The proposed legislation, formally presented on April 25, has drawn fierce criticism from independent civil society organizations, human rights groups, and dissidents. The bill is even facing opposition from several reactionary and far-right parties that typically support the expansion of police powers. Even they are balking at the scale of intrusion the law represents.

Under the bill, PET will be authorized to collect and analyze three broad categories of data: publicly available information such as social media posts and comments; data from Danish public authorities, including sensitive data from health and social services; and data primarily concerning individuals outside Denmark. The agencies involved will be compelled to hand over requested data to the intelligence service. These datasets can be stored for up to 20 years.

The implications for human rights in Denmark — a self-styled “liberal democracy” — are profound. Legal experts and privacy organizations warn that the regime’s reliance on AI to parse digital behavior opens the door to algorithmic policing, predictive targeting, and the normalization of pre-crime profiling. The ever-watchful eye of the state will be embedded deep in the online lives of ordinary Danes. This will almost certainly chill dissent and lead to self-censorship, particularly activism deemed politically inconvenient to the regime, such as advocacy against the zionist genocide in Palestine, views that are increasingly facing hostility from Denmark’s political elite.

This dystopian development has drawn criticism from the far-right as well. “It’s a mass surveillance tool, and if that doesn’t create a mass surveillance society, then I don’t know what does,” said Steffen Larsen, legal spokesperson for the far-right Liberal Alliance and chair of parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee. “It makes all Danes suspects by default, because now everyone can be investigated and screened for everything they do. That is the exact opposite of the rule of law.” His party, along with the Conservatives and the fascist Danish People’s Party, has pledged to vote against the bill.

Conservative MP Mai Mercado called the law “extremely comprehensive and extremely far-reaching,” warning that it gives PET access to all data held by public authorities — effectively eliminating any notion of privacy. Mette Thiesen from the fascist Danish People’s Party, which is otherwise known for embracing aggressive policing, admitted, “We’re not afraid of surveillance. But when everyone working in this area says it goes too far, of course we get worried.”

The moderate pro-democracy opposition, represented by the Alternative Party and the Red-Green Alliance, oppose the bill. Several opposition parties are calling for the bill to be delayed until the autumn to allow for thorough legal and public scrutiny. Helene Brydensholt, the Alternative’s legal spokesperson, criticized the rushed legislative timeline: “We will urge the rest of the opposition to stop the bill from being fast-tracked before the summer recess,” she said, referring to a planned committee meeting.

The regime-loyal Socialist People’s Party (SF), have yet to take a clear position on the bill. SF’s justice spokesperson, Karina Lorentzen, only said that the process was “too rushed” and that a “proper public debate” should take place, without addressing the substance of the bill.

Meanwhile, independent NGOs and experts have issued an open letter to Peter Hummelgaard, head of Denmark’s powerful Social Democrat-controlled Ministry of Justice, warning that the bill will usher in a mass surveillance regime. The regime’s response has been to dismiss all criticism out of hand. Hummelgaard insists, “There is nothing in this that is about surveillance. It is more of an analysis tool.” He claims much of the data would concern foreign nationals, and that the law “does not change any rules for how PET can handle information about individuals.”

The bill draws disturbing parallels to Denmark’s dark history of political repression. In the 1930s, Danish police surveilled the legal activities of communists, compiling secret lists that paved the way for the 1941 Communist Law — passed by willing collaborationist politicians at Nazi Germany’s request. That law enabled the arrest of hundreds of communists. 150 Danish communists were eventually deported to German concentration camps where 21 were murdered.

Despite the mounting criticism, the regime’s control of the Nordic hermit kingdom’s parliament all but guarantees the law’s passage.

Sources:

• Nyt lovforslag åbner op for hidtil uset overvågning, Arbejderen, March 24th 2025
• Normalt giver de blå partier gerne politiet flere værktøjer, men nu slår de alarm: Regeringen vil masseovervåge samtlige danskere, DR (state media), May 8th 2025

The Houthi movement Ansar Allah and the United States have agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Oman. The announcement was made by Oman’s Foreign Ministry, which stated that recent negotiations have helped de-escalate tensions between the two sides.

