Tesla has begun production of its highly anticipated autonomous 'Cybercab' robotaxi, company CEO Elon Musk announced on social media platform X. According to AFP from Washington, Musk posted a 38-second promotional video showing the driverless vehicle leaving the factory and moving onto the road. He also shared another clip featuring multiple golden-colored Cybercabs driving together. Tesla stated on Wednesday that it is on track to start volume production of both the Cybercab and the Tesla Semi this year, reporting a first-quarter profit of 477 million dollars.

The Cybercab, first unveiled in the fall of 2024, is designed as a fully autonomous taxi without a steering wheel or pedals. Musk had previously said the vehicle would reach the market by 2027. In June of last year, Tesla launched a limited 'early access' robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, the company released an image showing workers around the first Cybercab on the production line at its Giga Texas factory.

The start of production marks a significant milestone in Tesla’s push toward commercial autonomous mobility, signaling progress toward its long-term robotaxi ambitions.

The United States has deployed three aircraft carriers to the Middle East for the first time in 23 years, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The arrival of the USS George HW Bush joins the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford, bringing a total of 12 accompanying ships, more than 200 aircraft, and 15,000 soldiers to the region. CENTCOM said the last comparable buildup occurred before the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The deployment comes amid a fragile ceasefire involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, with Iran demanding the lifting of a US naval blockade as a condition for resuming talks. President Donald Trump extended the truce on Wednesday but maintained the blockade, which Iran has called an “act of war.” In response, Iran reblocked the Strait of Hormuz after briefly reopening it. Trump has indicated no urgency to alter the current situation, claiming it weakens Iran’s economy at minimal cost to the US.

CENTCOM confirmed that 34 vessels have been redirected in the region and that the blockade continues. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel is ready to resume military action against Iran if authorized by the US.

Andrea Dressi, assistant professor of international relations and world politics at the American University of Rome, told Al Jazeera that the Trump administration is not united on its strategy for continuing the war with Iran. He noted that the administration’s goals and tactics appear to be shifting constantly, reflecting internal disagreements.

Dressi said that while the administration tries to project strength on social media, growing divisions and dismissals of senior Pentagon and Defense Department officials reveal deeper discord. He argued that the United States and Israel may have miscalculated the consequences of the conflict or based their actions on flawed strategic assumptions.

According to Dressi, the Trump administration is now seeking a way out of the situation by extending the ceasefire and showing some openness to diplomacy. However, he warned that the risks remain high, with the conflict threatening global economic stability and raising fears of a broader military confrontation.

Uncertainty remains over Iran’s participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the United States confirming that Iranian players will be allowed to compete. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Iran’s footballers may take part, but no team member or accompanying individual with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be permitted entry. The IRGC is listed by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization. Rubio clarified that the issue concerns potential associates, not the players themselves.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran’s group-stage matches set to be held on US soil. This has added complexity to the situation. A proposal from a Trump envoy to replace Iran with Italy was dismissed by US officials as lacking any formal basis. Ongoing regional tensions among the United States, Israel, and Iran have influenced the matter, and although a ceasefire is in place, full resolution has yet to be achieved.

As a result, Iran’s World Cup campaign faces diplomatic hurdles even before the tournament begins.

The US Department of Justice has filed charges against Gannon Kane Van Dyke, a 38-year-old member of the US Special Forces, for allegedly using classified military information to profit from bets related to the potential capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Prosecutors claim Van Dyke earned more than $400,000 by placing 13 bets on the prediction market platform Polymarket, wagering on whether US forces would attack Venezuela and when Maduro might be removed from power.

Investigators said Van Dyke was an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and had access to confidential details about a secret mission called “Operation Absolute Resolve,” which aimed to apprehend Maduro. The FBI described his actions as a severe breach of public trust, alleging that he exploited sensitive information for personal gain.

Van Dyke faces three counts of violating commodity exchange laws, one count of wire fraud, and one count of conducting an illegal financial transaction. The charges carry potential prison sentences of up to 20 years for wire fraud and 10 years for other offenses.

A report by The New York Times, cited by Amader Desh on April 24, 2026, states that a large portion of the United States’ global weapons stockpile has been exhausted due to the ongoing war with Iran. The Pentagon has reportedly been forced to transfer military equipment from its Asia and European commands to the Middle East to sustain operations.

Although White House officials have not disclosed the exact expenditure, two independent organizations estimate the cost of the Iran war to be between 28 and 35 billion dollars, averaging about 1 billion dollars per day. The report highlights that key weapons running low include precision-strike missiles, ATACMS surface-launched missiles, and Patriot interceptor missiles.

The depletion of these critical munitions underscores the strain on US military logistics and could affect readiness in other regions if the conflict continues.

US President Donald Trump stated that he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran, marking a departure from his earlier threats of massive force. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump emphasized that nuclear weapons should never be deployed under any circumstances. He told reporters that no one should be allowed to use such weapons.

Previously, Trump had threatened to completely destroy Iranian civilization. In the same briefing, he announced that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would visit the White House in the coming weeks. Trump added that both leaders would need to consider Hezbollah in their discussions.

He also said the United States would work with Lebanon to help stabilize the country’s situation, according to the report sourced from Middle East Eye.

