{"id":1502,"date":"2026-05-18T11:40:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T11:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/?p=1502"},"modified":"2026-05-18T11:40:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T11:40:05","slug":"first-thing-trump-warns-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-to-secure-peace-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/?p=1502","title":{"rendered":"First Thing: Trump warns \u2018clock is ticking\u2019 for Iran to secure peace deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"fb109ad3-5bd7-4f67-b444-112c1d0e4d06\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People walk past a mural depicting a U.S. aircraft carrier under missile attack in downtown Tehran, Iran.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7fd55803ddea3e722fb27b8671e91314522e1711\/118_0_5845_4676\/master\/5845.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A mural in Tehran depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack.<\/span> Photograph: Vahid Salemi\/AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"fb109ad3-5bd7-4f67-b444-112c1d0e4d06\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A mural in Tehran depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack.<\/span> Photograph: Vahid Salemi\/AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">First Thing: Trump warns \u2018clock is ticking\u2019 for Iran to secure peace deal<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>US president says there \u2018won\u2019t be anything left\u2019 of country if it does not reach agreement. Plus, how to become emotionally mature at any age<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Donald Trump has voiced impatience at the deadlock over peace talks with Iran, posting on social media: \u201cFor Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won\u2019t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">According to Axios, the US president is due to meet his national security team tomorrow to discuss the next steps. Trump also spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu before an Israeli security cabinet focused on Iran, Lebanon and Gaza, amid growing speculation in Israel that fighting with Iran could resume if there are no signs of compromise.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What else is happening in the region?<\/strong> The United Arab Emirates has blamed a fire near its nuclear power plant on a drone launched by Iran or one of its proxies, describing the incident as a \u201cdangerous escalation\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"trump-attacks-massie-as-republican-critic-describes-desperate-attempts-to-oust-him-from-primary\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Trump attacks Massie as Republican critic describes \u2018desperate\u2019 attempts to oust him from primary<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"9e0cd478-ae40-43ad-8235-9fcb81d4c4f4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Thomas Massie speaks during a House judiciary committee hearingThomas Massie speaks during a House judiciary committee hearing\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6d188389d4926601946e016805466a5ccac3d6f9\/131_0_6880_5504\/master\/6880.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"9e0cd478-ae40-43ad-8235-9fcb81d4c4f4\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Thomas Massie during a judiciary committee hearing.<\/span> Photograph: Jon Cherry\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With two days to go before the latest test of Trump\u2019s iron grip on the Republican party, the president went <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/17\/trump-thomas-massie-primary\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">head-to-head yesterday with his longtime adversary<\/a> Thomas Massie, the Kentucky congressman for his political survival in Tuesday\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Over an eight-hour stretch beginning in the early hours of Sunday, Trump used Truth Social to taunt Massie, one of few senior Republicans who has dared to defy him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Massie \u201cis the worst and most unreliable Republican congressman in the history of our Country\u201d, the rant began, followed by a mid-morning exhortation to Kentucky voters to \u201cvote the bum out on Tuesday\u201d.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Why is Massie Trump\u2019s nemesis?<\/strong> Massie has been a consistent thorn in Trump\u2019s side, voting against his signature tax and spending cuts bill, helping to force the justice department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, and insisting on congressional oversight over the military actions in Venezuela and Iran. Now he faces a bruising primary against his Trump-endorsed challenger, Ed Gallrein.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"workers-racing-to-turn-reflecting-pool-blue-for-trump-may-be-at-risk-union-warns\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Workers racing to turn reflecting pool blue for Trump may be at risk, union warns<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"50581c88-6cad-48b7-86e2-7c0877f431cd\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Workers apply a blue protective coating as part of a renovation project on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC on Friday.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/22086112c0430b45386d01878b072bdeb3613934\/131_0_4522_3620\/master\/4522.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.2361786819991\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"50581c88-6cad-48b7-86e2-7c0877f431cd\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Workers apply a blue protective coating as part of a renovation project on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC on Friday.<\/span> Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Workers renovating one of Washington DC\u2019s most historically significant sites, in a project ordered by Trump, may be putting their safety at risk as they race to complete the task before the US\u2019s 250th anniversary celebrations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/17\/trump-washington-dc-reflecting-pool\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a trade union monitoring the site has warned<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Union concerns have focussed on the reflecting pool on the National Mall \u2013 the site of Martin Luther King Jr\u2019s 1963 \u201cI have a dream speech\u201d \u2013 after it was drained and fenced off to allow contractors to complete upgrades by 4 July.