory Day celebrations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree on Friday (May 8) ordering the Ukrainian military not to attack the parade. He also confirmed that his government would adhere to the ceasefire and the prisoner swap of 1,000 detainees from each side. “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” Zelensky said, referring to the historic site in Moscow where the annual event is held.

Russian President Putin defended Moscow’s war in Ukraine during Victory Day celebrations, calling it “just” and accusing NATO of backing an “aggressive force” against Russia.

‘Aggressive force armed by NATO’: Putin calls Moscow’s war in Ukraine ‘just’ in Victory Day speech

In a major move for the first time, China has publicly admitted its involvement in helping Pakistan during last year’s war with India. The revelation came through an interview aired on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, where engineers from Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) admitted that they were sent to Pakistan to support the operations of Chinese J-10C jets after India launched Operation Sindoor. This comes as India marks the first anniversary of the military operation against Pakistani terrorists, during which Indian forces downed 13 Pakistani fighter jets and struck 11 military bases.In the interview, Zhang Heng, an engineer from AVIC’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, described his experience while being stationed at a support base. He recalled fighter jets taking off and the constant air-raid sirens in the scorching May heat.“At the support base, we frequently heard the roar of fighter jets taking off and the constant wail of air-raid sirens. By late morning, in May, the temperature was already approaching 50 degrees Celsius [122 degrees Fahrenheit]. It was a real ordeal for us, both mentally and physically,” Zhang said, as quoted by the South China Morning Post.He added that what drove his team was the “desire to do an even better job with on‑site support” and to ensure their equipment could “truly perform at its full combat potential.”Another engineer, Xu Da, said that the Chinese-made fighter jets were “facing a major test” in a real combat situation. He further boasted about the aircraft, saying they achieved “outstanding results.”The J-10CE is the export version of China’s advanced J-10C fighter and is equipped with modern systems such as Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and compatibility with advanced air-to-air missiles like the PL-15. Pakistan remains the only foreign operator of the aircraft.According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, nearly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2021 and 2025 came from China, evidence of their growing military partnership.<h2>Operation Sindoor</h2>On May 7, 2025, Indian armed forces launched strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 innocent lives. The strikes conducted under Operation Sindoor targeted the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba Muridke base and killed hundreds of Pakistani terrorists, including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed.In a press conference in Jaipur on the operation’s first anniversary, former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai detailed the outcome of Operation Sindoor. He said that more than 100 Pakistani soldiers and over 100 terrorists were killed in the strikes targeting terror camps. He added that India destroyed 13 Pakistani fighter jets and 11 military bases during the operation.

China admitted helping Pakistan operate J-10C jets during India’s Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, marking Beijing’s first public admission of wartime support.

In a major move for the first time, China has publicly admitted its involvement in helping Pakistan during last year’s war with India. The revelation came through an interview aired on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, where engineers from Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) admitted that they were sent to Pakistan to support the operations of Chinese J-10C jets after India launched Operation Sindoor. This comes as India marks the first anniversary of the military operation against Pakistani terrorists, during which Indian forces downed 13 Pakistani fighter jets and struck 11 military bases. In the interview, Zhang Heng, an engineer from AVIC’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, described his experience while being stationed at a support base. He recalled fighter jets taking off and the constant air-raid sirens in the scorching May heat. “At the support base, we frequently heard the roar of fighter jets taking off and the constant wail of air-raid sirens. By late morning, in May, the temperature was already approaching 50 degrees Celsius [122 degrees Fahrenheit]. It was a real ordeal for us, both mentally and physically,” Zhang said, as quoted by the South China Morning Post. He added that what drove his team was the “desire to do an even better job with on‑site support” and to ensure their equipment could “truly perform at its full combat potential.” Another engineer, Xu Da, said that the Chinese-made fighter jets were “facing a major test” in a real combat situation. He further boasted about the aircraft, saying they achieved “outstanding results.” The J-10CE is the export version of China’s advanced J-10C fighter and is equipped with modern systems such as Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and compatibility with advanced air-to-air missiles like the PL-15. Pakistan remains the only foreign operator of the aircraft. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, nearly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2021 and 2025 came from China, evidence of their growing military partnership. Operation Sindoor On May 7, 2025, Indian armed forces launched strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 innocent lives. The strikes conducted under Operation Sindoor targeted the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba Muridke base and killed hundreds of Pakistani terrorists, including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed. In a press conference in Jaipur on the operation’s first anniversary, former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai detailed the outcome of Operation Sindoor. He said that more than 100 Pakistani soldiers and over 100 terrorists were killed in the strikes targeting terror camps. He added that India destroyed 13 Pakistani fighter jets and 11 military bases during the operation.

China admitted helping Pakistan operate J-10C jets during India’s Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, marking Beijing’s first public admission of wartime support.

Did China help Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor? Beijing’s EXPLOSIVE confession

The US Department of War (DoW) released the first tranche of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) files on Friday (May 8). Critics and experts are already saying there is not much new. Part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE), the release came after a directive from President Donald Trump for greater transparency on UAPs, extraterrestrial life, and related topics.<h2>What's really new in the UFO files?</h2>This is not the only dump, but part of an ongoing rolling release that will likely have new tranches every few weeks. The effort involves multiple agencies, including the Department of Defence (DoD), the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the State Department, and others.The DoW aggregated and declassified material presented as never-before-seen or newly compiled and released them in full.&nbsp;This includes some videos, recent military sensor data, and specific historical sections. The &nbsp;new aspect is that it centralised the documents in one public portal.&nbsp;Some FBI files or Apollo-related imagery may have had partial prior leaks or releases, even as the government portrayed it as a broader, official dump.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ufo-sighting-claims-back-in-focus-us-releases-162-files-regarding-aliens-1778295569126/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/ufo-sighting-claims-back-in-focus-us-releases-162-files-regarding-aliens-1778295569126/embed</a><h2>US UFO files release: Much ado without new information?</h2>The current release did not bring forth a great deal of new information, according to analysts and observers. Sceptics argue the UFO files continued a pattern of hyped releases yielding incremental, non-revolutionary information.Reports in The New York Times and experts such as former AARO head Sean Kirkpatrick and author Garrett Graff described the initial files as murky, inconclusive blobs and dots.It mostly contained grainy footage explainable by conventional means such as jet engines, diffraction patterns, balloons, and drones, consistent with prior declassifications.There is no smoking gun in the releases so far, such as bodies of aliens, reverse-engineered aircraft, or clear admissions of extraterrestrial technology.Some critics called it a distraction from current crises at home and abroad that the Trump administration is facing, with others using terms like "nothing burger" to describe it.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-ufo-files-released-5-most-shocking-unresolved-military-encounters-in-the-pentagon-dump-1778249886269">‘UFO files released’: 5 most shocking unresolved military encounters in the Pentagon dump</a><h2>What was in the initial release of UFO files?</h2>The files, hosted at war.gov/ufo, include declassified documents, eyewitness reports, intelligence summaries, diplomatic cables, photos, and videos.The Friday release had around 162 files, including 120 Portable Document Format (PDF) documents, 28 videos, and 14 image files totalling more than 35 minutes of footage, according to reports.Many of them concern unresolved cases the government cannot definitively identify due to insufficient data. Some are redacted for privacy or security reasons.The files span from FBI records on flying discs from 1947 to 1968 all the way up to recent incidents such as military encounters with flying objects in the 2020s.The FBI historical case files include 1947-era sightings and photos from Oak Ridge.Also shared are federal law enforcement reports of hovering orbs and silent objects in the western United States.<h2>What could be seen in the UFO files?</h2>Military infrared or sensor footage showing objects with anomalous manoeuvres is on display, including a 90-degree turn by a craft travelling at low speed off Greece in 2023. There are other encounters in Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf.There are archival NASA and space exploration-related images, such as objects near the lunar horizon during Apollo missions, and audio of Gemini 7 astronauts reporting an object.Various photos and videos of orbs, star-shaped objects, and clusters of dots are shared, but they are often murky or low-resolution.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-defeating-us-sensors-the-unexplained-ufo-phenomena-that-baffled-us-fighter-pilots-1778310915645">‘Defeating US sensors’: The unexplained UFO phenomena that baffled US fighter pilots</a><h2>Draw your own conclusions: US release of UFO files leaves more questions than answers</h2>The Trump administration is asking people to make their own conclusions, presenting the report release as empowering public judgement. Some UAP enthusiasts found specific videos and manoeuvres interesting.Yet, the files leave more questions than answers, as the site shared raw materials for public and private analysis with no official government conclusions provided on extraterrestrial origins or breakthroughs. Officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard emphasised "unprecedented transparency" and invited the public to review and draw their own conclusions.But that is a Herculean task. The full analysis will take time.<h2>Tens of millions of more UFO records on the cards?</h2>&nbsp;While the initiative is noteworthy for its transparency, the fresh compilations of videos, photos, and reports do not deliver paradigm-shifting revelations in the first batch.According to reports, Friday's release was the first tranche of a massive effort that could involve tens of millions of records. Some of these could focus on unresolved cases.Trump administration supporters are calling it a step towards transparency that previous US governments did not match at this scale.

