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.
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May 23, 2026 (Saturday)
3.4 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Financial Times 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.
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.
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.
A Ukrainian drone attack causes a fire at a Transneft oil terminal in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.
Iran's Fars News Agency reports that the agreement will allow Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz.
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.
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.
Arts and culture
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu wins his second Palme d'Or for the drama film Fjord at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in France.
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.
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.
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.
An Ebola clinic run by Doctors Without Borders is set on fire by residents in Mongbwalu, Djugu Territory, Ituri Province, DRC.
India issues a travel advisory to Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan amidst the Ebola outbreak.
International relations
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.
France bans Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir permanently following his actions towards members of the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained by the Israeli Navy several days earlier.
Law and crime
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.
A gunman opens fire at a security checkpoint outside the White House in Washington, D.C., wounding a bystander. The suspect is killed by the United States Secret Service.
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.
Thousands of people march through Madrid, Spain, to demand prime minister Pedro Sánchez to resign following several corruption scandals in his cabinet and his family.
Sports
The Iran national football team moves their squad's base to Tijuana, Mexico, with approval from FIFA to avoid visa-related issues with the United States.
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.
In association football, amid the backdrop of the Southampton F.C. espionage incident as a result of which Southampton were expelled, 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.
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.
In women's association football, Spain's FC Barcelona beat France's OL Lyonnes 4–0 to win the their Women's Champions League title at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway.
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.
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.
In association football, Lech Poznań win their second consecutive and 10th-ever Ekstraklasa title in the final game of the season.
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