Reports suggest the US and Israel are collaborating on a plan to end Jordan’s custodianship of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, with a proposal to establish a “multi-faith center” under Israeli influence. This arrangement would grant Jews prayer rights, involve Israel in appointing religious officials, and potentially diminish the site’s Muslim identity. While some Arab nations have been briefed, Saudi Arabia reportedly opposes the plan, viewing Jordan’s custodianship as vital for regional stability.
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The highly anticipated drone show at Vivid Sydney was abruptly cancelled after a technical malfunction caused nearly 90 drones to fall into the harbour. Operator SkyMagic attributed the incident to an “unforeseen change in the radio frequency,” which prompted drones to enact failsafe landing procedures due to compromised positional accuracy. While Vivid Sydney stated no drones landed outside the designated exclusion zone, the event has been suspended for further assessment, with subsequent shows cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday to ensure public safety.
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It did not give details about the location of the strikes, but an official cited by the New York Times said they had targeted an area near Bandar Abbas – a southern port city and home of an Iranian naval base that sits on the Strait of Hormuz. The official’s statement suggests the strikes were aimed at a strategic location with significant military importance. This positioning near the Strait of Hormuz is particularly noteworthy due to its vital role in global oil transit.
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Ireland intends to pass legislation by mid-July that will restrict trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite opposition from Israel, some U.S. lawmakers, and business groups. The bill, initially promised in October 2024, has faced delays due to debate over including services and pressure from lobbyists. Limiting the ban to goods is expected to affect only a small volume of products, such as fruit, valued at approximately 200,000 euros annually. This move aligns with Ireland’s critical stance on Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence, and may be coordinated with other European nations also considering similar bans.
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The Daily Giving Israel Emergency Fund is providing critical support to civilians in northern Israel facing severe hardship due to escalating Hezbollah drone threats and continuous fighting. The fund empowers global Jewish communities to directly aid those impacted by war, trauma, and profound financial strain, channeling resources to frontline organizations like Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah for immediate medical aid. Additional support is channeled through Paamonim for financial crisis management and resilience organizations offering emotional and practical assistance to soldiers and veterans, ensuring a united front of global solidarity.
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Ukrainian defense forces have reported successful strikes on a series of Russian military targets in occupied territories and within Russia. These strikes, conducted on May 25th and the nights of May 25-26th, included command posts in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, as well as ground control stations, drone warehouses, and logistics depots. Further operations led to the shutdown of the Syzran Oil Refinery, damage to equipment and fuel tanks at the Yaroslavl linear production and dispatch station, and a direct hit on a radar station in Luhansk Oblast. These actions are part of a broader strategy to compel Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine.
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A self-driving bus trial in Gothenburg, Sweden, was suspended after the vehicle collided with a tram on its inaugural day carrying passengers. Although no injuries were reported, the bus was taken out of service for inspection. This incident occurs amidst ongoing challenges for autonomous vehicle deployment, as highlighted by Waymo’s recent recall of its robotaxis due to issues navigating flooded areas, demonstrating the complexities of programming these vehicles to handle unpredictable environmental conditions.
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State Secretary Aerdts of Economic Affairs has blocked U.S. company Kyndryl’s acquisition of Solvinity, the Dutch operator of DigiD, citing the “need to protect the public interest.” This decision follows concerns raised in the Tweede Kamer regarding foreign ownership of critical Dutch digital infrastructure and potential risks to data security and sovereignty due to U.S. laws. The regulatory agency, Investment Screening Bureau (BTI), advised prohibition based on the Insufficient Controls of Telecommunications Act (WOZT), which focuses on risks to the public interest rather than the nationality of the acquiring company. The prohibition was enacted to prevent imminent completion of the transaction and safeguard sensitive Dutch government systems and citizen data.
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The European Commission is set to adopt a decision that will prioritize European satellite operators, aiming to limit the expansion of services like Elon Musk’s Starlink within the EU. This move stems from concerns about strategic dependence on US companies for critical communications infrastructure, highlighted by Starlink’s role in Ukraine. The decision focuses on the allocation of the 2 GHz radio spectrum, a harmonized band within the EU, for direct-to-device satellite communications. By favoring European providers in this crucial frequency band, the EU seeks to bolster its technological sovereignty and resilience against foreign dependence.
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The Met Office’s State of the UK Climate report reveals a significant increase in heatwave occurrences. In the most recent decade, days exceeding 28°C have more than doubled, while those surpassing 30°C have more than tripled when compared to the 1961-1990 baseline. This trend highlights a notable shift in the UK’s climate towards warmer conditions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker