**Summary:** FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and play its scheduled matches in the United States, despite previous speculation regarding security concerns and potential venue changes.

**Key points:**
- Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt.
- The FIFA president emphasized the role of football in uniting people, dismissing rumors of a 'Plan B' for the tournament.
- The Iranian football delegation was notably absent from the recent FIFA Congress in Vancouver due to reported issues at the Canadian border.

**Why it matters:** The confirmation settles ongoing international uncertainty regarding the participation of a national team amidst geopolitical tensions, reinforcing FIFA's commitment to its original tournament schedule.

sopitas.com - Irán sí jugará el Mundial y disputará sus partidos en Estados Unidos

losandes.com.ar - Mundial 2026 : Gianni Infantino ratificó la presencia de Irán en la Copa del Mundo

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Confirms Iran's Participation in 2026 World Cup

**Summary:** U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed victory over Iran while simultaneously criticizing NATO allies for their handling of the conflict in Ukraine and their lack of support for U.S. operations in the Middle East.

**Key points:**
- President Trump stated that Iran's military, air force, and leadership have been destroyed, asserting that the country is now seeking a deal.
- The U.S. President threatened to withdraw American troops from European countries, specifically citing Italy and Spain for their lack of support.
- President Trump accused NATO members of causing total chaos in Ukraine, noting that the U.S. has provided significant financial aid to Kyiv.
- Reports indicate that Josh Gruenbaum, a close aide to President Trump, has been removed from key policy roles regarding Ukraine and Iran.

**Why it matters:** These statements signal a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, highlighting growing tensions between the Trump administration and its traditional European allies.

russian.rt.com - Трамп обвинил Европу в бардаке на Украине

rbc.ua - Трамп допустив виведення військ США з Італії та Іспанії

tsn.ua - Помічника Трампа усунули від ролей, пов’язаних з Україною та Іраном

lenta.ru - «С большим отрывом». Трамп заявил о победе над Ираном и обвинил НАТО в доведении Украины до полного бардака

President Trump Criticizes NATO Allies and Claims Victory Over Iran

**Summary:** The Tribunal of First Instance of Mafanco has annulled the rejection of 16 electoral lists by the Direction Générale des Élections (DGE), citing procedural failures in the notification process.

**Key points:**
- The court ruled that the DGE violated Article 242 of the Electoral Code by failing to meet the mandatory 10-day notification deadline for rejected candidacies.
- The ruling mandates the DGE to integrate the 16 reinstated lists into the final candidate registry for the upcoming May 31 communal elections.
- The DGE defended its initial actions, citing incomplete dossiers and internal party disputes, while noting that some legal challenges had already been resolved by the Supreme Court.
- The decision followed a legal challenge brought by several political entities, including the Bloc Libéral and the Coalition Politique pour la Rupture (CPR).

**Why it matters:** This judicial intervention ensures the inclusion of multiple political parties in the upcoming communal elections, reinforcing the role of the judiciary in regulating electoral disputes in Guinea.

guineenews.org - Retrait du FRONDEG et du BL : la DGE défend la transparence du processus électoral

guineematin.com - Contentieux électoral : le tribunal de Mafanco annule les rejets de la DGE et réintègre 16 listes de candidats

Guinean Court Overturns Election Rejections by DGE

**Summary:** Apple reported a 17% increase in quarterly revenue to $111.2 billion, exceeding analyst expectations due to strong demand for the iPhone 17 and Mac. The company also announced a $100 billion share buyback program and a dividend increase.

**Key points:**
- Revenue in China grew by 28% year-over-year, reaching $20.5 billion.
- The company's board authorized a $100 billion share repurchase plan and raised the dividend by 4% to $0.27 per share.
- CEO Tim Cook is set to step down in September, with hardware engineering head John Ternus named as his successor.
- Apple's services segment continued to report record-breaking margins.

