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World News

Fresh news brought to you daily from around the world. Hot news, breaking stories as they happen.

US, Iran Reach Tentative Ceasefire Extension Deal

Negotiators from the United States and Iran have agreed on the framework of a proposal that would extend the current ceasefire for 60 days and open talks on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, according to US officials.

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The proposed agreement has not yet been approved by President Donald Trump or Iran’s leadership, the officials told the BBC.
However, reports from Tehran suggested the arrangement was not yet settled. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency cited a source close to the negotiations who said the proposal had neither been finalised nor formally confirmed.
Ceasefire remains fragile
The developments come after several days of renewed tensions between the two countries, which have accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted a US military base in the region following overnight American strikes on Iranian targets.
On Wednesday, Iranian state media published what it described as elements of an unofficial 14-point memorandum of understanding. The reported draft included provisions for lifting Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing US forces from areas near Iran, and restoring non-military shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under joint Iranian and Omani management.
The White House rejected the reported document, calling it a “complete fabrication”.
Shipping and sanctions at centre of talks
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue in the negotiations. Around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass through the waterway, and recent disruptions have affected international energy markets.
Reports suggest the proposed deal would allow unrestricted commercial passage through the strait, while Iran would have 30 days to remove naval mines from the channel.
The agreement could also include US sanctions waivers enabling Iran to resume oil exports, alongside the lifting of the American naval blockade.
Progress uncertain despite optimism
Both governments had indicated last week that progress was being made towards an agreement, fuelling expectations of a breakthrough announcement.
Since the ceasefire began on 8 April, Trump has repeatedly said the two sides were nearing a deal. Yet previous rounds of diplomacy have failed to produce lasting agreements.
Negotiations held in Islamabad days after the ceasefire took effect ended without a substantive outcome.
Senior US officials, including Trump himself, have continued to warn that military action remains an option if talks collapse. Last week, Trump said he had come within an hour of authorising new strikes on Iran before deciding against it following appeals from US allies.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump said discussions were moving forward but described the Iranian proposal as “not there yet”.
Questions remain over whether Trump will ultimately approve the latest framework agreement.
Nuclear programme still unresolved
Any extension of the ceasefire would allow negotiators to move to more complex issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, including the future of its remaining stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump has previously suggested the uranium could either be removed by the US or diluted in Iran or a third country.
The news website Axios, which first reported the tentative agreement, said Trump had been briefed on the proposal but had not yet approved it and planned to consider it for several days.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to confirm reports of an agreement during a White House briefing.
“It’s always a mistake to get out ahead of the president,” he said, adding that any final decision would rest with Trump.
Asked whether a future peace settlement could include reconstruction assistance for Iran, Bessent replied: “We’ve got to get to the deal before we get to the other side.”


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 May 2026
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US Faces Years to Rebuild Missile Stocks used in Iran War

The United States could take years to rebuild key weapons stockpiles depleted during the Iran war, according to a new analysis that warns of a temporary gap in military readiness if another major conflict were to emerge, particularly in the western Pacific.

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The report, released Wednesday by the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, said U.S. defense contractors would need at least three years to replenish supplies of Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptors and THAAD missile defense systems used heavily during the conflict with Iran.
The study said the drawdown had created “a window of vulnerability” for the United States, especially in relation to a possible future confrontation with China.
Military stockpiles under pressure
Tomahawk missiles, designed for long-range strikes deep inside enemy territory, were among the systems used extensively during the war. The report estimates that the United States fired more than 1,000 Tomahawks at Iran and may not fully restore prewar inventory levels until late 2030.
Production capacity remains limited. Fewer than 200 Tomahawks are currently manufactured each year, although manufacturer RTX, formerly known as Raytheon, aims to raise output to more than 1,000 annually.
The analysis also examined air defense systems. It said replacing up to 290 THAAD interceptors used against Iranian missiles and drones could take until the end of 2029, while replenishing more than 1,000 Patriot interceptors may take until mid-2029.
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin said it was increasing production capacity and investing billions of dollars through 2030, including new facilities in Alabama and other parts of the country.
Concerns over future conflicts
The report comes amid growing concern in Washington over U.S. preparedness for a possible conflict involving China and Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly warned against what Beijing views as U.S. interference in Taiwan, while China has set a goal for its military to be capable of taking the island by force if necessary by 2027.
CSIS said the United States still possessed enough munitions for any likely Iran-related scenario, but rebuilding inventories had become a pressing issue because of the time needed to expand production and strengthen supply chains.
“The problem today isn’t money; it’s time,” the report said, despite the Trump administration proposing a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027.
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have argued that the U.S. military remains fully capable of handling multiple threats. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the armed forces maintained “a deep arsenal of capabilities” and could carry out operations wherever required.
Debate over stockpile strategy
Some analysts and lawmakers have questioned whether current inventories are sufficient after years of supplying weapons to Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Virginia Burger, a former Marine officer now with the watchdog group Project On Government Oversight, said Pentagon officials were likely aware that stockpiles could fall to critical levels during a prolonged conflict.
CSIS co-author Mark Cancian said the issue stemmed partly from post-Cold War assumptions that future wars would be short and regional, reducing the need for large reserves of advanced weapons.
That thinking changed after Russia’s war in Ukraine demonstrated how quickly modern conflicts can consume munitions supplies.
Cancian said both the Biden and Trump administrations had increased efforts to expand production, but rebuilding inventories would still require years because of the complexity of defense manufacturing and supply chains.
The report added that China’s lack of recent combat experience could still act as a deterrent while U.S. stockpiles recover.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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Iran Tightens Rules on Foreign Media Use

Iran has expanded restrictions on international news organisations operating in the country, ordering them to limit how their reporting can be shared by foreign and Israeli-linked outlets.

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Under new guidance issued Tuesday by Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, international media outlets based in Tehran must state that their content cannot be republished by Israeli media or Farsi-language television channels operating outside Iran.
The new directive was sent to several foreign news organisations, including Associated Press. According to the AP’s translation of the notice from Farsi, Iranian authorities warned that “responsibility for failing to comply with this directive rests with the submitting media outlet”.
Iran has also prohibited some international outlets from sharing material from broadcasters such as BBC Persian, Manoto TV and Iran International. Media organisations that violate the rules risk losing permission to operate inside Iran.
State media scrutiny
Iranian state media regularly publishes updates on domestic developments and ongoing negotiations with the United States, alongside commentary reflecting the position of the Islamic Republic. Several state-run outlets also produce English-language coverage aimed at international audiences.
The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over military activity and nuclear negotiations.
On Wednesday, the White House accused Iranian state media of spreading false information after reports emerged claiming a draft memorandum of understanding between the two countries had been leaked.
Iranian outlets alleged the proposed agreement would include the lifting of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports and the withdrawal of American forces from Iran.
In a statement posted on X, the White House rapid response team dismissed the report, saying the alleged memorandum was “a complete fabrication”.
“Nobody should believe what Iranian state media is putting out. FACTS MATTER,” the statement said.
Nuclear talks continue
Despite the dispute, US officials say negotiations with Iran in Doha are continuing. Talks began last week and are focused on reducing regional tensions and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme.
According to reports, proposals under discussion could include measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend an existing ceasefire by 60 days while negotiators work on the future of Iran’s uranium stockpile and nuclear activities.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated further following what the US described as “defensive strikes” carried out in southern Iran earlier this week.
Iranian officials accused Washington of violating the ceasefire agreement. However, US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both suggested a broader agreement could be reached within days.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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UN Climate Chief Links Europe Heatwave to Fossil Fuels

Western Europe has been hit by an unusually early heatwave, prompting warnings from the United Nations that the soaring temperatures are another sign of the worsening climate crisis.

