An analysis argues that the US military campaign against Iran, Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, 2026, constitutes a war in the constitutional sense, requiring congressional authorization. The article details extensive US military deployments, including 50,000 service members, three carrier strike groups, 10,000 sorties against 13,000 targets, destruction of 150 Iranian warships, a naval blockade, and casualties of 3,500 Iranians and 7 US service members killed. It criticizes the executive branch's narrow legal interpretation that avoids seeking approval from Congress, arguing that the blockade itself is a belligerent act that legally confirms a state of war. The piece highlights the erosion of war powers and the need for Congress to reassert its constitutional role.

An analysis by Andy Polk, vice president at the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, argues that the Trump administration's broad tariffs have eroded the US economy's ability to absorb shocks, which is now compounded by the Iran war-driven oil crisis. This economic fragility is constraining US strategic options and military sustainability, as higher costs and reduced business margins limit the political runway for prolonged military engagement. The article contends that China is exploiting this perceived weakness, as demonstrated during the May 2026 US-China summit, and warns that the combination of tariffs and oil shocks has reprogrammed the global economic order, reducing international cooperation and resilience.

An analysis argues that escalating conflict involving Iran is making the Gulf region less predictable for investors, positioning Türkiye as a viable alternative hub. The article highlights Türkiye's strategic location, growing infrastructure (including Istanbul Airport), energy discoveries (Sakarya gas field), rising foreign direct investment ($11.3 billion in 2024), record tourism, and diplomatic flexibility as a NATO member with ties across multiple regions. It compares Türkiye's potential to the historical rise of Singapore and Dubai.

Oil prices declined as market optimism grew over the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The development suggests easing of tensions that had previously disrupted supply routes.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) struck multiple Russian targets across occupied Crimea and eastern Ukraine over two nights on 28-29 May 2026, including an ST-68 radar and a Pantsir-S1 air-defense system in Feodosia, Crimea, bringing the total Russian air-defense assets destroyed in May to 28. Other strikes hit railway fuel tankers in Makiivka, a supply depot near Mariupol, an ammunition depot in Luhansk, and a mobile fire group. The campaign aims to degrade Russian air defenses and logistics in occupied territories.

The Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure have removed 50% of global traded sulfur and 36% of traded urea, causing sharp price increases: anhydrous ammonia up nearly $300/ton in the US, urea benchmark over 25%, sulfur up 40% to $600/ton, and sulfuric acid in the US rising from $155 to $400/ton. China banned sulfuric acid exports on May 1. The article recommends US policy responses to boost domestic production, including expediting permits for new ammonia/urea/sulfur plants (e.g., CF Industries Blue Point, Nueces Green Ammonia, Atlas Agro Pacific), maintaining Jones Act suspension and Venezuelan sanctions relief, and streamlining US-Canada customs. It also mentions the Homegrown Fertilizer Act and 106 stalled fertilizer projects from the Biden-era program. It warns that even if the crisis resolves soon, fertilizer prices will likely remain elevated through 2026.

Background: Ukrainian drone strikes in May 2026 forced six major Russian refineries to halt operations, causing a 16-year low in refinery runs and prompting Russia to prepare a jet fuel export ban. Today: Reuters calculations show Russian diesel fuel production fell from 7.5 million tonnes in March to 5.9 million tonnes in May, a 20% drop, as Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries reduced output. Refineries affected by strikes reduced diesel production by up to 1 million tonnes in April and by a further 600,000 tonnes in May. Russian fuel exports rose 8% in April compared with March to 3.25 million tonnes, but remained below the April 2025 level of 3.3 million tonnes. The production decline may hinder Russia's ability to benefit from higher oil prices and any easing of US sanctions.

Background: Ukraine previously struck the VNIIR-Progress military-industrial plant in Cheboksary using Flamingo cruise missiles and Liutyi drones, targeting production of navigation antennas for Shahed drones, Iskander missiles, and glide bombs. Today: On 29 May, explosions and air raid alerts hit Cheboksary near the V.I. Chapaev Production Association, a Rostec defense plant producing Alazan anti-hail rockets with at least 30% of its output linked to defense contracts, and VNIIR-Progress, which manufactures navigation components for Shahed drones, Iskander-M missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and UMPK glide bomb kits, as well as electrical systems for Yasen-M nuclear submarines. Local officials denied the blasts, but flights were canceled and passengers evacuated from the airport.

Background: Iran had previously demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen assets as part of a potential agreement with the US, with negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf visiting Qatar for talks. Today: A source close to ongoing US-Iran negotiations told Iran's Fars news agency that the last major sticking point is now $24 billion in Iranian funds frozen in banks worldwide, doubling the earlier demand. The funds are described as frozen in banks worldwide, not just in the US.

Ukraine's Security Service (SSU) and Special Operations Forces conducted coordinated drone strikes on multiple targets deep inside Russia on May 28-29, 2026. The SSU's Alpha unit struck the FSB's 16th Centre for signals intelligence in Krasnodar Krai, disabling key facilities used to guide Russian missiles and drones against Ukraine and intercept foreign satellite signals. Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces hit the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka oil refinery in Volgograd, halting production by damaging multiple primary and secondary refining units, and struck the Yaroslavl-3 oil pumping station, causing fires at two large oil reservoirs. A gas terminal at the port of Temryuk in Krasnodar Krai was also set ablaze. These strikes are part of Ukraine's asymmetric strategy to degrade Russia's military fuel supply, airspace control, and budget revenue.

On the night of May 28-29, 2026, Russia launched 232 drones and one Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missile at Ukraine from Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and occupied Hvardiiske and Chauda in Crimea. Ukrainian air defense forces shot down or jammed 217 drones. The ballistic missile and 14 strike drones hit 14 locations, and debris fell at seven additional sites. The attack remained ongoing with several drones still in Ukrainian airspace. A school in Chernihiv region was completely burned down by a Geran-type drone strike.

