(2026-05-18). Israel launches strikes on southern Lebanon despite extending 'ceasefire'. aljazeera.com Al Jazeera's Obaida Hitto reports from Tyre in southern Lebanon on the latest Israeli strikes in the region.
(2026-05-18). Israel kills 5 as Hezbollah condemns talks. tribune.com.pk 
Israeli strikes killed five people including two children in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the Lebanese health ministry said, despite a fragile ceasefire as Hezbollah called US-brokered talks between the two countries a "dead end". | The ministry published a "preliminary toll" for Israel's strikes on Sunday, with three people killed in the town of Tayr Felsay, including a child, and two killed in the town of Tayr Debba, including another child. | It said 11 people were wounded in those strikes and four more were wounded in strikes in two other southern towns. | Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to strike w…
(2026-05-18). Friday 5/29: Free Benefit Show for HEALPALESTINE.ORG. indybay.org San Jose Peace and Justice Center (48 S 7th St., San Jose, CA, 95112)…
(2026-05-18). Saturday 6/6: Shut it Down! How Tech Companies Power Genocide, Detention, and Deportation. indybay.org Online | www.eventbrite.com/e/shut-it-down-how-te……
(2026-05-18). UN special rapporteur urges Mediterranean states to protect Global Sumud Flotilla. tribune.com.pk 
UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese urged Mediterranean countries on Monday to protect a Gaza-bound aid flotilla after activists reported unidentified vessels near their convoy in international waters. | "Hands off the Flotilla," Albanese wrote on X, calling on Mediterranean states to "protect the civilian vessels that are trying to break Israel's genocidal siege on Gaza." She also urged governments to "break the siege," "end complicity with Apartheid" and "make justice happen." | Hands off the Flotilla. | I urge Mediterranean states to protect the civilian vessels…
(2026-05-18). Trump's stark warning: 'Clock ticking' for Iran. tribune.com.pk 
President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran that "there won't be anything left of them" if Tehran does not quickly agree to a peace deal with the United States, as tensions in the region escalated following a drone strike that sparked a fire near a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). | Washington has been locked in conflict with Tehran since major strikes on Iran began on February 28 and a ceasefire was later implemented in April. Since then, however, the US has struggled to make any progress toward ending a war that has shaken the Middle East and sent energy prices climbing. | Writing on h…
(2026-05-18). Is UAE Paying the Price for Its Alliance With Israel and the West? thinktank.pk The latest drone strike near the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant has once again exposed a dangerous geopolitical reality in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates is increasingly facing strategic isolation inside the Arab world while simultaneously becoming a primary target in Iran's regional confrontation with the United States and Israel. The attack, which triggered …
(2026-05-18). Over 800 artifacts from Mexico, Peru on display at Beijing exhibition. ecns.cn The Maize ∑Gold ∑Jaguar: A Grand Exhibition of Ancient Maya and Andean Civilizations opened at the Capital Museum in Beijing on Sunday.
(2026-05-18). Trump Out, Putin In: What China's Diplomatic Timing Really Means. thinktank.pk Just days after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his high-profile visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping moved quickly to host Russian President Vladimir Putin for another strategic summit. The timing has triggered intense geopolitical debate across global capitals: was this merely diplomatic scheduling, or a carefully crafted signal from China to the West? The …
(2026-05-18). After Trump's China trip, White House plans new attack on Iran. wsws.org Just days after Trump's return from Beijing, American imperialism is making active preparations for a renewed onslaught against Iran.