**Why it matters:** The financial results highlight Apple's continued market strength and successful product cycle, even as the company prepares for a significant leadership transition.

informacion.es - RESULTADOS | Apple gana 71 . 675 millones de dólares en el primer semestre , un 17 % más

df.cl - Apple supera las estimaciones apoyado en las ventas de iPhone y Mac

latercera.com - Apple reporta ventas mayores a las esperadas, pero su acciones responden con leve baja

Apple Reports Strong Quarterly Growth Driven by iPhone 17 Sales

**Summary:** The Brazilian Congress has overridden President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's veto of a bill that modifies the calculation of prison sentences, potentially shortening the time served by former President Jair Bolsonaro and others.

**Key points:**
- The legislation impacts individuals convicted of plotting a coup attempt following the 2022 election.
- Jair Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest, was sentenced to 27 years in prison by the Supreme Court in September 2025.
- The vote passed with 318 to 144 in the lower house and 49 to 24 in the Senate.
- This legislative defeat follows the Senate's recent rejection of President Lula's Supreme Court nominee.

**Why it matters:** The veto override highlights the significant influence of conservative lawmakers in Brazil's legislature and presents a major political challenge to President Lula ahead of the upcoming election season.

La Razón - Congreso brasileño habilita reducir pena a Bolsonaro

National Post - Brazil’s congress shortens Bolsonaro’s sentence in defeat for Lula

La Libre - Deuxième revers en moins de 24h pour le président brésilien: Jair Bolsonaro pourrait voir sa peine réduite

Brazil's Congress Overturns Veto to Reduce Prison Sentences for Bolsonaro and Others

**Summary:** A 60-day deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for military operations against Iran is nearing its conclusion on May 1, prompting discussions on whether to seek a 30-day extension or declare the current ceasefire as the war's end.

**Key points:**
- The U.S. military conflict with Iran began on February 28, triggering the 60-day limit under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
- Congressional Democrats are pushing to reclaim constitutional war-declaration powers, while Republicans have largely blocked efforts to force a troop withdrawal.
- Analysts suggest the administration may either notify Congress of a 30-day extension for military necessity or ignore the deadline by citing the existing ceasefire.
- Reports indicate that the U.S. government is consulting with members of Congress regarding the potential extension of the military mandate.

**Why it matters:** The expiration of the war powers deadline highlights deep partisan divisions in the U.S. Congress over the executive's authority to conduct military operations without formal legislative authorization.

زاد الاردن الاخباري - مهلة ترامب لإنهاء حرب إيران تقترب من نهايتها

باشگاه خبرنگاران جوان - ادعای سی‌بی‌اس: ترامپ به دنبال مجوز کنگره برای ادامه جنگ با ایران است

Trump's Deadline for Iran Conflict Approaches Amid Congressional Debate

**Summary:** Independent Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Nikolas Farantouris has officially joined the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), aiming to strengthen the party's efforts toward political change in Greece.

**Key points:**
- PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis welcomed Farantouris, highlighting his expertise in European law, energy, and the rule of law.
- Farantouris will also join the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament.
- The move is framed as part of a broader effort to consolidate the democratic opposition ahead of national elections.

**Why it matters:** The addition of a prominent MEP to PASOK signals a strategic effort to bolster the party's legislative and policy-making capacity in the lead-up to national elections.

naftemporiki.gr - Ν . Φαραντούρης : « Έδωσε τα χέρια » με το ΠΑΣΟΚ και επισήμως

newsbomb.gr - Νικόλας Φαραντούρης : Ανακοίνωσε την ένταξή του στο ΠΑΣΟΚ - Ανδρουλάκης : Τον καλωσορίζω

inewsgr.com - Συνάντηση Νίκου Ανδρουλάκη με τον ευρωβουλευτή Νικόλα Φαραντούρη : « Ενώνουμε δυνάμεις για την πολιτική αλλαγή »

MEP Nikolas Farantouris Joins PASOK

**Summary:** The United States has resumed direct commercial flight operations to Venezuela, marking the first such service between the two nations in seven years.

**Key points:**
- The resumption of direct air travel follows a prolonged period of suspended commercial aviation links.
- The flights are currently heading to the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

**Why it matters:** This development represents a significant shift in the bilateral aviation relationship between the United States and Venezuela after years of restricted connectivity.

Quarte Bot