In the news...

The EU makes a last-ditch effort to block Trump’s Iran sanctions.The European Commission plans to activate a statute today that would punish any EU company that curtails its business in Iran due to US sanctions. Meanwhile German chancellor Angela Merkel and Russia’s Vladimir Putin will meet in Sochi today to discuss salvaging the Iran nuclear deal.

Britain’s royal wedding. he nuptials of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will take place on May 19 at 12pm BST with much fanfare—though 66% of Brits say they don’t care that much about the event.

Venezuela holds a presidential election amid a worsening crisis. Autocratic leader Nicolás Maduro is widely expected to be re-elected on Sunday after the opposition coalition opted to boycott the contest, saying the vote is rigged.

The US Senate approved Gina Haspel as the first female director of the CIA. The veteran intelligence officer, who faced criticism for overseeing harsh interrogation techniques, assured lawmakers she would never again condone such programs. She also pledged to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of the Trump administration.

China dropped an anti-dumping probe of US sorghum imports.The conciliatory gesture was made as officials meet in Washington to head off a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies. China has reportedly offered the Trump administration a package to slash the US trade deficit by up to $200 billion.

An eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano sent ash nearly 6 miles (9 km) into the sky. Authorities warned that the steam-fueled blast could set the stage for a string of strong explosions. Some residents were warned to take shelter against ash fallout and a spike in toxic sulfur dioxide gas.

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