(2026-05-18). Trump's China trip assessed, South Korea's AI problem: 5 weekend reads you missed. scmp.com We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. | 1. Trump leaves China after much pomp and pageantry, but little to show for it | 2. Trump and his CEOs want China's business — but has Asia moved on? | 3. What do travellers need to know when Hong Kong airport's Terminal 2 opens? | 4. Reality deficit: how South Korea lost the plot on AI…
(2026-05-18). Ghalibaf Named China Envoy: Are Iran-Beijing Ties Deepening? juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — On May 16, Iranian speaker of Parliament Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf "The world stands at the cusp of a new order. | As President Xi said 'The transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the globe,' and I emphasize that the Iranian nation's 70-day resistance has accelerated this transformation. | The future belongs to the Global South." | Ghalibaf was referring to a passage in the
(2026-05-18). UAE ditches oil for AI to build Global South tech 'bridge'. scmp.com No country on Earth has adopted artificial intelligence faster than the United Arab Emirates — and the Middle Eastern cultural crossroad's ambitions to become an AI bridge to the Global South just got another major leg up with the delivery of the latest, cutting-edge US-designed chips. | But those ambitions are taking shape in a hostile environment. Amid the US-Israel war on Iran, Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has repeatedly taken aim at major Emirati data centres, developed in…
(2026-05-18). Iran War Economic Impact: Gulf States Count the Cost. juancole.com The Conversation) — The US and Israel's war on Iran has cast a long shadow over the Gulf. It has placed many of the economies that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regional grouping — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia — under substantial strain. | Since the war began in February, the World Bank has downgraded its 2026 GDP growth forecast for the reg…
(2026-05-18). Israel built 2 secret military bases in Iraq for operations against Iran: report. tribune.com.pk 
Israel built two covert military sites in Iraq's western desert to support operations against Iran, according to a report Sunday by the New York Times. | The newspaper, citing Iraqi and regional officials, said a newly disclosed site was one of two covert facilities used intermittently by Israel inside Iraq for more than a year. The officials said the sites were used for air support, refuelling, and medical services and later played a role during the 12-day war against Iran in June 2025. | One of the sites came to light after Iraqi shepherd Awad al-Shammari encountered unusual military activity near al-Nukhaib…
(2026-05-18). US weighs drone threat from Cuba: report. tribune.com.pk 
Cuba has obtained more than 300 military drones and recently began discussing plans to use them to attack the US base at Guantanamo Bay, US military vessels and possibly even Florida, Axios reported Sunday, citing classified intelligence. | The report comes as tensions simmer between Washington and Havana and amid speculation that the United States may be building an argument for military action against the communist-run island. | The development underscores the Trump administration's concern with the threat from Cuba because of developments in drone warfare and the presence of Iranian military advisers in Hav…
(2026-05-18). Trump issues dire warning to Iran to accept peace deal. geo.tv 
Donald Trump gestures at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, US, December 22, 2024. — ReutersUS-Iran peace talks remain stalled.Washington offered no concessions, says Fars.Hormuz blockade rattles global oil markets.WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump issued a…
(2026-05-18). Shehbaz hails Pakistan's role in US-Iran talks. tribune.com.pk 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described Pakistan's role in facilitating US-Iran dialogue as a "shining moment in our history", saying the evolving political-military coordination has helped improve Pakistan's international image. | He made these remarks during an interview with The Sunday Times. | "It's one of the shining moments in our history. Pakistan is acknowledged worldwide as an honest mediator and as a country in which international leadership has full trust and faith. It's our shining hour, and I feel a very proud Pakistani – as do 240 million Pakistanis," he was quoted as saying in the interview…
(2026-05-18). Pakistan pushes diplomacy amid renewed war fears. tribune.com.pk 
With the deadlock persisting and US President Donald Trump contemplating his next move, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday held important meetings in Tehran in what appears to be a last-ditch effort to salvage the deal and prevent renewed hostilities. | Naqvi, who is one of a handful of Pakistani officials involved in the intricate diplomatic efforts, landed in Tehran on Saturday on a previously unannounced visit. | He accompanied the Field Marshal, who travelled to the Iranian capital just days after the first round of talks between Iran and the US, held in Islamabad, failed to achieve any br…
(2026-05-17). Iran urges intl response to US demands. ecns.cn Tehran has urged the international community to confront Washington's demands, while the United States warned Iran anew that it will have a "very bad time" if a peace deal is not reached soon.