Background: Ukrainian Azov Corps drone operators have been conducting reconnaissance and strike missions over Mariupol, targeting Russian military equipment and logistics routes up to 160 km from the front line. Today: Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) announced that its drone operators have established fire control over sections of the highway linking Crimea to Donbas via Berdyansk, Melitopol, and Dzhankoi, effectively cutting the land corridor. HUR drone teams struck Russian fuel tankers, trucks, and a trailer along the occupied land corridor, releasing footage of burning vehicles and warning 'more to come.' The loitering munitions and Shark-M reconnaissance drones used were partly funded by the Serhii Prytula Charitable Foundation. Zaporizhzhia governor Ivan Fedorov stated the route is no longer functional for Russian military logistics, while occupied cities face infrastructure collapse.

A federal court in Virginia temporarily blocked President Trump's $1.8 billion compensation fund for alleged victims of politically motivated justice, setting a hearing for June 12. Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Cuba a national security threat. The US also designated two Brazilian drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Trump's 'Peace Council' fund for Gaza reconstruction reportedly has received no contributions. The administration is considering suspending customs at airports in sanctuary cities ahead of the World Cup.

Russian forces conducted coordinated drone attacks on Naftogaz Group oil and gas infrastructure in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, with strikes lasting nearly a full day. One facility in Sumy Oblast was hit twice hours apart. Fires broke out and damage was recorded. Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi noted that attacks on the company's facilities have become systematic, occurring almost daily. Critical infrastructure in Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts remains under persistent drone attack.

Official figures from the Department for Communities show that the number of households on Northern Ireland's social housing waiting list has exceeded 50,000, a 30% increase over the past decade. Over 33,000 of those are classified as homeless (full duty applicants), a figure that has more than doubled in ten years. The Housing Executive aims to start 5,850 new social homes by 2027, but current building rates are insufficient. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons cited funding constraints and the use of public sector land as strategies, while homelessness charities and political figures called for urgent action to address the deepening crisis.

A federal judge in Virginia has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund', which was designed to compensate individuals claiming they were victims of political persecution by the justice system. The fund, created as part of a settlement in Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax records, could benefit hundreds of January 6 Capitol riot defendants whom Trump pardoned. The ruling, issued by Judge Leonie Brinkema, halts any irreversible payouts until a June 12 hearing. The lawsuit was filed by former January 6 prosecutor Andrew Floyd and other plaintiffs, who argue the fund is an unconstitutional 'slush fund'. The fund has faced bipartisan opposition, including from some Republican senators, and has stalled related migration legislation in Congress.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi previously warned of a possible Russian operation from Belarus and reported a Russian concentration of about 99,000 personnel in the Pokrovsk direction. During a subsequent working trip to the Donetsk region, Syrskyi reported that new 'middle strike' approaches are already impacting the front lines, including improved coordination and deployment of additional units. He identified the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration as a key hotspot, noted that Russian forces are using small infantry groups but failing to achieve their goals, and stated that Ukrainian forces are intensifying operations in some sectors, inflicting heavy losses. Additionally, he held meetings with military leadership, reviewed proposals, and made on-site decisions regarding ammunition and logistical needs.

The Ukrainian Air Force issued a nationwide missile threat warning on Friday after detecting the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K aircraft, which is capable of launching Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles. Regional authorities activated air raid alerts across all of Ukraine, urging residents to take shelter. This marks a heightened alert posture amid ongoing hostilities.

Three people—a man, a woman, and a child—died after falling from a high-rise residential building at Churchyard Row in Elephant and Castle, south London. Emergency services responded but all three were pronounced dead at the scene. Police are treating the deaths as unexpected; no other injuries were reported. The building management confirmed the building is safe. Next of kin have been informed and are receiving support.

The Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) stated that Turkish citizens are effectively shut out of the Schengen visa system due to persistent appointment shortages and alleged bot exploitation of booking platforms. Despite Turkey being the second-largest source of Schengen visa applications in 2025 (1.27 million), the rejection rate was 14.6%. Applications to Italy dropped 32.3% and to France 6%, attributed to reduced access rather than waning travel interest. TÜRSAB Chair Firuz Bağlıkaya claimed limited appointment slots are captured by automated bots and resold for up to 1,000 euros.

The US Navy secretary announced a delay in a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan following the Trump-Xi summit. Analysts say the pause may reduce US credibility as a security partner and accelerate Taiwan's shift toward indigenous asymmetric warfare capabilities, including drones and munitions, rather than relying on major US weapons systems.

Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces, reported that Russian command has tasked the 7th Air Assault Division with capturing Stepnohirsk by the end of June. Heavy fighting continues on the Huliaipole and Orikhiv axes, with Russia increasing drone and aviation use, including up to 2,000 drone strikes per day in the south. Ukrainian forces are counterattacking near Stepnohirsk, Plavni, and Prymorske, while Russia redeploys additional units including the 137th Airborne Regiment and 74th Motorized Rifle Regiment to the area. The situation remains difficult as Russia shows no signs of shortages in ammunition or manpower.

Four leading UK chefs and restaurateurs—Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill, and Simon Rogan—have called on the government to reduce VAT for pubs and restaurants from 20% to 10%, warning the hospitality industry is facing its toughest conditions ever due to rising costs including higher National Insurance, business rates, and minimum wage. They argue the cut is needed for survival, not profit. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden acknowledged the government has asked businesses to contribute more but noted competing fiscal demands. The appeal comes as industry data shows three hospitality businesses have been closing every day since the start of 2026, following a tough period post-pandemic and amid energy price hikes.