The first tranche of UFO and UAP files released by the Trump administration offers no great new information, according to experts and reports. The declassified videos, photos, and reports do not give any proof of extraterrestrial life. So what was in them?

The US Department of War (DoW) released the first tranche of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) files on Friday (May 8). Critics and experts are already saying there is not much new. Part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE), the release came after a directive from President Donald Trump for greater transparency on UAPs, extraterrestrial life, and related topics. What's really new in the UFO files? This is not the only dump, but part of an ongoing rolling release that will likely have new tranches every few weeks. The effort involves multiple agencies, including the Department of Defence (DoD), the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the State Department, and others. The DoW aggregated and declassified material presented as never-before-seen or newly compiled and released them in full. This includes some videos, recent military sensor data, and specific historical sections. The new aspect is that it centralised the documents in one public portal. Some FBI files or Apollo-related imagery may have had partial prior leaks or releases, even as the government portrayed it as a broader, official dump. https://www.wionews.com/videos/ufo-sighting-claims-back-in-focus-us-releases-162-files-regarding-aliens-1778295569126/embed US UFO files release: Much ado without new information? The current release did not bring forth a great deal of new information, according to analysts and observers. Sceptics argue the UFO files continued a pattern of hyped releases yielding incremental, non-revolutionary information. Reports in The New York Times and experts such as former AARO head Sean Kirkpatrick and author Garrett Graff described the initial files as murky, inconclusive blobs and dots. It mostly contained grainy footage explainable by conventional means such as jet engines, diffraction patterns, balloons, and drones, consistent with prior declassifications. There is no smoking gun in the releases so far, such as bodies of aliens, reverse-engineered aircraft, or clear admissions of extraterrestrial technology. Some critics called it a distraction from current crises at home and abroad that the Trump administration is facing, with others using terms like "nothing burger" to describe it. Also read: ‘UFO files released’: 5 most shocking unresolved military encounters in the Pentagon dump What was in the initial release of UFO files? The files, hosted at war.gov/ufo, include declassified documents, eyewitness reports, intelligence summaries, diplomatic cables, photos, and videos. The Friday release had around 162 files, including 120 Portable Document Format (PDF) documents, 28 videos, and 14 image files totalling more than 35 minutes of footage, according to reports. Many of them concern unresolved cases the government cannot definitively identify due to insufficient data. Some are redacted for privacy or security reasons. The files span from FBI records on flying discs from 1947 to 1968 all the way up to recent incidents such as military encounters with flying objects in the 2020s. The FBI historical case files include 1947-era sightings and photos from Oak Ridge. Also shared are federal law enforcement reports of hovering orbs and silent objects in the western United States. What could be seen in the UFO files? Military infrared or sensor footage showing objects with anomalous manoeuvres is on display, including a 90-degree turn by a craft travelling at low speed off Greece in 2023. There are other encounters in Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf. There are archival NASA and space exploration-related images, such as objects near the lunar horizon during Apollo missions, and audio of Gemini 7 astronauts reporting an object. Various photos and videos of orbs, star-shaped objects, and clusters of dots are shared, but they are often murky or low-resolution. Also read: ‘Defeating US sensors’: The unexplained UFO phenomena that baffled US fighter pilots Draw your own conclusions: US release of UFO files leaves more questions than answers The Trump administration is asking people to make their own conclusions, presenting the report release as empowering public judgement. Some UAP enthusiasts found specific videos and manoeuvres interesting. Yet, the files leave more questions than answers, as the site shared raw materials for public and private analysis with no official government conclusions provided on extraterrestrial origins or breakthroughs. Officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard emphasised "unprecedented transparency" and invited the public to review and draw their own conclusions. But that is a Herculean task. The full analysis will take time. Tens of millions of more UFO records on the cards? While the initiative is noteworthy for its transparency, the fresh compilations of videos, photos, and reports do not deliver paradigm-shifting revelations in the first batch. According to reports, Friday's release was the first tranche of a massive effort that could involve tens of millions of records. Some of these could focus on unresolved cases. Trump administration supporters are calling it a step towards transparency that previous US governments did not match at this scale.

The first tranche of UFO and UAP files released by the Trump administration offers no great new information, according to experts and reports. The declassified videos, photos, and reports do not give any proof of extraterrestrial life. So what was in them?

UFO files release was a dud? First tranche does not reveal much as Trump administration asks people to draw their own conclusions

When the war between United States and Iran began, it was believed that the West Asian nation would not be able to sustain for a long period of time. US president Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth also continuously speak about how they have crippled Tehran with attacks, however, a new report has a completely different finding.&nbsp;A confidential CIA assessment shared with American policymakers reveals that Iran could sustain the ongoing US naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz for at least three to four months before facing severe economic pressure, reported the Washington Post.<h2>Iran's 70 per cent of its prewar missile stockpile is intact</h2>&nbsp;The report is contradictory to Trump's claims that Iran's military and economy are close to collapse. Notably, Iran still has nearly 70 per cent of its prewar missile stockpile and around 75 per cent of its mobile missile launchers, reported the Post, citing &nbsp;a US official.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-iran-drone-missile-network-china-uae-belarus-1778309174036">US sanctions 10 individuals, companies across 5 countries over Iran missile and drone program</a>&nbsp;After the naval blockade was imposed by US in the strait of Hormuz about a month ago, Trump and top officials in his administration believed it would create an immediate crisis for Iran’s oil sector and Tehran would be forced to negotiate.&nbsp;“If they don’t get their oil moving, their whole oil infrastructure is going to explode,” Trump had told reporters after the naval blockade. The plan, however, failed.<h2>Iran building up capabilities fast</h2>&nbsp;Also on Wednesday Trump said that Iran's missile capabilities had been “mostly decimated.”&nbsp;“They have probably 18, 19 per cent, but not a lot by comparison to what they had,” he said during Oval Office remarks.&nbsp;But if the confidential CIA assessment shared with American policymakers are to be believed, Tehran has managed to reopen most underground storage facilities, repair damaged missiles and even complete assembly some of the weapons that were almost ready before the conflict started.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A confidential CIA assessment shared with American policymakers reveals that Iran could sustain the ongoing US naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz for months.

When the war between United States and Iran began, it was believed that the West Asian nation would not be able to sustain for a long period of time. US president Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth also continuously speak about how they have crippled Tehran with attacks, however, a new report has a completely different finding. A confidential CIA assessment shared with American policymakers reveals that Iran could sustain the ongoing US naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz for at least three to four months before facing severe economic pressure, reported the Washington Post. Iran's 70 per cent of its prewar missile stockpile is intact The report is contradictory to Trump's claims that Iran's military and economy are close to collapse. Notably, Iran still has nearly 70 per cent of its prewar missile stockpile and around 75 per cent of its mobile missile launchers, reported the Post, citing a US official. ALSO READ: US sanctions 10 individuals, companies across 5 countries over Iran missile and drone program After the naval blockade was imposed by US in the strait of Hormuz about a month ago, Trump and top officials in his administration believed it would create an immediate crisis for Iran’s oil sector and Tehran would be forced to negotiate. “If they don’t get their oil moving, their whole oil infrastructure is going to explode,” Trump had told reporters after the naval blockade. The plan, however, failed. Iran building up capabilities fast Also on Wednesday Trump said that Iran's missile capabilities had been “mostly decimated.” “They have probably 18, 19 per cent, but not a lot by comparison to what they had,” he said during Oval Office remarks. But if the confidential CIA assessment shared with American policymakers are to be believed, Tehran has managed to reopen most underground storage facilities, repair damaged missiles and even complete assembly some of the weapons that were almost ready before the conflict started.

A confidential CIA assessment shared with American policymakers reveals that Iran could sustain the ongoing US naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz for months.

