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Bulgaria's former President Rumen Radev has secured a commanding lead in parliamentary elections with his Russia-friendly Progressive Bulgaria party, while Spain is pushing the EU to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel over alleged violations of international law.

This comes as Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized the US for extending a waiver on Russian oil purchases, and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney declared his country must reduce economic dependence on Washington.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇧🇬 Bulgaria’s ex-president leads Russia-friendly party to victory: Former President Rumen Radev’s centre-left Progressive Bulgaria party captured 44.59% in early results from Sunday’s parliamentary election, while ex-PM Boyko Borissov’s GERB trailed with 12.5%. Radev, who resigned in January to run for prime minister, has advocated renewing Moscow ties and opposed arms shipments to Ukraine.

2️⃣ 🇪🇸🇮🇱 Spain demands EU end Israel association agreement: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced Spain will ask the EU to terminate its Association Agreement with Israel within 48 hours, citing violations of international law and human rights provisions. The proposal has support from Belgium, France, Ireland and Portugal but faces opposition from Germany, Hungary and Italy.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦🇺🇸 Zelensky condemns US extension of Russian oil waiver: President Zelensky criticized Washington’s decision to extend a waiver allowing Russian oil purchases until May 16, arguing every dollar funds Moscow’s war effort. The US justified the move as necessary to ease energy shortages from the Iran war, which has shut the Strait of Hormuz.

4️⃣ 🇨🇦🇺🇸 Carney says Canada must correct US dependence: Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Canada’s close economic ties with the US have become a weakness requiring correction due to Trump’s tariffs and trade policy shifts. Carney said Canada cannot rely on one partner and must diversify through new investments and trade deals.

5️⃣ 🇰🇷🇮🇳 South Korea’s Lee visits India for trade talks: President Lee Jae Myung began a three-day visit to India for talks with PM Modi aimed at enhancing economic cooperation, with both countries targeting $50 billion in annual trade by 2030. Discussions are expected to cover artificial intelligence, finance and defense.

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Major Story

Military

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US seizes Iranian cargo ship amid ceasefire: The U.S. Navy intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it failed to stop when warned, with Trump saying forces disabled its engine by firing on it. Iran condemned the action as armed piracy that violates the ceasefire and vowed to retaliate soon.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇬🇧 Trump claims attacks on allied ships, UK denies: Trump accused Iran of firing at British and French vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges if a deal isn't reached. The UK government has received no reports of attacks on British vessels.

3️⃣ 🇫🇷🇱🇧 French peacekeeper killed in Lebanon attack: A French soldier serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon was killed and three others wounded in an attack that UNIFIL and French officials believe was carried out by Hezbollah. The group denied involvement while Lebanese authorities launched an investigation.

Diplomacy

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Vance to lead talks as Iran questions U.S. intent: Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation for another round of talks with Iran in Islamabad before the ceasefire expires on Wednesday. Iranian officials have not confirmed participation and reportedly suspect the talks may be a cover for a U.S. attack.

5️⃣ 🇵🇰 Mediators push ceasefire extension as gaps remain: Mediators are working to extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire as hopes of a deal fade, with progress made on uranium enrichment and the Strait of Hormuz but significant gaps remaining. The proposed deal includes Iran transferring enriched uranium to Pakistan, suspending enrichment for up to twelve years, and partially disarming allied groups in exchange for lifting sanctions.

6️⃣ 🇮🇷 Iran vows permanent control of Hormuz Strait: Iran will never cede control of the Strait of Hormuz and plans to enshrine its authority over the waterway in law, a senior Iranian lawmaker told the BBC. The official described the strait as one of Iran's strategic assets to counter enemies.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇻🇦🇺🇸 Pope denies Trump targeting in ‘tyrants’ speech: Pope Leo stated his remarks criticizing tyrants spending billions on wars were written two weeks before Trump commented on him and were not aimed at the president. The speech in Cameroon followed a public spat where Trump called the Pope weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.

2️⃣ 🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK’s Lammy calls Trump insults ‘small and petty’: Deputy PM David Lammy said Trump’s attacks on PM Starmer are attempts to pressure Britain into joining the Iran conflict, which the UK will not do. Lammy said Trump should “disagree agreeably” rather than through social media and that US actions have worsened global instability.

3️⃣ 🇪🇺 Europe’s right rallies in Milan against immigration: Thousands gathered in Milan for a Patriots for Europe rally featuring Italy’s Salvini, France’s Bardella and the Netherlands’ Wilders speaking against illegal immigration and EU regulations. The event marked the first such gathering since Viktor Orban’s defeat in Hungary last week.

4️⃣ 🇺🇦 Ukraine damages three Russian ships in Crimea strike: Ukraine’s Security Service struck three Russian naval vessels including landing ships Yamal and Azov in Crimea, along with radar systems and fuel storage at Yugtorsan depot. The operation aims to dismantle Russia’s military presence on the peninsula.

5️⃣ 🇭🇺🇺🇦 Orban signals approval of €90B Ukraine loan: Outgoing PM Viktor Orban said he will lift Hungary’s veto over a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine if Kyiv restores oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline, potentially as early as Monday. The move could be among Orban’s final acts before stepping down in mid-May after losing to Péter Magyar.

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