Trump and Putin to Discuss Ukraine Conflict Today as Portugal Shifts Right

Today, former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold a phone call aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conversation is set for 10 AM local time, which corresponds to 4 PM CEST. According to the White House, the dialogue will not only focus on the war but will also touch upon various trade issues. Following this significant discussion, Trump plans to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives from NATO member states.

In a notable political shift, Portugal has witnessed a dramatic move towards the right following the recent parliamentary elections. The conservative party led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has emerged victorious, overshadowing the previous dominance of the Socialist Party (PS), which held an absolute majority just over a year ago. The far-right party Chega has also made significant gains, narrowly trailing the PS in the final vote count.

Meanwhile, in Romania, a pro-European sentiment prevailed as Nicusor Dan, the independent candidate and current Mayor of Bucharest, has taken a commanding lead in the presidential race. With nearly 99% of the votes counted, Dan is ahead of right-wing populist George Simion, marking a significant political development in the region.

Poland is gearing up for a presidential runoff election set for June 1, following a closely contested first round. Current projections indicate that liberal-conservative candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, aligned with Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government, has secured 31.1% of the votes, while right-nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki from the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) follows closely with 29.1%.

On the economic front, China's industrial production has exceeded expectations, rising by 6.1% in April compared to the same month last year, despite a deceleration from the previous month's growth rate of 7.7%. This data, released by the National Bureau of Statistics, surpassed the anticipated 5.5% increase projected by analysts.

In health news, former President Joe Biden has reportedly been diagnosed with a form of advanced yet treatable prostate cancer. This revelation comes amid ongoing concerns regarding his health, which previously influenced his decision to withdraw from the electoral race last year.

In sports, Josef Pröll has been appointed as the new head of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), ushering in a new era for the organization. Pröll, a former Vice Chancellor, is expected to tackle various challenges, including uniting a divided federation and preparing the national team for the 2026 World Cup.

Lastly, today marks the World Baking Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday of May. While the origins of this day are somewhat unclear, it is believed to have been initiated either by Unilever to promote margarine or by Dr. Oetker to encourage communal baking. Regardless of its beginnings, the day aims to highlight the joy of baking and sharing homemade treats.