Iran has capabilities to sustain US naval blockade in Hormuz for months: Report

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) revealed that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to personally deliver his stern message to Pope Leo XIV during their Vatican meeting, a diplomatic errand that unfolded against the backdrop of one of the most public feuds between a US president and a sitting pontiff in modern history. Trump said he told Rubio to "very nicely, very respectfully" tell the Pope that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, something which the Pope has never supported anyway.<h2>Trump makes Rubio his errand boy: The message REVEALED</h2>"I just said, tell the pope very nicely, very respectfully, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters during an inspection of the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool renovations. "Also, tell the pope that Iran killed 42,000 innocent protesters who didn't have guns, who didn't have weapons. Tell that to the pope."<h2>Pope-Rubio 'exchanged views' on global issues</h2>Rubio met with Leo on Thursday, the first meeting between the pope and a Trump cabinet official in nearly a year. The Vatican later said the two men exchanged views on global issues, including the Middle East conflict and "the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace."There was also a notably awkward gift exchange. Rubio presented Leo, a Chicago native and lifelong White Sox fan, with a small crystal American football, while acknowledging that the pontiff was more of a "baseball guy." Leo responded by giving Rubio a pen carved from olive wood, noting that the olive branch is a symbol of peace. The symbolism was not subtle.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-s-turns-vatican-visit-awkward-with-odd-football-gift-pope-leo-s-wow-okay-steals-the-spotlight-1778213667220">Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight</a><h2>Trump vs Pope feud continues to escalate</h2>The meeting took place as the Pope and the POTUS continue to be embroiled in a very public feud. Trump has spent weeks attacking Leo for opposing the Iran war, and has repeatedly and falsely suggested the pope believes it is acceptable for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He even called the pontiff "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a Truth Social post.Later, Trump shared and then deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. He then told a radio interviewer the pope was "endangering a lot of Catholics."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-anyone-wants-to-criticise-me-do-so-truthfully-pope-leo-slams-trump-over-iran-nuclear-claims-1778062797564">'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims</a>Leo, meanwhile, has not backed down. "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth," he said. "The church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years; there is no doubt about that. I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God's word." Notably, the Church's opposition to all nuclear weapons, not endorsement of any country having them, directly contradicts Trump's characterisation of Leo's stance, a misrepresentation the pope has now corrected publicly on multiple occasions.

Trump says he personally tasked Marco Rubio with delivering a message to Pope Leo: Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon. The unusual diplomatic relay comes as the Trump-Pope feud grows more public. Scroll down.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) revealed that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to personally deliver his stern message to Pope Leo XIV during their Vatican meeting, a diplomatic errand that unfolded against the backdrop of one of the most public feuds between a US president and a sitting pontiff in modern history. Trump said he told Rubio to "very nicely, very respectfully" tell the Pope that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, something which the Pope has never supported anyway. Trump makes Rubio his errand boy: The message REVEALED "I just said, tell the pope very nicely, very respectfully, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters during an inspection of the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool renovations. "Also, tell the pope that Iran killed 42,000 innocent protesters who didn't have guns, who didn't have weapons. Tell that to the pope." Pope-Rubio 'exchanged views' on global issues Rubio met with Leo on Thursday, the first meeting between the pope and a Trump cabinet official in nearly a year. The Vatican later said the two men exchanged views on global issues, including the Middle East conflict and "the need to work tirelessly in favour of peace." There was also a notably awkward gift exchange. Rubio presented Leo, a Chicago native and lifelong White Sox fan, with a small crystal American football, while acknowledging that the pontiff was more of a "baseball guy." Leo responded by giving Rubio a pen carved from olive wood, noting that the olive branch is a symbol of peace. The symbolism was not subtle. Also read | Rubio turns Vatican visit awkward with odd football gift; Pope Leo's 'wow, okay' steals the spotlight Trump vs Pope feud continues to escalate The meeting took place as the Pope and the POTUS continue to be embroiled in a very public feud. Trump has spent weeks attacking Leo for opposing the Iran war, and has repeatedly and falsely suggested the pope believes it is acceptable for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He even called the pontiff "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" in a Truth Social post. Later, Trump shared and then deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. He then told a radio interviewer the pope was "endangering a lot of Catholics." Also read | 'If anyone wants to criticise me, do so truthfully': Pope Leo slams Trump over Iran nuclear claims Leo, meanwhile, has not backed down. "If anyone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the gospel, let them do so with the truth," he said. "The church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons for years; there is no doubt about that. I simply hope to be listened to because of the value of God's word." Notably, the Church's opposition to all nuclear weapons, not endorsement of any country having them, directly contradicts Trump's characterisation of Leo's stance, a misrepresentation the pope has now corrected publicly on multiple occasions.

Trump says he personally tasked Marco Rubio with delivering a message to Pope Leo: Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon. The unusual diplomatic relay comes as the Trump-Pope feud grows more public. Scroll down.

‘Tell the pope’: Trump REVEALS he sent Rubio to Vatican with a pointed message on Iran

US have sanctioned 10 individuals and companies across five countries on Friday, May 8. It accused them of supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. Sanctions hit entities in China, Hong Kong, Dubai (UAE), Belarus, and Iran. These entities allegedly help Iran in procuring weapons components and aerospace-grade raw materials for the Shahed-series drones and Iran’s ballistic missile programs.“While the surviving IRGC leaders are trapped like rats in a sinking ship, the Treasury Department is unrelenting in our Economic Fury campaign,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. &nbsp;“Under President Trump’s decisive leadership, we will continue to act to keep America Safe and target foreign individuals and companies providing Iran’s military with weapons for use against U.S. forces.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-project-freedom-plus-iran-talks-strait-of-hormuz-1778303163507">Trump warns of ‘Project Freedom Plus’ if Iran talks fail amid escalating Strait of Hormuz crisis</a><h2>Who are the sanctioned entities?</h2>According to the statement released by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned entities include China-based Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Ltd, Dubai-based Elite Energy FZCO (Elite Energy), Hong Kong-based AE International Trade Co Limited (AE International), Hong Kong-based HK Hesin Industry Co Limited (HK Hesin), Belarus-based Armory Alliance LLC (Armory Alliance), Belarus-based Iranian national Mohammadmahdi Maleki (Maleki), an employee of Armory Alliance, Belarussian national Mohammed Ali Tolibov (Tolibov) the chief executive officer of Armory Alliance, Hong Kong-based Mustad Limited, Iran-based Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company, China-based Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company Limited (Hitex), and Chinese national Li Genping the legal representative of Hitex and manages the company’s sales, purchasing, and financial operations. They are being designated as the ones having allegedly provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran (CDPI) to purchase weapons, including&nbsp;man-portable air-defensive systems (MANPADS), UAV and ballistic missile components.&nbsp;<h2>US Economic Fury&nbsp;</h2>The US Treasury Department said that it continues to exert maximum pressure on Iran and target the nation's ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds. It claimed that their actions have disrupted billions in oil revenue, reduced Tehran's shadow banking networks, and frozen nearly half a billion dollars in cryptocurrency. It has warned that it will take action against Iran’s defence industrial base, any financial institutions that support &nbsp;Iranian commerce, airlines, including those connected to the People’s Republic of China’s independent “teapot” oil refineries.&nbsp;

The US imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and companies linked to Iran’s ballistic missile and UAV programs, targeting entities in China, Hong Kong, the UAE, Belarus, and Iran.

US have sanctioned 10 individuals and companies across five countries on Friday, May 8. It accused them of supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. Sanctions hit entities in China, Hong Kong, Dubai (UAE), Belarus, and Iran. These entities allegedly help Iran in procuring weapons components and aerospace-grade raw materials for the Shahed-series drones and Iran’s ballistic missile programs. “While the surviving IRGC leaders are trapped like rats in a sinking ship, the Treasury Department is unrelenting in our Economic Fury campaign,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Under President Trump’s decisive leadership, we will continue to act to keep America Safe and target foreign individuals and companies providing Iran’s military with weapons for use against U.S. forces.” Also Read: Trump warns of ‘Project Freedom Plus’ if Iran talks fail amid escalating Strait of Hormuz crisis Who are the sanctioned entities? According to the statement released by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned entities include China-based Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Ltd, Dubai-based Elite Energy FZCO (Elite Energy), Hong Kong-based AE International Trade Co Limited (AE International), Hong Kong-based HK Hesin Industry Co Limited (HK Hesin), Belarus-based Armory Alliance LLC (Armory Alliance), Belarus-based Iranian national Mohammadmahdi Maleki (Maleki), an employee of Armory Alliance, Belarussian national Mohammed Ali Tolibov (Tolibov) the chief executive officer of Armory Alliance, Hong Kong-based Mustad Limited, Iran-based Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company, China-based Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company Limited (Hitex), and Chinese national Li Genping the legal representative of Hitex and manages the company’s sales, purchasing, and financial operations. They are being designated as the ones having allegedly provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of the Centre for Progress and Development of Iran (CDPI) to purchase weapons, including man-portable air-defensive systems (MANPADS), UAV and ballistic missile components. US Economic Fury The US Treasury Department said that it continues to exert maximum pressure on Iran and target the nation's ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds. It claimed that their actions have disrupted billions in oil revenue, reduced Tehran's shadow banking networks, and frozen nearly half a billion dollars in cryptocurrency. It has warned that it will take action against Iran’s defence industrial base, any financial institutions that support Iranian commerce, airlines, including those connected to the People’s Republic of China’s independent “teapot” oil refineries.

