Headlines

• 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.

• Suspect sent "manifesto" to family before dinner.
• This marks the third serious threat against President Donald Trump’s life. 

Apr. 26 (DPnet).– A man taken into custody after gunfire rang out at the annual White House Correspondents' Assn. dinner on Saturday was identified by law enforcement sources as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, of Torrance, a coastal community in southwestern Los Angeles County. 

The event was attended by President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and all cabinet members, along with journalists, lawmakers, and public figures. The scene at the annual event in Washington turned chaotic when Allen dashed toward the dining area and was met with gunfire. The suspect fired two shots before being taken down by authorities. One officer who was wearing a bulletproof vest was shot and injured.

Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche, said the suspect revealed he was targeting President Trump and other members of the Trump administration. Allen wrote a "manifesto" which stated he wanted to specifically target administration officials, according to other law enforcement and White House officials.

Authorities also found anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on the suspect's social media accounts when searcching his home, the official said. Cole Allen sent some of his writings to members of his family before the attempted attack on Saturday, and one of them alerted police about the writings.