X faces second outage due to data centre issues
Elon Musk's microblogging platform, X, experienced another outage on Saturday, May 24, following a similar disruption the day before.
According to Downdetector, reports of service troubles increased, and users worldwide experienced difficulties accessing the homepage, app interface, and login services, with some reporting seeing blank timelines, Firstpost reported.
While X has not released a statement regarding Saturday's event, the platform did admit a data center outage on Friday. In a post on May 23, the technical team stated that they were aware of the performance issues and were actively working to resolve them.
Pentagon tightens press access over security concerns
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced new limitations on media access to the Pentagon, requiring journalists to be officially approved and escorted in a majority of the building. The directive, which takes effect immediately, is intended to prevent the disclosure of sensitive or secret information, Reuters reported.
Hegseth stated that maintaining national security and operational integrity is a primary responsibility. The Pentagon Press Association condemned the action, calling it a threat to press freedom and pointing out that comparable limits were never imposed following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when the Pentagon was targeted by hijacked American Airlines Flight 77.
The move comes as part of a broader assault on leaks by the Trump administration, which includes investigations, polygraph exams for federal employees, and a reshuffling of media access that has favored conservative outlets. Legacy media outlets such as CNN and The New York Times have been evicted from Pentagon offices in favor of OANN and Breitbart, according to Reuters.
Journalists will now be required to acknowledge their responsibility to protect sensitive information and will be issued new press credentials.
US eases sanctions on Syria
The US Treasury Department issued General License 25 on Friday, lifting sanctions against Syria and allowing new investment and private sector activity. The move follows President Donald Trump’s pledge during his recent Middle East trip, Reuters reported.
The license allows for financial services and transactions involving Syrian-origin petroleum, as well as the restoration of banking relations with the Commercial Bank of Syria. Sanctions release is contingent on Syria denying safe shelter to terrorist groups and preserving religious and ethnic minorities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also authorized a 180-day Caesar Act waiver to encourage investment and essential services like electricity and water, according to Reuters.
Gaza faces famine, UN warns
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that Gaza is entering its worst phase yet in the continuing conflict, with the population risking hunger as a result of Israel's blockades and military escalation.
Israel has banned aid into Gaza for nearly 80 days, and despite a recent partial easing, Guterres said current aid levels are "a teaspoon when a flood is needed." He emphasized that 80 percent of Gaza is under evacuation orders or designated as a military zone, making humanitarian access dangerous and limited, as reported by UN News.
Local reports say Palestinians are struggling to access food and water, with aid insufficient to meet urgent needs. Since Friday, at least 76 more Palestinians have been killed, bringing the total to over 53,800 deaths and 122,000 injuries since October 7, 2023.
Mohamed Salah named Premier League player of the season
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been named the Premier League Player of the Season for 2024–25, winning the award for the second time after first claiming it in 2017–18.
The 32-year-old led Liverpool to the league title with 28 goals and 18 assists — both the highest in the league. He beat competition from team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, as well as Arsenal’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Declan Rice, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, and Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood, BBC reported.
Salah also became the Premier League’s highest-scoring overseas player, overtaking Sergio Aguero, and was named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for a third time.
Iran and US resume nuclear negotiations in Rome
The fifth round of Iran-US indirect talks concluded Friday in Rome, with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi calling it “one of the most professional rounds”, Xinhua reported.
He stated that the United States now has a greater understanding of Iran's stance, and that both sides will study new offers before the next session, which may involve more comprehensive conversations.
Iranian and Omani officials described the atmosphere as calm and constructive, with some progress made but no final agreement. Talks, mediated by Oman since April, focus on Iran’s nuclear program and US sanctions. Iran continues to reject US demands to halt uranium enrichment, according to Xinhua.
Chinese Premier arrives in Jakarta for official visit
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Jakarta on Saturday for an official visit to Indonesia at President Prabowo Subianto's invitation.
Following his visit to Indonesia, Premier Li is scheduled to travel to Malaysia, where he will attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur from May 26 to 28, Xinhua reported.
Russia launches massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine
Russia carried out one of the largest aerial assaults on Ukraine overnight, launching 14 ballistic missiles and 250 long-range drones, according to Ukraine’s air force. The attack injured at least 15 people and caused widespread damage in six districts of the capital Reuters reported.
Explosions were heard around the city as air defenses responded. Several apartment complexes were destroyed, and three people, including two children, required hospitalization.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the night as "tough" and called for fresh international penalties against Russia to encourage a truce.
The operations come after a string of Ukrainian drone attacks on targets within Russia, including Moscow, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called for cease-fire talks between Russia and Ukraine while opposing a European plan for further penalties against Russia.






