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North Korea tested a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile engine, with Kim Jong Un describing it as a major advance in the country's strategic arsenal, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured defence agreements with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as part of a broader regional tour.

This comes as Trump floated seizing Iran's main oil hub at Kharg Island, suggested indirect talks via Pakistani intermediaries were progressing, and as Yemen's Houthis entered the conflict with missile and drone strikes on Israel.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇫🇮 Finnish drones likely Ukrainian strays: Two unidentified drones crashed near Kouvola in southeastern Finland in what the defence ministry called a suspected territorial violation. Prime Minister Orpo said the drones were likely Ukrainian, with Russian signal jamming a probable cause, though an investigation is ongoing.

2️⃣ 🇨🇺🇷🇺 Trump softens Cuba oil blockade: Trump signalled he has no objection to countries sending oil to Cuba, as a sanctioned Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude approached the island. Cuba’s president says the country has gone three months without oil imports, deepening a severe energy crisis.

3️⃣ 🇦🇫🇵🇰 Pakistan-Afghanistan fighting resumes: Afghanistan accused Pakistan of shelling civilian areas on the outskirts of Asadabad in Kunar Province, killing one and wounding 16, mostly women and children. The strike follows the expiry of an Eid ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, reigniting what Pakistan had previously declared an “open war.”

4️⃣ 🇰🇵 North Korea tests upgraded ICBM engine: North Korea tested a solid-fuel engine for missiles capable of reaching the US mainland, with Kim Jong Un calling it a major advance in the country’s strategic arsenal. Some experts are skeptical, citing missing technical data, while others suggest the program may be delayed or receiving Russian assistance.

5️⃣ 🇺🇦🇯🇴 Zelenskyy tours Gulf for defence partnerships: Zelenskyy arrived in Jordan as part of a broader regional tour, following defence cooperation agreements with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Ukraine has deployed anti-drone experts to all three countries as Iran targets Gulf infrastructure with drones also used against Ukraine.

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Major Story

🇾🇪 Houthis enter Iran war with missile strikes on Israel: Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group launched two waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, vowing to continue attacks until hostilities against allied groups cease. Israel said it intercepted two incoming missiles.

🇵🇰 Pakistan offers to broker U.S.-Iran talks: Islamabad said both Washington and Tehran have expressed confidence in its role as a mediator, with talks expected in the coming days, though neither side has formally confirmed the arrangement. Iran's parliament speaker meanwhile, accused the U.S. of secretly planning a ground assault while publicly pursuing negotiations. He warned forces were ready to confront any American troops entering the country, as the Pentagon assembles thousands of soldiers in the region.

🇷🇺 Russia accused of feeding Iran satellite intelligence: Zelenskyy alleged Moscow provided Tehran with satellite imagery of U.S. military assets across the Middle East, including photos of Prince Sultan Air Base taken days before Iran struck the facility, injuring at least 15 troops. The Kremlin denied the allegations. Verified images confirmed a U.S. E-3 Sentry aircraft was split in two at the base, with Iran's IRGC-linked media attributing the strike to a Shahed drone. At least two U.S. refuelling aircraft were also reportedly damaged in the same attack.

🇺🇸 Trump floats seizing Iran's main oil hub: Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump said the U.S. could take Kharg Island "very easily."

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Other News

1️⃣ ⚖️ ICC bureau faces pressure over Khan ruling: The ICC’s governing bureau is set to decide whether to uphold a judicial panel’s unanimous finding that cleared chief prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual misconduct. Leading lawyers warned against political interference, while two civil society groups urged rejection of the ruling, arguing the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard was too stringent.

2️⃣ 🇪🇺🇮🇱 Europe condemns Israeli death penalty bill: France, Germany, Italy and the UK jointly condemned an Israeli bill expanding the death penalty, warning it risks being discriminatory against Palestinians and could undermine democratic commitments. The legislation faces a Knesset vote next week and would likely be challenged in the Supreme Court if passed.

3️⃣ 🇫🇷 Paris Bank of America attack probe widens: French authorities arrested two more suspects over a foiled bomb attack on Bank of America’s Paris offices, after a minor was detained Saturday attempting to ignite an improvised explosive device. The interior minister pointed to Iran as a likely sponsor using paid proxies, noting similarities with attacks on US-linked sites across several European countries.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇹🇼 US senators to visit Taiwan ahead of Xi summit: A bipartisan group of four senators announced plans to visit Taiwan, Japan and South Korea ahead of Trump’s scheduled May summit with Xi Jinping, framing the trip as a reaffirmation of regional alliances. The Taiwan stop is expected to draw Chinese opposition, amid concerns Xi will use the summit to pressure Trump into softening Washington’s position on the island.

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