Macron Slapped by Wife on Vietnam Arrival?

Brigitte Macron was seen slapping President Macron as they exited their plane in Hanoi.

The Élysée first denied, then confirmed the footage, calling it “playful teasing.”

A source close to Macron said it was “a harmless scuffle,” blaming negative reactions on “pro-Russian circles.”

Alarming stats: Ukrainian skies saw over 2,000 Shahed drones in 20 days.

On May 24–25, Russia launched 300 drones and 69 missiles; the night before, 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles.

In 2024, Ukraine’s success rate against Shaheds was >90%; now it drops to 30%.

Commander Yakout:
“Since January, Shahed drones fly at 2,000–3,000 meters instead of 200. We can’t reach them with our cannons anymore.”

Source: Le Monde

Armenia's Pashinyan says he would change Armenia's constitution if the Constitutional Court does not approve the peace deal with Azerbaijan.

Iranian Foreign Ministry:

We will not accept temporarily suspending uranium enrichment to secure a nuclear deal with the U.S.

New Russian Shahed Drones Controlled via Telegram

Ukrainian engineers found a note inside a downed Russian Shahed drone detailing a new control system via Telegram bots, reportedly left by a sympathetic Russian engineer.

The bots send real-time flight data and video to the operator.

The new Shaheds are reportedly AI-guided, no longer rely on GPS, and connect to Ukrainian mobile networks—making them nearly immune to electronic warfare.

Source: The Economist

Spanish Foreign Minister:

There are European countries that don't see what's happening in Ukraine the same way they see what's happening in Gaza.

Russia may be preparing a large-scale aerial campaign, Ukrainian officials and Western analysts warn.

Weekend missile and drone surges could mark the beginning.

Russia is now producing weapons faster than it uses them, stockpiling for future offensives.

Source: FT

Ukraine says it shot down 9 cruise missiles and 288 drones overnight.

Russia launched 355 drones in total — a new record high.

NEW: Ireland will become the first EU country to propose a ban on goods from Israeli businesses in the occupied Palestinian territories, citing war crimes in Gaza.

Iranian President Pezeshkian:

Iran will survive even under more sanctions and no talks with U.S.

Palestinian child trying to flee the flames.

This was at the Fahmi al-Jarjawi School in Gaza City, sheltering displaced families.

It was hit by Israel.

JD Vance:

Dating apps are probably more destructive than we fully appreciate.

Young men and women just aren’t dating.

If they’re not dating, they’re not getting married, they’re not starting families.

Nicușor Dan has been officially sworn in as the President of Romania.

Kremlin responds to Trump’s remarks calling Vladimir Putin “crazy,” saying such comments likely reflect “some emotional overload at this crucial moment.”

Ugandan Army spokesperson Chris Magezi announced that all military and defense cooperation with Germany has been suspended.

The statement noted that the decision was prompted by Germany's Ambassador to Uganda, Mathias Schauer, allegedly engaging in "subversive activities within the country."

Germany's Thyssenkrupp Breakup Underway

German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp plans to become a financial holding, enabling major sell-offs.

— HQ to shrink from 500 to 100 staff.
— 1,000 admin jobs to be cut.
— Full exit from steel trading (€12.1B revenue, 16,000 jobs).
— Auto supply units may be sold or shut.

“Only a shell will remain at best”, said a manager.

Source: Bild am Sonntag

German Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel to the U.S. on May 27 to meet with Rubio.

Top U.S. National Security Council officials for the Middle East, Israel, and Iran were among dozens dismissed in a major overhaul by Donald Trump.

NSC Middle East director Eric Trager and Israel-Iran director Merav Ceren were among those ousted.

Source: Jewish Insider

Israel Rejects 60-day Ceasefire Plan

• Israel turned down a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan tied to Trump’s personal guarantee.
• The proposal involved a 60-day ceasefire and phased hostage release.
• Hamas countered with a 70-day ceasefire plan, demanding humanitarian aid.
• U.S. continues to press Israel for a resolution as humanitarian conditions worsen.

Source: Haaretz

At a time when the Ukrainian Armed Forces face a critical ammunition shortage, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has introduced reforms to merge the State Logistics Operator (DOT) with the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA).

Announced on May 1, 2025, this restructuring aims to streamline procurement—handling everything from buying toilet paper locally to purchasing missiles from Western manufacturers under one unified system.

The MoD presents this as a significant step forward in defense procurement reform, despite ongoing challenges.

Macron says he believes Trump "realizes" that Putin "lied to him".