The US imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and companies linked to Iran’s ballistic missile and UAV programs, targeting entities in China, Hong Kong, the UAE, Belarus, and Iran.

US sanctions 10 individuals, companies across 5 countries over Iran missile and drone program

Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Friday (May 8) claimed at least 31 lives, including a member of the civil defence, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency. In another strike, five people were killed and three injured in the town of Toura in the Tyre district, where rescue operations are still underway to search for a missing girl beneath the rubble.&nbsp;Multiple Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks were also reported in southern Lebanon, including in Marjayoun, Hasbaya, Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, Sidon and Jezzine districts, injuring several people.The attacks come despite ceasefire announced on April 17 and extended until May 17.<h2>Fresh round of peace talks next week</h2>&nbsp;Israeli and Lebanese envoys are set to hold a fresh round of peace talks in Washington next week. A US State Department official confirmed on Thursday that the talks will take place on May 14 and 15. This will be the third such meeting in recent months between the two countries, which have technically remained at war for decades and do not maintain diplomatic relations.&nbsp;The renewed engagement comes even as tensions remain high on the ground. The conflict in Lebanon escalated alongside broader regional hostilities involving Israel and Iran, with Washington still awaiting Tehran’s response to its latest proposal aimed at de-escalating the wider Middle East crisis and restoring stability in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said a peace deal between the parties was “eminently achievable,” adding that Hezbollah remains the primary obstacle rather than any direct dispute between the two governments. &nbsp;

In another strike, five people were killed and three injured in the town of Toura in the Tyre district, where rescue operations are still underway.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Friday (May 8) claimed at least 31 lives, including a member of the civil defence, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency. In another strike, five people were killed and three injured in the town of Toura in the Tyre district, where rescue operations are still underway to search for a missing girl beneath the rubble. Multiple Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks were also reported in southern Lebanon, including in Marjayoun, Hasbaya, Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, Sidon and Jezzine districts, injuring several people. The attacks come despite ceasefire announced on April 17 and extended until May 17. Fresh round of peace talks next week Israeli and Lebanese envoys are set to hold a fresh round of peace talks in Washington next week. A US State Department official confirmed on Thursday that the talks will take place on May 14 and 15. This will be the third such meeting in recent months between the two countries, which have technically remained at war for decades and do not maintain diplomatic relations. The renewed engagement comes even as tensions remain high on the ground. The conflict in Lebanon escalated alongside broader regional hostilities involving Israel and Iran, with Washington still awaiting Tehran’s response to its latest proposal aimed at de-escalating the wider Middle East crisis and restoring stability in the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said a peace deal between the parties was “eminently achievable,” adding that Hezbollah remains the primary obstacle rather than any direct dispute between the two governments.

&nbsp;In another strike, five people were killed and three injured in the town of Toura in the Tyre district, where rescue operations are still underway.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon claims at least 31 lives despite ceasefire, local media says

US President Donald Trump on Friday warned that Washington will launch “Project Freedom Plus” if the ongoing peace negotiations with Iran fails to reach a final agreement. This expansion will be an extended version of the recently suspended “Project Freedom” to escort vehicle through the Strait of Hormuz "plus other things".“If everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up, we’ll go a different route," Trump said. “I think Project Freedom is good, but I think we have other ways of doing it also. We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’d be Project Freedom plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things." said Trump to reporters in White House before travelling to a dinner at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia.Trump announced Tuesday that the US military will temporarily pause “Project Freedom” after Saudi Arabia refused to allow American aircraft involved in the initiative to use Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace, according to NBC News. However Trump administration claimed that the original project was paused on May 6 to allow for diplomatic talks mediated by Pakistan.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ufo-files-uap-apollo-transcripts-distraction-theory-1778254013438">Did Trump just release UFO secrets- or the ultimate distraction? What’s inside the new ‘UFO files’</a>Tension in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate US attacked two Iranian oil tankers on Friday after exchanging fire with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. While the UAE also reported drone and missile attack from Iran. This puts further doubt onto the month long ceasefire that took effect on April 8. According to a Wall Street Journal report US and Iran could restart negotiations in Islamabad again next week. However the month long ceasefire failed to produce any lasting agreement between the two sides.&nbsp;The strategically vital waterway remains a one of the major flashpoint. Commercial shipping companies seek clarity on US Navy support levels in transiting the Strait of hormuz. &nbsp;According to the WSJ report both sides are working with mediators on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that could involve release of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, a possible transfer of enriched uranium and sanction relief, however the total scope of the arrangement remains unclear amid attacks being escalated in the region.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump warned of launching “Project Freedom Plus” if peace talks with Iran collapse, as tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz following attacks on oil tankers and renewed military exchanges.

US President Donald Trump on Friday warned that Washington will launch “Project Freedom Plus” if the ongoing peace negotiations with Iran fails to reach a final agreement. This expansion will be an extended version of the recently suspended “Project Freedom” to escort vehicle through the Strait of Hormuz "plus other things". “If everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up, we’ll go a different route," Trump said. “I think Project Freedom is good, but I think we have other ways of doing it also. We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’d be Project Freedom plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things." said Trump to reporters in White House before travelling to a dinner at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia. Trump announced Tuesday that the US military will temporarily pause “Project Freedom” after Saudi Arabia refused to allow American aircraft involved in the initiative to use Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace, according to NBC News. However Trump administration claimed that the original project was paused on May 6 to allow for diplomatic talks mediated by Pakistan. Also Read: Did Trump just release UFO secrets- or the ultimate distraction? What’s inside the new ‘UFO files’ Tension in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate US attacked two Iranian oil tankers on Friday after exchanging fire with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. While the UAE also reported drone and missile attack from Iran. This puts further doubt onto the month long ceasefire that took effect on April 8. According to a Wall Street Journal report US and Iran could restart negotiations in Islamabad again next week. However the month long ceasefire failed to produce any lasting agreement between the two sides. The strategically vital waterway remains a one of the major flashpoint. Commercial shipping companies seek clarity on US Navy support levels in transiting the Strait of hormuz. According to the WSJ report both sides are working with mediators on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that could involve release of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, a possible transfer of enriched uranium and sanction relief, however the total scope of the arrangement remains unclear amid attacks being escalated in the region.

US President Donald Trump warned of launching “Project Freedom Plus” if peace talks with Iran collapse, as tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz following attacks on oil tankers and renewed military exchanges.

Trump warns of ‘Project Freedom Plus’ if Iran talks fail amid escalating Strait of Hormuz crisis

New satellite imagery has revealed a suspected major oil spill near Iran’s Kharg Island, with analysts estimating that tens of thousands of barrels of oil may have leaked into the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel.&nbsp;Images captured between May 6 and May 8 by the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellites showed a large grey and white slick stretching across waters west of Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil export hub.&nbsp;Leon Moreland, a researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, said the slick “appears visually consistent with oil” and estimated that it covered an area of around 45 square kilometres, Reuters reported. Louis Goddard, co-founder of consultancy Data Desk, which specialises in climate and commodities, also said the satellite imagery likely showed an oil slick. He added that it could be the largest such incident since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran around 70 days ago.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-expecting-iran-s-response-to-his-latest-peace-proposal-tonight-after-us-strikes-iranian-tankers-in-gulf-of-oman-1778288379577">Trump says expecting Iran's response to his latest peace proposal 'tonight,' even as US strikes Iranian tankers in Gulf of Oman</a>&nbsp;The exact cause of the potential spill remains unclear, and analysts have stated that the point of origin has not yet been identified. Moreland noted that imagery from May 8 showed no signs of additional active leaks. The US military and Iran’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the satellite images.&nbsp;Kharg Island is a strategically significant facility for Tehran, handling nearly 90 per cent of Iran’s oil exports, much of which is shipped to China. Earlier in the conflict, US forces said they had struck military targets on the island. The reported spill comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where US naval forces have been attempting to restrict Iranian tanker movements in and out of ports. Clashes between US and Iranian forces in the region have also intensified in recent weeks.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ufo-files-uap-apollo-transcripts-distraction-theory-1778254013438">Did Trump just release UFO secrets- or the ultimate distraction?</a> &nbsp;

Satellite imagery revealed a 45-square-kilometre oil slick near Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital export hub. The suspected spill occurs amid ongoing US-Iran maritime clashes and high-stakes ceasefire negotiations.

