French First Lady Brigitte Macron was seen placing both hands on President Emmanuel Macron’s face in what appeared to be a playful shove as they were about to step off their plane during the opening of a diplomatic visit to Southeast Asia. The unexpected gesture, caught on video, sparked a flurry of speculation and headlines in France, though the president insisted it was all in good fun.
Footage from the scene—captured just as the aircraft door opened—quickly circulated online and in the French press.
President Macron brushed off the incident, describing it to reporters as lighthearted teasing between spouses. “We were just goofing around, joking together,” he said. “But it’s being treated like some sort of international incident.”

Iran would be able to withstand a collapse in nuclear talks with the United States, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday, responding after President Donald Trump characterized the most recent discussions with Tehran as “very good.”
Efforts are ongoing to settle the long-standing disagreement over Iran’s nuclear activities, with Trump warning of severe sanctions and potential military action if a new deal is not reached.
Commenting on the negotiations, Pezeshkian was quoted by Iranian state outlets saying, “It’s not like we will die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions. We will find a way to survive.” His statement underscored Iran’s insistence that it can endure U.S. pressure.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara issued a legal opinion on Monday declaring the appointment of Major General David Zini to lead the Shin Bet as both unlawful and invalid.
Baharav-Miara argued that Prime Minister Netanyahu should not have played a role in this appointment due to a conflict of interest. She maintained that such a decision must be made collectively by the government. “Netanyahu acted contrary to the Supreme Court’s Decision, while deliberately violating the binding legal guidelines. Looking to the future, the Prime Minister must refrain from dealing the the appointment of the Shin Bet director or an acting director, whether directly or indirectly, at least until the investigations into the relevant cases conclude,” Miara stated.

President Trump delivered a heartfelt Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring fallen military heroes while also taking a swipe at his predecessor. He promised the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its service members, stating, “We certainly know what we owe to them. Their valor gave us the freest, greatest, and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth, a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years.”

Russia responded on Monday to President Trump’s stinging rebuke of Vladimir Putin by implying that the American leader might be reacting out of heightened emotion. Trump had slammed the Russian president as “crazy” following an intensified military campaign in Ukraine.

Charlie Rangel, who represented New York City in Congress for nearly 50 years and became one of Harlem’s most prominent political figures, has passed away at the age of 94.
Rangel made history in 1971 when he unseated Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. to secure a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, launching a long and influential career in Washington.
“The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational force of nature,” wrote House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on X. “Harlem, NYC & America are better today because of his service.”
“May he forever rest in power,” Jeffries added.
In a heartfelt tribute, New York businessman and grocery chain owner John Catsimatidis described Rangel as “a symbol of Harlem, a fighter for justice, a skilled diplomat.”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu indicated that an update may be imminent concerning the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza.
“I hope we can announce something today or tomorrow regarding the hostages,” Netanyahu stated.
This remark came after a Reuters report claimed that Hamas had consented to release ten hostages in two separate batches in return for a ceasefire lasting seventy days.
Despite that report, Barak Ravid of Axios noted that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed the suggestion that Hamas had agreed to the terms he had proposed.
“What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable,” Witkoff told Ravid.

Israeli officials have reportedly issued stern warnings to several European governments, stating that if they go ahead with recognizing a Palestinian state without coordination, Israel may enact its own independent measures in response—potentially including moves to annex territories within the West Bank.
According to a foreign diplomat quoted by Haaretz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer personally cautioned both French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. He reportedly said that Israeli retaliation for any unilateral recognition could involve annexing Area C of the West Bank and formally recognizing unauthorized settlements.

President Donald Trump has warned that he may strip Harvard University of an additional $3 billion in federal grants, citing what he described as the school’s refusal to take action against antisemitism.
“I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The Trump administration had already rescinded $2.2 billion in federal support that had previously been earmarked for Harvard, blaming the decision on what it said was the university’s persistent tolerance of antisemitic incidents and discriminatory practices.

President Donald Trump marked Memorial Day with one of his trademark fiery messages, unleashing a pointed attack on his critics in a post filled with capital letters and strong language.