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Bulgaria: Pro-Russian Radev takes lead in early vote count Exit polls put Rumen Radev's new, left-leaning, pro-Russian party far ahead following Bulgaria's eighth election in five years. Radev, a former fighter pilot, stepped down as Bulgaria's president in January. Venezuela's transition: privatizing the oil industry After the US ousted Maduro and effectively seized control of Venezuela's oil industry, the country's economy has been transitioning rapidly. The interim government is wooing investors but lacks democratic backing. The German refugees who found shelter in Yugoslavia After the Nazis seized power in 1933, many Germans escaped by fleeing abroad. Some ended up in what was then Yugoslavia. German historian Marie Janine Calic tells their story. Life in Donbas: 'If we give up, there will be nothing left' The Russian army is advancing on the Ukrainian town of Kostiantynivka, with the aim of occupying the entire Donbas region. Yet people continue to live and fight in the area, as DW's Hanna Sokolova-Stekh found out. Mines in the Strait of Hormuz: How dangerous are they? Iran says it has placed mines in the Straight of Hormuz to discourage independent traffic. How dangerous are naval mines, and what can be done to clear them? Malaysia: Fire in impoverished village destroys 1,000 homes The fire ripped through makeshift homes in a "water village" in Malaysia's Sabah ‌state ⁠on ⁠Borneo island. The area is home to some of the country's poorest residents, including indigenous and stateless communities. French billionaire defiant as authors quit top publisher Vincent Bollore has vowed to find new authors for publisher Grasset after 170 left, alleging political interference. French President Macron has weighed in on the affair, which has shaken France's cultural scene. Austria: Police find rat poison in recalled baby food jar The Germany-based HiPP had recalled the jars, suggesting they were tampered with. The contaminated jars were also found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Attacks on US academics: A microcosm of a larger threat to democracy In the new DW documentary "Democracy Under Attack: Can Dündar and Trump's America," the Turkish press freedom icon looks at the parallels between the erosion of democracy in the US and his home country. Pope Leo plays down rift with Trump, doubles down on peace En route to Angola for a three-day visit, Pope Leo XIV said he has no desire to debate with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders have traded barbs since the pope spoke out against the Iran war. US strikes on alleged 'drug boats' spark legal controversy The US has carried out further attacks on alleged "drug boats." Critics say the strikes are not only ineffective, they are also largely about appealing to Trump's own domestic base. UNIFIL: Why are UN peacekeepers in Lebanon? A French UN peacekeeper has been killed in Lebanon, highlighting rising risks for UNIFIL. The UN mission has been in the country for nearly 50 years — DW looks at its mandate, role and growing criticism. Europe looks to secure shipping in Strait of Hormuz A coalition of nonbelligerent states led by France and the UK has said it is ready to lead an international mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. But that won't be deployed before the Iran war is over.