New satellite imagery has revealed a suspected major oil spill near Iran’s Kharg Island, with analysts estimating that tens of thousands of barrels of oil may have leaked into the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Images captured between May 6 and May 8 by the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellites showed a large grey and white slick stretching across waters west of Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil export hub. Leon Moreland, a researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, said the slick “appears visually consistent with oil” and estimated that it covered an area of around 45 square kilometres, Reuters reported. Louis Goddard, co-founder of consultancy Data Desk, which specialises in climate and commodities, also said the satellite imagery likely showed an oil slick. He added that it could be the largest such incident since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran around 70 days ago. Also read: Trump says expecting Iran's response to his latest peace proposal 'tonight,' even as US strikes Iranian tankers in Gulf of Oman The exact cause of the potential spill remains unclear, and analysts have stated that the point of origin has not yet been identified. Moreland noted that imagery from May 8 showed no signs of additional active leaks. The US military and Iran’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the satellite images. Kharg Island is a strategically significant facility for Tehran, handling nearly 90 per cent of Iran’s oil exports, much of which is shipped to China. Earlier in the conflict, US forces said they had struck military targets on the island. The reported spill comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where US naval forces have been attempting to restrict Iranian tanker movements in and out of ports. Clashes between US and Iranian forces in the region have also intensified in recent weeks. Also read: Did Trump just release UFO secrets- or the ultimate distraction?

Satellite imagery revealed a 45-square-kilometre oil slick near Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital export hub. The suspected spill occurs amid ongoing US-Iran maritime clashes and high-stakes ceasefire negotiations.

Massive oil spill off Iran’s Kharg Island? Satellite images show huge slick near key oil export hub

The Pentagon on Friday (May 8) released video footage showing US forces striking and disabling two Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran despite an ongoing ceasefire negotiation process. According to the US military, American forces fired on the vessels after they allegedly attempted to breach a US-imposed blockade on Iranian ports. The footage released by the Pentagon reportedly shows the smokestacks of the two tankers being hit by an American fighter jet during the operation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Footage of a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet bombing the tanker Sevda as it attempted to run the US blockade on Iran. CENTCOM says that US forces struck and disabled a pair of tankers as they attempted to head for an Iranian port. <a href="https://t.co/iPqX670Hn3">pic.twitter.com/iPqX670Hn3</a>&mdash; OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/2052790893967745217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-expecting-iran-s-response-to-his-latest-peace-proposal-tonight-after-us-strikes-iranian-tankers-in-gulf-of-oman-1778288379577">Trump says expecting Iran's response to his latest peace proposal 'tonight,' even as US strikes Iranian tankers in Gulf of Oman</a>&nbsp;The incident followed an overnight exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces and marks a significant escalation in the region, raising fresh concerns over global energy security and the stability of the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.The US and Iran have been engaged in tense negotiations over a month-old ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and scaling back Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.&nbsp;Despite the latest military confrontation, Washington has maintained that the ceasefire remains in effect. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that he expected “a serious offer” from Iran later in the day, indicating that diplomatic discussions were continuing. The US military also said its forces had earlier thwarted attacks on three Navy ships and carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;The waterway has remained largely blocked by Iran since the United States and Israel launched military operations on February 28, disrupting global energy supplies, pushing up fuel prices, and unsettling international markets. In response, Washington imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports, intensifying pressure on Tehran.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-blatant-violation-iran-accuses-us-of-ceasefire-breach-after-overnight-attacks-as-tehran-reports-fresh-clashes-in-hormuz-1778255462306">‘Blatant violation’: Iran accuses US of ceasefire breach after overnight attacks</a>&nbsp;In a separate development, the United Arab Emirates reported another Iranian missile and drone attack. The UAE Defence Ministry said three people were wounded after air defence systems engaged two ballistic missiles and three drones launched by Iran. Authorities said it remained unclear whether all the projectiles had been intercepted successfully.

The Pentagon released footage of US jets striking two Iranian tankers for breaching a blockade. Despite this escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.

The Pentagon on Friday (May 8) released video footage showing US forces striking and disabling two Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran despite an ongoing ceasefire negotiation process. According to the US military, American forces fired on the vessels after they allegedly attempted to breach a US-imposed blockade on Iranian ports. The footage released by the Pentagon reportedly shows the smokestacks of the two tankers being hit by an American fighter jet during the operation.

The Pentagon released footage of US jets striking two Iranian tankers for breaching a blockade. Despite this escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.

WATCH: Pentagon releases footage of US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet bombing 2 Iranian tankers in Hormuz

As India on Thursday (May 7) held a press conference marking the valour of Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor last year, Pakistan held a similar media briefing. The media event focused on Islamabad, insisting that India's response to one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the Kashmir Valley in recent memory, the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, was unprovoked. However, one moment of Pakistan's presser held by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, alongside senior officials from the Navy and Air Force, has left the internet in splits: Pakistani senior officials pouting over India's use of English in the Op Sindoor anniversary press conference.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-not-just-a-slogan-former-dgmo-lt-gen-ghai-hails-operation-sindoor-as-a-victory-for-india-s-atmanirbhar-push-1778141929277">'Not just a slogan': Former DGMO Lt Gen Ghai hails Operation Sindoor as a victory for India's Atmanirbhar push</a><h2>'Why are they speaking English?'</h2>Pakistan's Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had a peculiar problem with India's remarks during the Operation Sindoor anniversary press conference: "Why are they speaking English?" he questioned, before speculating, "Is it because you want to tell the world what happened?".A video of the ISPR chief's bizarre meltdown is going viral on social media, with netizens mocking the Pakistani general.Poking fun at the peculiar remark, netizens commented, "This might be the most brain-rotted, clown-shoe take I’ve heard in years."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Someone tell him Hindi is neither the only nor the official language of India. We’re a multilingual country with diverse cultures and languages. English is widely used because it connects both non-Hindi states and the world. India doesn’t impose one language or one culture on…&mdash; Ratnesh Paliya (@Krishna300998) <a href="https://twitter.com/Krishna300998/status/2052381031798366608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"Someone tell him Hindi is neither the only nor the official language of India. We’re a multilingual country with diverse cultures and languages. English is widely used because it connects both non-Hindi states and the world. India doesn’t impose one language or one culture on everyone," noted another. Notably, India boasts the second-largest English-speaking population globally, with approximately 125–135 million speakers, trailing only the United States.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-political-crisis-tvk-threatens-mass-resignation-as-governor-blocks-thalapathy-vijay-from-forming-government-1778207098450">Tamil Nadu political crisis: TVK threatens mass resignation as governor blocks Thalapathy Vijay from forming government</a><h2>Pakistan claims Operation Sindoor was "unprovoked"</h2>Speaking at what Pakistan called the Marka-i-Haq, or Battle of Truth briefing, the Pakistani generals also falsely claimed that India's anti-terror Operation Sindoor was "unprovoked," and repeated claims that Pak military downed many Indian jets. The assertion has been repeatedly refuted by India, and Islamabad is yet to offer any solid proof to back the claims.On the other hand, at India's press conference, India's Air Marshal AK Bharti listed, in detail, the damage India inflicted on Pakistan during the four-day India-Pakistan conflict last year. "We struck and decimated their 9 terrorist camps on 7th May. The proof is there for everybody to see. We struck 11 of their airfields. We destroyed 13 of their aircraft either on the ground or in the air, including one high-value airborne asset at a record distance of 300 kilometres plus," he said.

Islamabad's presser on India-Pakistan 4-day war took an unexpected turn when its top military spokesperson appeared baffled that India used English, asking, “Why speak in English?” The remark has since gone viral, drawing widespread mockery online. Watch it HERE.

As India on Thursday (May 7) held a press conference marking the valour of Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor last year, Pakistan held a similar media briefing. The media event focused on Islamabad, insisting that India's response to one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the Kashmir Valley in recent memory, the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, was unprovoked. However, one moment of Pakistan's presser held by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, alongside senior officials from the Navy and Air Force, has left the internet in splits: Pakistani senior officials pouting over India's use of English in the Op Sindoor anniversary press conference. Also read | 'Not just a slogan': Former DGMO Lt Gen Ghai hails Operation Sindoor as a victory for India's Atmanirbhar push 'Why are they speaking English?' Pakistan's Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had a peculiar problem with India's remarks during the Operation Sindoor anniversary press conference: "Why are they speaking English?" he questioned, before speculating, "Is it because you want to tell the world what happened?". A video of the ISPR chief's bizarre meltdown is going viral on social media, with netizens mocking the Pakistani general. Poking fun at the peculiar remark, netizens commented, "This might be the most brain-rotted, clown-shoe take I’ve heard in years."

Islamabad's presser on India-Pakistan 4-day war took an unexpected turn when its top military spokesperson appeared baffled that India used English, asking, “Why speak in English?” The remark has since gone viral, drawing widespread mockery online. Watch it HERE.