(2026-05-18). Lula da Silva asked Donald Trump to lift U.S. blockade on Cuba. radiohc.cu Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pointedly asked his counterpart Donald Trump to lift Washington's blockade on Cuba, according to an interview published on Sunday in The Washington Post. | Cuba "needs an opportunity," Lula said in his appeal to Trump to eliminate the unilateral blockade against the island. "What I know is that if the United States opens a negotiating table, not one based on impositions, Cuba will participate," he emphasized. | Lula reiterated to The Washington Post that, in his May 7th meeting with Trump at the White House, Trump assured him that he would not invade Cuba; However, th…
(2026-05-18). Cuba warns that U.S. is fabricating false pretexts to launch military aggression. radiohc.cu Cuba has warned that the recent reports of alleged drones being prepared for attacks on targets at the U.S. Guantanamo Naval Base and United States territory are completely false and may be used as an excuse to launch pre-emptive military attacks on the island. | Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said Sunday afternoon that "certain media outlets are playing along, peddling slander and leaking insinuations from the U.S. government itself." | In the same post, he insisted that "Cuba neither threatens nor wants war." He added that "without any legitimate pretext, the U.S. government is building, day after day,…
(2026-05-18). Two years on: upgrading the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah. icrc.org For families in Gaza, the Red Cross Field Hospital has been a lifeline. Two years on, this upgrade enables the lifeline to continue.
(2026-05-18). Video: Israel Army seizes Global Sumud Flotilla, detains activists. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – The Israeli army started attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla heading toward the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid in international waters, Israeli media reported Monday.The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the flotilla is a "provocation for the sake of provocation," saying Tel Aviv would never allow a breach of the naval blockade on Gaza."Once again, a provocation for the sake of provocation: another so-called 'humanitarian aid flotilla' with no humanitarian aid," the ministry noted on Monday.The operation to take control of all the ships will take several hours and may continue until tomorrow, Israe…
(2026-05-18). Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid flotilla. aljazeera.com More than 50 vessels departed from the Turkish port city of Marmaris last week.
(2026-05-18). Growing bread queues in Gaza as Israel restricts fuel, flour imports. aljazeera.com Bread shortages deepen in Gaza as flour imports dwindle and bakeries struggle to meet rising demand amid fuel scarcity.
(2026-05-18). Gaza: Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah undergoes overhaul to continue addressing urgent health-care needs. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Thursday 5/21: Albany & El Cerrito for Palestine – Human Billboard for Gaza. indybay.org El Cerrito Plaza, San Pablo & Carlson…
(2026-05-18). The ICRC's response to affected populations and infrastructure following the events of January 2026 in Venezuela. icrc.org
(2026-05-17). Dassault Systemes to strengthen AI ecosystem building in China. ecns.cn French industrial software company Dassault Systemes is looking to strengthen its industrial artificial intelligence ecosystem in China, as the country steps up ongoing efforts to foster new quality productive forces and advance the integration of AI with manufacturing, its chief executive said.
(2026-05-18). New Jersey is on track to become the first state to provide free universal postpartum home visits to all families. whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Kara McPeak carefully placed her newborn son, Clark, on a changing table to clean him up and put on a fresh diaper. | "Make sure I got your back," McPeak said to herself as she grabbed a wipe and Clark protested with cries. "I know, I'm sorry, it's cold." | It's been four weeks since she gave birth to Clark. He's the first child for McPeak and her husband, who live in Linwood, New Jersey. The new mom is adjusting to all the ups and downs of life at home with a newborn. | "Yo…
(2026-05-17). AI reshaping how people work, create, collaborate. ecns.cn Behind a popcorn machine at AgiBot's data collection center in Shanghai, a humanoid robot packs freshly popped popcorn into paper cups while Chen Xin, a data collector with a virtual reality headset around his neck and a controller in hand, patiently guides its movements.
(2026-05-17). China's industrial output up 5.6 pct in first four months. ecns.cn China's value-added industrial output increased by 5.6 percent year on year in the first four months of 2026, official data showed on Monday.
(2026-05-18). Watsons pop-up indicates island upgrade. ecns.cn What if you could step into a 19th-century pharmacy and find today's most popular skincare and sparkling water on the shelf? That is an experience Watsons is re-creating at its new pop-up store on Shamian Island in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, near one of its earliest locations from about two centuries ago.
(2026-05-17). Giant panda dies from infection at south China safari park, another stable after treatment. ecns.cn A giant panda at a safari park in southern China's Guangdong Province has passed away after a lung chlamydia infection triggered heart failure, while another panda receiving treatment remains in stable condition, the park said on Saturday.
