**Summary:** European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet in Paris to discuss trade tensions following US threats to impose tariffs on European vehicles.

**Key points:**
- US President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on European cars and trucks, citing the European Union's alleged failure to uphold a 2025 trade agreement.
- The European Commission rejected US accusations of non-compliance, stating it remains committed to the agreement's implementation.
- German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies emphasized that the EU seeks to avoid an escalation of the trade conflict while remaining prepared to respond.
- The meeting will take place on the sidelines of the G7 ministerial summit in Paris.

**Why it matters:** The potential imposition of tariffs on European automotive exports threatens to escalate trade tensions between the US and the EU, impacting global economic stability.

skai.gr - Κομισιόν για δασμούς Τραμπ : « Δεν θα ξεκινήσουμε μια κλιμάκωση απειλών »

protothema.gr - Οι Βρυξέλλες « δεν θέλουν κλιμάκωση » του εμπορικού πολέμου με τις ΗΠΑ

EU and US Trade Officials to Meet Amid Tariff Tensions

**Summary:** A vehicle drove into a group of pedestrians in the city center of Leipzig, Germany, on Monday afternoon, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. The driver has been arrested, and authorities report that there is no further danger.

**Key points:**
- The incident occurred in the Grimmaische Straße, a pedestrian zone near the Augustusplatz.
- Leipzig's Mayor Burkhard Jung confirmed the two fatalities and noted that approximately 20 people were affected.
- Emergency services, including two helicopters and roughly 80 personnel, were deployed to the scene.
- The vehicle, identified by local media as a grey VW Taigo, was reportedly stopped by a retractable bollard.

**Why it matters:** The incident caused significant casualties in a major public space, prompting a large-scale emergency response and raising immediate concerns about public safety in the city center.

newsfeed.zeit.de - Notfälle: Auto fährt in Menschenmenge in Leipzig

newsfeed.zeit.de - Verkehr: Auto in Menschengruppe gefahren

newsfeed.zeit.de - Notfälle: Auto fährt in Leipzig in Menschengruppe

newsfeed.zeit.de - Notfälle: Auto fährt in Menschengruppe: Was wir wissen

faz.net - Fahrer festgenommen: Auto fährt in Leipziger Innenstadt in Menschengruppe

ansa.it - Auto contro la folla a Lipsia, due morti e due feriti

sudouest.fr - Allemagne : un chauffard fauche des piétons à Leipzig faisant au moins deux morts et plusieurs blessés

Two Dead After Car Drives Into Pedestrian Crowd in Leipzig

**Summary:** The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported that its air defenses are intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones launched from Iran. An Iranian drone also reportedly sparked a fire at an oil facility in the emirate of Fujairah.

**Key points:**
- The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed the interception of multiple aerial threats across the country.
- Fujairah, which hosts a strategic oil pipeline, reported that civil defense teams were deployed to contain a fire at an industrial facility.
- The UAE issued its first three missile alerts since a ceasefire was established in early April.
- No casualties have been reported following the attacks.

**Why it matters:** The escalation threatens regional stability and critical energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, potentially undermining the fragile ceasefire between the UAE and Iran.

Interfax - Крупный пожар начался на нефтяном заводе в ОАЭ после атаки иранского дрона

DIE ZEIT - Krieg: Emirate: Großbrand nach iranischem Drohnenangriff

Deccan Chronicle - UAE Emirate Says Iranian Drone Sparked Fire At Oil Facility

Al Jazeera - UAE reports missile and drone strikes incoming from Iran

UAE Reports Missile and Drone Attacks from Iran

**Summary:** Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Italian Council of Ministers President Giorgia Meloni held high-level meetings in Baku on May 4, 2026, to discuss and reaffirm the strategic partnership between their two nations.

**Key points:**
- President Ilham Aliyev identified Italy as Azerbaijan's primary trading partner.
- The leaders conducted both one-on-one and expanded-format meetings to address bilateral relations.
- Both heads of state delivered formal press statements following their discussions.

**Why it matters:** The visit underscores the deepening economic and strategic ties between Azerbaijan and Italy, particularly in the energy and trade sectors.

day.az - Prezident İlham Əliyev: İtaliya Azərbaycanın bir nömrəli ticarət tərəfdaşıdır

trend.az - President Ilham Aliyev, President of Italian Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni make press statements

Azerbaijan and Italy Strengthen Strategic Partnership During High-Level Meetings in Baku

**Summary:** A 6.0 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter near Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, struck southern and central Mexico on May 4, 2026. Authorities have reported no major damage or casualties following the seismic event.