Under the agreement, neither party will conduct attacks against the other, ensuring the safety of US vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This truce comes as the Houthis had escalated operations against Israeli-linked ships and targets in response to the war in Gaza.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched long-range missile attacks, disrupting a key global shipping route that handles around 12% of world maritime trade. The assaults forced commercial vessels to reroute around southern Africa, significantly impacting global supply chains.

A senior Houthi official stated that their campaign aimed to support Gaza by pressuring Israel and facilitating humanitarian aid. He also referenced Donald Trump’s recent remarks about ending US military actions in Yemen, calling it a potential victory for their cause.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Since March 15, the US has conducted repeated airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas to deter further attacks. The situation remains volatile, with implications for regional stability and the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Presidents Putin and Pezeshkian also addressed the expansion of bilateral cooperation. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian in which they discussed nuclear negotiations with the United States.

“Russia confirmed its willingness to contribute to the advancement of this dialogue with the United States in order to reach a fair agreement based on the principles of international law,” the Kremlin stated, mentioning that the two leaders also addressed the expansion of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Moscow and Tehran.

Unlike the agreement signed with North Korea, this one does not include mutual military assistance in the event of aggression, but it does make Russia and Iran strategic partners in matters related to the economy, energy, defense, culture, and counterterrorism. The Iran-Russia agreement was signed in January, three days before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who is threatening Iran with retaliation if it refuses to negotiate its nuclear program.

During a recent visit to Moscow by Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araqchi, Russia offered to participate as a mediator in the negotiations if both Iran and the U.S. consider it appropriate. On Monday, Iran insisted on its right to operate a nuclear program after the President of the United States stated that he seeks the “total dismantlement” of the Persian country’s atomic capabilities.

“The positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the nation’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy are consistent, logical, and based on international law,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei at a press conference. In the negotiations, Iran is seeking the lifting of economic sanctions and is only willing to limit its nuclear capabilities, while the United States has also targeted Iran’s missile program and Tehran’s support for regional groups such as the Houthis in Yemen.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the downing of 105 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones over eleven regions. On Tuesday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported a new Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian capital on the eve of Victory Day, which commemorates the Red Army’s defeat of Nazi Germany.

“The Russian Air Defense Force repelled the attack of two drones flying toward Moscow,” he said, referring to the downing of unmanned aerial vehicles in the Moscow region that occurred the previous night. “Emergency services specialists are working at the site where the drone fragments fell,” the Moscow Major added. Earlier, several Telegram channels specializing in monitoring drone activity in the Moscow region reported that around 17 Ukrainian drones were flying over six Russian regions toward Moscow.

In the south of the Russian capital, mobile phone and internet services were disrupted. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that another thirteen drones had been shot down—seven over the Kaluga region, four over the Tula region, and two more in the Moscow region.

In the morning, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the downing of 105 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones over eleven regions of the country, including the Moscow region.

According to the military report, 19 drones were intercepted near Moscow, where a military parade will be held this Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany—an event expected to be attended by about thirty foreign leaders.

In his visits, he will emphasize his support for multilateralism, one of the core principles championed by the BRICS. On the night of Tuesday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva will travel to Russia to attend the celebration of Victory Day, commemorating the Red Army’s triumph over Nazi Germany.

These traditional celebrations will take place on Thursday in Moscow, where Lula will hold a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the following day. Eduardo Saboia, Brazil’s Secretary for Asia at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, explained that Lula plans to discuss the commercial relationship between the two countries, which is largely based on the supply of Russian fertilizers to the Brazilian agricultural sector.

Lula will also emphasize his support for multilateralism, one of the core principles championed by the BRICS, the economic cooperation bloc founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The text reads, “Ukraine attacks Moscow with drones as Russia prepares for Victory Day parade. Victory Day is an important holiday in the Russian calendar. Several world leaders, including President Lula, will attend the parade.”