(2026-05-18). Three killed in Wana Bazaar blast in Lower South Waziristan. tribune.com.pk 
(2026-05-18). How ISWAP and Boko Haram are reshaping the Lake Chad Basin. aljazeera.com Communities in the Lake Chad Basin face rising violence amid economic hardship and weak governance.
(2026-05-17). AI tools enable seniors to 'triage at home'. ecns.cn AI tools enable seniors totriage at home.A senior woman participates in setting up and testing an elderly care robot that can perform basic health checkups, monitor health status and offer companionship at a welfare center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in March last year.
(2026-05-17). Trade talks achieve positive outcomes. ecns.cn The outcomes achieved by China and the United States in their latest round of economic and trade consultations could help bring more certainty and confidence to global industrial and supply chains, and may contribute to stabilizing the world economy amid rising geopolitical and trade uncertainties, market observers and executives said.
(2026-05-18). Pakistan wins Hague ruling in IWT row. tribune.com.pk 
In a landmark ruling, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague delivered a supplemental award upholding Pakistan's position regarding maximum pondage limits for Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers. | Under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed by Pakistan and India in 1960 with the World Bank as a signatory and facilitator, the three eastern rivers of the Indus system – the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej – were allocated to India, while the three western rivers – the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – were allocated primarily to Pakistan. | Pondage refers to the temporary storage of water in a re…
(2026-05-17). China's fixed-asset investment down 1.6 pct in first 4 months. ecns.cn China's fixed-asset investment dropped 1.6 percent year on year in the first four months of 2026, official data showed on Monday.
(2026-05-17). Over half of Japanese oppose lifting ban on lethal weapons exports, polls suggest. ecns.cn More than half of respondents in recent Japanese opinion polls opposed the government's decision to lift restrictions on exports of lethal weapons.
(2026-05-18). South Sudan: The country's humanitarian needs continue to rise. icrc.org Joint SSRC-IFRC-ICRC News Release…
(2026-05-18). Thursday 5/21: AI, Teamsters Torture, Labor & Human Rights: WorkWeek Panel. indybay.org Register in advance for this meeting: | us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ds7n0QN……
(2026-05-18). PML-Q fields 11 G-B candidates. tribune.com.pk 
The PML-Q has issued party tickets to 11 candidates for the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, party spokesperson Mustafa Malik announced on Sunday. The candidates were finalised with the approval of parliamentary board chairman Chaudhry Salik Hussain. | Members of the parliamentary board, including Tariq Hassan, Dr Muhammad Amjad, Malik Sameen, Kamran Usmani, and Niaz Khaskheli also visited Gilgit and Skardu as part of the consultation process. | Provincial president Dilfraz Khan briefed the central leadership on election preparations in the G-B. | The party, which led the ruling coalition in the C…
(2026-05-18). When are Hajj and Eid al-Adha 2026? A visual guide to the Muslim pilgrimage. aljazeera.com Nearly 2 million Muslims will embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins on May 25.
(2026-05-17). 3 missing after Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits Guangxi. ecns.cn A 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Liuzhou, a city in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, early Monday, leaving three people missing and four injured, local authorities said.
(2026-05-18). Sherpa climbs Everest 32nd time. tribune.com.pk 
A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on Sunday, an official said, smashing his own record set last year. | Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, reached the 8,849-metre (29,032 ?foot) peak – the highest in the world – while guiding clients from the 14 Peaks Expedition company. | Nepal's Department of Tourism congratulated the Sherpa for achieving the "historic milestone" and for his contributions to promoting mountain tourism. | He reached the summit at 10: 12 a.m. (0427 GMT) on Sunday, it said in a statement adding that a Sherpa woman, Lakhpa, 52, had made her 11th ascent to the peak, the most…
(2026-05-18). The Struggle to Defend CSU Faculty & Students in the Upcoming CFA Contract Fight. indybay.org Thirty thousand faculty members of the CSU system are facing major attacks with layoffs of thousands of lecturers, use of AI to eliminate positions and the increasing ICE attacks. Kevin Wehr who is the CFA chief negotiator talks about the contract issues.
(2026-05-18). International experts hail new focus on constructive stability. ecns.cn The meeting between the leaders of China and the United States in Beijing last week marked another important round of high-level strategic communication between the two countries at a pivotal moment in history.