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The comments came after both France and the UK recorded their hottest May temperatures on consecutive days, with forecasters warning that the intense conditions could continue across parts of the continent.
Climate warning
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the extreme heat was being driven by the continued use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
He described the conditions as “a brutal reminder of the spiralling impacts of the climate crisis” and said scientific evidence clearly showed that human-caused climate change was making heatwaves more frequent and more severe.
Stiell said governments needed to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels in order to protect lives, economies and infrastructure from worsening weather extremes.
He also linked the issue to wider geopolitical instability, saying conflict in the Middle East had exposed the economic risks associated with dependence on fossil fuels. He pointed as well to India, where temperatures above 43C have been linked to reported heatstroke deaths.
Record temperatures across Europe
The UK recorded a temperature of 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London on Tuesday, according to the Met Office. The figure broke the previous May record of 34.8C that had been set only a day earlier.
The latest reading also exceeded the long-standing May record of 32.8C, first recorded in 1922 and matched in 1944.
France also experienced record-breaking heat. The country’s national heat index reached 24.8C on Tuesday, surpassing Monday’s record-setting 24.6C.
Temperatures in some French regions were expected to climb as high as 39C on Wednesday, levels more commonly associated with the height of summer.
Météo-France said a “heat dome” caused by a high-pressure weather system was trapping hot air over the country, creating temperatures up to 13C above seasonal norms.
Seventeen French departments, including Paris, were placed on orange heat alert for Thursday, while another 29 areas remained under yellow warnings.
Scientists raise concerns
Climate researchers said the latest conditions reflected a broader pattern of increasingly intense and earlier heatwaves linked to global warming.
Peter Thorne, director of climate research at Maynooth University in Ireland, said there was no doubt that greenhouse gas emissions were increasing both the likelihood and severity of such events.
Ireland also experienced unusually high temperatures, with a May record of 28.8C recorded on Monday.
Thorne described some of the temperature records being set in France and the UK as “mind-bogglingly crazy”.
Deaths and safety warnings
French authorities reported at least seven deaths connected directly or indirectly to the heat. Two people died while taking part in sporting events, while five others drowned as people sought relief from the temperatures at swimming areas.
In Britain, officials said four teenagers had drowned in England since Sunday.
Spain was also facing intense heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C in some regions later this week.
An orange weather alert was issued for the Basque Country, where temperatures were expected to reach 37C. Southern parts of Spain were forecast to see temperatures between 36C and 38C, including 38C in the south-western city of Badajoz.
Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, said the temperatures resembled conditions usually seen in July, describing the heat as more typical of the hottest period of summer.
Aemet spokesperson Rubén del Campo said the heatwave and the weather patterns behind it were consistent with trends linked to climate change observed in recent years.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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Israel Orders Mass Evacuations in Southern Lebanon

Israel has issued its largest evacuation order in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire came into effect last month, warning residents across a wide area to leave ahead of what it described as intensified military action against Hezbollah.

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The Israeli military said areas south of the Zahrani River were now considered “combat zones” and urged civilians to move north. The order affects around 300 towns and villages, covering roughly 14% of Lebanese territory.
The Israel Defense Forces said it would act “with extreme force”, accusing Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement.
Rising fears of escalation
The evacuation warning followed a series of Israeli air strikes on Wednesday, including attacks on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. Hezbollah later said its fighters had clashed with Israeli troops.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of Israel’s ground operations after Hezbollah launched drone attacks targeting Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and civilians in northern Israel.
The Israeli military has issued nine evacuation warnings over the past 24 hours, increasing concerns that fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border could intensify further and trigger another wave of displacement.
Residents in Tyre described scenes of panic after evacuation notices were followed quickly by air strikes. People gathered near the city’s port carrying belongings as explosions hit nearby areas.
A local resident named Rida, whose home and cafe had previously been destroyed in an earlier strike, said many people were fleeing the city in fear.
Displacement pressures grow
Humanitarian workers and Lebanese officials warned that cities already hosting displaced families were struggling to cope with the growing number of arrivals.
Officials said the coastal city of Sidon could no longer absorb large numbers of displaced residents, urging people instead to seek shelter in the Beqaa Valley and Mount Lebanon regions.
Lebanese media also reported Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley on Wednesday. Four people were reported killed in the towns of Choukine and Nabatieh.
The latest attacks came after a heavy wave of Israeli bombardments over the previous 24 hours, during which more than 150 strikes reportedly hit around 50 towns and villages across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 31 people were killed on Tuesday alone, including 15 in Burj al-Shamali near Tyre.
Hezbollah said its fighters had engaged Israeli troops “at point-blank range” in Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, north of the Litani River and outside an Israeli-declared buffer zone.
Ceasefire tensions deepen
Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said Israeli forces were “deepening” operations beyond areas already occupied near the border.
“We are fortifying the security zone to protect the communities of the north,” he said.
Israeli officials argue that Hezbollah’s attacks breach the temporary ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon, which has already been extended twice since taking effect in April.
Lebanese officials, however, say Israel’s continued strikes also violate the agreement.
The worsening violence threatens broader diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Israel and Iran to end the regional conflict. Iran has said any future deal must also address the situation in Lebanon, while Israel maintains it will continue military operations against Hezbollah.
The conflict expanded on 2 March after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following an Israeli strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with a major air campaign and ground invasion in Lebanon.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 3,213 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war began, although the figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Israel says 23 soldiers and four civilians have been killed on both sides of the border during the conflict.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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Jill Biden Feared Joe Biden Had a Stroke During 2024 Debate

Former US First Lady Jill Biden has said she feared her husband, former President Joe Biden, was suffering a stroke during his widely criticised debate performance against Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential campaign.

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Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Jill Biden said she had “never ever” seen her husband behave the way he did during the televised debate.
“I was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never,” she told CBS News Sunday Morning host Rita Braver.
“I don’t know what happened,” she added. “As I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, he’s having a stroke.’ And it scared me to death.”
Debate fallout
The June 2024 debate became a turning point in the presidential race, intensifying concerns among Democrats about Biden’s age and ability to continue his re-election campaign.
During the contest, Biden and Trump clashed over issues including immigration, the economy and abortion rights as both sought a second term in the White House.
However, Biden’s performance drew widespread scrutiny after he appeared hoarse, stumbled over some answers and at times seemed to lose his train of thought.
His campaign said at the time that the president had been ill, which they said explained his raspy voice during the debate.
The performance quickly sparked alarm within the Democratic Party, with some party leaders and donors openly questioning whether Biden should remain the party’s nominee for the November election.
Pressure to leave race
In the weeks after the debate, Biden faced mounting pressure from fellow Democrats to step aside.
Despite the criticism, his campaign initially insisted he would stay in the race and take part in another debate against Trump.
Then-Vice President Kamala Harris later described Biden’s showing as a “slow start”, while maintaining support for the president.
Media commentators and political analysts also raised concerns about Biden’s prospects in the election following the debate appearance.
Biden eventually withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Interview to air Sunday
Jill Biden’s remarks were made in an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning that is scheduled to air on Sunday.
The interview offers a rare personal account from the former first lady about her reaction to one of the defining moments of the 2024 election campaign.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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Pam Bondi Diagnosed With Cancer Before Epstein Hearing

Former US Attorney General Pam Bondi has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, weeks after leaving her position in President Donald Trump’s administration.

