US planning to threaten to revoke visas of Palestinian delegation if its envoy seeks vice presidency of the General Assembly (LINK) — 21 May 2026
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention temporarily bans travel to the U.S. for people without American passports who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan or Uganda in the past three weeks: A flight bound for Detroit was diverted to Canada over Ebola fears after a passenger from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) "incorrectly" boarded the plane (LINK) — 20 May 2026
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said Wednesday that 51 Ebola cases had been confirmed in DRC's northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, "although we know the scale of the epidemic is much larger." He said Uganda has also reported two confirmed cases in the capital, Kampala. "Beyond the confirmed cases, there are almost 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths," he said. "We expect those numbers to keep increasing." There is a low risk of the outbreak spreading globally, he added, but a high risk of it spreading nationally and regionally in DRC and Uganda.
Vaccine to tackle Ebola outbreak will take six to nine months, says WHO, as the number of suspected cases rose to 600 (LINK) — 20 May 2026
WHO chief "deeply concerned about the scale and speed" of Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda that has resulted in a spike in deaths — to at least 130 — and more than 500 suspected cases (LINK) — 19 May 2026
— The outbreak is complicated by the rare strain of the disease, known as Bundibugyo, that standard field tests often miss and for which there are no vaccines or therapeutics. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of emerging cases in urban areas, including reports of cases in Uganda's capital, Kampala, and Goma, a crossroads city in Congo that borders Rwanda. The Intercept: Experts say Trump administration policies — like dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development and withdrawing from WHO — have further undermined global health security and negatively impacted the response to the outbreak.
World has 6 months to avert major food crisis, says FAO as Hormuz struggle drags on (LINK) — 20 May 2026
UN backs historic climate crisis ruling by 141-8, despite US attempts to stop resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change (LINK) — 20 May 2026
— US, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia — some of the highest oil-producing nations and major greenhouse gas emitters — opposed the measure.
Former Cuban president Raúl Castro indicted in US over 1996 fatal downing of two planes (LINK) — 20 May 2026
UAE says new pipeline that will bypass Strait of Hormuz is nearly 50% complete (LINK) — 20 May 2026
Ballroom won't be funded after Senate GOP drops $1 billion Trump security request: multiple Republican senators objected to sending taxpayer dollars to the president's East Wing revamp (LINK) — 20 May 2026
Thousands of passengers stranded as airlines cancel European flights: Ryanair and British Airways hit by 'major disruption' (LINK) — 20 May 2026
U.S. crude oil falls below $100 per barrel after Trump says Iran talks in final stages (LINK) — 20 May 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushes for 'leaner' UN in call with Guterres (LINK) — 19 May 2026
— Rubio advanced President Donald Trump's vision for a "back-to-basics" United Nations that is "leaner and more accountable," including supporting a candidate proposed by Washington to lead the UN World Food Programme. Rubio stated that new leadership would bring "greater transparency and results-oriented management" while preserving the United States' "historic commitment to global food security." Rubio also discussed halting Iran's "unlawful mining and tolling of the Strait of Hormuz", claiming a draft UN Security Council resolution has "overwhelming support". The two leaders additionally reviewed coordinated US responses to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Nigeria and U.S. forces announce they killed over 20 Islamic State group militants in weekend offensive (LINK) — ground.news: 53 media reports (LINK) — 19 May 2026
Russian overnight attack damages 25 homes in Kharkiv, hits Izmail port infrastructure (LINK) — 19 May 2026
US President Trump, family granted immunity from pending tax audits (LINK) — 19 May 2026
Starbucks Korea CEO fired after 'Tank Day' promo evokes brutal 1980 crackdown on democracy (LINK) — 19 May 2026
US: Trump administration unveils $1.7bn fund to compensate his allies who allege they were unfairly investigated by the Biden administration as he drops tax lawsuit (LINK) — 18 May 2026
— BBC: Democrats criticised the settlement as a "slush fund" paid out of taxpayer money for Trump and his cronies from a federal agency overseen by him. The lawsuit's plaintiffs, which include Trump's elder sons and the Trump Organization, will receive an apology, but no monetary compensation, the department said.
Trump drops 'unprecedented' $10 billion lawsuit against IRS over leaked tax records (LINK) — 18 May 2026
Trump says attack on Iran held off upon Gulf states' request (LINK) — 18 May 2026
Iran says it responded to 'excessive' US proposal, after Trump warns 'clock ticking' (LINK) — 18 May 2026
Israel says it killed the leader of Hamas' military wing, one of the architects of Oct. 7 attacks, in Gaza City air strike on 15 May (LINK) — ground.news: 346 media reports (LINK) — 18 May 2026
— Known as the 'Ghost of al-Qassam', Haddad assumed leadership of the militant group's military wing after his predecessor, Mohammed Sinwar, was killed. Mohammed Deif, the longtime commander of Hamas's armed wing and considered an architect of the attack, was also killed during the war.
Netanyahu says Israel 'very close' to eliminating Oct 7 attack masterminds — (LINK)
Bessent grants a 30-day extension for Russian oil in tankers as Iran war squeezes supply (LINK) — ground.news: 101 media reports (LINK) — 18 May 2026
Strategists see European oil shortages within weeks as inventories are depleted (LINK) — 18 May 2026
Israeli law for execution of Palestinian prisoners of terror-related murders against Israelis goes into force in West Bank (New Arab: LINK) — ground.news: media reports (LINK) — 17 May 2026
— The Knesset passed legislation on March 30, 2026, with 62 lawmakers in favour and 48 against, allowing military courts to impose capital punishment for terrorism-motivated killings while removing pardon authority.
Global scramble to contain new Ebola outbreak as US looks to relocate 'small number' of citizens affected (LINK) — 18 May 2026
Three adults killed and two teen suspects dead in shooting at San Diego Islamic Center, police say (LINK) — ground.news: 305 media reports (LINK) — 18 May 2026
— The teenagers, 17 and 19, were found dead in a vehicle nearby of gunshot wounds that appeared to be self-inflicted. A security guard who was killed apparently helped prevent deaths.Police said the guard "played a pivotal role in assisting from this being much worse."