Israel said that it has targeted the new military chief of Hamas, Mohamed Odeh, just 11 days after his predecessor was killed.
Source:
Ynetnews 
May 26
Armed conflicts and attacks
Sudanese Armed Forces announce that they have recaptured four more towns in the Blue Nile region following clashes with Rapid Support Forces and Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM–N).
Source:
TRT World
Law and crime
A jury is sworn in for the criminal trial of former Northern Irish MP Jeffrey Donaldson for sexual offences, which is to begin at 10:30 the following day. His wife Eleanor is undergoing a separate trial of the facts as she was deemed to be unfit to stand trial by medical experts.
Source:
RTÉ
Business and economy
BP chair Albert Manifold is removed with immediate effect over "serious" conduct concerns.
Source:
BBC News
The Uzbek National Statistics Committee reports that Uzbekistan has resumed the export of gold in April with an export of $1.5 billion following a six-month pause.
Source:
Zamin
Disasters and accidents
Four people, including two children, are killed and five more injured in a collision between a train and a school bus in Buggenhout, Belgium.
Source:
RTÉ
Multiple people are killed, 10 others are critically injured and multiple are missing in a major chemical explosion at a facility in Longview, Washington, United States.
Source:
KGW
Six people are killed after entering an under-construction septic tank in Kalahandi District, India.
Source:
Xinhua
Three people are killed and three others are injured after an overpass collapses in Seoul, South Korea.
Source:
Xinhua
Politics and elections
The South Carolina Senate rejects an redistricting effort to change the congressional districts in the U.S. state of South Carolina before the upcoming U.S. midterms.
Source:
NPR
May 25
Science and technology
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian orders the Internet in Iran to be restored, bringing an end to a 87-day blackout in the wake of the Iran war that started three months ago.
Internet censorship in IranImpact of the 2026 Iran war on Iran2026 Internet blackout in IranCensorship during the 2026 Iran war
Source:
Reuters
Sports
In basketball, the New York Knicks eliminate the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games with a 130–93 victory to win the NBA Eastern Conference and advance to the 2026 NBA Finals, their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. They will face the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Source:
Sportsnet
Politics and elections
Cambodian senate president and acting head of state Hun Sen grants a pardon to opposition leader Kem Sokha, ending his 27-year treason sentence while maintaining restrictions on his political rights and international travel.
Source:
BBC News
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is re-elected as speaker of the Iranian parliament for a seventh consecutive year.
Source:
IRNA
Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye appoints Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as prime minister, replacing Ousmane Sonko, whom Faye dismissed on 22 May.
Source:
The Korea Herald
Health and environment
Source:
NBC News
The World Health Organization warns that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is outpacing response efforts, with at least 220 suspected deaths reported.
Source:
AFP via France 24
Law and crime
Around 20 people are injured at the Ginza Six shopping complex in Tokyo, Japan, after a man sprays an unidentified substance near an ATM, prompting reports of a strong odor inside the building.
Source:
The Japan Times
Business and economy
Oil prices decrease by 5% in Asia early trading amidst hopes of a Iran–U.S. ceasefire deal to end the war.
Source:
AFP via ABS-CBN News
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX 60 Composite Index climbs to 0.7% at 34,778.98 points, a record high, amidst hopes for a US-Iran deal.
Source:
Reuters
Disasters and accidents
The death toll of the building collapse in Angeles, Philippines, rises to four, while search operations are ongoing for 17 people still missing.
Source:
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The search for those unaccounted after a landslide at a gold mine in Canacassala, Angola, three days ago, has ended with 28 people killed in total and four rescued.
Source:
Reuters
A truck overturns on a highway in Tangail District, Bangladesh, killing 15 people and wounding ten more.
Source:
AP
One person is killed and 17 more injured when a train collides with a truck at a railway crossing in Rogoźno, Poland.
Source:
in Polish
Armed conflicts and attacks
Pakistani military chief Asim Munir and prime minister Shehbaz Sharif visit Beijing for talks with Chinese officials as part of mediation efforts related to the war.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)2026 Iran war2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations2026 Iran war ceasefireChina in the 2026 Iran warPakistan in the 2026 Iran warChina–Pakistan relations
Source:
AFP via LBCI
Several United States officials report that U.S. president Donald Trump had asked Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to join the Abraham Accords en masse to normalize relations with Israel as he tries to negotiate an agreement to end the war with Iran, while Pakistan boycotted the proposal.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)2026 Iran war2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations2026 Iran war ceasefireAbraham Accords
Source:
Reuters
An Iranian delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in Doha, Qatar, for peace talks aimed at ending the war.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)2026 Iran war2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations2026 Iran war ceasefire
Source:
Al Jazeera
Crude oil tanker arrives in Japan after previously becoming the first Japanese-owned ship to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the war started on February 28.