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Bondi, 60, confirmed to CBS News that she is undergoing treatment and recently had surgery. Despite the diagnosis, she said she plans to continue working and will join the White House’s Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, known as PCAST.
Health Battle After DOJ Exit
Bondi left the Department of Justice in April after being removed from her role by President Donald Trump. At the time, she said she was preparing to move into work in the private sector.
Podcast host and former White House adviser Katie Miller wrote on social media that Bondi had been “quietly kicking cancer’s ass the last few weeks” and described her as having “a heart of gold”.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, most thyroid cancers are treatable and have a five-year survival rate above 98%. Bondi has not disclosed the stage of her illness.
New Role in Trump Advisory Council
Bondi’s appointment to PCAST marks her first announced role since departing the Justice Department. The council was created by executive order in January 2025 to advise the administration on science and technology policy.
Vice-President JD Vance praised Bondi in a statement, saying she had been an “enormously valuable asset” to the administration and would continue contributing on major policy issues.
The council’s members include several leading technology figures, among them Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison and Jensen Huang.
Scrutiny Over Epstein Files
Bondi is also expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Friday regarding her handling of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
She and Trump have faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over the Justice Department’s release of the records, with some lawmakers arguing that key documents were withheld from the public.
Cabinet Departures Continue
Bondi is one of four Trump cabinet members to leave their posts this year. Other departures include Kristi Noem and Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
Last week, former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also announced her resignation, citing her husband’s recent bone cancer diagnosis.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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Russian Death Toll in Ukraine Nears 500,000, UK Agency Says

Britain’s signals intelligence agency says nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as officials warned of an intensifying security threat from the Kremlin.

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Speaking at Bletchley Park, Anne Keast-Butler delivered her first public speech as head of GCHQ, outlining what she described as growing dangers facing the UK from Russia, China and cyber crime.
Keast-Butler said Russia was “relentlessly targeting” Britain’s critical infrastructure, supply chains and democratic systems while also conducting what she called an undeclared “hybrid war” against the UK and other Nato members.
Ukraine War Losses
Neither Moscow nor Kyiv regularly publishes detailed figures for its own military losses, though both sides frequently estimate casualties suffered by the other.
In February, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had lost 55,000 troops since the start of the war.
BBC News Russian, working with independent outlet Mediazona and volunteer researchers, has independently verified the deaths of 223,539 Russian soldiers and officers through official announcements, social media posts, cemetery records and memorials.
Military analysts consulted by the BBC believe the verified names may represent only 45% to 65% of the true figure, suggesting the overall death toll could be close to half a million.
Keast-Butler said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “going backwards on the battlefield” despite continued aggression abroad.
Espionage and Cyber Threats
The GCHQ chief accused Russia of carrying out espionage operations, sabotage attempts and cyber attacks targeting the UK and its allies.
She said the agency was working with intelligence and defence partners to counter “reckless sabotage and assassination attempts” linked to Moscow.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied accusations of hostile activity in Britain.
Russia has previously been blamed for the 2006 poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London using radioactive polonium.
Moscow was also accused of attempting to kill former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018 with the nerve agent Novichok.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Western governments have increasingly accused Russia of using covert operations, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns against Nato countries.
Technology Race With China
Keast-Butler also warned that both Russia and China were rapidly expanding their capabilities in space, cyber warfare and artificial intelligence.
She described China as a global science and technology power with advanced capabilities across its military and intelligence agencies.
“The ground beneath our feet is shifting, and shifting fast,” she said, warning there was only a limited window for the UK and its allies to maintain an advantage in emerging technologies.
The GCHQ director urged businesses and individuals to strengthen cyber defences as ransomware attacks and phishing campaigns become more sophisticated.
She called on organisations to improve supply chain security and encouraged the wider public to adopt stronger online protections, including replacing passwords with passkeys.
Britain’s Largest Spy Agency
GCHQ, based in Cheltenham, is the UK’s largest intelligence agency and specialises in cyber security and signals intelligence.
The agency operates from its circular headquarters, known as the “Doughnut”, and receives the largest share of Britain’s intelligence budget because of its heavy focus on advanced technology and cyber operations.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026
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Trump says US 'not satisfied' yet on deal with Iran

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is still not fully satisfied with the terms of a proposed agreement with Iran, despite signs of progress in negotiations aimed at ending months of regional conflict.

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Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump said Tehran was eager to secure an agreement but warned that talks had not yet produced acceptable terms for the United States.
“They just want to make a deal - I don’t think they have a choice,” Trump told reporters. He added that Iran was “very much intent” on reaching an agreement, but said “so far, they haven’t gotten there and we’re not satisfied with it”.
The president repeated that the US remained prepared to resume military action if negotiations failed, saying Washington would either reach a deal or “have to just finish the job”.
Draft agreement disputed
Trump’s comments came after Iranian state television reported details of what it described as a draft agreement between the two sides.
According to the report, the proposed framework included reopening the Strait of Hormuz and withdrawing US forces from the region. It also claimed the US would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Under the reported terms, Iran would restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month, with vessel routing and management overseen jointly by Iran and Oman.
However, the White House rejected the reported document, describing it as a “complete fabrication”.
The reported framework also made no mention of Iran abandoning its nuclear programme or surrendering its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, both of which remain key concerns for Washington and its allies.
BBC News said it had not independently seen the reported draft agreement.
US denies sanctions relief claims
Asked whether he would accept the reported terms, Trump dismissed the suggestion that Iran would control access to the Strait of Hormuz, saying “nobody” would exercise such authority and that the waterway would reopen “immediately”.
He also denied reports that his administration was considering easing sanctions on Tehran or allowing Russia and China to remove Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Any such concessions would likely face strong political opposition in the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been “some progress and some interest” in negotiations, but cautioned that it remained unclear whether a final breakthrough could be achieved in the coming days.
“We’ll see over the next few hours and days whether progress could be made,” Rubio said.
Neither Trump nor Rubio provided details about the remaining disputes in the negotiations.
Conflict and ceasefire tensions
The latest diplomatic efforts follow a sharp escalation in regional tensions after the US and Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iran on 28 February.
Iran responded with attacks on Israel and Gulf states allied with Washington, while also effectively shutting the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. The disruption caused oil prices to surge worldwide.
A ceasefire agreed on 8 April has mostly held, although tensions have continued.
Earlier this week, the US carried out what it described as “self-defence strikes” against Iranian missile sites and boats in southern Iran. Washington said the operations were intended to protect American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces, including attempts to place naval mines.
Tehran condemned the attacks as a “gross violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
Despite the renewed military activity, both Washington and Tehran have continued to signal that negotiations remain active, even as uncertainty persists over whether a final deal can be reached.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 May 2026

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Judge Delays Comey Trial Over Seashell Post

Former FBI director James Comey has won a request to delay his criminal trial over a social media post that prosecutors say threatened President Donald Trump.

