**Summary:** Iran's military has threatened to attack any foreign forces, specifically the US military, that attempt to enter the Strait of Hormuz, following the launch of a US-led maritime operation to assist ships stranded by the ongoing conflict.

**Key points:**
- The US-led 'Project Freedom' aims to guide commercial vessels through the strait using 15,000 personnel, warships, and aircraft.
- The Joint Maritime Information Centre has designated an enhanced security area south of typical shipping routes due to the presence of unmitigated mines.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established a new zone of strict maritime control, requiring all vessel passage to be coordinated with Iranian forces.
- Recent reports indicate a tanker was struck by unknown projectiles near Fujairah, UAE, marking a continuation of regional maritime instability.

**Why it matters:** The escalation threatens to disrupt a critical global oil transit route, potentially exacerbating energy price volatility and further straining the fragile ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran.

trend.az - Iran claims successful prevention of U.S. warship entry into Hormuz

timeslive.co.za - Iran warns US forces against entering Strait of Hormuz

gazetteseries.co.uk - US - led taskforce tells ships to reroute in new effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran Warns US Forces Against Entering Strait of Hormuz

**Summary:** The Greek political parties SYRIZA and New Left have submitted a joint proposal to establish a preliminary committee to investigate former ministers Spilios Livanos and Fotini Arabatzi regarding their roles at OPEKEPE.

**Key points:**
- The investigation concerns the Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid (OPEKEPE).
- The proposal targets former Minister of Rural Development and Food Spilios Livanos and former Deputy Minister Fotini Arabatzi.
- The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the two opposition parties.

**Why it matters:** The proposal marks a significant parliamentary move by opposition parties to hold former government officials accountable for the management of agricultural subsidy agencies.

topontiki.gr - Προανακριτική ΟΠΕΚΕΠΕ : Κοινή πρόταση ΣΥΡΙΖΑ και Νέας Αριστεράς για Λιβανό

inewsgr.com - ΟΠΕΚΕΠΕ : Κοινή πρόταση ΣΥΡΙΖΑ και Νέας Αριστεράς για Προκαταρκτική Επιτροπή για Λιβανό και Αραμπατζή

SYRIZA and New Left Propose Preliminary Committee for OPEKEPE Officials

**Summary:** Indonesia's trade balance achieved a cumulative surplus of USD 5.55 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking 71 consecutive months of surplus since May 2020.

**Key points:**
- Total exports for the first quarter of 2026 reached USD 66.85 billion, driven by a 3.96% growth in the manufacturing sector.
- Cumulative imports rose by 10.05% year-on-year to USD 61.30 billion, with March 2026 imports totaling USD 19.21 billion.
- China remains the primary source of non-oil and gas imports, accounting for 41.56% of the total, largely consisting of machinery and electrical equipment.
- The trade surplus was supported by a USD 10.63 billion surplus in non-oil and gas commodities, offsetting a USD 5.08 billion deficit in the oil and gas sector.

**Why it matters:** The sustained trade surplus highlights Indonesia's continued reliance on commodity exports and manufacturing, while the rising import volume reflects ongoing demand for industrial capital and raw materials.

okezone.com - BPS Catat Impor Maret 2026 Capai USD19,21 Miliar

ekonomi.bisnis.com - RI Kebanjiran Impor dari China Kuartal I / 2026 , Perlengkapan Elektrik hingga Mobil

okezone.com - Neraca Perdagangan RI Surplus 71 Bulan Beruntun, Kuartal I-2026 Capai USD5,55 Miliar

Indonesia Records 71st Consecutive Month of Trade Surplus in Q1 2026

**Summary:** Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and adviser to President Donald Trump, has been hospitalized in critical but stable condition. His spokesperson, Ted Goodman, confirmed the hospitalization but did not disclose the cause.

**Key points:**
- Giuliani, 81, was observed coughing and speaking with a raspy voice during his online show, 'America's Mayor Live,' on Friday.
- President Donald Trump confirmed the hospitalization on social media, describing Giuliani as a 'True Warrior.'
- The former mayor previously faced a $148 million defamation judgment and legal challenges regarding his assets.
- Giuliani was previously hospitalized in September 2025 following a car accident in New Hampshire that resulted in a fractured vertebra.

