**Summary:** The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran seized two vessels, the MSC-Francesca and the Epaminodes, in the Strait of Hormuz, citing maritime violations. This action occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran.

**Key points:**
- The Iranian military accused the vessels of endangering maritime security and manipulating navigation systems.
- U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of a ceasefire while maintaining a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
- Global oil prices fluctuated near $100 per barrel following the seizure and the announcement of the ceasefire extension.
- British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that three container ships were hit by gunfire in the strait.

**Why it matters:** The seizure of vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz threatens global energy supplies and indicates a fragile security situation despite ongoing ceasefire efforts between the U.S. and Iran.

trend.az - Iran intercepts another ship attempting passage via Strait of Hormuz (Update)

latercera.com - El precio del petróleo roza los US$ 100 tras incautación de barcos en el Estrecho de Ormuz por parte de Irán

reforma.com - Afirma Irán haber incautado 2 buques en Estrecho de Ormuz

cyprus-mail.com - Iran seizes ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump calls off attacks

Iran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid Heightened Tensions

**Summary:** European Union ambassadors have approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after the restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which had previously led Hungary to veto the financial aid package.

**Key points:**
- The loan package includes a 20th round of sanctions against Russia, as confirmed by the Cypriot presidency of the European Union.
- The Druzhba pipeline, which supplies oil to Hungary and Slovakia, resumed operations on Wednesday after repairs to a damaged hub in Ukraine.
- Hungarian leadership had previously conditioned its approval of the loan on the resumption of oil flows through the pipeline.
- Two-thirds of the funding is designated for bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities, with the remainder allocated for financial assistance.

**Why it matters:** This agreement provides critical financial and military support to Ukraine while resolving a significant diplomatic impasse within the European Union regarding energy security.

myjoyonline.com - EU decides on key €90bn Ukraine loan after pipeline deadlock ends

lalibre.be - Premier feu vert de l'UE au prêt de 90 milliards d'euros à l'Ukraine

lemonde.fr - EN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : l’UE approuve le déblocage du prêt de 90 milliards d’euros à l’Ukraine, après la levée du veto de la Hongrie

EU Approves €90 Billion Loan to Ukraine Following Pipeline Resolution

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran, citing internal divisions within the Iranian government and a request for mediation from Pakistani officials.

**Key points:**
- President Trump ordered the US military to maintain the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire extension.
- The extension will remain in effect until Iranian leadership presents a unified proposal and negotiations conclude.
- The decision follows a request from Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- Recent polling indicates a decline in President Trump's economic approval ratings amid the prolonged conflict.

**Why it matters:** The extension of the ceasefire prevents an immediate escalation of military hostilities while highlighting the complex diplomatic role of regional intermediaries in the US-Iran conflict.

eldiario.es - Trump anuncia que mantiene el alto el fuego a petición de Pakistán y “hasta que Irán presente una propuesta unificada”

huffingtonpost.es - Trump extiende el alto el fuego con Irán "hasta que concluyan las negociaciones, sea cual sea el resultado"

infobae.com - Donald Trump anunció una extensión del alto el fuego con Irán: Estados Unidos mantendrá el bloqueo a los puertos de Teherán

hespress.com - ترامب يمدد وقف إطلاق النار مع إيران

Trump Extends Ceasefire with Iran Pending Unified Proposal

**Summary:** Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, announced that cereal production is expected to reach 90 million quintals for the 2025-2026 season due to significant winter rainfall.

**Key points:**
- The projected harvest represents a significant increase from the 44 million quintals recorded during the previous agricultural campaign.
- The government expects to reduce grain imports by approximately 40 percent to prioritize the use of national stock.
- The total area planted with cereals for this season reached 3.9 million hectares, up from 2.6 million hectares in 2024-2025.
- Authorities aim to establish a strategic reserve of 8 million quintals to ensure market stability for flour and bread.

**Why it matters:** The rebound in agricultural output is expected to bolster Morocco's economic growth and improve food sovereignty following seven consecutive years of drought.

jeuneafrique.com - Maroc : après les fortes pluies d’hiver, la production céréalière devrait plus que doubler

hespress.com - إنتاج الحبوب يعيد ترتيب واردات المغرب

Morocco Forecasts Cereal Production to More Than Double Following Winter Rains

**Summary:** Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby has announced the deployment of 1,500 troops to Haiti to support a UN-backed multinational security force aimed at combating rampant gang violence.

