Trump's Immigration Policy Blocked; Russia's Global Disruptions Mount; Middle East Diplomacy Shifts as White House Names Key Appointments

Good Morning,

India and Pakistan remain on the brink of war. President Trump faces a legal setback over his use of the Alien Enemies Act, while simultaneously making bold foreign policy moves with new threats against countries purchasing Iranian oil and key national security nominations. Russia's influence operations extend across multiple fronts, from alleged cyberattacks targeting the Paris Olympics and French elections to publishing controversial historical narratives about Lithuania. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts intensify in the Middle East as the UK engages with France and Saudi Arabia on potential recognition of a Palestinian state. As these stories unfold, questions emerge about Russia's international alliances and the sustainability of its war machine amid growing global scrutiny.

Top Stories

• India and Pakistan: On the Brink of Conflict Over Kashmir (cfr.org)

• Trump-appointed judge says president’s use of Alien Enemies Act is unlawful in first-of-its-kind ruling (www.cnn.com)

• Who are Russia's allies, and can Kremlin's war machine survive without them? (kyivindependent.com)

• Russia accused of cyberattacks on Paris Olympics and French election (www.rfi.fr)

• Trump says any country that buys oil from Iran will not be allowed to do business with U.S. (www.cnbc.com)

• UK in talks with France and Saudi Arabia over recognising a Palestinian state (ft.com)

• Trump nominates Waltz as UN ambassador, Rubio as national security adviser (thehill.com)

• Russia publishes book on Lithuanian history, preface written by Lavrov (www.lrt.lt)

United States

• ICE joins DeSantis in touting one-week record of arresting 1,120 people in the US illegally (apnews.com)

• Trump-appointed judge says president’s use of Alien Enemies Act is unlawful in first-of-its-kind ruling (www.cnn.com)

• Photos Show Mike Waltz Using Signal in Trump Cabinet Meeting (www.newsweek.com)

• Luigi Mangione wants state murder case dropped, arguing double jeopardy in UnitedHealthcare killing (apnews.com)

• Trump's ambassador to France nominee Kushner acknowledges past 'serious mistake' (reuters.com)

Africa

• Exclusive: US pushes Congo, Rwanda for peace accord and billion-dollar mineral deals (reuters.com)

• Thousands of White South Africans Seek U.S. Refugee Status Amid Land Reform Concerns (m10news.com)

• Congo seeks to lift former President Kabila’s immunity over war crimes allegations (apnews.com)

• Africa's richest man Dangote is bullish on "winning" his fight with Nigeria's powerful fuel importers (www.semafor.com)

Middle East

• US tells World Court that Israel is not required to work with UN Palestinian refugee agency (apnews.com)

• Two more Syrian Druze wounded in sectarian violence evacuated to Israel for treatment (www.timesofisrael.com)

• Iran had imperial ambitions in Syria. Secret embassy papers show why it failed (www.reuters.com)

• Weekend round of nuclear talks between US and Iran are postponed, Oman says (thehill.com)

• UN official urges Israel to lift aid blockade of Gaza and calls it ‘cruel collective punishment’ (apnews.com)

• Trump says any country that buys oil from Iran will not be allowed to do business with U.S. (www.cnbc.com)

Indo-Pacific

• India and Pakistan: On the Brink of Conflict Over Kashmir (cfr.org)

• Japan's Toyota Starts Collaborating with Self-driving Leader Waymo on Autonomous Cars (apnews.com)

• Cambodians in California Celebrate Khmer Culture 50 Years After Killing Fields (www.theguardian.com)

• Vance says US hopes Pakistan cooperates with India against Pakistan-based militants (reuters.com)

Europe

• Russia publishes book on Lithuanian history, preface written by Lavrov (www.lrt.lt)

• Football Association says transgender women cannot compete in women's football from 1 June (www.bbc.co.uk)

• Microsoft getting nervous about Europe's tech independence (www.theregister.com)

• Germany: Former AfD aide arrested on suspicion of espionage (www.dw.com)

• Who are Russia's allies, and can Kremlin's war machine survive without them? (kyivindependent.com)

• Russia accused of cyberattacks on Paris Olympics and French election (www.rfi.fr)

Latin America

• Judge bars deportations of Venezuelans from South Texas under the Alien Enemies Act (apnews.com)

• Mexico plans gradual reduction to 40-hour work week by 2030 (reuters.com)

• Brazilian ex-President Jair Bolsonaro is out of intensive care but still hospitalized, doctors say (apnews.com)

• Cuba stages May Day rallies as tensions mount with US (reuters.com)

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