Later, starting on May 11, Lula will make a state visit to China, where he will be received by President Xi Jinping. Saboia stated that Lula’s agenda with the Chinese leader will be similar, but noted that the Asian power maintains a strategic partnership with Brazil “with a high level of institutionalization,” covering broad cooperation at all levels.

China is the main destination for Brazilian exports worldwide, making the commercial segment of particular interest. Beyond that, cooperation on other matters will also be reviewed, such as the fight against climate change and the shared intention of both countries to strengthen multilateralism.

“Brazil and China have a much broader agenda than any considerations regarding a situation that is clearly concerning,” said Saboia, who dismissed the idea that the dialogue between Xi and Lula would have any direct connection to the trade war triggered by United States President Donald Trump.

“Brazil values its relationship with the United States,” the diplomat said, stressing that the ties with China “do not contradict” that relationship.

During his stay in Beijing, Lula will also participate in a ministerial meeting of the Forum of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and China, which will serve as a preparatory session for the upcoming summit of that forum, to be held in Colombia later this year.

The Christian Democratic Union leader was elected by the Bundestag in a second attempt. On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed conservative Friedrich Merz as chancellor, after he secured the absolute majority required in the Bundestag on his second attempt to be confirmed as the new head of government.

“In the name of the Federal Republic of Germany and based on Article 63, paragraph 2, sentence 2, I appoint Mr. Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor. Berlin, May 6, 2025. The Federal President,” he stated while reading the certificate of appointment. After receiving and thanking the president for the congratulations, Merz left the room in Bellevue Palace, the president’s official residence, to return to the Bundestag, where he is to be sworn in before the members of parliament.

He will then officially announce the composition of his government, in which his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will hold seven ministries, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy. The Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) will take charge of the Interior Ministry and two other ministries, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) will appoint seven ministers, among them the Vice Chancellor, the Finance Minister, and the Defense Minister.

Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to hand over the office to Merz as his successor at 17:45 GMT. Merz was elected as new chancellor by the Bundestag in a second attempt, after failing to obtain the necessary majority of 316 votes in the first round — an unprecedented situation in the German history.

The far-right leader thus managed to reach what is known as the “chancellor majority,” securing 325 votes in favor, against 289 votes opposed, with one abstention and three invalid votes. Hours earlier, in the first attempt, Merz fell short by six votes to reach the required absolute majority, which caused a major surprise since the conservative bloc and the Social Democrats had a margin of 12 votes to pass the vote.

Drone strikes targeting Port Sudan continued for a third consecutive day, marking a dramatic escalation in the country’s ongoing conflict. The attacks, which struck the port and airport, have disrupted Sudan’s only international exit routes, threatening to destabilize one of the few areas previously untouched by violence.

The bombings, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo, have challenged the control of Sudan’s regular army (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. After being expelled from Khartoum in March, RSF forces have continued expanding their offensive, launching frequent drone attacks on army-controlled territories.

Sudan’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Dr. Mohi El-Din Naeem Mohamed Saeed, condemned the assaults as “terrorist operations”, revealing that fuel depots and diesel reserves were set ablaze. Authorities remain engaged in containing the fires and preventing further disaster.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt, alongside other Arab nations, have condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure in Port Sudan. Egypt, which has received hundreds of thousands of displaced Sudanese, warned that this military escalation could jeopardize ceasefire efforts and worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, al-Burhan has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying combat drones used in RSF’s attacks, a claim emerging shortly after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed Sudan’s lawsuit against the UAE over alleged involvement in the Darfur genocide. The ICJ ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the case due to UAE legal objections.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal power struggle between al-Burhan’s army and Dagalo’s RSF paramilitary forces. The war has led to tens of thousands of deaths, displaced 13 million people, and plunged entire regions into famine, cementing Sudan as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.