Syria's interim government under Ahmad al-Sharaa has maintained strategic neutrality in the Iran war, positioning the country as a potential transit hub for oil and gas from the Gulf to Europe. In a new development, Sharaa formally proposed the 'Four Seas' project at an emergency EU summit in Cyprus in April 2026, aiming to create a land-based alternative to the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea routes via multiple pipeline and railway initiatives linking the Mediterranean, Black, Caspian, and Arabian seas. Gulf states and US energy companies (Chevron, ConocoPhillips) have signed investment deals, and Sharaa has been invited to a G-7 summit in June 2026. However, Israel has escalated military operations inside Syria over the past two weeks, more than doubling ground incursions and tripling artillery strikes, threatening the country's stability and the viability of the corridor.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported 267 combat engagements over the past 24 hours as of 08:00 on May 29, 2026, with the most intense fighting in the Pokrovsk sector (46 assaults repelled) and Huliaipole sector (32 assaults). Russian forces conducted one missile strike, 86 airstrikes using 269 guided bombs, and deployed 7,881 kamikaze drones. Ukrainian defenders repelled attacks across multiple axes including Kupiansk, Lyman, Kramatorsk, and Kostiantynivka. No signs of enemy offensive group formation were detected on the Volyn and Polissia axes.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot publicly called Xenia Fedorova, a Russian commentator on Bolloré-owned media (CNews, Europe 1), a "patented propagandist" serving Vladimir Putin's disinformation. Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada defended her presence as freedom of expression. Fedorova, former head of RT France, regularly promotes Kremlin positions. The incident highlights tensions over Russian influence in French media.

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a hot-fire test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 28, 2026, producing a large fireball and causing extensive damage to Launch Complex 36. No injuries were reported. The explosion raises serious doubts about Blue Origin's ability to meet its commitments to NASA's Artemis program and Moon Base 1, which rely on New Glenn for lunar lander and rover deliveries. It also threatens Amazon's Project Kuiper broadband satellite deployment, as New Glenn was scheduled to launch 48 satellites. The incident is a major setback for Blue Origin's competition with SpaceX in heavy-lift launch and lunar exploration.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced on May 29, 2026, that he will seek to revoke the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following Zelenskyy's May 26 decree granting the honorary title 'Heroes of the UPA' to a Ukrainian special operations unit. The UPA is held responsible by Poland for WWII-era massacres of ethnic Poles. Nawrocki, a historian and former head of Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, stated the decision wounds the memory of victims and provides fuel for Russian propaganda. The move escalates a long-standing historical dispute between the two allies, straining relations despite continued security cooperation against Russia.

Japan will send four Self-Defense Force soldiers to NATO's Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) hub in Wiesbaden, Germany, to study battlefield tactics from Ukraine's combat experience. The deployment deepens Japan-NATO cooperation amid Russian military buildup near Hokkaido and rising tensions with China, marking a significant step in Tokyo's military engagement with the alliance.

Labour is facing backlash from affiliated unions after minister Torsten Bell suggested the government may not extend the national living wage to all over-18s before the next election, despite a manifesto commitment to 'remove discriminatory age bands'. Unions Usdaw and TSSA condemned the suggestion as a betrayal of young workers. The dispute follows a report by Alan Milburn warning of a 'lost generation' of young people not in employment, education or training. Bell argued the manifesto did not set a specific timeline for the change.

Ukrainian drone-maker Skyfall has upgraded its Vampire bomber drones with jam-resistant navigation and communication systems, including a Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna and terrain-matching navigation. The upgraded drones recently destroyed a rare Russian Borisoglebsk-2 jamming vehicle worth up to $200 million. The Vampires, also used for supply missions, are part of a broader Ukrainian campaign that has destroyed 81 Russian air defense systems since March 2026. The upgrades allow the drones to operate deeper into Russian-controlled territory and target the jammers protecting other assets.

UK Ambassador Neil Holland told the OSCE that Russia cannot win the war in Ukraine, citing unsustainable casualties, slowing territorial gains, economic strain, and escalating attacks on civilians. He stated that Russia's victory is 'increasingly implausible' and urged Moscow to engage in serious negotiations for a just and lasting peace. The UK highlighted nearly 200 civilian deaths in May and signs of economic stress in Russia.

US Congressman Jim Himes and Senator Richard Blumenthal visited Kyiv on May 25, 2025, where Himes condemned Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's threats against foreign diplomats as a sign of 'complete desperation' and Moscow's worsening battlefield position. The lawmakers denounced Russian tactics as war crimes and pledged to push for increased US military aid. The visit followed Russia's warning to strike 'decision-making centers' in Kyiv and one of the largest aerial assaults of the war, with around 90 missiles and over 600 drones, killing at least two and wounding 87. Ukrainian authorities reported nearly 1,000 applications for housing compensation in Kyiv due to the damage, underscoring the continued targeting of civilian infrastructure and the urgent need for international support.

Ukraine's Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, previously reported that newly manufactured components from 2025 were found in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine, including a Transit Brd activation module identified for the first time. He now states that 25% of American components in Russian weapons are counterfeit, with serial numbers deliberately erased. Ukraine continues to share data on foreign components, including Chinese ones, with respective countries.

The Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations (APPF) has sent a 300-page letter to EU institutions detailing evidence that the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) alliance may violate EU values, including anti-immigrant, antisemitic, anti-Roma, and anti-LGBT statements. The European Commission confirmed receipt and is examining the letter. The process could lead to ESN losing its EU political party status and funding, though the APPF clarified that removal from the register would not constitute a ban, allowing the party to continue under national law but lose EU funding. The ESN includes parties from Germany, France, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to pursue a third trial for Muhammad Amaad and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, accused of assaulting Greater Manchester Police constable Zachary Marsden at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 on 23 July 2024, after two juries failed to reach verdicts. The judge directed not guilty verdicts be recorded. Amaaz was previously convicted of assaulting two female officers and a civilian, and will be sentenced on 26 June. The case, which sparked protests after viral footage of a police officer kicking a suspect, remains under IOPC investigation into police use of force.

