Al-Jazeera headlines again as global media debate and Middle East tensions spike; Arabic news channel based in Doha, Qatar.
A U.S. submarine has sunk the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The incident resulted in 87 confirmed deaths, with rescue efforts ongoing. The attack marks the first time since WWII that a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy warship by torpedo.
A missile, likely Iranian, hit a women's hair salon in Beit Awwa, West Bank, killing three women and injuring 13. The incident marks a rare deadly attack in the area amid ongoing regional conflict, with conflicting reports on the cause of the blast.
Avi Lewis has been elected leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, promising to rebuild the party after its worst electoral losses. Lewis, known for his anti-Zionist stance and family political legacy, campaigned on principles including affordability and the environment. His victory signals a shift in the party's direction.
Stephen Lewis, a prominent Canadian diplomat, activist, and advocate for human rights and African AIDS awareness, has died at age 88. His family announced his death from stomach cancer, which he battled for eight years. Lewis's career included UN roles and political leadership, leaving a lasting legacy.
Al Jazeera has established a secret backup studio in Doha amid fears of Israeli cyberattacks and missile threats. The network is also preparing contingency plans to shift coverage to London and Washington if its main facilities are compromised, as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Ten years after the Panama Papers leak, Nigerian investigations prompted legal reforms, including a Beneficial Ownership Register, but no prosecutions have followed. The revelations exposed offshore assets of prominent figures, shaping Nigeria's financial transparency efforts.
Turkey's energy minister discusses the global energy crisis caused by Iran's attacks on key infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis impacts oil prices and supply, with hopes for peace and stability. Turkey emphasizes energy diversification and strategic reserves.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shared a 2024 video showing Israeli soldiers abusing Palestinians, prompting Israel's foreign ministry to accuse him of spreading disinformation. The incident involves a Palestinian man pushed from a roof in the West Bank, which Israel claims was investigated. Lee defends his stance, emphasizing human rights.
Israeli forces have targeted Hamas operatives in Gaza, killing several including commanders linked to recent hostilities. The strikes follow ongoing clashes and violations of the ceasefire, with casualties reported on both sides. The situation remains tense as Israel continues military operations in response to threats.
Since late April 2026, Russia and Ukraine have been exchanging sustained drone and missile attacks that have killed civilians, damaged ports, hospitals and housing, and struck energy infrastructure on both sides. Overnight into 5 May, strikes have hit Ukrainian energy facilities and cities and Ukrainian forces have struck major Russian oil and industrial sites.
Executives from more than two dozen global news organisations have urged Israel to grant independent access to Gaza for foreign journalists, arguing on-the-ground reporting is essential despite security concerns. The appeal comes amid a ceasefire and ongoing restrictions, with no immediate response from Israel.
More than 160 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have been taken to Crete after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters. Organisers say 168 crew members have been moved to Greek boats, with 22 ships intercepted and 47 still at sea. The United States has warned of consequences for supporters, while European states express concern over international-law questions surrounding the detentions.
Iran has delivered a written response to a U.S. peace proposal via Pakistani mediators and is calling for an end to fighting across the region, lifting of sanctions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has rejected Iran’s terms as "totally unacceptable," and clashes and maritime incidents are continuing to push oil prices higher.
The White House correspondents’ dinner incident has sparked widespread conspiracy theories online, highlighting deep political mistrust and the polarized media landscape. Coverage indicates that major outlets reported the event as it unfolded, while political commentators and researchers point to the volatile mix of weapons discourse and online narratives.
North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC is set to face Suwon FC Women in the AFC Women’s Champions League semifinal in Suwon on May 20, the first inter-Korean women’s club match in the South since 2018. A North Korean delegation will travel with 27 players and 12 staff, while South Korea restricts flags and national anthems under security rules.
The Middle East conflict has pushed up fuel, fertiliser and packaging costs, feeding higher food prices globally. Retailers warn inflation is likely to continue if the war persists, while farmers face rising input costs and potential production cuts.
ASEAN leaders are coordinating a regional response to energy and food security amid disruptions from the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz closure. The Philippines is chairing the Cebu summit, pushing a voluntary oil-sharing framework, a regional power grid, and measures to diversify energy sources while maintaining open sea lanes.
The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for nine southern Lebanon villages amid ongoing strikes despite a truce, while the United States says it will facilitate talks between Israel and Lebanon next week. Reports indicate casualties in Nabatiyeh and along the Burj Rahhal–Abbasiyeh corridor, with Hezbollah-linked targets and a widening humanitarian impact as talks loom.
Surveys and industry reports have found hotel bookings in many 2026 World Cup host cities are running below forecasts as of late May 2026. Operators in Kansas City, Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver and other markets have reported occupancy behind typical seasonal demand, while short-term rentals and markets such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Dallas and Toronto are showing pockets of strength.
Prince Harry has written in the New Statesman about rising antisemitism in Britain, saying it is deeply troubling and that legitimate protest over Middle East events must not translate into hostility toward Jewish communities. The piece follows a surge in antisemitic incidents in London and growing concerns amid pro-Palestinian protests. The coverage spans reactions from police, faith leaders and Jewish communal bodies as Britain grapples with safety and free expression.
Protests over recent fuel-price hikes have intensified, with multiple cities experiencing unrest as transport operators strike. Authorities report arrests and disruptions to daily life, while officials attribute the rises to global oil market volatility and domestic tax measures.
New York City Mayor Mamdani has posted a Nakba Day video featuring a Palestinian survivor. The one‑sided framing has drawn swift pushback from Jewish groups and lawmakers who say the portrayal omits counterpoint history and risks inflaming antisemitism. The video was released as Nakba Day rallies unfold in New York and amid broader debate over how history is presented in public messaging.
Armed attackers have abducted dozens of students from a primary school in Mussa, Borno State, and at least 40 more from a Baptist school in Oyo State. Authorities are assessing numbers while rights groups warn that abductions are driving families to pull children from school.
Negotiations between the United States and Iran have been reported to be moving toward a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, include a 60-day truce, some sanctions relief and renewed nuclear talks. The disruption of Hormuz has already reduced oil and fertiliser flows, pushed up energy and food prices and is threatening severe economic pain for vulnerable developing countries.
Vladimir Putin has visited Beijing on May 19–20 to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino‑Russian Treaty. Xi Jinping and Putin have signed about 40 cooperation documents, extended their friendship treaty, and issued a joint declaration advocating a multipolar world while expanding energy and trade links measured largely in yuan and roubles.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has met Russian president Vladimir Putin in Beijing this week and the two leaders have signed more than 40 cooperation agreements, extended a 2001 friendship treaty, and emphasised growing energy and trade links while calling for a halt to fighting in the Middle East. The visit has followed US president Donald Trump’s talks with Xi days earlier.
Putin has arrived in Beijing as Xi Jinping hosts him in the Great Hall of the People for talks on a wide agenda, including energy, Iran, and Ukraine. The visit marks a long-standing Sino-Russian partnership, with both leaders signalling a deepening, multipolar alignment.
The U.S. Embassy in India has launched a campaign featuring auto-rickshaws adorned with portraits of Trump and the Statue of Liberty to celebrate 250 years of American independence, with the rollout described as part of broader outreach. The initiative is unfolding as ties with India face broader scrutiny after tariff tensions, and questions remain about the reach and impact of the ads.
As Eid al-Adha begins, displaced Gazans, Iranians facing inflation, and West Bank families coping with displacement and violence are contending with high meat and goods prices, driving hardship and altered celebrations amid ongoing conflicts and sanctions.