**Key points:**
- The deployment consists of two battalions of 750 personnel each.
- The Gang Suppression Force is a multinational mission that replaced the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission.
- The force aims to reach a total strength of 5,500 security personnel to assist the Haitian police.
- Chad has a history of participating in international peacekeeping and security coalitions, including operations against Boko Haram.

**Why it matters:** This deployment represents a significant international contribution to addressing the severe security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where gangs control most of the capital.

africanews.com - Chad announces deployment of troops to Haiti to help tackle gangs

gabonactu.com - Haïti: le Tchad va déployer 1.500 membres des forces de sécurité pour lutter contre les gangs

Chad to Deploy 1,500 Troops to Haiti for Gang Suppression Force

**Summary:** The African Bank of Oman has established an investment bank in Angola to strengthen trade and financial connections between Africa and the Middle East.

**Key points:**
- The new institution aims to facilitate cross-regional investment flows.
- The initiative is designed to deepen economic ties between Oman and the African continent.

**Why it matters:** This expansion represents a strategic effort to bridge financial markets and enhance trade infrastructure between the Middle East and Africa.

agenceecofin.com - Angola : l’African Bank of Oman ouvre ses portes pour relier l’Afrique et le Moyen-Orient

google.com - Oman opens Angola-based investment bank to deepen Africa trade links

African Bank of Oman Launches Operations in Angola

**Summary:** Apple announced that John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become CEO on September 1, 2026, replacing Tim Cook who will transition to executive chairman. The leadership change marks Apple's first CEO succession since Cook took over from Steve Jobs in 2011.

**Key points:**
- Ternus, 50, has spent 25 years at Apple and overseen hardware engineering for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro
- Transition takes effect September 1, 2026; Cook will remain CEO through summer to ensure smooth handover
- Johny Srouji, Apple's chip chief, will assume expanded role as chief hardware officer overseeing engineering and silicon development
- Cook's tenure saw Apple's market cap increase roughly 24-fold to $4 trillion and revenue nearly quadruple to over $400 billion
- Board unanimously approved the succession as result of long-term planning process

**Why it matters:** This leadership transition signals Apple's strategic focus on hardware innovation under new leadership while Cook shifts to government relations and policy engagement. The change comes as Apple faces supply chain complexity, geopolitical tensions, and competition in AI chip development.

CNBC - Apple taps John Ternus as CEO to replace Tim Cook, who will become chairman

Diario Financiero - Apple nombra a John Ternus como CEO para reemplazar a Tim Cook, que pasa a ser presidente del directorio

El País - Apple nombra a John Ternus como consejero delegado y a Tim Cook como presidente ejecutivo

Apple Names John Ternus as New CEO; Tim Cook Becomes Executive Chairman

**Summary:** A man opened fire at Mexico's Teotihuacán archaeological site on April 20, killing a Canadian woman and injuring six others before taking his own life. The incident occurred at one of Mexico's most important tourist destinations near Mexico City, prompting an emergency response and investigation by Mexican authorities.

**Key points:**
- Shooting occurred at the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacán, a major archaeological site and tourist destination
- One Canadian woman confirmed dead; six people injured and receiving medical care
- Gunman fired from elevated position on the pyramid before taking his own life
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered a thorough investigation and confirmed contact with Canadian embassy
- Authorities recovered a firearm, a bladed weapon, and ammunition at the scene

**Why it matters:** The attack at a UNESCO World Heritage site highlights security concerns at major tourist destinations in Mexico and has international implications given the Canadian victim. The incident prompted immediate diplomatic engagement between Mexico and Canada.

HuffPost - Un tiroteo en Teotihuacán (México) deja al menos dos muertos y tres heridos

Infobae - En video los momentos de terror que vivieron turistas en Teotihuacán

Al Jazeera - Gunman kills Canadian woman, injures six at Mexico's Teotihuacan pyramids

Vanguardia - Detonaciones de arma en pirámides de Teotihuacán; agresor y una mujer canadiense pierden la vida

Gunman kills Canadian tourist, injures six at Mexico's Teotihuacán pyramids