Background: The White House previously accused China-backed actors of industrial-scale AI model theft via distillation. A new analysis reveals that Chinese AI labs are systematically distilling capabilities from US frontier models and releasing them as open-weight models that run on local devices, giving China a distribution advantage in the global AI market while US firms are constrained by terms of service from doing the same. The article argues this creates a strategic vulnerability for the US and proposes policy responses including export controls, extending the foreign direct product rule to AI, and supporting US open-weight alternatives. It also highlights safety risks from distilled models, such as DeepSeek-R1 failing safety tests and OpenClaw's marketplace being flooded with malicious extensions.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has previously reported that Russia's military command provided inaccurate battlefield assessments for months. Now, a leaked Russian Defense Ministry map dated 9 April 2026 claims control over Ukrainian settlements in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast that were never captured, including Orikhiv, Richne, Veselyanka, Zaporozhets, and Zapasne. ISW assesses the map may be authentic and fits a pattern of inflated reporting that has misled the Kremlin. Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov claimed on 21 April that troops had taken Veselyanka and entered Zaporozhets, but ISW found no evidence of Russian presence in those areas as of 28 May. The pattern extends to the Kupiansk sector, where Gerasimov and Putin made false claims of capturing the city in late 2025, while Ukrainian forces cleared it by late December. ISW assesses the pattern of exaggerated reporting is leading the Russian leadership to make unrealistic demands, as actual advances have slowed dramatically in 2026, with only 104 square kilometers seized between 1 January and 26 May, compared to 1,619 square kilometers in the same period of 2025. The Financial Times reported on 28 May that Putin believes Russia can take all of Donbas by fall 2026, based on these distorted maps.

Analysis of the 7 May local elections in England shows that candidates who signed the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's 'Pledge for Palestine' won 27% of contested seats, outperforming Labour (22%) and Liberal Democrats (21%), with only Reform UK ahead at 30%. Over 1,600 candidates signed the pledge, which commits to supporting Palestinian rights and divesting from companies complicit in Israeli violations. The results indicate that Palestine remains a salient local issue, particularly in areas with large young, student, ethnic minority, and Muslim populations.

Captain Oleksandr Yabchanka of the Da Vinci Wolves regiment presented a scenario at GLOBSEC 2026 in Prague: 20 armed men capture a village on NATO's eastern border, creating a 20-30 km drone kill zone that prevents any armored response. He argues that Russia could execute this with current technology, exploiting NATO's lack of dispersed, survivable drone and robotics manufacturing. Yabchanka, a pediatrician turned drone warfare pioneer, calls for Europe to build a 'big Europe of military capabilities' with decentralized production and low-sky defense systems to deter such hybrid attacks.

The French Senate's commission of inquiry into private financing of public policies will hear billionaire Pierre-Édouard Stérin, founder of Smartbox and president of the Fonds du bien commun, via videoconference on June 4. Stérin had twice refused to appear before a similar National Assembly commission in 2025. The inquiry, initiated by the Socialist group, examines risks of influence, lack of transparency, and threats to democracy from private actors funding public policies.

A new survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and King Baudouin Foundation reveals that 73% of EU citizens now believe the EU should pursue a more independent foreign policy, up from 63% previously. Trust in the US as the EU's most important ally has dropped sharply from 51% in 2024 to 31%, while the UK and Canada are increasingly seen as key partners. The shift is attributed to the Trump presidency and geopolitical tensions, with 80% of Belgians supporting reduced coordination with the US. The findings indicate a broad, cross-generational desire for European strategic autonomy.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said his recent meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Black Sea Security Forum reduced his skepticism about Zelensky's commitment to ending the war. Poroshenko entered the meeting with distrust but left less skeptical, noting that discussions focused on achieving peace on Ukraine's terms, without territorial concessions. The meeting signals a possible shift in their long-standing political rivalry amid the ongoing war.

German police drew handguns on peaceful activists protesting outside a Rheinmetall site in Berlin, arresting them. The protest group 'Peacefully Against Genocide' condemned the disproportionate force and vowed to continue demonstrations against Rheinmetall's planned ammunition production for Israel, which they accuse of committing genocide in Palestine and Lebanon.

A UK government petition with over 116,000 signatures has forced a parliamentary debate on 22 June concerning the influence of pro-Israel lobbying and donations on British politics. The petition highlights concerns about the impact of such influence on UK policy towards Gaza and the West Bank. Critics argue that this lobbying undermines democratic processes, while the government has declined to launch a separate investigation, pointing to existing reviews of foreign interference. The petition specifically raises concerns about pro-Israel lobbying, donations to political parties, and their effect on UK policy towards Gaza and the West Bank. Critics argue that such influence undermines democracy, while the government has previously rejected calls for an investigation, citing existing reviews.

Turkey's installed electricity capacity reached 125,410 MW as of April 2026, with renewables at 62.5% and domestic sources at 71.7%. Solar capacity grew to 26,769 MW (21.3% of total), wind to 15,075 MW (12%), and combined wind and solar now account for 33.3% of installed capacity. Hydropower remains the largest single source at 32,338 MW (25.8%), followed by natural gas at 25,013 MW (20%). Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that solar is expected to surpass hydropower as the largest source by end of 2026. The government plans to invest $30 billion to reach 120 GW combined wind and solar capacity by 2035, aligning with net-zero targets. This update follows the May 12 declaration of 2026 as the 'year of wind' and the announcement of 1,500 MW of new wind tenders and offshore wind development plans. Bayraktar also announced a mass ceremony for renewable energy investments to be held next week, presided over by President Erdoğan.