**Key points:**
- The earthquake occurred at 09:19 local time at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers.
- Mexico City's government activated emergency protocols, including aerial surveillance by the Condores helicopter unit.
- Some residents in the capital reported that the seismic alert system failed to trigger on mobile devices due to platform maintenance.
- The event precedes a scheduled national earthquake drill on May 6, 2026.

**Why it matters:** The earthquake highlights ongoing concerns regarding the reliability of public warning systems in major urban centers during seismic events.

mexico.quadratin.com.mx - Por alerta sísmica , CDMX activa protocolos de emergencia

diario1.com - Un terremoto de magnitud 6 sacude el sur y el centro de México

vanguardia.com.mx - Sismo de magnitud 5 . 6 en Oaxaca activa alerta sísmica en la Ciudad de México

6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca

**Summary:** South Korea is investigating a potential attack on one of its vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab Emirates alleges that an ADNOC tanker was targeted by two Iranian drones.

**Key points:**
- The U.S. Central Command reported that two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. guided-missile destroyers have entered the Persian Gulf to support the freedom of navigation.
- The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the attack on the ADNOC vessel resulted in no casualties.
- South Korean officials confirmed they are reviewing intelligence regarding the incident involving their vessel.

**Why it matters:** The incidents represent a significant security escalation in a critical global maritime chokepoint, heightening regional tensions and threatening international energy supply routes.

jordanzad.com - الجيش الأمريكي يعلن عبور سفينتين تجاريتين ترفعان العلم الأمريكي مضيق هرمز

jordanzad.com - كوريا الجنوبية تتحقق من هجوم محتمل على سفينة لها في مضيق هرمز

yjc.ir - ادعای امارات از هدف قرار گرفتن نفتکش ادنوک در هرمز

Tensions Escalate in Strait of Hormuz Following Reported Attacks on Vessels

**Summary:** Cape Verdean authorities have refused to allow the cruise ship MV Hondius to dock at the port of Praia following a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has resulted in three deaths.

**Key points:**
- The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed one laboratory-positive case and five suspected cases among passengers and crew.
- One infected individual is currently receiving intensive care in South Africa.
- The vessel was traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde at the time of the incident.
- Discussions are underway to medically evacuate two symptomatic passengers to a local hospital for isolation.

**Why it matters:** The incident highlights the challenges of managing public health emergencies on international maritime vessels and the coordination required between nations to contain potential infectious disease outbreaks.

elcomercio.pe - Cabo Verde impide desembarcar a pasajeros del buque con posible brote de hantavirus

lemonde.fr - Foyer présumé de hantavirus sur un navire de croisière : le Cap-Vert refuse le débarquement des passagers

Cape Verde Denies Entry to Cruise Ship Over Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak

**Summary:** Prime Minister Le Minh Hưng has directed officials to accelerate the construction of the Long Thanh International Airport and resolve legal violations to ensure the project meets its 2026 commercial operation target.

**Key points:**
- The Prime Minister ordered the Ministry of Public Security to expedite investigations into project-related violations without creating new delays.
- Leadership at the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is to be reorganized to address ongoing management issues.
- As of April 30, 2026, Vietnam has disbursed over 144 trillion VND in public investment, representing 14.2% of the annual target.
- Authorities are tasked with finalizing land-use regulations and securing raw material supplies for infrastructure projects by the second quarter of 2026.

**Why it matters:** The Long Thanh International Airport is a critical national project, and its timely completion is essential for Vietnam's economic growth and infrastructure development goals.

baomoi.com - Tính đến 30 / 4 : Giải ngân vốn đầu tư công đạt hơn 144 nghìn tỷ đồng

vietstock.vn - Thủ tướng Lê Minh Hưng : Giải quyết ngay các vướng mắc để sớm hoàn thành dự án sân bay Long Thành

thanhtra.com.vn - Thủ tướng yêu cầu đẩy nhanh điều tra vụ sân bay Long Thành , sớm kiện toàn lãnh đạo ACV

Vietnam PM Urges Progress on Long Thanh Airport and Public Investment