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The Trump administration has declared NATO "failed" after European allies declined to participate militarily in the US-Israel war on Iran, with reports indicating Washington may close or redeploy forces from bases in Spain and Germany.

Iran has halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and accused Israel of violating the US-Iran ceasefire through strikes on Lebanon, while Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline was struck, cutting off the kingdom's only remaining crude export route following the Hormuz closure.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump administration signals potential NATO withdrawal: The White House declared NATO had "failed" a key test after European allies declined to contribute militarily to the US-Israel war on Iran, with reports emerging that the administration is considering closing bases or redeploying troops from Spain and Germany. Trump met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte amid the tensions, with Rutte acknowledging disappointment while noting allies had offered logistical support.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦🇱🇾 Ukraine struck Russian tanker from Libyan soil: Ukrainian operatives launched a sea drone attack on a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean in March from a military facility in Tripoli, according to two Libyan officials. The deployment is reportedly part of a covert deal between Kyiv and Libya's Tripoli-based government, said to have backing from Western countries including the US.

3️⃣ 🇭🇺🇺🇸 Vance dismisses Hungary interference claims: US Vice President JD Vance called accusations of US interference in Hungary's election "darkly ironic" during his visit to Budapest days before voters head to the polls. Germany rejected his claims, with a government spokesperson saying his presence in Hungary "already shows who is interfering in what."

4️⃣ 🇦🇫🇵🇰 Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to de-escalation: Following seven days of China-mediated talks in Urumqi, both countries agreed to avoid further escalation and work toward a comprehensive resolution to their conflict, which has killed hundreds and displaced over 94,000 people since February. Terrorism was identified as the core issue, though Afghanistan accused Pakistan of continued cross-border shelling even during negotiations.

5️⃣ 🇰🇵 North Korea tests cluster-bomb ballistic missiles: North Korea said this week's tests included ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads, along with anti-aircraft weapons, electromagnetic systems and carbon-fiber bombs, after South Korea detected multiple launches over two consecutive days. State media claimed the cluster-munition warheads, mounted on nuclear-capable Hwasong-11 missiles, could destroy any target covering up to seven hectares.

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Major Story

Iran War Update:

🇮🇷 Iran halts Hormuz traffic and alleges ceasefire violations: Tehran accused Israel of breaching the US-Iran ceasefire through large-scale strikes on Lebanon, halting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and prompting parliament speaker Ghalibaf to allege three clauses of Iran's 10-point negotiating framework had already been violated before talks began. The White House rejected both claims, insisting Lebanon falls outside the deal and that Iranian uranium enrichment must cease.

🇺🇸 US forces to stay in Middle East until Iran complies: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed American troops will remain in the region to enforce ceasefire compliance, warning the military is ready to resume offensive operations at short notice. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine said the US could restart combat with the same speed and precision seen over the past few weeks.

🇸🇦 Saudi pipeline struck amid continued regional attacks: Iran struck Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline — the kingdom's only remaining crude export route following the Hormuz closure — with damage still being assessed and flows expected to be affected. Saudi Arabia intercepted nine drones despite the ceasefire, as the IRGC warned it remains ready to respond to any attack with greater force.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇸 Appeals court refuses to block Pentagon's Anthropic blacklist: A Washington federal appeals court declined to halt the Pentagon's national security designation against Anthropic, even as a San Francisco judge had already ordered the labels removed in a separate case. Anthropic, which filed both suits over what it called unlawful retaliation for limiting its AI's use in autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance, faces a further hearing on May 19.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Anthropic withholds new AI model over hacking risks: Anthropic declined to publicly release its latest model, Claude Mythos, after it uncovered thousands of unpatched software vulnerabilities, including a flaw in video software tested over five million times without detection. The company formed a coalition called Glasswing with around 40 organisations, including CrowdStrike, Cisco and Microsoft, committing roughly $100 million in computing resources to deploy the model defensively.

3️⃣ 🇩🇪 Germany suspends military travel approval requirement: Germany's defence minister announced men aged 17 to 45 no longer need prior approval for stays abroad longer than three months, after a provision in a new military service law drew public backlash. The requirement, part of legislation that restored conscription in principle while keeping it voluntary, will remain suspended for as long as military service is not mandatory.

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