Background: Russia has been adapting its Shahed drone campaign by fitting electronic-warfare systems on drones, scaling jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-4 variants, and shifting attacks toward border-area targets as Ukrainian interception rates rise to 95%. Now, Ukraine's First Deputy Defense Minister Oleksii Vyskub confirmed that Russia has fitted some Shahed drones with electronic warfare jammers to suppress Ukrainian interceptor drones. The jammers are mounted on the rear of the drones and were spotted during recent attacks. Vyskub downplayed the upgrade, noting that Ukrainian interceptor drone kill rates have doubled since early 2026, and Ukraine has fielded more than twice as many interceptors over that period. Russia has also introduced a jet-powered Shahed variant, the Geran-4, designed to outrun existing interceptors. Ukrainian manufacturers are developing faster interceptors to counter the jet-powered drones.

In a recent interview, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang repeatedly avoided answering whether his company bears responsibility when its chips enable AI models with offensive cyber capabilities that could threaten US security. The article contrasts this with Anthropic and OpenAI's engagement with the Pentagon on AI safety, and proposes a formal Defense Science Board-style task force to compel industry transparency on strategic technology risks.

Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn reported that Russia is reinforcing the Kinburn Spit with special forces from the Sevastopol Special Operations Center, fearing Ukrainian attempts to liberate the strategic foothold. The unit is equipped with modern boats, electronic warfare systems, and drones for reconnaissance and anti-landing operations.

The UK Home Office has awarded a £322,000 contract to Akhter Computers Ltd to develop and test AI facial age estimation technology aimed at detecting adult migrants posing as children at the border. The tool will be trialled on live cases at the Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover from 2026 and rolled out in mid-2027. Human rights groups and social workers warn the unproven technology risks misclassifying children and undermining legal protections.

Mark Burns, spiritual adviser to US President Donald Trump, stated at the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa that US conservatives now view Vladimir Putin as impossible to deal with, citing Russia's violation of a US-brokered ceasefire and a massive drone barrage on Kyiv. Burns said Trump told him a deal to end the war is close, despite stalled US-led peace talks.

Ukraine's SBU, HUR, and Navy dismantled a Black Sea smuggling channel used to supply weapons and Russian drones, including a fiber-optically controlled strike UAV with explosives destined for a terrorist attack in Odesa. Four suspects were detained; the operation involved civilian vessels smuggling tobacco products from occupied Abkhazia via Zmiinyi Island. The scheme was allegedly organized by an Odesa-based businessman cooperating with the FSB.

Climate activists in Germany blockaded a KNDS tank factory and a pipeline production site in Mülheim, and around 150 people broke into a power plant in Gelsenkirchen, as part of protests linked to a climate camp attended by Greta Thunberg in Hamm. The actions targeted CO2-intensive steel use in armored vehicle production. The protests highlight ongoing tensions between environmental activism and industrial policy in Germany.

An investigation by Iranian factchecking organization Factnameh revealed that UK television personality and influencer Bushra Shaikh took part in two state-sponsored press tours to Iran in spring 2025, organized by IRIB World Service. During these tours, she met senior officials including the governor of Isfahan and the foreign ministry spokesperson, visited sensitive sites such as the Strait of Hormuz, and posted content that Factnameh says amounted to broadcasting Iranian propaganda. The case highlights Iran's strategy of cultivating Western influencers to spread its narrative, particularly since the June 2025 Iran-Israel conflict.

US billionaires and AI leaders, including Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, are proposing various wealth-sharing mechanisms such as universal basic income, universal basic compute, and tax reforms to address AI-driven inequality and defuse potential populist revolt. The debate is intensifying as Democratic politicians push for wealth taxes and new social contracts, with California considering a billionaire wealth tax and federal lawmakers calling for tax code overhaul.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated in parliament that approximately 8 million Ukrainians are abroad involuntarily due to the war, calling it a growing security challenge. He announced that the government is developing measures to encourage their return, contingent on improved security conditions in Ukraine. Sybiha noted that some host countries may resist their return due to Ukrainians' economic contributions, and that Ukraine will have to compete for its citizens. The EU's Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians is currently in force until March 2027, with discussions ongoing about its extension or termination. A UNHCR study projects that over half of current Ukrainian refugees may remain in Europe until 2029 even under a fragile peace scenario.

The UK Public Accounts Committee released a report on March 26, 2025, warning that the Ministry of Defence faces an annual fraud risk of £1.5 billion, yet recovers only 48p per pound spent on counter-fraud activities, far below the government target of £3. The committee criticized the MoD for lacking a coherent strategy, fragmented oversight, and failing to use data analytics proactively. It called for a radical culture change, appointment of a senior two-star officer to lead counter-fraud efforts, a robust fraud loss estimate by 2026-27, and a procurement counter-fraud playbook. Procurement represents the highest risk area, with the MoD stopping £400 million in invalid contract payments in 2024-25, which the committee noted may indicate systemic overclaiming by suppliers. The report highlights unreliable fraud estimates, insufficient deterrence, and the need for better use of data analytics.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has spent his first year in office taking a firm stance against US tariffs and diversifying Canada's trade relationships, addressed the Economic Club of New York on May 29, 2026, ahead of new NAFTA negotiations. He argued that a stronger and independent Canada forming a 'true partnership' with the US would benefit both countries, stating 'Canada Strong will help make America great again'. Carney emphasized enhanced cooperation in energy, metals, and industrial products, while also signaling Canada's ongoing diversification of trade partners towards the EU, Asia, and South America.

A fire in an Amtrak train car in a rail yard near New York's Penn Station early Friday injured five people, including two hospitalized, and caused major disruptions to New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and Long Island Rail Road services. Overhead wire damage led to delays and service suspensions during the morning rush hour, affecting hundreds of thousands of commuters. The fire was extinguished by 100 firefighters, and service was suspended until at least noon.

A Ukrainian civilian recounts surviving a massive Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on the night of May 23-24, 2026, during the Cannes Film Festival. The attack forced the author and their family to take shelter in a building hallway for seven hours, as missiles struck vertically through the neighborhood. The author contrasts the festival's recognition of Russian suffering with the ongoing Russian aggression killing Ukrainian civilians, highlighting the dissonance between cultural events and wartime reality.