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A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the trial will now begin on Oct. 21, several weeks later than originally expected. Comey is scheduled to appear for arraignment on Sept. 30.
Trial pushed back
U.S. District Judge Louise Wood Flanagan approved the delay request without publicly detailing the reasons behind the revised schedule.
The case centres on an Instagram post made by Comey showing seashells arranged on a beach to form the numbers “86 47”.
Supporters and allies of Trump argued that the image amounted to a coded threat against the president. They pointed to the slang meaning of “86”, which can mean to remove, reject or “get rid of” something. Trump is the 47th president of the United States.
Federal prosecutors later charged Comey with threatening the president.
Comey denies wrongdoing
Comey removed the post after criticism mounted online and said he had not intended the image to be interpreted as violent.
After the indictment was unsealed, he posted a video online rejecting the allegations and criticising the case against him.
“Well, they’re back. This time about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago,” Comey said.
“And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary, so let’s go.”
The former FBI director has not entered a formal plea. That is expected during his Sept. 30 arraignment hearing.
Political backlash grows
The prosecution has become politically charged, with critics of the Trump administration arguing the case reflects a broader effort to target perceived political opponents.
Some opponents also pointed to a separate case against Comey that was dismissed last year by a judge. That indictment involved unrelated allegations.
Trump allies, however, have defended the criminal charges and argued that threats against a sitting president must be treated seriously, regardless of who makes them.
Justice Department defends charges
At a press conference announcing the indictment last month, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case was about enforcing federal law protecting the president.
“It’s not a very difficult line to look at,” Blanche said. “We cannot, you are not allowed to threaten the President of the United States of America.”
Blanche said the Justice Department regularly prosecutes similar cases and argued that Comey’s post crossed the line between constitutionally protected speech and criminal conduct.
The trial is expected to renew debate over free speech protections, political expression and how online posts are interpreted in criminal investigations involving public officials.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 May 2026
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Trump Says Medical Checkup Showed Perfect Results

U.S. President Donald Trump said his latest physical examination showed he was in excellent health, following months of scrutiny over several minor medical issues and public speculation about his fitness for office.

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Trump, who turns 80 on June 14, said “everything checked out perfectly” after undergoing a six-month medical exam on Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
In a short post on Truth Social, the president did not provide details about the examination or release any medical findings.
Questions over fitness
Trump has frequently portrayed himself as healthier and more energetic than former President Joe Biden, who left office last year at the age of 82 after facing persistent questions about his age and ability to serve.
However, recent photographs showing a rash on Trump’s neck renewed attention on the president’s health. The images followed earlier photographs published in July 2025 that appeared to show swollen ankles and bruising on one of his hands, which was reportedly covered with makeup.
White House physician Sean Barbabella previously said Trump was using a commonly prescribed cream as a preventative treatment for the neck rash, although no further details about the condition were disclosed.
After the earlier photographs emerged, Barbabella said the issues were benign and that tests found no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.
The White House later said the swelling in Trump’s legs was caused by a common vein condition, while bruising on his hand was attributed to frequent handshaking.
Medical scrutiny continues
Trump became the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president when he began his second term in January 2025.
Tuesday’s visit marked his third trip to Walter Reed in just over a year.
The president maintains a busy golf schedule and recently joked about his level of physical activity during an Oval Office event attended by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
Kennedy said Trump walks roughly nine miles every time he plays golf, prompting Trump to reply: “When I am not using the cart.”
Trump also disclosed last October that he had undergone a magnetic resonance imaging scan as part of another physical examination. At the time, the White House declined to explain why the MRI had been ordered, saying only that it showed the president was in “exceptional physical health.”


Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

The president later defended undergoing the scan, telling reporters that MRIs were routine and claiming doctors described the results as unusually strong.
Medical experts have noted that MRIs are not normally included in standard physical exams and are typically used to investigate specific medical concerns.
In a memo released after Trump’s earlier examination, Barbabella said the president’s “cardiac age”, measured using electrocardiogram data, was estimated to be about 14 years younger than his actual age.
Public appearances
Trump has also drawn attention after appearing to close his eyes during several public meetings, including a Cabinet session earlier this year.
Addressing the incident in February, Trump dismissed suggestions he had fallen asleep.
“Some people said, he closed his eyes,” Trump told officials at the time. “It got pretty boring.”
Meanwhile, Biden disclosed last year that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. He later underwent radiation treatment.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 May 2026
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Ferrari Debuts First All-Electric Supercar

Luxury sports car maker Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric vehicle, the Luce, marking a major shift for the Italian brand as it enters the high-end EV market.

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The new model, priced at $640,000 (£474,320), is Ferrari’s first five-seater and departs sharply from the company’s traditional styling. The car was developed in collaboration with LoveFrom, the design agency founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
Ferrari presented the Luce in Rome, with chief executive Benedetto Vigna saying the vehicle had taken five years to develop. The name Luce means “light” in Italian.
New Direction for Ferrari
The Luce represents a significant change in strategy for Ferrari, which had previously resisted producing fully electric vehicles and instead focused on hybrid models powered by petrol and electricity.
According to Ferrari, the car uses a company-made electric motor on each wheel, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in roughly 2.5 seconds.
The company also said all major components are produced in-house, a move designed to ensure long-term servicing and protect the vehicle’s resale value.
Ferrari said it will continue manufacturing petrol and hybrid models alongside its new electric offering.
Mixed Reaction Online
The launch prompted divided reactions on social media, with some users criticising the design and Ferrari’s move into electric vehicles.
One post on X described the car as “straight to the junkyard trash”, while another claimed Ferrari had damaged its brand in the same way critics argued Jaguar had with its recent electric concept designs.
Others praised the Luce, with one commenter calling it an “absolute masterclass in design” and describing it as a “game changer”.
Ferrari’s chief design officer Flavio Manzoni acknowledged the new model could divide opinion. Speaking in an interview with YouTuber Cleo Abram, he said criticism was a natural part of innovation and predicted attitudes towards the design would improve over time.
EV Market Challenges
Ferrari’s move comes as several major luxury carmakers scale back electric vehicle ambitions amid slowing demand and increased competition.
Lamborghini has abandoned plans for a fully electric model and shifted its focus towards hybrids, citing weak demand for high-end EVs.
Meanwhile, Porsche has reduced its EV targets as it faces weaker sales in China and tariffs in the United States.
The wider automotive industry has also been affected by growing competition from Chinese manufacturers, which have expanded rapidly by producing cheaper electric vehicles at scale.
In the United States, carmakers including Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen have increased focus on petrol-powered vehicles as demand for EVs weakened and incentives for buyers were reduced under President Donald Trump.
Despite broader industry pressures, Ferrari remains Europe’s most valuable carmaker, supported by its strategy of producing highly exclusive vehicles.
However, the company’s shares have fallen more than 25% over the past year, reflecting a wider slowdown across the global luxury sector as inflation has weakened demand for expensive consumer goods.


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Starmer Pledges Action on Children’s Social Media Use

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised “decisive” action to address the impact of social media on children in the UK, following a meeting with bereaved parents and campaigners pressing for stricter online safety measures.

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Speaking after talks at Downing Street on Tuesday, Sir Keir said the government was committed to acting as a consultation on children’s social media use reached its final day. Campaigners have urged ministers to introduce tougher restrictions, including a possible ban on social media access for under-16s.
Parents who attended the meeting said they welcomed the opportunity to present their concerns directly to the prime minister, but some remained doubtful about whether the government would introduce strong enough measures.
Calls for tougher restrictions
Among those attending was Ellen Roome, whose son Jools Sweeney died aged 14 in 2022. She said she remained unconvinced that meaningful change would follow.
“I think we’ve heard it so many times before,” she told the BBC outside Number 10, adding that she would stay “sceptical” until concrete measures were introduced.
Roome and other campaigners urged the government to raise the minimum age for access to social media platforms considered harmful to 16.
Mariano Janin, whose daughter Mia died by suicide aged 14 in 2021 after experiencing bullying at school and online, also attended the meeting. He said he wanted to believe action would follow but argued that the current “status quo” remained unchanged while technology companies continued rapidly introducing new products, including AI chatbots.
Parents described the talks as a “listening exercise”, saying they had outlined their concerns in detail in an effort to prevent further harm to children online.
Government considers next steps
The government’s consultation on children’s social media use closes on Tuesday evening after receiving more than 80,000 submissions from parents, young people, charities and campaign groups.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government would publish its response during the summer, with new protections for under-16s expected by the end of 2026.
Measures under consideration include stronger age verification checks, night-time app curfews, and limiting features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling. Officials are also examining whether restrictions should apply to platforms including Roblox Corporation’s Roblox and Discord.
Kendall said ministers wanted to ensure any new rules were effective and durable.
“We’ve got to get this right, and we’ve got to make it last,” she told the BBC.
Debate over bans and platform controls
Former health secretary Wes Streeting added pressure on the government by backing calls for a social media ban for under-16s. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Streeting said regulators and politicians had been “asleep at the wheel” while technology firms developed addictive platforms for children.
He compared the behaviour of large technology companies to the tactics once used by the tobacco industry, arguing that the “precautionary principle” should apply to social media regulation.
Others, however, warned against blanket bans. Police leaders and industry representatives have argued that regulation should focus on specific high-risk features rather than entire platforms.
Donya Soni-Clark of trade association TechUK said restrictions targeting features such as private messaging would be more effective than banning individual apps.
Meanwhile, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges called for doctors to routinely ask children about their device and social media use, citing concerns over mental and physical health impacts linked to online content.
Pressure on technology firms
Campaigners and child safety groups have also called for technology companies to align content standards with age ratings used by the British Board of Film Classification.
Some campaigners pointed to Australia’s move to restrict social media access for under-16s, although reports that children had still managed to bypass controls have raised concerns over how effective such laws can be.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has said age verification should be managed at device level so underage users are prevented from downloading apps.
Kendall insisted the government would continue with reforms even if technology companies opposed them.
“No one’s going to stop me from doing what I think is right for this country,” she said.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 May 2026
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Nasa Reveals New Plan for Permanent Moon Base

