Liam and Olivia remained the top baby names of 2025 in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration’s annual baby names ranking released on Friday, May 8, 2026. The SSA said both names held the No. 1 position for the seventh consecutive year. The rankings are based on Social Security card applications submitted for babies born in the United States in 2025.

US law enforcement officials announced Friday that Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, a senior operative of the Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah, has been charged for plotting attacks targeting Jewish communities in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Prosecutors described Al-Saadi as a “high-value target” responsible for multiple international terrorism incidents, directing assaults on US and Israeli interests in retaliation for ongoing Middle East conflicts involving Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, except for vessels from countries currently at war with Iran. Speaking in New Delhi, Araghchi emphasized that Tehran prioritizes safe navigation through this vital maritime corridor. Strategic Importance of the Strait The minister highlighted the strait’s significance for oil, gas, and global trade. With a substantial share of worl

A shocking incident occurred in Outer Delhi on May 11, 2026, when a woman was allegedly gang-raped inside a moving sleeper bus. The victim boarded the bus at Saraswati Vihar bus stand around midnight. CCTV cameras along the 7-kilometer route captured the bus journey, including passages near Deepali Chowk Metro, Mangolpuri flyover, Peeragarhi, and Udyog Nagar Metro, before stopping near Nangloi railway road. The private bus was seized and brought to Rani Bagh Police Station, with the news of t

In a significant political milestone, Himanta Biswa Sarma has been sworn in as Assam’s Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, making history as the first non-Congress leader in the state to achieve this feat. Sarma's swearing-in ceremony took place on May 12, 2026, after the BJP-led NDA secured a record victory in the Assam Assembly elections, further solidifying the party's dominance in the state. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Lakshman Prasad

JPMorgan Chase is facing renewed scrutiny after former banker Chirayu Rana rejected a reported $1 million settlement offer tied to allegations of sexual assault, racial harassment, and workplace misconduct in New York City. The refiled lawsuit, submitted this week, includes new witness statements

President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, for high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as tensions over Iran, oil trade and regional stability continue to grow.

US President Donald Trump has generated significant attention on social media after sharing a proposed logo design for a rebranded version of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The new design features a prominent eagle with outstretched wings, styled in gold and black, holding arrows and an olive branch. At the center, a shield with stars and stripes is flanked by stars above and below, with the acronym ‘NICE’ boldly displayed in the center. The proposal to rename ICE to th

A powerful explosion at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province on Monday (May 4) has tragically killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, according to state media reports. The explosion occurred at the Changsha Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks plant in the city of Liuyang, a major hub for the country’s fireworks industry. Videos circulating online showed thick grey smoke rising high into the sky, with the intensity of the blast visibly shaking nearby structures. Chinese

The much-anticipated counting of votes for the Assembly Election Results 2026 has officially begun across five crucial states in India – West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. This election cycle has drawn nationwide attention due to intense campaigning, shifting alliances, and the presence of both established political giants and emerging challengers. With a three-tier security system in place, election officials initiated the counting process early in the morning, startin

India is set to witness decisive outcomes as vote counting begins for the recently held Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The results, secured in electronic voting machines under strict multi-layered security, are expected to be finalized by the end of the day, marking a significant moment in the country’s political landscape. The atmosphere remained highly charged leading up to counting day, particularly in We

US Authorizes $9 Billion in Arms Sales to Middle East Allies The United States has authorized the expedited sale of arms to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, totaling nearly $9 billion. This decision, approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, bypasses the standard congressional review process and is designed t

A poll of exit polls for the 2026 assembly elections across key states indicates a mixed political landscape, with different parties gaining ground in different regions. While the Bharatiya Janata Party is projected to dominate Assam, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is expected to retain power in Tam

Exit poll predicts NDA sweeping Assam with 88 to 100 seats in Assembly elections. BJP-led alliance likely to secure third consecutive term with strong vote share lead. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance is poised for a decisive victory in the Assam Assemb

Enforcement targets sanctions violations The United States has seized two tankers allegedly transporting Iranian oil, intensifying tensions with Iran and drawing sharp condemnation from Tehran. Iranian officials described the operation as “armed robbery on the high seas,” accusing

How is U.S. pressure on Iran intensifying? It combines sanctions, blockade, and enforcement as economic and geopolitical forces converge to place unprecedented strain on Tehran, according to a former U.S. Treasury sanctions expert who described the current moment as a rare alignment of leverage. Converging tools create peak economic pressure Miad Maleki, a former Treasury Department sanctions specialist, said the United States is applying multiple pressu