A severe spring drought is affecting much of Central and Eastern Europe, raising alarm over its potential impacts on agriculture, supply chains, and global food security.

• Major rainfall deficits reported in Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, Greece, and the Balkans.
• Spain’s southeastern coast is already on red alert for drought.
• Threat to grain production in Poland and Ukraine, both critical global exporters.
• Logistics costs are rising as low river levels hinder barge traffic.

Possible consequences: High grain prices could destabilize global food security, especially amid U.S. humanitarian aid cuts.

Source: Politico

A Wisconsin teen allegedly murdered his parents to “obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary” to kill Trump and overthrow the US government.

FBI reviewed documents allegedly written by the teen, which calls for the assassination of Trump and the start of a revolution to "save the white race."

Source: ABC News

Zelensky:

These are (our) red lines - to recognize the occupied territories as Russian. Witkoff is discussing issues outside his competence.

Trump:

Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity.

Trump's envoy Witkoff:

Any agreement means that Iran must halt and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weapons program.

Italian Defense Minister Crosetto:

The life of every Palestinian child is equal to that of a Ukrainian or Italian child.

Israel must acknowledge its mistakes.

Italian Defense Minister Crosetto:

Sometimes you need to have the courage to say 'sorry'.

Gaza is a pond in which a stone is being thrown every day, and the circles that this stone creates widen more and more.

Trump on China and American farmers.

Hamas Armed Wing Spox. Abu Obaida:

We announce that we’ve lost contact with the unit holding the soldier Edan Alexander, following a direct strike on their location.

We’re still trying to re-establish communication.

BIG: US security officials have informed Israel's defense establishment that a phased withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Syria will begin within two months.

Source: Israel's Ynet

Israel views the U.S. presence in Syria as a key stabilizer against Turkish influence.

A senior Israeli official warned:

“We estimate the exit, if it happens, will be partial – and we’re still trying to prevent even that.”

Israel is urging Washington to delay the move.

European and American officials made little progress in resolving trade disputes, Bloomberg reports.

American officials signaled that the bulk of the US tariffs imposed on the EU will not be removed.

OpenAI is developing its own social network, similar to X.

The project is in early stages, with an internal prototype focused on ChatGPT’s image generation and a social feed.

CEO Sam Altman has been seeking feedback from outsiders.

Source: The Verge

Turkish President Erdogan:

Let me be clear: whoever stands in the way of Syria achieving lasting peace and stability will find not only the Syrian government but also us standing against them.

Turkish President Erdogan to Israel on Syria:

Türkiye is not a country whose borders can be tested or whose friendship or enmity can be taken lightly.

Serbia may be blocked from joining the EU if President Vučić attends Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9.

European officials warned the visit would violate EU membership standards.

“Certain decisions come at a cost,” said Estonia’s foreign ministry secretary-general, Jonatan Vseviov.

“The consequence is them not joining the European Union.”

Source: The Telegraph

Iran is expected to reject a U.S. proposal to transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third country—like Russia—as part of efforts to curb its nuclear program.

Source: The Guardian

BREAKING France says it will expel 12 Algerian diplomats and has recalled its ambassador from Algeria.

Netanyahu visited Israeli occupied northern Gaza today.

NATO’s Rutte today:

Will Ukraine become a NATO member?

Yes, absolutely.

The path is irreversible.

White House:

President Trump will not tolerate anti-Semitism on college campuses.

President Trump has made it clear to Harvard University that it must abide by the law and ensure that no student is subjected to discrimination.