Ahead of the FDP's leadership election, internal divisions emerge over ending the 'firewall' (Brandmauer) against the far-right AfD. Designated party vice-chair Henning Höne opposes any cooperation, while leadership candidates Wolfgang Kubicki and Martin Hagen advocate for ending political exclusion and not making parliamentary votes dependent on AfD support. The debate reflects the FDP's struggle to regain relevance after falling below the 5% threshold in polls.

The Mobuoy illegal dump in County Londonderry, one of Europe's largest, was discovered in 2013 and contains an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of waste across 100 acres. Two businessmen were jailed in 2024 for illegal dumping. Environment Minister Andrew Muir now says remediation could start in 2028 and take three to five years, with a final cost estimate to be finalized within three months, a business case and funding secured within five months, and contractor procurement beginning in April 2027. Muir stated the cleanup is 'non-negotiable' and requires UK government financial support. The announcement drew criticism from local politicians, including SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who expressed disappointment, calling the timeline 'indicative of a lack of urgency'.

At an OECD event in Paris, Turkey and Australia jointly outlined priorities for the upcoming COP31 climate summit, which Turkey will host in Antalya in November 2026. Priorities include clean energy transition, low-carbon industrialization, climate-resilient cities, sustainable agriculture, and food security. The event highlighted a new model of cooperation bridging the Mediterranean and Pacific, emphasizing multilateral climate diplomacy despite geopolitical tensions.

Five progressive Democrats—Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ro Khanna, Elizabeth Warren, and Graham Platner—are leading a confrontational Democratic message on AI, proposing data center moratoriums, taxes on AI companies, and worker protections. They criticize AI-linked political money and environmental impacts, testing whether grassroots skepticism of AI can become a lasting political force.

Following Donald Trump's return to the US presidency in January 2025, the CBP One app that allowed migrants to legally enter the US for asylum applications was shut down on January 20, 2025. Tijuana, Mexico's main border crossing, has become a dead end for migrants, with many stranded or deported back to the city. The city remains one of the most dangerous in the world but also a site of intense solidarity. Iran's national football team will be based in Tijuana for the upcoming World Cup.

The Center for Counter-Disinformation (CCD) reports that Russian sources are claiming the drone incident in Galați, Romania, was a 'planned provocation by Ukraine' to drag NATO into the war. The CCD notes that Romania, NATO, and the EU have confirmed the drone was Russian, undermining Russia's narrative. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Romanian Foreign Ministry in connection with the drone strike on a high-rise building in Galați.

The foreign ministers of India, the United States, Australia, and Japan (Quad) announced a joint initiative to develop port infrastructure in Fiji, specifically in Suva and Lautoka, marking the Quad's first joint infrastructure project in the Pacific. The initiative aims to counter China's growing economic and strategic influence in the region. China criticized the move, warning against bloc confrontation. The announcement comes amid heightened US-China competition for influence in the Pacific Islands, where Fiji maintains a balancing act between traditional Western allies and economic ties with Beijing.

Russian forces attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia, injuring three people, including two elderly women, and damaging a multi-story residential building. Windows and balconies were shattered, one entrance lost gas supply, and emergency crews are responding. The attack occurred in the Oleksandrivskyi district, also damaging four apartment buildings and non-residential premises.

The United States has designated Brazil's two largest criminal gangs, the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command, as foreign terrorist organizations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move, which is seen as a political setback for President Lula da Silva, who opposed the designation, and a boost for his far-right challenger Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The gangs, which originated in Brazilian prisons, are major cocaine exporters to the US and Europe. The designation follows similar US actions against groups in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela, and is part of the White House's 'war on drugs' in Latin America.

On the morning of May 18, Kyiv and several Ukrainian regions were placed under air raid alerts due to a ballistic missile threat from Russian missile-capable aircraft, including the MiG-31K which can carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile. The alert lasted about an hour before being lifted. Ballistic missile warnings are among the most urgent due to short flight times, leaving civilians little time to seek shelter.

Background: The Trump administration has imposed sweeping sanctions on Cuba and threatened military action, preparing for a potential collapse of the Cuban government. Today: A detailed analysis reveals that the US has been pressing Cuba since March to accept a phased deal involving market reforms, political prisoner releases, and severing security ties with Russia and China, in exchange for sanctions relief and investment. The article highlights Cuba's fragmented leadership—divided among the Castro circle, the military-economic conglomerate GAESA, security services, and the Communist Party—as a key obstacle, with each center blocking concessions. The proposed deal would require Cuba to liberalize laws, release political prisoners, implement market reforms, reduce GAESA's footprint, and scale back security ties with Russia and China; in return, the US would rescind secondary sanctions, remove Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list, liberalize travel, and suspend Title III of the Libertad Act. US officials have communicated these priorities to Cuban emissaries since March, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio's hawkish credentials could uniquely enable him to sell a negotiated settlement. The window for a negotiated settlement is closing as the economy deteriorates and the risk of US military intervention grows.

Madagascar, following a coup in October 2025 and subsequent political instability, is gaining strategic importance due to its deposits of critical minerals (nickel, cobalt, rare earths) and its location in the western Indian Ocean. Russia has increased engagement, hosting the interim president and providing military aid. The article argues the US should deepen engagement to prevent adversaries from gaining influence over mineral supply chains.

Background: Russian forces have been conducting repeated drone and artillery strikes on Ukraine's Chernihiv region, damaging civilian infrastructure and residential areas. On the night of May 29, a Russian Geran-type drone strike on the village of Masheve in the Novhorod-Siverskyi district completely destroyed the local school building and all property inside. No civilian casualties were reported. The attack is part of ongoing Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in the region.