'Why speak in English?': Pakistan's bizarre meltdown over India's Operation Sindoor press conference goes VIRAL | WATCH

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) told reporters that he was expecting a letter from Iran on his latest peace proposal "tonight." The POTUS's statement comes as the Middle East conflict lurched through another volatile Friday, with a US fighter jet disabling two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. "I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we'll see how that goes," Trump said, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Rome, expressed hope that Iran's response would be "a serious offer."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missiles-and-deals-at-the-same-time-us-iran-war-and-peace-dichotomy-explained-through-history-1778225338623">Missiles and deals at the same time? US-Iran war and peace dichotomy explained through history</a><h2>US strikes Iranian tankers</h2>A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet used precision munitions on two Iranian-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman, the gateway to the vital Strait of Hormuz, to prevent them from continuing toward Iran, US Central Command said. Iran's military, meanwhile, said that its navy had "responded to the violation of the ceasefire and to American terrorism with strikes," before adding that "the clashes have now ceased."<h2>Iran accuses the US of ceasefire violations</h2>Iran's UN envoy Amir Saeed Iravani, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, has accused Washington of ceasefire violations. Iran's foreign ministry said the US proposal on extending the truce was still "under review."On the diplomatic side, Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met Vice President JD Vance in Washington to discuss the Pakistani-led effort to broker a permanent settlement.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-why-speak-in-english-pakistan-s-bizarre-meltdown-over-india-s-operation-sindoor-press-conference-goes-viral-watch-1778233667496">'Why speak in English?': Pakistan's bizarre meltdown over India's Operation Sindoor press conference goes VIRAL | WATCH</a><h2>Oil slick off Kharg Island</h2>Satellite imagery shows an oil slick spreading off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, covering more than 20 square miles (52 square kilometres) according to global monitor Orbital EOS. The cause of the apparent spill was not immediately clear.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, 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.

Trump says he expects Iran’s response to his latest peace proposal “tonight,” even as US forces struck two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman in another sign of how diplomacy and confrontation remain tightly intertwined.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) told reporters that he was expecting a letter from Iran on his latest peace proposal "tonight." The POTUS's statement comes as the Middle East conflict lurched through another volatile Friday, with a US fighter jet disabling two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. "I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we'll see how that goes," Trump said, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Rome, expressed hope that Iran's response would be "a serious offer." Also read | Missiles and deals at the same time? US-Iran war and peace dichotomy explained through history US strikes Iranian tankers A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet used precision munitions on two Iranian-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman, the gateway to the vital Strait of Hormuz, to prevent them from continuing toward Iran, US Central Command said. Iran's military, meanwhile, said that its navy had "responded to the violation of the ceasefire and to American terrorism with strikes," before adding that "the clashes have now ceased." Iran accuses the US of ceasefire violations Iran's UN envoy Amir Saeed Iravani, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, has accused Washington of ceasefire violations. Iran's foreign ministry said the US proposal on extending the truce was still "under review." On the diplomatic side, Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met Vice President JD Vance in Washington to discuss the Pakistani-led effort to broker a permanent settlement. Also read | 'Why speak in English?': Pakistan's bizarre meltdown over India's Operation Sindoor press conference goes VIRAL | WATCH Oil slick off Kharg Island Satellite imagery shows an oil slick spreading off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, covering more than 20 square miles (52 square kilometres) according to global monitor Orbital EOS. The cause of the apparent spill was not immediately clear. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, 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.

Trump says he expects Iran’s response to his latest peace proposal “tonight,” even as US forces struck two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman in another sign of how diplomacy and confrontation remain tightly intertwined.

Trump says expecting Iran's response to his latest peace proposal 'tonight,' even as US strikes Iranian tankers in Gulf of Oman

WASHINGTON - For decades, the United States enjoyed a positive image in much of the world. No longer. Nothing highlights the sharp change in perceptions than a global survey that showed more positive views of China and Russia than America.&nbsp;The survey is an annual exercise commissioned by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, a watchdog group based in Denmark. Its findings were based &nbsp;on polling of more than 94,000 respondents in 85 countries. It is said to be the largest survey of its kind.&nbsp;It was published on May 8 ahead of a Summit on Democracy in Copenhagen next week. Of the countries surveyed, 82 held negative views of the United States.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missiles-and-deals-at-the-same-time-us-iran-war-and-peace-dichotomy-explained-through-history-1778225338623">Missiles and deals at the same time? US-Iran war and peace dichotomy explained through history</a>&nbsp;The results underscore Washington’s disdain of what political scientists call “soft power,” a term coined in the mid-1980s by the late Harvard professor Joseph Nye. His last essay on the subject, published shortly after his death in June 2025, argued that U.S. foreign policy was doomed if America continued to turn its back on soft power.&nbsp;The term defines the ability of a country to influence others by attraction and persuasion rather than coercion, force, or payments .Soft power covers the cultural appeal conveyed by, for example, movies, music and lifestyles. (During the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, American-made blue jeans were prized possessions, soft power tools in a way.)&nbsp;“The fast decline of the United States’ perception around the world is saddening but not shocking,” former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters when he presented the survey results.&nbsp;He added: “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,” a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeatedly stated intention to take control of Greenland.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-dismisses-iranian-attack-on-three-us-warships-as-a-trifle-insists-ceasefire-still-in-place-1778205065513">Trump dismisses Iranian attack on three US warships in Strait of Hormuz as 'a trifle,' insists ceasefire still in place</a>&nbsp;Add the painful economic impact resulting from the war on Iran Trump launched on February 28, and it is easy to understand why Rasmussen said the unprecedented decline of &nbsp;views of America was “not shocking.”&nbsp;Iran responded to devastating waves of air and missile strikes on 13,000 targets, from military installations to suspected nuclear facilities, by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway which carries twenty percent of the world’s oil, gas &nbsp;and fertilisers. &nbsp;The initial attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and most of his senior aides. &nbsp;&nbsp;The war is now in its third month and indirect negotiations, brokered by Pakistan, have not been successful. The U.S. is clearly not as skilled in diplomacy and negotiations as it is in using its overwhelming military might.&nbsp;Soft power has been a topic of concern among the foreign policy community for years but it has taken on urgency since the Donald Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021 when he described the European Union as a “foe.” &nbsp;&nbsp;His habit of breaking long-established norms of international relations gathered momentum since he began his second term in January 2025. Now, the expression “soft power suicide” tends to crop up in conversations about where the United States is going.&nbsp;In an insightful essay in Foreign Policy magazine, an influential publication widely read by experts, Stephen Walt, professor of international relations at Harvard, argued that &nbsp;“the United States has given up one of its core international strengths.” &nbsp;&nbsp;Walt noted that one of the most striking features of the Trump administration is its “absolute confidence in America’s hard power.” No other country can match America’s military might or the awe-inspiring skills of special forces that were on display in the operation to abduct the Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3.&nbsp;They were flown to New York to face charges of drug smuggling. Maduro was replaced by his deputy, Delcy Rodriguez. She soon made clear she would follow policies acceptable to Trump. The U.S. promptly re-opened its embassy in Caracas.&nbsp;The success of the Maduro raid apparently convinced Trump that killing Iran’s Supreme Leader and almost all of the top leadership would result in a regime that would bend to his will. He was wrong. Ayatollah Khomeini was replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khomeini.&nbsp;He is considered more hardline and inflexible than his father and the prospect of finding an Iranian equivalent of Delcy Rodriguez is remote. &nbsp;&nbsp;Now, Iranian officials say Washington and Tehran are debating a one-page U.S. proposal for the two sides to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin a 30-day truce to give time for negotiations on a comprehensive deal to end the war. Iran has yet to respond.&nbsp;Walt’s essay echoed a point shared by many critics of &nbsp;U.S. over-reliance on military power, a historic trend which failed to end in victory in the long wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan.&nbsp;“What’s puzzling is that administration officials don’t recognise what’s happening,” he wrote. “Do they not understand…that treating the use of force as an act to be celebrated is going to make other countries less willing to work with an erratic, vengeful and potentially threatening America?&nbsp;“Haven’t they ever heard the old adage that “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”? &nbsp;&nbsp;It’s no surprise that in the survey by the Alliance of Democracy Foundation, the United States was most frequently named in response to which country posed the greatest threat to the world, after Russia and Israel. &nbsp;&nbsp;DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WION.

Soft power has been a topic of concern among the foreign policy community for years but it has taken on urgency since the Donald Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021 when he described the European Union as a “foe.”  

