Headlines

Wando County is in South Jeolla Province, situated along the southwestern, island-dotted coast of South Korea.

 Kim Shin, an independent candidate for Wando County Governor, held a departure ceremony on May 21, the first official day of the election campaign, and officially entered the race for his fourth attempt at the governorship.

Seoul, May 21 (DPnet).–  Kim Shin, an independent candidate for Wando County Governor, held a departure ceremony on May 21, the first official day of the election campaign, and officially entered the race for his fourth attempt at the governorship.

At 11 a.m., Kim held the departure ceremony in front of the Wando Seaweed Center, drawing a large crowd of supporters and local residents as he began his efforts to win votes. The venue was filled with enthusiastic supporters chanting Kim's name, with slogans expressing a desire for change echoing throughout the event.

At the ceremony, Kim highlighted the core theme, "Interests or conscience," pledging, "I will demonstrate politics based on honesty and dedication." He fired up the crowd by leading the chant, "We can't go on like this—let's make a change," amplifying the public's yearning for transformation.

• The European Parliament debate end of EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement following visits by representatives of pasos de cambio
• Former Cuban President Raúl Castro has been indicted in the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed criminal charges against the 94-year-old in connection to the 1996 shootdown of two humanitarian planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including three Americans.

Brussels & Miami, May 20 (DPnet).– This Wednesday, May 20, marks the anniversary of Cuba's independence in 1902. It is noteworthy that this date coincides with two unprecedented events in the context of the 67-year-old Cuban dictatorship that are taking place simultaneously in Europe and the United States.

At the same time, the European Parliament is condemning the Political Dialogue and the Cooperation Agreement that had been in effect for years, while legal proceedings have been initiated in the United States against Raúl Castro, the former President of Cuba and brother of Fidel Castro. Although Raúl Castro no longer holds an official position within the regime's structure, he continues to wield significant influence as the ultimate authority in the inner circle of power.

News has also emerged from Brussels indicating that, on May 19, the European Parliament held a plenary debate in which MEPs from various political groups reiterated their demand to terminate the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) between the European Union and the Cuban regime.

• Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal government did not immediately respond to the development.

Edmonton, May 4 (AP).– Alberta separatists said Monday they have formally submitted almost 302,000 signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada.

The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the province to consider such a vote.

The question of separation could go on a provincewide ballot as early as October, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she would move forward if enough names are gathered and verified.

• A definitive commitment from Iran not to build nuclear weapons and to cease uranium enrichment beyond the 40% limit is the US minimum condition for entering into negotiations with Iran.
• The US-Israeli combined air campaign against Iran to this point has degraded the Iranian ability to project force and thus satisfied a key military objective.

Some US 5th Fleet warships entered the Persian Gulf last week

Riyadh, Apr.27 (DPnet).– On Sunday, April 26, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made a significant diplomatic move by traveling to Muscat, Oman, to engage in crucial discussions about security in the Strait of Hormuz with Omani Sultan Haitham al Tariq. This visit was followed by his trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, where he addressed Iran's essential preconditions for negotiations with the United States with local mediators. These preconditions prominently include the urgent lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.

Notably, IRGC-affiliated media revealed that during these discussions, Araghchi emphasized the need for a "new legal regime" governing the Strait of Hormuz, sought compensation for war damages, and requested assurances against future US attacks. Alarmingly, there was no mention of Iran’s nuclear program, a pivotal concern for US policymakers.

Adding to the tension, US President Donald Trump revealed that Iran offered a "much better" proposal just ten minutes after he canceled the planned trip of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran on April 25. Trump noted that this new proposal, which involves Iran's commitment to renounce nuclear weapons, still falls short of what is needed to advance negotiations. This situation underscores the urgency for a constructive dialogue that addresses both security and nuclear capabilities in the region.