Thirty-seven years after the forced migration of over 350,000 ethnic Turks from Bulgaria to Türkiye, survivors recount the trauma of forced name changes, cultural repression, and violence under the Bulgarian government's assimilation campaign (1984–1989). The article highlights personal stories of loss and enduring psychological scars, including Sevinç Deniz, whose father died after being detained for refusing to change his name, and Nurettin Öztürk, who resisted name changes and later migrated to Türkiye. The piece underscores the enduring psychological trauma and the migrants' ongoing emotional ties to Bulgaria.

In a War on the Rocks essay, former senior DOE official Jay Tilden challenges the prevailing belief among strategists and lawmakers that the US faces a 'deterrence gap' due to a lack of low-yield theater nuclear weapons compared to Russia and China. Tilden argues that such rhetoric is exaggerated, potentially harmful by signaling US self-doubt and constraints to adversaries, and that the US already has multiple options to respond to limited nuclear use. He warns that public handwringing may embolden adversaries and misrepresent US decision-making, citing historical precedents like the 'missile gap' and the Reliable Replacement Warhead debate. Tilden contends that the current president's unpredictability may actually enhance deterrence, contrary to the rigid proportionality assumptions of gap proponents.

French company Aura Aero, through its defense subsidiary Aura M, will present the definitive design of the Enbata MALE drone at Eurosatory 2026. The drone is 100% ITAR-free, has a 55-hour endurance, and is intended for intelligence, surveillance, maritime patrol, electronic warfare, and anti-drone missions. First flight is expected in autumn 2026.

NATO had previously launched a pilot marketplace for counter-drone systems and expanded innovation ranges. Now, the alliance is implementing the Rapid Adoption Action Plan (RAAP) to compress procurement cycles from a decade to 24 months, driven by the rapid evolution of drone warfare in Ukraine. The plan includes building a counter-drone marketplace and testing infrastructure at Latvia's Sēlija Training Area, with an Innovation Badge quality assurance mark for tested systems. The initiative faces internal resistance from NATO's traditional planning processes.

Sweden has provided a second guarantee to the World Bank, enabling a €236 million loan to Ukraine under the PEACE support programme. The loan will cover essential public expenditures such as pensions, public-sector salaries, and assistance for vulnerable groups and internally displaced persons. The guarantee is valid until 2056, and Sweden's total guarantees for Ukraine now amount to approximately €280 million. This is a separate bilateral contribution distinct from the EU's €90 billion loan package.

Royal Mail delivered only 75.7% of first-class letters on time in the year to March, far below its 93% target. Ofcom expressed concern and is expected to open a probe. The company, now under new owner EP Group, is investing £500 million to improve service but has accepted reduced targets of 90% for first class and 95% for second class by next year.

Turkey's Justice Ministry announced the expansion of the e-Hearing system to regional courts of appeal, allowing lawyers, defendants, and witnesses to participate remotely. The reform is part of a broader digital transformation under the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) aimed at reducing bureaucracy and speeding up legal proceedings. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated the initiative will reduce travel burdens for lawyers and improve court efficiency.

Pro-Israel, cryptocurrency, and AI-linked political action committees are spending unprecedented amounts in U.S. House primaries, with eight of the top 12 outside spenders this cycle affiliated with these groups. AIPAC spent nearly $8 million to oust Rep. Thomas Massie, while crypto PAC Protect Progress spent $5 million against Rep. Al Green. The spending is reshaping primary outcomes and raising concerns about the influence of money in politics.

Robert Vass, founder of the Globsec strategic forum, argues that Europe should look to Ukraine's technological and industrial emergence as a model for its own rearmament amid US disengagement. He stresses that Europe must build its own power and prepare for a scenario where the US is no longer a reliable security guarantor.

The UK Ministry of Defence had previously approved the Foreign Military Sales procurement of Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) as an interim standoff weapon for the F-35, filling a capability gap until SPEAR-3 enters service in the early 2030s. Now, the government has withheld the delivery date for the SDB-II, citing potential harm to capability, effectiveness, and security, in response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty. Minister of State for Defence Luke Pollard provided the response, confirming the procurement has been prioritised through the Foreign Military Sales process and will provide an interim standoff weapon before the delayed SPEAR 3 enters service in the early 2030s.

The French Army hosted its first International Drone Challenge at Chaumont-Semoutiers airbase, bringing together nearly 50 teams from eight NATO members (Belgium, Denmark, Spain, US, Italy, UK, Poland, and Luxembourg as observer) to compete in FPV drone racing and simulated strike missions. The event showcased the rapid adoption of FPV drone tactics inspired by the war in Ukraine, where such drones now account for 60% of Russian losses. Participants exchanged tactics, equipment innovations, and training methods, highlighting varying levels of NATO readiness—some nations had only months of FPV experience. French teams secured the top two positions, with a British team taking third place and Belgium also performing well.

Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar had previously detained members of an international Gaza aid convoy in Sirte. In a new development, the Global Sumud Convoy was forcibly dismantled by armed forces in the 5+5 security zone near Sirte, and ten international activists from Spain, Poland, the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Tunisia, and Italy remain in custody in eastern Libya. The eastern Libyan government announced that non-Libyans and non-Egyptians are no longer permitted to travel onward to Egypt, citing respect for national sovereignty. The Italian consul general visited two Italian detainees, and authorities agreed to improve conditions but provided no deportation timeline. The Maghreb Sumud Organisation stated that most participants have returned to their countries, with a limited team remaining to follow up on aid delivery and detainee legal efforts.

Japan announced a contribution of more than $14 million to NATO's PURL initiative, exclusively for non-lethal equipment for Ukraine. The contribution will be coordinated with NATO and is part of Japan's ongoing support for Ukraine and strengthening Japan-NATO cooperation. The non-lethal equipment is expected to correspond to the support provided through NATO's CAP Trust Fund, to which Japan has contributed previously.