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The pool has become a hive of frenetic repair activity,with vehicles and heavy equipment now occupying the space.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What is the union concerned about?<\/strong> Herbert Zaldivar, the business development director of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, said: \u201cWith this project, they are trying to rush on a timescale that is most likely to leave some liability with the contractor. The chemicals are hazardous. My concern is usually the level of risk when it\u2019s rushed. Are workers taking the rightful steps to protect themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-ice-turned-its-violent-arrest-of-a-us-citizen-into-online-content-stateside-with-kai-and-carter\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>How ICE turned its violent arrest of a US citizen into online content \u2013 Stateside with Kai and Carter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"6486e190-a230-47ca-a407-65c267be28a6\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Christian Cerna\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/94d7f97a73f7d2b37c57f9b7880c19a191d29636\/0_0_1350_1080\/master\/1350.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"6486e190-a230-47ca-a407-65c267be28a6\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">In June 2025, Christian Cerna was arrested by ICE after being accused of punching an officer at a protest.<\/span> Composite: Court records in USA v Cerna, Guardian-commissioned<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In June 2025, Christian Cerna went to a protest in his neighborhood against ICE raids and allegedly punched a border patrol agent. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault but denies that he ever hit the officer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Cerna was violently arrested in front of his family by ICE officers, who filmed the incident and posted the video to social media. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/video\/2026\/may\/15\/how-ice-turned-its-violent-arrest-of-a-us-citizen-into-content-stateside-with-kai-and-carter\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Christian tells Carter Sherman how the experience took a \u201cheavy toll\u201d on him<\/a>, and Sam Levin reveals the reporting behind the story.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What is Stateside with Kai and Carter?<\/strong>It\u2019s the new flagship video podcast for Guardian US, hosted by Wright and fellow journalist Carter Sherman. With new episodes three times a week, the show will bring the Guardian\u2019s global perspective and unique lens on the US to life. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/series\/stateside\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Watch and listen now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"0e9535ec-90dc-43d2-a1ad-b92619a82a93\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cate Blanchett at Cannes film festival\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/66a31661ada1d9ec0503df374cbbd03dd5999b1b\/172_0_2696_2157\/master\/2696.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0330118694362\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"0e9535ec-90dc-43d2-a1ad-b92619a82a93\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Cate Blanchett at Cannes film festival on Sunday. The Australian actor has long been outspoken about gender inequality.<\/span> Photograph: Daniele Cifal\u00e0\/NurPhoto\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Cate Blanchett has lamented that the #MeToo movement \u201cgot killed very quickly\u201d in Hollywood<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/may\/18\/cate-blanchett-cannes-film-festival-panel-film-metoo-gender-equality-hollywood\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Speaking at the Cannes film festival<\/a>, the Australian actor said there were still \u201c10 women and 75 men\u201d on film sets a decade later.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin exchanged \u201ccongratulatory letters\u201d yesterday <\/strong><strong>before the Russian president\u2019s <\/strong><strong>Beijing visit this week<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/18\/xi-jinping-vladimir-putin-china-russia-four-days-after-donald-trump-us-visit\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">four days after Trump left China<\/a> after a high-stakes summit.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/17\/who-ebola-outbreak-congo-uganda-global-health-emergency\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ebola outbreak<\/a> in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is a \u201cpublic health emergency of international concern\u201d<\/strong>, the World Health Organization has said.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-thousands-gather-in-washington-dc-for-daylong-us-themed-prayer-rally\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Stat of the day: Thousands gather in Washington DC for daylong <\/strong><strong>US-themed prayer rally<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"bd6ef6ee-be7b-4d5f-b383-89dbfd0a217c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A person among a crowd of worshippers holds aloft a sign that reads \u2018Jesus saves\u2019\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/47890235c4cbc133a7367f324ec0f8db5dccd5e2\/325_0_4788_3832\/master\/4788.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.1487050960735\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"bd6ef6ee-be7b-4d5f-b383-89dbfd0a217c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday.<\/span> Photograph: Seth Herald\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Thousands of people <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/17\/dc-national-mall-prayer-rally\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">streamed on to the National Mall for a daylong prayer rally<\/a> billed as a \u201crededication of our country as One Nation Under God\u201d. Worship music blared from a stage that made clear the event\u2019s Christian focus. Yesterday\u2019s White House-backed event has been criticized for blurring the line between the church and state.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-the-us-epoch-of-oil-is-collapsing-what-comes-next-could-be-ugly\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: The <\/strong><strong>US epoch of oil is collapsing. What comes next could be ugly<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"d121e78f-d9ae-4ab8-9578-0f6e0d19dd36\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Big boot stepping on wind turbines\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/356717d663c73160b1df7704cce1e067fd4fd270\/1_0_2999_2400\/master\/2999.