Nasa has outlined a series of robotic missions, drones and lunar vehicles it plans to send to the Moon as part of a wider effort to establish a permanent US base on the lunar surface.

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Several private companies, including Blue Origin, have been selected to build the equipment. The programme forms part of the United States’ push to return astronauts to the Moon before President Donald Trump leaves office in 2028.
The plans come as competition between the US and China over lunar exploration intensifies. China aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and continues to expand its space programme.
Robotic missions to pave way for lunar base
On Monday, China launched the Shenzhou-23 mission, carrying astronauts to the Tiangong space station space station.
Earlier this year, Nasa announced a $20bn initiative to build a permanent base near the Moon’s south pole by 2032. The proposed outpost would use both solar and nuclear energy.
Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman said the latest announcements showed the US would “never give up the Moon again”.
China challenge adds pressure to Moon programme
A permanent base on the Moon could support scientific research, future mining operations and eventual missions to Mars.
However, some experts believe Nasa’s timetable may be difficult to achieve.
Although the US successfully sent four astronauts around the Moon during the Artemis II mission in April, concerns remain about whether the agency can develop a reliable system for landing astronauts on the lunar surface in time.
Dr Simeon Barber told BBC News that China could still become the next nation to land humans on the Moon.
“It would not surprise me at all if China gets there first,” he said, pointing to delays in developing lunar landing technology.
Landers, drones and lunar vehicles planned
Nasa’s Ignition Moon Base programme is divided into three stages.
The first phase focuses on robotic exploration before astronauts arrive. The agency plans to send robotic landers and hopping drones to survey and map difficult terrain near the lunar south pole.
Cargo vehicles and rovers would also be deployed to transport scientific instruments, communications equipment and astronauts across the surface.
On Tuesday, Nasa said contracts had been awarded to companies including Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic.


Courtesy of CBS News

Blue Origin’s proposed lander, Endurance, is expected to perform precise autonomous landings and navigation. Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 lander is planned to touch down near Nobile Crater close to the Moon’s south pole.
The missions will also deliver scientific instruments, including high-resolution cameras and laser-based landing systems.
According to Moon Base programme executive Carlos García-Galán, the robotic phase is expected to continue until 2029, involving 25 launches and the delivery of four metric tonnes of cargo to the Moon.
Power systems and housing planned by 2032
The next phase would involve building solar and nuclear power facilities on the Moon, including fission reactors designed to provide long-term energy supplies.
By 2032, Nasa hopes astronauts will be able to live in semi-permanent housing on the lunar surface. Long-range rovers would allow crews to travel greater distances across the Moon.
The Moon’s south pole is seen as especially valuable because of frozen water deposits that could provide drinking water and oxygen.
Much of the project depends on the readiness of the Human Landing System being developed by SpaceX. The spacecraft, known as Starship, has experienced repeated delays and technical setbacks.
Dr Barber said the biggest challenge remained landing astronauts safely on the Moon. He added that political pressure appeared to be influencing the pace of the announcements.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 May 2026
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Israeli Opposition Slams Emerging US-Iran Deal

Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid has criticised an emerging agreement between the United States and Iran, calling it harmful to Israel and the wider Middle East while accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence negotiations with Washington.

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Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem on Monday, Lapid said the proposed deal under discussion “fails to achieve any of Israel’s goals for the war” and described its details as “disturbing”.
“The deal is bad for Israel, bad for the region, bad for the citizens of Iran,” he said.
War aims and proposed terms
Israel and the US launched military operations against Iran on 28 February, saying they aimed to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile programme, curb its support for regional proxy groups and prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Both Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had also said they hoped the conflict would create conditions for the fall of Iran’s government.
According to regional officials, the proposed agreement would require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In return, the US would end its blockade of Iranian ports and lift sanctions on Tehran.
The deal would reportedly leave broader negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme to a later 60-day period. It remains unclear whether the talks would also cover Iran’s missile capabilities or its backing of armed groups across the region.
Lapid thanked Trump for joining Israel in the conflict, but said Netanyahu had failed to maintain influence over Washington during negotiations.
“The Israeli government is at an all-time low in its ability to influence decisions in Washington,” Lapid said, referring to Trump’s recent remark that “Netanyahu will do whatever I want him to do.”
Israel’s position on sovereignty
An Israeli official familiar with conversations between Netanyahu and Trump said the prime minister had repeatedly stressed that Israel retained “freedom of action” against threats in any arena.
“Israel is a sovereign state, we are not a vassal state and we are not a protectorate,” Lapid said.
Lapid currently leads the centrist Yesh Atid party and served briefly as Israel’s prime minister in 2022 under a rotation agreement with former premier Naftali Bennett.
The pair have now merged their political factions ahead of elections due by the end of October, seeking to unite opposition groups against Netanyahu after years of political fragmentation.
Debate over Palestinian statehood
Lapid also addressed the issue of Palestinian statehood, saying the next Israeli government would not pursue a two-state solution in the near future.
He said the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas and the wars that followed had fundamentally changed Israeli public opinion.
“There will be no two-state solution in the coming years, because Israelis now understand this will become just another failing terrorist state on our borders,” Lapid said.
At the same time, he said he would oppose unilateral moves that could permanently prevent the creation of a Palestinian state in the future. Lapid added that Bennett had assured him Israel would not move towards annexing the occupied West Bank.
Coalition plans before election
Lapid also ruled out forming a future governing coalition with Arab political parties.
Opinion polls suggest the opposition alliance may struggle to secure a parliamentary majority without support from Arab lawmakers, as happened in 2021 when Lapid and Bennett formed a coalition government with backing from Mansour Abbas and his small Arab faction.
Lapid defended that earlier arrangement as “the right government for the moment” but said Israel’s political climate had shifted after nearly three years of conflict.
He said neither he nor Bennett intended to rely on Abbas’ party in the next election cycle.


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EU Says Russia Trying to Intimidate Europe

European officials have dismissed renewed Russian threats against Ukraine and Western diplomats, accusing Moscow of trying to intimidate Europe as the Kremlin escalates warnings over Kyiv.