Source:
The Japan Times
The U.S. Central Command announces that it launched "self-defense" airstrikes in southern Iran, including strikes on surface-to-air missile launch sites in Bandar Abbas and on IRGC Navy boats attempting to lay mines. However, two sources state that the ceasefire remains intact. Additionally, Mehr News Agency reports that the situation is calm.
Source:
The Hill
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he has ordered the military to intensify strikes against Hezbollah.
Source:
The Times of Israel
Human Rights Watch accuses the United Arab Emirates of training Colombian mercenaries near Abu Dhabi, including a military base in Al Dhafra, to fight alongside the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's civil war.
Sudanese civil war (2023–present)Darfur campaign (2023–present)Colombia–United Arab Emirates relations
Source:
AP
Around 21 civilians have been killed over the last two days in drone strikes conducted by the RSF at markets in the North Darfur towns of Al-Tina and Kornoi.
Source:
Sudan Tribune
May 24
Disasters and accidents
A Malaysian citizen dies after a nine-storey building, under construction as a condo-hotel, collapses in Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines. At least 26 people are rescued, while search operations are ongoing for 23 others still missing.
Source:
CNA
Source:
Xinhua
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy reports that 33 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz after receiving permission in the past 24 hours.
Source:
Iran International
The Iranian military shoots down an alleged Israeli surveillance drone over Hormozgan province, Iran.
Source:
Iran International
At least 30 people are killed and over 52 are injured after the explosion of a bomb at a car park near a train station in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. The Balochistan Liberation Army claims responsibility.
Source:
The Independent Urdu
The Ukrainian Security Service reports that Ukrainian forces have successfully launched an overnight drone strike on the Vtorovo oil pumping station in the Vladimir Oblast in Russia.
Source:
Kyiv Independent
Four people are killed and over a hundred are injured in a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine. The National Chernobyl Museum is severely damaged, among other buildings.
Source:
Meduza
Sudanese Armed Forces announces that they have seized control of Al-Barka in the Blue Nile region of Sudan. The SAF's Fourth Infantry Division confirmed the military operation in a statement.
Source:
Sudan Tribune
Law and crime
Bahrain sentences nine people to life in prison for espionage on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Source:
Iran International
Hundreds of inmates seize control of a prison in Barinas, Venezuela, and protest alleged torture and abuse, demanding the removal of the prison director as security forces surround the facility.
Source:
The Sun
Four people are killed and one of the gunmen is injured in a mass shooting in Kabul, Afghanistan. Two suspects are arrested.
Source:
Pajhwok Afghan News
Politics and elections
Iranian Americans gather in San Francisco, California, US at the Ferry Building to oppose an immediate end to the Iran War, citing concerns that it would leave the Islamic Republic regime in power and undermine hopes for changes in the country.
Source:
CBS San Francisco
DISY wins the most with 17 seats, followed by AKEL in second with 15 seats and ELAM in third with eight seats. ALMA and Direct Democracy Cyprus enter the legislature with four seats each.
Source:
Phileleftheros
Source:
Reuters
Turkish police raid the headquarters of the Republican People's Party and evict its leadership, including Özgür Özel.
Source:
Reuters
Residents of Kraków, Poland, have overwhelmingly backed the dismissal of Mayor Aleksander Miszalski (Civic Platform) and the city council in a local recall referendum for the first time in the city's history. Exit polls have shown a 33.4% voter turnout with 97.8% of voters backing dismissing Miszalski, while 96.0% supported removing the council.
Source:
TVP World
In Senegal, Malick Ndiaye resigns as National Assembly president following the dismissal of prime minister Ousmane Sonko, clearing the way for Sonko to seek the parliament's presidency amid tensions within the ruling coalition.
Source:
Bloomberg
Sports
In auto racing, Meyer Shank's Felix Rosenqvist defeats Penske's David Malukas to win the 110th Indianapolis 500, giving Meyer Shank its second victory in the event. The margin of victory is 0.023 seconds, making it the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history.
Source:
FOX Sports
The president of the Iranian football federation says FIFA has approved the country's World Cup training base being switched from the United States to Mexico due to the ongoing conflict.
Source:
BBC Sport
Health and environment
At least 16 people die from heat stroke in Telangana, India, as temperatures exceed 45 °C (113 °F) during a heat wave, prompting public safety measures from the government.
Source:
Hindustan Times
May 23
Law and crime
A gunman opens fire at a security checkpoint outside the White House in Washington, D.C., wounding a bystander, with the suspect killed by Secret Service guards.