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.1187062354118\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"d121e78f-d9ae-4ab8-9578-0f6e0d19dd36\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">China is dominating the energy transition with astonishing results.<\/span> Illustration: Guardian Design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">History shows that when the dominant source of energy changes, the global balance of power often shifts with it. We are now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/may\/17\/america-china-energy-oil-renewables\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">undergoing one such transition<\/a>, as the age of oil \u2013 dominated by the US, Russia and Gulf states \u2013 gives way to an era of renewables, overwhelmingly manufactured in China. Meanwhile, fossil fuel fascists in the US are attempting to turn back the clock.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"-or-this-how-to-become-emotionally-mature-at-any-age-we-often-dont-realise-the-hurt-were-causing\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>\u2026 or this: How to become emotionally mature \u2013 at any age<\/strong><strong>. \u2018We often don\u2019t realise the hurt we\u2019re causing\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"3db9cb86-915c-4aed-aa53-2ffeaaf7cf68\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image of a mother and baby by a window\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5b90f0d64e081c1fc19655ea99be28f938b7abba\/626_0_4306_3445\/master\/4306.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0206688341849\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3db9cb86-915c-4aed-aa53-2ffeaaf7cf68\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Children are \u2018sensitive, sentient; they feel things just as acutely as an adult does\u2019, says Gibson.<\/span> Photograph: Stanislaw Pytel\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe\u2019re in a system that\u2019s rigged toward people who are willing to take advantage of other people, to look out for their own interests and amass as much as they can for themselves,\u201d says Lindsay C Gibson, the author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. Gibson remains optimistic that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/2026\/may\/18\/how-to-become-emotionally-mature-at-any-age-we-often-dont-realise-the-hurt-were-causing\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a better society, built by more emotionally healthy people, is possible<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-experts-sound-alarm-as-north-americas-bees-start-swarm-season-unusually-early\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Climate check: Experts sound alarm as North America\u2019s bees start swarm season unusually early<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"1944c38b-3047-4053-8b8b-1b5ee27f689d\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-9\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A European honeybee collecting nectar from a yellow coneflower \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/989fdb28219cb775d339c1b91b7c6d0840778ccd\/215_0_4301_3443\/master\/4301.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.22762148337597\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-9\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"1944c38b-3047-4053-8b8b-1b5ee27f689d\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">This year\u2019s unusually early swarm season follows several years of record bee colony declines worldwide, a report says.<\/span> Photograph: ImageBroker.com\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After a series of record-breaking US heatwaves, the 2026 bee swarm season in North America has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/may\/17\/north-america-bees-early-swarm-season\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">started 17 days earlier than last year<\/a>, raising questions about how honeybees are responding to the climate crisis.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-peacock-invasion-of-italian-seaside-town-ruffles-feathers\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Last Thing: Peacock \u2018invasion\u2019 of Italian seaside town ruffles feathers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"f1e663ce-f8b5-4d49-b712-e29178243446\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-10\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A pair of peacocks on a roof\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/57452c9eb33edd749e4eef9d626a8d561c1398de\/858_0_6150_4920\/master\/6150.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-10\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"f1e663ce-f8b5-4d49-b712-e29178243446\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">According to legends, the peacock \u2013 a bird of Asian origin \u2013 was introduced to Europe by Alexander the Great.<\/span> Photograph: Paul Markillie\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Punta Marina, a seaside town on Italy\u2019s Adriatic coast in the Emilia-Romagna region, has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/16\/peacock-italy-punta-marina-tensions\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">overrun by peacocks<\/a> \u2013 much to the delight \u2013 and frustration \u2013 of residents. The birdshad previously lived in a nearby pine forest but wandered into the town during the Covid pandemic \u2013 and never left.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"1a5340cb-9390-4e2e-81af-d53ed3f60689\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-1vu3ut5\">\n<div class=\"dcr-p9o6z7\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Trump%20warns%20%E2%80%98clock%20is%20ticking%E2%80%99%20for%20Iran%20to%20secure%20peace%20deal%20%7C%20First%20Thing&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/18\/first-thing-trump-warns-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-to-secure-peace-deal?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F18%2Ffirst-thing-trump-warns-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-to-secure-peace-deal&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/18\/first-thing-trump-warns-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-to-secure-peace-deal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A mural in Tehran depicting a US aircraft carrier under missile attack. Photograph: Vahid Salemi\/AP View image in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1502"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1505,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1502\/revisions\/1505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}