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Speaking ahead of a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council on 26 May, Polish Foreign Ministry State Secretary Ignacy Niemczycki said Russia’s rhetoric was part of a long-standing strategy aimed at spreading fear across Europe.
“This is nothing new,” Niemczycki said, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Putin uses this tactic to spread fear among us here in Europe. And I just want to say: It will not work.”
His comments came after Moscow intensified warnings following a new wave of attacks on Ukraine and statements concerning the Oreshnik missile, which Russia says is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Niemczycki said Poland’s position remained unchanged, arguing that Europe should both increase pressure on Russia and strengthen support for Ukraine.
Baltic states dismiss missile threats
Latvian Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Artjoms Uršuļskis also downplayed the significance of Russia’s references to the Oreshnik missile.
He described the weapon as largely a propaganda tool in the imagination of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying recent strikes and messaging campaigns had not altered Latvia’s assessment of the war.
Uršuļskis said Russia appeared unable to make meaningful progress on the battlefield, while Ukraine was growing stronger. He added that he saw no indication Russian attacks would change the overall direction of the conflict.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said leaving Kyiv was “out of the question” despite Russia’s threats of further strikes.
Diplomats vow to remain in Kyiv
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová said diplomats and foreign nationals had no plans to leave the Ukrainian capital.
Mathernová criticised Russia for invoking international humanitarian law while continuing attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.
“Russia is again threatening diplomats and foreigners, demanding that we leave Kyiv. But we are not going anywhere,” she said.
She accused Moscow of hypocrisy, pointing to years of strikes on apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, museums and power infrastructure across Ukraine.
Moscow warns of sustained strikes
On 25 May, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russian attacks on Kyiv were being carried out in response to Ukrainian actions and would continue.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry later announced what it described as a sustained campaign of “systematic strikes” targeting defence industry facilities in Kyiv. It also urged foreign nationals to leave the city “as soon as possible”.
The ministry said Russian forces could target facilities involved in the design, production and operation of drones, along with what it called “decision-making centres and command posts” in the Ukrainian capital.
Moscow also repeated accusations that Ukraine had attacked a university in Starobilsk, describing the incident as “the last straw” that prompted the latest strikes on Kyiv. The Kremlin accused Ukraine of violating the Geneva Conventions, while making no reference to Russia’s own continuing attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities, which have killed civilians throughout the war.



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Iran Condemns US Strikes Amid Truce Talks

-fifthIran has accused the United States of committing a “gross violation” of the ceasefire after American forces launched new air strikes in southern Iran, raising fresh doubts over efforts to extend the truce and end the conflict.

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The US Central Command said on Monday that it carried out what it described as “self-defence strikes” against Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines in southern Iran.
Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks as “aggressive and unjustified actions” and warned that Tehran would respond.
“Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian nation,” the ministry said in a statement.
Strikes near Strait of Hormuz
The reported strikes took place in Hormozgan province, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping route through which roughly one fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass.
Iran has effectively blocked the waterway since the conflict began on 28 February, contributing to a sharp rise in global energy prices.
The US military did not specify the exact locations targeted. However, an unnamed US official cited by the New York Times said the operation focused on an area near Bandar Abbas, a major southern port city that hosts an Iranian naval base on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media earlier reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, saying local authorities were investigating.
Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had shot down a US drone and fired at an American fighter jet that entered Iranian airspace, although it gave no further details about the timing of the incident.
Ceasefire under pressure
The US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on 28 February with a series of attacks that included one which killed Iran’s supreme leader.
Following weeks of fighting, a ceasefire was agreed on 8 April. The truce has largely held, despite a significant clash earlier this month.
In its statement, US Central Command said the latest strikes were intended “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”.
The renewed military action comes as diplomatic efforts continue to preserve and potentially extend the ceasefire agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal remained possible but cautioned that negotiations would require “a few days” more.
At the weekend, President Donald Trump first indicated that an agreement was close before later saying negotiators had been instructed “not to rush into” a settlement.
Talks continue in Doha
According to US media reports, negotiators are discussing a memorandum of understanding rather than a final peace agreement. The reported proposal includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran said on Monday that progress had been made in the talks but stressed that a deal was “not imminent”.
One of the main obstacles is understood to be Tehran’s demand for the release of frozen Iranian assets held overseas.
The negotiations have largely been mediated by Pakistan, while Qatari mediators have also hosted talks this week in Doha.
A source briefed on the discussions told Reuters that Iran’s central bank governor attended Monday’s meetings, where talks focused mainly on frozen Iranian funds, Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US, Israel and several Western countries accuse Iran of enriching uranium to develop nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 May 2026
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Four Killed in Belgium School Bus Train Crash

Two children and two adults have died after a train collided with a school minibus at a level crossing in northern Belgium, authorities said.

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The crash happened shortly after 08:00 local time on Tuesday in the town of Buggenhout, near Aalst, northwest of Brussels.
The minibus was carrying seven children, a 49-year-old driver and a 27-year-old chaperone on the way to a special education school when the collision occurred.
Federal police spokeswoman An Berger said the victims included two children aged 12 and 15, along with the driver and chaperone. The five other children were taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Belgian officials said nobody on board the train was injured, although one person was treated for shock.
Crossing barriers were down
Belgian mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke said initial reports indicated the level crossing barriers were already lowered when the minibus entered the tracks.
“My first thoughts are with the victims,” he said.
According to police, the driver had been travelling along a road running parallel to the railway before turning left onto the crossing.
A train approaching Buggenhout station then struck the vehicle.
Thomas Baeken, a spokesman for Belgian rail infrastructure operator Infrabel, said CCTV footage appeared to confirm that warning lights were red and the barriers were down at the time of the collision.
“The train was slowing down as it approached Buggenhout station,” he told Belgian broadcaster VRT.
“How this accident could have happened, we don't know. That is for the police and the public prosecutor’s office to investigate,” he added.
Investigation launched
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Images from the scene showed the overturned minibus beside the railway line near residential homes. Witnesses said the force of the impact threw the vehicle some distance from the crossing.
Belgian officials said it was too early to assign responsibility for the incident.
Flemish transport minister Annick De Ridder described the collision as “terrible news”.
Flemish education minister Zuhal Demir said on social media that her thoughts were with the victims, their families and those affected by the tragedy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed condolences, saying: “Today, Europe grieves with Belgium.”
Community in shock
Buggenhout, a small town in the Flemish region of Belgium, was left shaken by the incident as emergency services continued working at the scene throughout the morning.
Rail services in the area were disrupted following the crash while investigators examined the crossing and gathered evidence. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims.



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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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US launches new strikes on southern Iran

The US military has carried out fresh strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile sites and boats that were allegedly attempting to lay naval mines, according to US Central Command.

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In a statement, Central Command said the operation was conducted in “self-defence” and aimed at protecting American troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.
A spokesperson for the command said US forces were continuing to defend personnel in the region while showing restraint during what it described as an ongoing ceasefire.
The latest attacks come amid continuing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to end the conflict that has spread across the Middle East in recent months.
Speaking on Monday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai said negotiators had made progress in discussions with the United States, but warned that an agreement was still not close.
“It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” Baqai said. “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent — no-one can make such a claim.”
Iran has not yet publicly responded to the latest US strikes. It remains unclear whether the attacks could affect ongoing negotiations between the two sides.
Diplomatic efforts
At the weekend, President Donald Trump suggested that Washington and Tehran were nearing a deal. However, he later said he had instructed negotiators “not to rush into” an agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said on Monday that a breakthrough remained possible.
The conflict began after the US and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and Gulf states allied with Washington.
Regional impact
Iran also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil exports. The disruption caused a sharp rise in global oil prices and increased concerns about wider instability in the region.
Fighting and military exchanges have continued despite diplomatic contacts between the two sides, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of escalating tensions.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Compiled from various sources. 26 May 2026

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Vietnam Vets Fight Trump’s ‘Arc de Trump’ Plan

A group of Vietnam War veterans and a historian are challenging President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, arguing the project disrespects fallen service members and reflects authoritarian symbolism rather than national unity.