Background: Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair published a ten-page essay criticizing the Labour Party under Keir Starmer, warning it lacks a coherent plan and advocating for a 'radical center' policy. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch responded with an open letter in The Times, telling Blair to stop urging Labour to change course and instead vote Conservative. Badenoch criticized Blair's record on devolution and migration, arguing that only the Conservatives can deliver the political project he proposed, and dismissed potential Labour leadership challengers as 'no better' than Starmer. The exchange follows Starmer's own lengthy rebuttal to Blair and ongoing internal Labour tensions after poor election results and ministerial resignations.

Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, stated that Russian forces are producing staged videos to falsely claim the capture of Dobropasove and Stepove in Dnipropetrovsk region. Intelligence shows Russian units are 10-20 km from these towns, which remain under Ukrainian control. This disinformation effort aims to create a false narrative of Russian advances.

The UK government has expressed confidence that its submarine facilities in Barrow-in-Furness and Plymouth will continue to attract skilled personnel despite concerns that new AUKUS facilities in Australia could draw workers away. Defence Minister Luke Pollard acknowledged some personnel movement is inevitable but framed it as a benefit of global mobility, stating that the AUKUS programme will create thousands of jobs across all three partner countries and that initiatives like Team Barrow and Team Plymouth will enhance workforce retention.

Background: Russian shelling in Donetsk region has killed and wounded civilians, including a May 17 attack on Malotaranivka. On May 29, Russian forces conducted an airstrike on the residential area of Malotaranivka, damaging 16 residential buildings and injuring one person. Rescue workers extinguished a fire covering 15 square meters and provided medical assistance to the victim.

Iran International, a London-based Iranian exile broadcaster, had £650 million (€750 million) in debt written off by its shareholders in December, just before protests erupted in Iran. The broadcaster, which has significant influence on public opinion in Iran, particularly during internet blackouts, denies receiving state funds from Saudi Arabia or Israel. Its ownership was transferred to a Cayman Islands entity. Iran has designated the channel a terrorist organization.

Nine startups from Türk Telekom Ventures' Pilot accelerator program are in Silicon Valley to scale globally, gaining access to capital, cloud credits, and corporate networks. Turkish Airlines made its first AI-focused investment in procurement startup Vendorside. The ENHANCER PRO entrepreneurship grant program, funded by the EU and ICMPD, opened applications to support entrepreneurs in Türkiye, including Syrians under temporary protection.

DARPA has issued a Request for Information for new bunker-buster bomb technologies that move beyond traditional mass-velocity scaling to manipulate shock waves for destroying deeply buried targets, as adversaries like Iran and North Korea increasingly protect assets underground.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine denied Russian claims that the village of Novovasylivka in Kharkiv region was captured. Ukrainian forces repelled an assault by Russian motorized rifle regiments, killing four and capturing one. The military stated Novovasylivka remains under full Ukrainian control and reported demoralization among Russian troops.

The UK government has detailed the Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) programme, a successor to the Future Maritime Support Programme, which will unify in-service support for Royal Navy ships, submarines, and naval bases at Devonport, Clyde, and Portsmouth. The programme aims to improve availability, resilience, and value for money while supporting current and future platforms including Dreadnought, Type 26, and Fleet Solid Support Ships. Key milestones include approval of the Submarines Project Outline Business Case in April 2025, with Full Business Case expected in early 2026, and ongoing supplier negotiations. NSIGN is a Category A programme valued above £400 million.

The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $5.1 million contract to XR Training (XRT) to develop a virtual reality crew gunnery training prototype for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The simulator will feature AI-driven adversaries and realistic ocean physics, training crews in both the personnel and fighting variants. This contract is part of a broader overhaul of amphibious vehicle training following a deadly 2020 AAV mishap attributed to training shortfalls.

The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command has developed the Intrepid Battlefield EXoskeleton (IBEX), a lightweight shoulder-to-foot brace designed to enable soldiers with lower-limb injuries to stand, walk, and shoot when evacuation is delayed. The device aims to reduce the number of troops needed to carry wounded soldiers and keep more personnel combat-effective. The project, initiated in 2020, has been tested by the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps and is now on its third round of funding with a commercial partner.

Background: BAE Systems is integrating the Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo onto UK Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon MRA1 aircraft, with flight trials planned for Q3 2026 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The initial integration contract was awarded to BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd in December 2024, and work is ongoing. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that further phases of integration are anticipated in 2027 but remain subject to investment decisions. Minister of State for Defence Luke Pollard stated that the initial contract for basic integration was awarded in December 2024 and work is ongoing. A transparency notice published in April 2026 indicated a planned £19.2 million contract to BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited, with the contract due to be signed in February 2027 and running through to 2032 with an option to extend to 2035. The MoD cited BAE Systems’ unique technical expertise spanning more than 26 years as the basis for the direct award.

GE Aerospace has received an official order from Austal USA to supply an LM2500+G4 marine gas turbine engine for the lead ship of the US Navy's new Explorer-class ocean surveillance ships, USNS Don Walsh (T-AGOS 25). The engine will be housed in a lightweight composite enclosure, supporting the ship's integrated electric propulsion system for anti-submarine warfare and surveillance missions. This order marks a significant milestone for the T-AGOS 25 program and underscores the Navy's continued confidence in GE Aerospace's propulsion technology.

ESNA has unveiled a 22-meter Surface Effect Ship (SES) design for the UK-Norwegian Joint Commando Craft (JCC) program. The vessel, capable of 67 knots and beach landings, is designed for littoral commando operations in arctic conditions. It can carry up to 24 troops and 14 tons of payload, including vehicles and drones. The design will be presented at an industry day in Bergen.

The Royal Navy's Medical NavyPODS containerised medical module completed sea trials aboard HMS Protector off the east coast of England in late April, achieving Technology Readiness Level 8, one step below full system qualification. In a written response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Andrew Snowden on 27 May, Minister of State for Defence Luke Pollard confirmed that delivery timelines remain under ongoing assessment, declining to specify when the system will be available for operational use. The module is designed for rapid reconfiguration without permanent vessel modifications.