WASHINGTON - For decades, the United States enjoyed a positive image in much of the world. No longer. Nothing highlights the sharp change in perceptions than a global survey that showed more positive views of China and Russia than America. The survey is an annual exercise commissioned by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, a watchdog group based in Denmark. Its findings were based on polling of more than 94,000 respondents in 85 countries. It is said to be the largest survey of its kind. It was published on May 8 ahead of a Summit on Democracy in Copenhagen next week. Of the countries surveyed, 82 held negative views of the United States. Also read | Missiles and deals at the same time? US-Iran war and peace dichotomy explained through history The results underscore Washington’s disdain of what political scientists call “soft power,” a term coined in the mid-1980s by the late Harvard professor Joseph Nye. His last essay on the subject, published shortly after his death in June 2025, argued that U.S. foreign policy was doomed if America continued to turn its back on soft power. The term defines the ability of a country to influence others by attraction and persuasion rather than coercion, force, or payments .Soft power covers the cultural appeal conveyed by, for example, movies, music and lifestyles. (During the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, American-made blue jeans were prized possessions, soft power tools in a way.) “The fast decline of the United States’ perception around the world is saddening but not shocking,” former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters when he presented the survey results. He added: “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,” a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeatedly stated intention to take control of Greenland. Also read | Trump dismisses Iranian attack on three US warships in Strait of Hormuz as 'a trifle,' insists ceasefire still in place Add the painful economic impact resulting from the war on Iran Trump launched on February 28, and it is easy to understand why Rasmussen said the unprecedented decline of views of America was “not shocking.” Iran responded to devastating waves of air and missile strikes on 13,000 targets, from military installations to suspected nuclear facilities, by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway which carries twenty percent of the world’s oil, gas and fertilisers. The initial attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and most of his senior aides. The war is now in its third month and indirect negotiations, brokered by Pakistan, have not been successful. The U.S. is clearly not as skilled in diplomacy and negotiations as it is in using its overwhelming military might. Soft power has been a topic of concern among the foreign policy community for years but it has taken on urgency since the Donald Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021 when he described the European Union as a “foe.” His habit of breaking long-established norms of international relations gathered momentum since he began his second term in January 2025. Now, the expression “soft power suicide” tends to crop up in conversations about where the United States is going. In an insightful essay in Foreign Policy magazine, an influential publication widely read by experts, Stephen Walt, professor of international relations at Harvard, argued that “the United States has given up one of its core international strengths.” Walt noted that one of the most striking features of the Trump administration is its “absolute confidence in America’s hard power.” No other country can match America’s military might or the awe-inspiring skills of special forces that were on display in the operation to abduct the Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3. They were flown to New York to face charges of drug smuggling. Maduro was replaced by his deputy, Delcy Rodriguez. She soon made clear she would follow policies acceptable to Trump. The U.S. promptly re-opened its embassy in Caracas. The success of the Maduro raid apparently convinced Trump that killing Iran’s Supreme Leader and almost all of the top leadership would result in a regime that would bend to his will. He was wrong. Ayatollah Khomeini was replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khomeini. He is considered more hardline and inflexible than his father and the prospect of finding an Iranian equivalent of Delcy Rodriguez is remote. Now, Iranian officials say Washington and Tehran are debating a one-page U.S. proposal for the two sides to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin a 30-day truce to give time for negotiations on a comprehensive deal to end the war. Iran has yet to respond. Walt’s essay echoed a point shared by many critics of U.S. over-reliance on military power, a historic trend which failed to end in victory in the long wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan. “What’s puzzling is that administration officials don’t recognise what’s happening,” he wrote. “Do they not understand…that treating the use of force as an act to be celebrated is going to make other countries less willing to work with an erratic, vengeful and potentially threatening America? “Haven’t they ever heard the old adage that “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”? It’s no surprise that in the survey by the Alliance of Democracy Foundation, the United States was most frequently named in response to which country posed the greatest threat to the world, after Russia and Israel. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WION.

Soft power has been a topic of concern among the foreign policy community for years but it has taken on urgency since the Donald Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021 when he described the European Union as a “foe.” &nbsp;

Trump 2.0: The world’s military giant is losing the global soft power contest

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting tomorrow. This comes as Russia is set to celebrate Victory Day on May 9, which commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany during World War II in 1945. He added that the ceasefire will include a suspension of all fighting between the two nations and a prisoner swap. The US president also expressed hopes for ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, saying that negotiations are ongoing. Trump added that the temporary truce was announced following a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.“I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.Detailing the ceasefire, Trump said that the temporary truce will also include a swap of 1,000 prisoners from each side. “This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country,” he said.“This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day,” Trump added.<h2>Zelensky thanks Trump</h2>Following the announcement by the US president, Zelensky thanked Trump for the productive diplomatic involvement. He added that he expects the US to ensure that the Russian side abides to the agreements as well.“Today, within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000. A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange,” he said.“I thank the President of the United States and his team for their productive diplomatic involvement. We expect the United States to ensure that the Russian side fulfills these agreements,” he added. “Glory to Ukraine!”

US President Donald Trump announced a three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and a prisoner swap ahead of Victory Day. He added that talks are ongoing to end the conflict.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting tomorrow. This comes as Russia is set to celebrate Victory Day on May 9, which commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany during World War II in 1945. He added that the ceasefire will include a suspension of all fighting between the two nations and a prisoner swap. The US president also expressed hopes for ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, saying that negotiations are ongoing. Trump added that the temporary truce was announced following a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Detailing the ceasefire, Trump said that the temporary truce will also include a swap of 1,000 prisoners from each side. “This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country,” he said. “This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day,” Trump added. Zelensky thanks Trump Following the announcement by the US president, Zelensky thanked Trump for the productive diplomatic involvement. He added that he expects the US to ensure that the Russian side abides to the agreements as well. “Today, within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000. A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange,” he said. “I thank the President of the United States and his team for their productive diplomatic involvement. We expect the United States to ensure that the Russian side fulfills these agreements,” he added. “Glory to Ukraine!”

US President Donald Trump announced a three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and a prisoner swap ahead of Victory Day. He added that talks are ongoing to end the conflict.

‘We are getting closer’: Trump announces 3-day ceasefire between Russia, Ukraine to mark Victory Day

The Trump administration, on Friday, May 8, 2026, released the first batch of “UFO files". The files purportedly claim to have released 162 never-before-seen videos, photographs and witness testimonies tied to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). The declassified materials are publicly available through a dedicated portal hosted by the US Department of War. The move is part of the initiative known as PURSUE (Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters) involving multiple US federal agencies.&nbsp;<h2>What is in the UFO files?</h2>Among the most controversial materials were images and transcripts linked to NASA's Apollo 17, Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 moon missions. In the Apollo 12 transcript, it reads “the pilot of the Lunar Module (LMP-LM), Astronaut Alan L. Bean, described observing particles and flashes of light 'sailing off in space' via the onboard Alignment Optical Telescope (AOT). He characterised these phenomena as ‘escaping the Moon.’” Another such testimony from the Apollo 12 mission reads, “Mission Commander, Charles ‘Pete’ Conrad, described observing floating debris outside the lunar module, which had been illuminated by the module’s onboard tracking light. At 06:00:21:51, Conrad assessed that the tracking light had burnt out because he could no longer see the debris from the module.” Another such testimony from the Apollo 17 mission transcript mentions astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt described "very bright particles" and "jagged, angular fragments" moving past their windows. There are several other reports of UAP sightings over Georgia, Turkmenistan, the UAE, and videos of suggested UAPs moving over the Gulf of Oman. &nbsp;Other documents include visual reconstruction of eyewitness testimony; however, none of the files has been verified, and the Trump administration quite similar to the Epstein files has left bread crumbs for the public to fiddle around. It's like another task of augmented reality or a gameshow where the observers are invited to solve the puzzle.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-missile-stockpile-us-blockade-strait-of-hormuz-1778247557246">Is Iran stronger than before the war? Tehran claims missile stockpile now at 120% amid US blockade</a><h2>What is the response from the Trump administration?</h2>The White House described the documents as “never-before-seen", while Trump directed people's attention towards the files he did not personally claim the existence of aliens, stating that the public should "make up their own minds". US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed that the release is a move to end "decades of public suspicion" and provide "maximum disclosure".&nbsp;Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a Trump loyalist, is now a vocal critic of Trump, launched a harsh criticism of the move by the administration, calling it a tactic to get people “so excited that you forgot you are paying over $4.50/gallon” and diverting attention from the Epstein files. While Trump's critics and fanatics battle over the credibility of different sets of files, Trump can use this ultimate weapon of mass distraction and, at the same time, target the credibility of some of the tragic crimes of the 21st century. In 1994, &nbsp;Canadian conspiracy theorist and journalist Serge Monast claimed about an “Operation Blue Beam” which asserts that the US will stage an alien attack or supernatural event to manipulate people to establish a "New World Order" under a totalitarian government.Humanity and popular culture's fascination with aliens has made it relatively smooth to jump from unknown to extraterrestrial beings. Just because a phenomenon can't be explained does not imply it's linked to extraterrestrial beings. Neil Patrick Harris claimed that “theory of the gap” can not substitute science. Scientist and host of the show Cosmos, Carl Sagan, once said, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence”. Analysts have urged people to “take it with a grain of salt”. Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, who served as the first director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Pentagon’s official UFO-hunting unit, warned against the "erosion of critical thinking" regarding UAP claims.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Trump administration has released the first batch of declassified “UFO files” featuring alleged UAP videos, Apollo mission transcripts and witness testimonies, sparking debate over aliens, conspiracy theories and political distraction.