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Retired Army Special Forces officer Jon Gundersen and former Navy officer Shaun Byrnes are among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in February seeking to halt construction of the 250-foot monument planned for a traffic circle between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
The lawsuit claims the administration rushed the project without proper congressional approval. The plaintiffs also argue the structure would disrupt a historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and the Robert E. Lee Memorial, which they say was designed to symbolise reconciliation after the US Civil War.
Renderings released for the project show an arch more than twice the height of the Lincoln Memorial. The design has drawn comparisons to Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.
Gundersen and Byrnes insist their opposition is not politically motivated. Speaking to CBS News, Gundersen said their actions reflected loyalty to the United States rather than to any president.
“I think what we’re doing is being loyal to the country,” he said.
Duty to fallen soldiers
Byrnes, who served two tours in Vietnam, said he joined the legal challenge out of a sense of duty to fellow soldiers buried at Arlington.
He described the proposal as disrespectful to those who died in service and said it had caused him to reconsider plans to be buried at the cemetery himself.
Veterans say monument reflects authoritarian politics
The lawsuit, led by the Public Citizen Litigation Group, faces opposition from the US Justice Department, which has argued the plaintiffs do not have legal standing to sue.
Although Congress has not formally voted on the current proposal, administration officials have said earlier authorisation exists through a century-old plan that envisioned “two stately columns” representing the North and South after the Civil War.
Last month, a federal judge declined to temporarily block construction, though work on the project has not yet begun.
Plaintiffs argue project disrespects Arlington dead
Gundersen, 81, and Byrnes, 83, said they view the arch less as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and more as a monument to President Donald Trump personally.
Last year, Trump displayed a model of the proposed structure in the Oval Office and described it as “fantastic”. When asked by CBS News correspondent Ed O’Keefe who the monument was intended for, Trump replied: “Me.”

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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Portable Charger Flight Risks Prompt Safety Warning

Portable chargers are causing a growing number of problems on flights, the UK aviation regulator has warned, as it urged passengers to follow airline safety rules on lithium-ion batteries.

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The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said more awareness was needed about the risks linked to power banks, which can overheat or catch fire if damaged, poorly made or used incorrectly.
Jonathan Nicholson, from the CAA, said restrictions on carrying portable chargers were essential safety measures rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.
“It’s not somebody being pedantic or doing it for the sake of it,” he told BBC News, urging travellers to “do the right thing”.
Rules for carrying power banks
The warning follows an incident last week involving an EasyJet flight from Hurghada in Egypt to London Luton that was diverted to Rome after a passenger reported a portable charger had been packed in checked luggage.
The aircraft landed at Rome Fiumicino Airport as a precaution and passengers were forced to stay overnight before continuing to London the next day.
Nicholson said international aviation rules require passengers to keep power banks in their carry-on luggage rather than in the aircraft hold.
He said passengers should also limit themselves to a maximum of two power banks and avoid using them during flights.
“Absolutely do not charge the power bank itself because that’s when they become really hot and most susceptible to having an issue,” he said.
The CAA plans to launch a joint awareness campaign with UK airlines this summer to explain the rules to holidaymakers and business travellers.
Incidents increasing worldwide
Nicholson said incidents involving power banks were “certainly on the rise” as portable chargers become more common, alongside devices such as vapes, which are also banned from checked luggage.
He pointed to research released last year by UL Standards & Engagement, a US-based safety organisation, which found airlines were experiencing an average of two “thermal runaway” incidents per week in 2024.
Thermal runaway refers to lithium-ion batteries overheating, potentially causing fires or explosions.
The data, collected from 37 passenger and cargo airlines, covered rechargeable devices including phones, laptops, tablets and power banks.
According to the organisation, incidents increased by 15% between 2019 and 2024.
Confusion among passengers
A CAA survey of 1,000 UK passengers conducted in November 2025 found that more than a third understood lithium battery rules existed but were unclear about the details.
Passengers aged over 55 were generally more familiar with the regulations.
Nicholson said power banks present greater risks than devices such as laptops or cameras because they contain larger, more powerful batteries that can generate significant heat.
“When they catch fire, they really go,” he said, adding that cabin crews receive specialist training to deal with battery fires.
He also urged people to handle portable chargers more carefully in everyday life, saying they are often thrown into bags and damaged more easily than mobile phones.
Nicholson advised consumers to buy higher-quality products where possible, warning that poorly made chargers and replacement batteries can carry greater safety risks.
Although airline guidance differs slightly between carriers, passengers are generally advised to store power banks under the seat in front of them rather than in overhead lockers.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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Pope Leo Says AI Risks Creating ‘Digital Slavery’

Pope Leo has issued the first major teaching document of his papacy, warning that artificial intelligence must be “disarmed” and urging global action to prevent the technology from enabling exploitation, warfare and social manipulation.

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In the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), the Pope argued that humanity faced a moral turning point similar to earlier historical failures to confront slavery and colonialism.
“The word is strong, I know, but deliberately chosen because this moment needs words capable of attracting attention,” he said of his call to “disarm” AI.
Encyclicals are formal letters traditionally addressed to Catholic bishops, but modern popes have increasingly used them to address global political, social and ethical issues.
Slavery parallels
A central theme of the document was the comparison between historical slavery and what the Pope described as emerging forms of “digital slavery”.
Leo warned that AI systems risked normalising exploitation both through the conditions under which some technologies are developed and through the ways they are deployed.
“It was impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many,” the Pope wrote in one of the Vatican’s strongest apologies for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery. He added that he “sincerely asked for pardon” in the name of the Church.
The Pope also referred to the dangers of “digital colonialism”, drawing parallels between abuses committed during the colonial era and modern technology practices.
He said humanity risked repeating past moral failures if governments and companies failed to establish safeguards around AI.
Warning over warfare and politics
The encyclical sharply criticised the growing use of AI in military systems and warned against the development of an AI arms race.
“No algorithm can make war morally acceptable,” the Pope wrote.
He argued that reducing direct human control over weapons systems made it harder to justify war ethically and could lower the threshold for violence by transforming defence into predictive threat analysis.
The Pope also expressed concern about the political effects of AI, including the manipulation of images and videos that could expose people to misleading or biased information.
Leo urged those developing the technology to recognise what he called their “ethical and spiritual responsibility”.
“Every design choice reflects a vision of humanity,” he said in a direct appeal to AI developers.
AI leaders join Vatican launch
In an unusual move, the Pope personally presented the encyclical at the Vatican alongside AI researchers, including Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic.
Olah said AI companies often operated within incentives that could conflict with ethical decision-making.
“The questions raised by AI are bigger than the AI research community,” he said, adding that responsibility for regulating the technology could not rest solely with computer scientists.
The Pope has previously compared the need for AI protections to labour and human dignity reforms introduced during the industrial revolution.
However, questions remain about how much influence the Vatican can exert over the rapidly advancing technology sector.
The late Pope Francis issued repeated warnings about climate change after publishing his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, later expressing disappointment at the lack of global action.
Pope Leo has now established a commission to continue work on AI ethics, though the long-term impact of the Vatican’s intervention remains uncertain.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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Carney Warns Alberta Vote Risks ‘Brexit-Style’ Fallout

Prime Minister Mark Carney has described Alberta’s planned referendum on separation from Canada as a “dangerous bluff”, warning that voters could face unintended consequences similar to those that followed the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.