The US aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is moving toward the Middle East and has entered the area of responsibility of the US Central Command. A post on social media platform X by Central Command shared a photo showing the Nimitz-class supercarrier operating in the Indian Ocean.

It remains unclear whether the carrier will join ships already stationed in the region or replace one of them. Central Command also stated that the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, continues its operations in the Red Sea to support maritime security under the US Fifth Fleet.

The deployment highlights continued US naval presence in the region, though the specific mission or duration of the USS George H.W. Bush’s movement has not been detailed in the available information.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House in the coming weeks. The visits aim to advance efforts toward establishing a lasting peace agreement in the region, according to Trump.

Trump stated that the United States is working toward a durable peace deal and noted that the issue of Hezbollah remains a consideration in these efforts. He added that Washington intends to cooperate with Lebanon to help stabilize the country’s situation. Trump also mentioned that aligning this initiative with U.S. actions concerning Iran would be an ideal outcome.

The announcement underscores ongoing U.S. diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, focusing on regional stability and coordination with key partners on security and political issues.

US President Donald Trump announced that he has dismissed Navy Secretary John Phelan following disagreements over shipbuilding issues. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Phelan was hardworking but had differences with others regarding new ship construction and procurement. The decision came amid ongoing tensions within the Navy’s leadership over the pace of implementing reforms to accelerate shipbuilding.

According to sources cited in the report, Phelan was removed due to slow progress in carrying out reforms aimed at speeding up ship production. The Pentagon has not provided any official reason for his dismissal. Reports also indicate that Phelan’s relationship with Undersecretary Hung Cao was strained.

Hung Cao has been appointed as acting Navy Secretary following Phelan’s removal. The White House and Pentagon have not yet commented further on the leadership transition or future plans for the shipbuilding program.

The White House has asserted that the situation surrounding the ongoing ceasefire and peace negotiations with Iran remains entirely under United States control. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt briefed reporters on President Donald Trump’s position, stating that Iran’s leadership has become weakened and divided by war. As a result, the ceasefire has been extended to allow time for a peace proposal to be developed.

Levitt confirmed that U.S. sanctions blocking ships entering and leaving Iranian ports will continue, aiming to maintain economic pressure on Tehran. Iran, however, views the blockade as equivalent to a declaration of war. Levitt claimed the strategy is already effective, citing heavy economic losses for Iran and disruptions to its oil trade.

According to a BBC report referenced in the briefing, no specific end date has been announced for the extended ceasefire. Iran has also stated it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, creating a stalemate. The White House maintains that President Trump is satisfied with the current situation and confident in U.S. control.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, according to data released Thursday by the US Department of Labor. Initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to reach 214,000, exceeding market expectations of 211,000. The previous week’s revised figure stood at 208,000. The four-week moving average also climbed slightly to 210,750 from the prior week’s revised 210,000.

Despite the uptick in claims, the broader labor market showed signs of resilience. In March, the United States added 178,000 new jobs, significantly higher than the expected 65,000. The unemployment rate also edged down from 4.4 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March, indicating continued strength in employment conditions.

The data suggest a mixed picture for the US labor market, with short-term fluctuations in jobless claims but sustained job creation and a modest decline in unemployment.

The United States Navy has seized an Iranian oil-carrying vessel identified as the 'M/T Majestic X' in the Indian Ocean. The operation took place on Wednesday night, when US forces boarded and took control of the ship. The US Department of War confirmed the seizure in a statement posted on social media platform X, describing the vessel as 'stateless' and operating under the jurisdiction of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

According to the statement, the ship was transporting Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions. The department said the action was part of efforts to disrupt illegal maritime networks and prevent material support to Iran. It emphasized that no sanctioned entity would be allowed to use international waters as a shield.

The seizure was described as part of the broader enforcement of strict sanctions imposed on Iran. The US also pledged to continue global operations aimed at curbing unlawful maritime activities and protecting freedom of navigation.

Two Bangladeshi students studying at the University of South Florida have gone missing, raising concern among their families and the local community. The missing students are identified as Jamil Limon, a 27-year-old PhD researcher, and Nahida S. Brishti, a 27-year-old chemical engineering student. According to university police, Limon was last seen at his Tampa residence around 9 a.m., while Brishti was last seen at the Natural and Environmental Sciences building around 10 a.m. on the same day. Separate missing person reports have been filed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the university police.

Authorities said the two were friends and might have been staying together, though their families expressed doubts about that assumption. Limon’s younger brother described him as responsible and unlikely to disappear without notice, while Brishti’s family said she maintained regular contact and spoke normally on the day she went missing.

Reports indicate the two previously had a romantic relationship and future plans together, though they were not formally involved recently. Brishti left her laptop and belongings in the lab, while Limon’s passport was found at his home.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said there is no pressure to extend the ceasefire with Iran, emphasizing that he is not in a hurry to end the war. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he wants a 'better deal' with Iran rather than a quick resolution.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said on Wednesday that President Trump has clearly presented his final conditions to the Iranian side. She added that Washington is now waiting for Tehran’s response. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the United States has informed Tel Aviv that the current ceasefire with Iran will expire on Sunday.

According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Washington told Israeli officials that the deadline set by President Trump for Tehran is only a few days away, signaling that the next phase of U.S.-Iran negotiations could depend on Iran’s forthcoming reply.