The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) reached out to the Congress and the CPI(M) — constituents of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance — seeking support to form the government in Tamil Nadu, after the party emerged as the single largest in the Assembly with 108 seats, short of a simple majority in the 234-member House. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), after an online meeting with office-bearers, said it would extend support to the TVK subject to the condition that they should not seek the support of the lone BJP MLA-designate or any other alliance partners of the BJP. The Congress won five seats in the election.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) he was halting the U.S. military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the West Asia war. Mr. Trump’s so-called “Project Freedom” to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz began on Monday (May 4, 2026). But the U.S. leader said on Truth Social that he was now pausing it after a request by mediator Pakistan and other countries, saying that “Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement” with Tehran. “We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom... will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed,” Mr. Trump said.