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.
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.
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.