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Speaking to reporters on Monday, Carney drew parallels with Brexit, which took place while he was governor of the Bank of England. He said many British voters had not fully understood the long-term impact of the 2016 referendum.
“Ten years on, the UK is trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having,” Carney said.
Alberta voters are due to go to the polls on 19 October to decide whether the province should remain part of Canada or move toward a later binding vote on separation.
Campaign for unity
Carney said he would campaign in favour of national unity ahead of the referendum.
“We have to be very careful about this,” he said, arguing there was a “strong, positive case” for keeping Alberta within Canada while maintaining a strong provincial identity.
Supporters of Alberta independence say the oil-rich province has long been neglected by policymakers in Ottawa. They argue that federal environmental measures have limited Alberta’s ability to expand oil and gas pipelines and fully develop its natural resources.
The push for a referendum gathered momentum earlier this year after a grassroots campaign collected more than 300,000 signatures in support of a petition calling for a vote on separation.
Court challenge and political response
The petition was later struck down by a court after Indigenous First Nations groups argued they had not been properly consulted during the process.
Despite the ruling, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the province would still move ahead with a referendum question on separation.
Smith pointed to a separate petition supporting Alberta remaining within Canada that attracted more than 400,000 signatures, saying Albertans should still be allowed to express their views in a plebiscite.
She also criticised the court’s decision and defended the referendum process as a democratic exercise.
Although Smith supports holding the vote, she has said she will campaign for Alberta to stay in Canada. She has argued that relations between Alberta and the federal government have improved in recent months.
Poll suggests majority back staying
A poll released on Monday by Canadian research company Angus Reid Institute suggested that about three in five Albertans would vote to remain part of Canada.
Carney’s comparison with Brexit reflects wider concerns among some Canadian politicians and analysts about the risks of constitutional uncertainty and economic disruption if Alberta were to pursue independence.
The UK’s Brexit referendum in 2016 ended with 52% voting to leave the European Union and 48% choosing to remain. Britain formally left the bloc in 2020.
Brexit supporters argued that EU membership restricted British sovereignty and economic flexibility, while critics said leaving created years of political and economic instability.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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UK Sees Hottest May Day on Record at 34.8C

The UK has recorded its hottest May day on record after temperatures climbed to 34.8°C in west London as an early-season heatwave gripped much of the country.

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The provisional reading was recorded at Kew Gardens on Monday, according to the Met Office. It also exceeded the previous record for the hottest bank holiday Monday, which stood at 33.3C during the August bank holiday in 2019.
Forecasters said temperatures could rise even higher on Tuesday, with some parts of England expected to approach 35C.
Record temperatures across UK
Wales also set a new May temperature record, with Hawarden Airport in Flintshire reaching 32.2C. Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded their warmest days of the year so far, with highs of 25.5°C at Charterhall and 24.6°C at Hillsborough, respectively.
The Met Office described the conditions as unusually intense for this time of year.
“This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May,” the agency said.
The UK also experienced its warmest May night on record on Sunday, when temperatures in London remained as high as 19.4C overnight.
According to the Met Office, more than half of the UK’s monthly temperature records have now been set since 2003, reflecting a broader rise in extreme heat events.
Chief operational meteorologist Dan Suri said the current spell had been caused by warm air building beneath a high-pressure system near the UK. Typical temperatures for late May range between 14C and 20C.
Health alerts and disruption
The UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber heat-health alert of 2026 on Friday, covering London, the South East, the East Midlands, the West Midlands and eastern England. Yellow alerts were issued for several other English regions, with all warnings remaining in place until Wednesday evening.
The hot weather caused disruption in parts of southern England, where around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent lost water supplies or experienced interruptions because of increased demand.
Water company South East Water apologised and said crews were working to restore normal service as quickly as possible.
Several outdoor events were either cancelled or altered because of the heat. In Surrey, organisers of the Leatherhead Lions Club donkey derby removed the donkey races and dog show from the programme over concerns for animal welfare.
Elsewhere, thousands of spectators attended the annual cheese-rolling competition at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire despite the high temperatures. German YouTuber Tom Kopke, known online as Tooleko, won the first race ahead of local competitor Chris Anderson.
Warnings as heat continues
Forecasters said thunderstorms could develop in parts of England on Tuesday evening as the heat persists.
Temperatures are expected to remain around 30C across England and Wales through Thursday before easing slightly later in the week.
Heatwave conditions were officially recorded in eight areas of England on Sunday, including Heathrow, Kew Gardens and Northolt in London, as well as locations in Suffolk, Essex and Oxfordshire.
The AA urged motorists to take precautions during the hot spell, warning that temperatures inside parked vehicles could reach 60C.
It said children, vulnerable passengers and pets should never be left unattended in cars, even briefly.
Age UK advised older people to avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day and recommended cold showers and baths to stay cool.
Climate and European heatwave
Scientists say climate change is increasing the likelihood and intensity of extreme heat events.
The Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report found the number of days above 28C has more than doubled compared with the 1961–1990 average, while days above 30C have more than tripled over the past decade.
The heatwave has extended across much of Europe. Spain recorded temperatures of 38C on Sunday, while France, Germany, Switzerland and northern Italy also experienced temperatures far above seasonal averages, with multiple local May records broken.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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Foreigners Urged to Leave Kyiv After Russian Threat

Russia has warned it could launch a new wave of strikes on Kyiv, days after carrying out one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the war began.

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Russia’s foreign ministry said future attacks would target “decision-making centres and command posts”, as well as drone production facilities in Kyiv. Moscow also urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the city “as soon as possible” and advised people to avoid military and administrative sites.
The warning followed large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks overnight on Saturday, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said killed four people and injured around 100 others in Kyiv and surrounding areas.
Claims over Starobilsk attack
Moscow said the strikes were retaliation for what it described as a deliberate Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, a Russian-occupied town in eastern Ukraine. Russian officials said 21 people were killed in the incident on Friday.
Ukraine’s military said it had targeted an elite Russian drone unit operating in the area and denied attacking civilians.
Russia has intensified aerial assaults on Kyiv since a short ceasefire linked to Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations ended earlier this month.
In another recent strike, Russian attacks on the capital killed 24 people, including three children, after a residential apartment block was hit.
Escalating aerial attacks
Days later, Russian authorities reported that three people were killed in a major Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region. Zelensky described those strikes as an “entirely justified” response to repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Kyiv then came under one of the heaviest aerial bombardments of the war overnight on Saturday.
Videos shared online showed explosions across the skyline throughout the night, while residents reported repeated blasts as civilian areas were struck.
Ukraine said Russia launched dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles alongside hundreds of drones. Moscow also fired an Oreshnik hypersonic missile towards Bila Tserkva, a city about 90km south of Kyiv. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Several non-military sites were damaged, including the Chernobyl Museum and the National Art Museum of Ukraine. A shopping centre, market and residential buildings in the Lukanivka district were also destroyed.
Diplomatic pressure and air defence concerns
On Monday evening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate American diplomats from Kyiv during a phone call, according to Russia’s foreign ministry.
Many observers view Russia’s warning to foreign nationals as psychological pressure rather than a sign of a major policy shift, as Moscow has repeatedly targeted Kyiv since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Over the course of the war, Ukraine has built a more advanced air defence network capable of intercepting many incoming drones and missiles. However, Russian attacks often involve such large numbers of weapons that some penetrate the defences.
Ukraine also relies heavily on foreign-supplied air defence systems. In March, Zelensky warned that supplies could become strained because of military demands linked to the US and Israel’s conflict with Iran.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 May 2026
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