Source:
Reuters
The Syrian General Intelligence Directorate and the Turkish National Intelligence Organization conduct a joint operation in Syria and arrest ten people allegedly linked with ISIL.
Source:
Al Jazeera
Politics and elections
Tens of thousands of people rally in Belgrade, Serbia, to protest against the government and president Aleksandar Vučić, and call for earlier parliamentary and presidential elections.
Source:
AFP via France 24
Thousands of people march through Madrid, Spain, demanding the resignation of prime minister Pedro Sánchez following several corruption scandals involving his cabinet and his family.
Source:
Reuters
Health and environment
The International Red Cross announces that three of its local volunteers have died from Ebola while working in the Djugu Territory, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in March.
Source:
CBS News
India issues a travel advisory to Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan amidst the Ebola outbreak.
Source:
The Hindu
Uganda's health ministry confirms three new Ebola cases, a woman who traveled from the DRC and two Ugandan workers that had contact with her, bringing the country's total to five cases and one death.
Source:
RFI
An Ebola clinic run by Doctors Without Borders is set on fire by residents in Mongbwalu, Djugu Territory, Ituri Province, DRC.
Source:
AP
International relations
France permanently bans Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following his actions towards members of the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained by the Israeli Navy several days earlier.
Source:
Politico
In accordance with bilateral agreements, Vietnam grants 40 scholarships to Ukrainians for the 2026–2027 academic year for bachelor's, master's, and postgraduate degrees, including a one-year language course for those who do not speak Vietnamese. Kazakhstan also grants 40 scholarships for similar degrees.
Source:
Interfax-Ukraine
Arts and culture
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu wins his second Palme d'Or for the drama film at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in France.
Source:
Korea JoongAng Daily
Armed conflicts and attacks
Iran, the United States, and mediator Pakistan reports that progress has been made in ceasefire talks, with the Iranian foreign ministry saying that Iran is focused on finalizing a memorandum of understanding.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)2026 Iran war2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations2026 Iran war ceasefirePakistan in the 2026 Iran war
Source:
Reuters
The reports that mediators are nearing a deal to extend the ceasefire between Iran and the United States by 60 days and establish a framework for nuclear talks.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)2026 Iran war2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations2026 Iran war ceasefire
Source:
Financial Times
U.S. president Donald Trump says that the details of the emerging agreement will be "announced shortly," and that it will include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)2026 Iran war2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations2026 Iran war ceasefire
Source:
Al Jazeera
The U.S. Central Command says that they have redirected 100 commercial ships and disabled four others from the Strait of Hormuz since the blockade started.
Source:
AA
Iran's Fars News Agency reports that the agreement will allow Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz.
Source:
Reuters
The Lebanese Civil Defense reports that an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Sir el Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon, has killed at least 11 people and injured six.
Source:
Dawn
A Ukrainian drone attack causes a fire at a Transneft oil terminal in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.
Source:
ABC News
During a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, political groups in Sudan including the Somoud alliance and Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid al-Nur approve a roadmap in a effort to end the civil war in the country.
Source:
AA
Sports
In association football, amid the expulsion of Southampton F.C. due to the espionage incident, Hull City beat Middlesborugh at Wembley Stadium in London 1–0 in the play-off finals to secure promotion to the English Premier League for the next season.
Source:
BBC Sport
The Iran national football team moves its squad's base to Tijuana, Mexico, with approval from FIFA to avoid visa-related issues with the United States.
Source:
Al Jazeera
The DR Congo national football team announces that it will maintain its planned schedule, including two friendly matches in Belgium and Spain, before going to Houston, Texas, United States, for the World Cup, despite being warned to isolate, stating the entire squad is based outside of the DRC.
Source:
Reuters
In association football, Celtic beat second-tier Dunfermline Athletic 3–1 to win a record-extending 43th Scottish Cup title and complete the double this season.
Source:
ESPN
In women's association football, Spain's FC Barcelona beat France's OL Lyonnes 4–0 to win their fourth Women's Champions League title at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway.
Source:
The Guardian
In women's association football, North Korea's Naegohyang beat Japan's Tokyo Verdy 1–0 to win the AFC Women's Champions League at the Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
Source:
The Guardian
In rugby union, Union Bordeaux Bègles beat Leinster Rugby 41–19 at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Basque County, Spain, to win the European Rugby Champions Cup, thus completing a treble.
Source:
BBC Sport
In association football, Lech Poznań end their season with a second consecutive and 10th-ever Ekstraklasa title.
Source:
beIN Sports
Disasters and accidents
California governor Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency in Orange County, California, U.S., in response to a possible release of methyl methacrylate in Garden Grove.
Source:
BBC News
28 gold miners are buried to seath after the illegal mineshaft they were working collapses due to a landslide.
Source:
Reuters