According to Ukrainian intelligence, a Russian assassination plot against Volodymyr Zelensky has been thwarted and two men arrested. They supposedly intended to kidnap and kill the president and other top officials as a ‘gift’ to Vladimir Putin before his inauguration. The two men were allegedly recruited by Russia before the invasion and tasked with coordinating a rocket attack. They face charges of treason and preparing a terrorist act. Russia’s defence ministry has not yet responded to the allegations. Meanwhile, on 7 May Russia launched more than seventy missiles and drones against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The attack was directed at facilities in Kyiv and six other cities. Moscow continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the hope of denting industry and public appetite for fighting back against its invasion. See

On 8 May, North Macedonia held parliamentary and presidential elections. If Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, from the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, wins the presidential election, that could complicate EU accession talks. These talks have been delayed, partly due to a dispute with Greece over the country's name, resolved in 2018 by adding the word 'North’. However, VMRO's leader Hristijan Mickoski refuses to recognise the new name. Bulgaria also opposes the talks until Skopje recognises a tiny Bulgarian minority in the country. If his party wins a majority, Mickoski will likely become prime minister. The elections are seen as critical for determining whether North Macedonia will progress toward the EU or revert to isolation and ethnic conflicts. Opinion polls predict a VMRO victory by a large margin, attributed to dissatisfaction with the current government's handling of economic issues. The country of 1.83 million joined NATO in 2020, but impatience over its slow progress towards EU membership has been growing.

The Israeli military has claimed it now controls the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a crucial point for aid entry and civilian exit amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. An Israeli tank brigade has secured the crossing. The UN has expressed concern about the significant restriction of Gaza's main aid routes, but the White House has announced the expected reopening of Kerem Shalom, Hamas has criticised the seizure of Rafah, viewing it as a move to thwart ceasefire negotiations led by Egypt and Qatar, which proposed a temporary halt in hostilities and the release of hostages. Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Hamas's ceasefire claims as inadequate, focusing on stringent security conditions for any deal. UN secretary-general António Guterres said a ceasefire was ‘essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families’.

Massive floods have devastated a state in the south of Brazil, resulting in at least 75 deaths and 103 people missing. Over 88,000 residents have been displaced; 16,000 have sought refuge in schools and temporary shelters. The floods have caused extensive damage and significant disruptions to electricity and communications. Over 800,000 people are currently without a water supply. The state’s governor, calling the devastation unprecedented, has called for a comprehensive reconstruction plan, while President Lula has emphasised the importance of proactive disaster management. This environmental disaster is the fourth major flooding event in the state within eight months.