**Why it matters:** As a high-profile political figure and former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, Giuliani's health status is a matter of significant public and media interest.

cbc.ca - Rudy Giuliani is hospitalized 'in critical but stable condition,' spokesperson says

deccanchronicle.com - Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized In Critical Condition

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition

**Summary:** A drone struck a building on Mosfilmovskaya Street in Moscow, according to Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. No injuries were reported, and emergency services are currently operating at the scene.

**Key points:**
- The incident occurred in the early hours of May 4, 2026.
- Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion near the elite residential complex 'Dom na Mosfilmovskoy'.
- Emergency services were dispatched to the site to investigate the cause of the blast.

**Why it matters:** The incident represents a security event in the Russian capital, drawing attention to the ongoing drone activity within the region.

Interfax.ru - Дрон попал в здание в районе Мосфильмовской

Lenta.ru - Беспилотник попал в здание в Москве

Lenta.ru - В элитном ЖК в Москве произошел взрыв

Drone strikes building in Moscow

**Summary:** U.S. President Donald Trump has launched 'Project Freedom,' an initiative to escort international vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz due to an Iranian blockade. The operation aims to provide safe passage for neutral ships facing supply shortages.

**Key points:**
- The mission is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 4, 2026, in response to requests from multiple nations.
- President Trump stated that any interference with the humanitarian operation will be met with force.
- The U.S. is currently engaged in ongoing, 'very positive' negotiations with Iran regarding a 14-point peace proposal.
- Vessels involved in the transit are reportedly suffering from critical shortages of food and essential supplies.

**Why it matters:** The initiative represents a high-stakes attempt to de-escalate maritime tensions and address humanitarian concerns while navigating a volatile conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

latercera.com - “Project Freedom”: la nueva iniciativa de Trump para liberar navíos atrapados en Ormuz

elfinanciero.com.mx - ‘Espectadores neutrales e inocentes’: Trump ayudará a barcos a salir del estrecho de Ormuz

Trump Announces 'Project Freedom' to Escort Vessels Through Strait of Hormuz

**Summary:** The official aircraft carrying Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to Armenia for a European summit was forced to make an emergency landing in Ankara, Turkey, due to an unspecified technical issue.

**Key points:**
- The Spanish delegation is scheduled to remain in Ankara overnight and expects to resume the journey on Monday if conditions allow.
- Pedro Sánchez was traveling to attend the European Political Community summit, a forum focused on European stability and unity.
- The summit, co-chaired by European Council President António Costa and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, includes 48 continental leaders.
- Spain intended to use the summit to advocate for stricter European-level controls on social media platforms.

**Why it matters:** The incident disrupted the travel of a key European leader to a major diplomatic summit, potentially impacting his participation in discussions on regional security and digital regulation.

larazon.es - El avión de Pedro Sánchez aterriza de emergencia en Ankara por un fallo técnico rumbo a Armenia

sudouest.fr - L’avion du Premier ministre espagnol Pedro Sanchez contraint d’atterrir d’urgence en Turquie

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Turkey

**Summary:** Ariadna Montiel, former Secretary of Welfare, has been appointed as the new national leader of the Morena party in Mexico. The transition occurred during a national council meeting in Mexico City attended by various party officials.

**Key points:**
- The appointment of Ariadna Montiel as national leader is intended to guide the party's strategy leading up to the 2027 elections.
- Opposition figures, including PAN Municipal spokesperson Jorge Soto, criticized the appointment, alleging a lack of separation between the party and government.
- Critics expressed concerns that the new leadership might leverage social program databases for electoral purposes.

**Why it matters:** The leadership change in Mexico's ruling party, Morena, signals a shift in political strategy and has sparked debate regarding the influence of government social programs on future electoral processes.

oem.com.mx:443 - Asume Ariadna Montiel dirigencia nacional de Morena - El Heraldo de Juárez | Noticias Locales , Policiacas , sobre México , Chihuahua y el Mundo

eldiariodechihuahua.mx - Regresa Morena a prácticas del PRI de los años setenta : Soto

oem.com.mx:443 - Delegación de Chihuahua asiste al Consejo Nacional de Morena en la CDMX - El Heraldo de Chihuahua | Noticias Locales , Policiacas , de México , Chihuahua y el Mundo

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