King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan (22) to a senior military coordination post inside the armed forces, marking his first real operational role.

The Role: “Coordinator of the Offices and Services of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR)”, a central position linking logistics, intelligence, and strategy across the military.

This is a hands-on command track, not ceremonial.

It mirrors the exact path Mohammed VI took as crown prince.

Netanyahu:

We are purchasing two squadrons of advanced aircraft, F-35 and F-15IA.

Our pilots can reach anywhere in Iran's skies, and they are prepared to do so if required.

And regarding independence: I have directed to invest in self-production capability of armaments.

In the coming decade, we will add 350 billion shekels to the defense budget, and this is to produce these armaments in Israel and not be dependent abroad.

Simultaneously, we will develop groundbreaking aircraft, blue and white products.

This will change the whole picture.

And regarding drones: a few weeks ago, I ordered the establishment of a special project to counter the drone threat.

And already today, a progress report on the subject will be presented to me. It will take time, but we are on it.

Two U.S. service members went missing May 2, 2026 during African Lion 2026 in southern Morocco (near Tan Tan).

A large search-and-rescue effort (U.S., Moroccan, partners) is ongoing.

Unconfirmed reports say they may have been off-duty near a cliff and possibly swept into the ocean, but that’s not officially confirmed.

Marco Rubio is expected to visit Italy this week and meet Pope Leo on Thursday.

Source: Reuters

Israel has carried out widespread destruction in southern Lebanon, flattening entire towns near the border, including places like Bint Jbeil.

Satellite imagery shows that dozens of villages have been heavily damaged or reduced to rubble since fighting with Hezbollah resumed in March.

The conflict has killed more than 2,600 people in Lebanon and displaced over a million. Civilian infrastructure—homes, schools, hospitals, and utilities—has been widely destroyed.

Israel says its actions are lawful and necessary.

Source: NYT

Bessent on Iran:

We are suffocating the regime.

They are not able to pay their soldiers.

Avi Bluth, head of the IDF Central Command (overseeing the West Bank), says Israeli troops can shoot Palestinian stone-throwers if they’re a threat, but not applied the same to "settlers" due to “severe sociological consequences.”

Algeria’s President Tebboune on UAE's withdrawal from OPEC:

It is a non-event.

Among the Arab countries, the main pillar in OPEC is the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

End of discussion, and the book is closed... with them... It's finished.

WATCH: German Chancellor Merz snapped at a terminally ill woman who challenged health cuts and political pay.

A woman with stage IV cancer said:

I’ve already sent you an invitation to my funeral… I can’t afford it.

Why are cuts hitting us citizens… but not politicians?

Merz, visibly irritated, shot back:

At no point… was it ever considered to raise government salaries.

I would be grateful if you would not repeat that unchecked.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio DJing at a wedding in Florida.

NEW: Iran proposes a 3-stage plan to end the war.

Stage 1 (Now): End the war

— Turn ceasefire into permanent peace (≈30 days)

— Reopen Hormuz + lift US blockade (gradual)

— Mutual non-aggression (incl. Israel)

Stage 2 (mid-term):

Nuclear deal
— Freeze enrichment up to 15 years

— Later cap at 3.6% (civilian level)

— No dismantling of nuclear sites

— Sanctions lifted step-by-step

Stage 3 (long-term): Region

— Launch Middle East security talks
Source: Al Jazeera

WATCH: Mass fuel-smuggling convoys spotted from Iran into Pakistan (Balochistan).

Hundreds of pickups + motorbikes hauling cheap Iranian fuel.

U.S. blockade limits sea exports → fuel builds up.

TankerTrackers on Hormuz blockade:

Out of 25 Iranian oil tankers in April, the U.S. stopped some, but most still got through.

25 total shipments.
7 turned back.
2 seized.
1 delivered.

16 made it past the blockade.

Sweden seized oil tanker Jin Hui in the Baltic Sea as part of a growing crackdown on Russia’s sanctions-dodging “shadow fleet.”

The ship—sailing under a Syrian flag—was boarded near Trelleborg.

Authorities suspect it’s involved in sanctions evasion using fake/irregular flag registration, and also flagged safety and seaworthiness problems.

It was reportedly not carrying cargo, and its route/destination raised questions.

Russia has become Syria’s main oil supplier, with shipments up about 75% to roughly 60,000 barrels per day in 2026.

This comes despite Damascus shifting politically toward the West after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024 and lingering distrust of Moscow.

Syria relies on Russian crude out of necessity. Domestic production is far below demand, and limited access to global markets leaves few alternatives.

Previously, Iran was the country’s top supplier, but halted deliveries after Assad’s fall.

Source: Reuters

Senior UAE official Reem Al Hashimy on Iran:

Geography prevails… we’re going to have to live with each other.

Nobody should control the Strait of Hormuz.

Former German Chancellor Scholz:

After all, Russia did not conquer Ukraine.

This is a big success.

Former German Chancellor Scholz:

We were an engineers’ country. Now we’re a lawyers’ country.

Other countries… build a national railway system in 20 years.

We cannot build a commuter line in 20 years.

Russia says Russia will get ~200 billion rubles ($2.7 billion) extra from higher oil prices.

Trump says he reviewed Iran’s new proposal and rejected it.

He added that the military situation is “going very well.”

Source: Kan News

Ursula von der Leyen:

You can make money anywhere in the world.

But if you want to raise children, you choose a place with peace, safety, and opportunity.

That is Europe.