The Trump administration, on Friday, May 8, 2026, released the first batch of “UFO files". The files purportedly claim to have released 162 never-before-seen videos, photographs and witness testimonies tied to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). The declassified materials are publicly available through a dedicated portal hosted by the US Department of War. The move is part of the initiative known as PURSUE (Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters) involving multiple US federal agencies. What is in the UFO files? Among the most controversial materials were images and transcripts linked to NASA's Apollo 17, Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 moon missions. In the Apollo 12 transcript, it reads “the pilot of the Lunar Module (LMP-LM), Astronaut Alan L. Bean, described observing particles and flashes of light 'sailing off in space' via the onboard Alignment Optical Telescope (AOT). He characterised these phenomena as ‘escaping the Moon.’” Another such testimony from the Apollo 12 mission reads, “Mission Commander, Charles ‘Pete’ Conrad, described observing floating debris outside the lunar module, which had been illuminated by the module’s onboard tracking light. At 06:00:21:51, Conrad assessed that the tracking light had burnt out because he could no longer see the debris from the module.” Another such testimony from the Apollo 17 mission transcript mentions astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt described "very bright particles" and "jagged, angular fragments" moving past their windows. There are several other reports of UAP sightings over Georgia, Turkmenistan, the UAE, and videos of suggested UAPs moving over the Gulf of Oman. Other documents include visual reconstruction of eyewitness testimony; however, none of the files has been verified, and the Trump administration quite similar to the Epstein files has left bread crumbs for the public to fiddle around. It's like another task of augmented reality or a gameshow where the observers are invited to solve the puzzle. Also Read: Is Iran stronger than before the war? Tehran claims missile stockpile now at 120% amid US blockade What is the response from the Trump administration? The White House described the documents as “never-before-seen", while Trump directed people's attention towards the files he did not personally claim the existence of aliens, stating that the public should "make up their own minds". US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed that the release is a move to end "decades of public suspicion" and provide "maximum disclosure". Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a Trump loyalist, is now a vocal critic of Trump, launched a harsh criticism of the move by the administration, calling it a tactic to get people “so excited that you forgot you are paying over $4.50/gallon” and diverting attention from the Epstein files. While Trump's critics and fanatics battle over the credibility of different sets of files, Trump can use this ultimate weapon of mass distraction and, at the same time, target the credibility of some of the tragic crimes of the 21st century. In 1994, Canadian conspiracy theorist and journalist Serge Monast claimed about an “Operation Blue Beam” which asserts that the US will stage an alien attack or supernatural event to manipulate people to establish a "New World Order" under a totalitarian government. Humanity and popular culture's fascination with aliens has made it relatively smooth to jump from unknown to extraterrestrial beings. Just because a phenomenon can't be explained does not imply it's linked to extraterrestrial beings. Neil Patrick Harris claimed that “theory of the gap” can not substitute science. Scientist and host of the show Cosmos, Carl Sagan, once said, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence”. Analysts have urged people to “take it with a grain of salt”. Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, who served as the first director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Pentagon’s official UFO-hunting unit, warned against the "erosion of critical thinking" regarding UAP claims.

The Trump administration has released the first batch of declassified “UFO files” featuring alleged UAP videos, Apollo mission transcripts and witness testimonies, sparking debate over aliens, conspiracy theories and political distraction.

Did Trump just release UFO secrets- or the ultimate distraction? What’s inside the new ‘UFO files’

Iran on Friday (May 8) accused the United States of violating the ceasefire as both sides blamed each other for triggering overnight clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. This comes after Tehran’s military command said that Washington initiated the exchange of fire by attacking an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, adding that its forces “immediately and in retaliation attacked American military vessels.” Meanwhile, Iranian media reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with the US in Hormuz on Friday.“The action carried out last night was both a blatant violation of international law and a breach of the ceasefire,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, as per the ISNA news agency.“At the same time, the country's defenders delivered a 'major slap' to the enemy and repelled the enemies’ aggression with full force,” he added.<h2>Iranian media reports fresh clashes</h2>Iran’s Fars news agency on Friday reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with the US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz. “For the last hour, sporadic clashes have taken place between the Iranian armed forces and American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” it said.The US Central Command said that it struck and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, accusing them of attempting to violate the American naval blockade of Iran’s ports. Washington has now intercepted four ships that it said were attempting to violate the US restrictions, which have been in place since April 13.&nbsp;In a post on X, US Central Command said that the vessels, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were entering an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM enforced blockade measures against the two unladen oil tankers, with F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) disabling them after firing munitions.It added that US forces earlier disabled the Iranian-flagged M/T Hasna on May 6 when it attempted to move towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was disabled with an F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).“All three vessels are no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM said.Tensions have remained in the West Asian water despite a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, with both sides enforcing their blockades. Tehran has blocked the most crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy supply crisis. Meanwhile, peace talks remained stalled.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 accused the US of violating the ceasefire after overnight clashes in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising naval tensions and tanker strikes.

Iran on Friday (May 8) accused the United States of violating the ceasefire as both sides blamed each other for triggering overnight clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. This comes after Tehran’s military command said that Washington initiated the exchange of fire by attacking an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, adding that its forces “immediately and in retaliation attacked American military vessels.” Meanwhile, Iranian media reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with the US in Hormuz on Friday. “The action carried out last night was both a blatant violation of international law and a breach of the ceasefire,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, as per the ISNA news agency. “At the same time, the country's defenders delivered a 'major slap' to the enemy and repelled the enemies’ aggression with full force,” he added. Iranian media reports fresh clashes Iran’s Fars news agency on Friday reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with the US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz. “For the last hour, sporadic clashes have taken place between the Iranian armed forces and American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” it said. The US Central Command said that it struck and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, accusing them of attempting to violate the American naval blockade of Iran’s ports. Washington has now intercepted four ships that it said were attempting to violate the US restrictions, which have been in place since April 13. In a post on X, US Central Command said that the vessels, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were entering an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM enforced blockade measures against the two unladen oil tankers, with F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) disabling them after firing munitions. It added that US forces earlier disabled the Iranian-flagged M/T Hasna on May 6 when it attempted to move towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was disabled with an F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). “All three vessels are no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM said. Tensions have remained in the West Asian water despite a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, with both sides enforcing their blockades. Tehran has blocked the most crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy supply crisis. Meanwhile, peace talks remained stalled. 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 accused the US of violating the ceasefire after overnight clashes in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising naval tensions and tanker strikes.

‘Blatant violation’: Iran accuses US of ceasefire breach after overnight attacks as Tehran reports fresh clashes in Hormuz

US forces on Friday (May 8) struck and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, accusing them of attempting to violate the American naval blockade of Iran’s ports. Washington has now intercepted four ships that it said were attempting to violate the US restrictions, which have been in place since April 13. This comes as Iranian media reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with the US forces in the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on X, US Central Command said that the vessels, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were entering an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM enforced blockade measures against the two unladen oil tankers, with F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) disabling them after firing munitions.Footage below:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/rOZfFGtptY">https://t.co/rOZfFGtptY</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2052751945329242281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) enforced blockade measures against two Iranian-flagged unladen oil tankers attempting to pull into an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) disabled both tankers after firing precision munitions into their smokestacks, preventing the non-compliant ships from entering Iran,” CENTCOM said in a statement.It added that US forces earlier disabled the Iranian-flagged M/T Hasna on May 6 when it attempted to move towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was disabled with an F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).“All three vessels are no longer transiting to Iran,” it said.“U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Our highly trained men and women in uniform are doing incredible work.” Since the blockade began, the US forces have disabled several vessels, while more than 50 have been redirected by the CENTCOM forces.Earlier on April 19, the American forces intercepted and seized the Iranian-flagged M/V Touska after it violated the blockade and ignored multiple warnings from a US destroyer.Tensions have remained in the West Asian water despite a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, with both sides enforcing their blockades. Tehran has blocked the most crucial waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy supply crisis. Meanwhile, peace talks remained stalled.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.

US Central Command said American forces disabled two Iranian tankers near the Gulf of Oman over blockade violations, amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces on Friday (May 8) struck and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, accusing them of attempting to violate the American naval blockade of Iran’s ports. Washington has now intercepted four ships that it said were attempting to violate the US restrictions, which have been in place since April 13. This comes as Iranian media reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with the US forces in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X, US Central Command said that the vessels, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were entering an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM enforced blockade measures against the two unladen oil tankers, with F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) disabling them after firing munitions. Footage below:

US Central Command said American forces disabled two Iranian tankers near the Gulf of Oman over blockade violations, amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces strike two Iranian vessels over blockade violation; CENTCOM releases footage | WATCH

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US forces strike two Iranian vessels over blockade violation | WATCH