(2026-05-18). Nairobi Regional Delegation Facts & Figures 2025. icrc.org January – December 2025…
(2026-05-18). Soccer- Azmoun left out of preliminary Iran World Cup squad. newarab.com 
(2026-05-18). Saturday 5/16: Union Democracy, Worker Rights & The IBT: WorkWeek Panel. indybay.org Zoom Registration | us02web.zoom.us/j/84722091993?pwd=CoyU1e… | /us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/84722091993…
(2026-05-18). NewsGuild Edsource Reporters Go On UFLP Strike For Living Wages & A Contract. indybay.org NewsGuild Edsource reporters went on a 1 day UFLP strike to fight for living wages and a contract.
(2026-05-18). Two US fighter jets collide mid air, explode during Idaho air show, crew ejects safely. ptcnews.tv PTC News Desk: Two US fighter jets collided in mid-air during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, prompting an immediate lockdown of the base. The incident took place durin | Two US fighter jets collide mid air, explode during Idaho air show, crew ejects safely…
(2026-05-18). Long Island Rail Road workers strike; Mamdani supports scabbing operations. wsws.org The strike is a major political confrontation in the center of world finance, pitting workers against Wall Street and its political agents, in the first place the Democratic Party.
(2026-05-17). China's industrial output up 5.6% in first four months. ecns.cn Chinas value-added industrial output increased by 5.6 percent year on year in the first four months of 2026, official data showed on Monday.
(2026-05-18). Vote "NO" on the AFSCME-University of California contract! Build rank-and-file committees to take control from the sellout bureaucrats! wsws.org To prevent another defeat, workers must begin independently organizing, plan a resumption of the strike and the struggle for their non-negotiable demands, not what AFSCME officials dictate they must accept.
(2026-05-18). Uganda responds with emergency measures to Ebola outbreak. aljazeera.com Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reports on the emergency measures implemented in Uganda in response to the Ebola outbreak.
(2026-05-18). More Sweeps of Survival Gear & Disabled Sidewalk Sleepers at Coral St. indybay.org Expanded Speech to the Community at Santa Cruz City Council Tuesday afternoon on May 12, 2026…
(2026-05-18). Zilhajj moon sighted: KSA announces Hajj on 26th. tribune.com.pk 
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court on Sunday announced the beginning of the lunar month of Zilhajj, stating that that pilgrims performing Hajj will stand at Arafat on Tuesday, May 26 while Eidul Azha will begin on Wednesday, May 27. | The Day of Arafat is considered the pinnacle of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims gather at Mount Arafat near the holy city of Makkah for prayer and reflection. | Eidul Azha is marked by communal prayers, family gatherings, and the ritual sacrifice of livestock, with meat traditionally distributed among relatives, friends, and those in need. | The announcemen…
(2026-05-18). Climate Headbangers Crawl from the Wreckage of RCP8.5 'Implausible' Finding Spinning Nothing-to-See-Here Claims. wattsupwiththat.com It will be interesting to see if Dale Vince has changed his mind on jailing climate deniers in the light of RCP8.5's demise. In July 2024, he posted on Twitter, now X, the following in support of five climate vandals who had brought the vital London M25 ring-road to a halt. One of the lunatic disrupters putting emergency services at grave risk was Roger Hallam, who was subsequently imprisoned for five years. The conspiracy was organised by Just Stop Oil, a group given £340,000 by Vince.
(2026-05-18). Palestinian women describe arrest, abuse & filth in Damon Prison. newarab.com 
After months in detention at "My first breath outside felt like I was being born again," she told The New Arab, describing the confusion that followed her release. | "It wasn't just freedom. It was confusion. I kept asking myself if I was really out or if it was another moment they would ta…
(2026-05-18). US senator loses primary to Trump-backed challenger. tribune.com.pk 
A US senator from Louisiana bidding for a third term has lost his Republican primary, in the latest demonstration of US President Donald Trump's hold over his party. | Trump had targeted Bill Cassidy and endorsed an opponent in retaliation for the senator voting to impeach him five years ago. | With 99 percent of votes counted in Saturday's primary election, Cassidy was trailing in third place behind Trump-endorsed challenger Julia Letlow, a congresswoman, and state treasurer John Fleming, effectively shutting Cassidy out of a June 27 runoff. | "Congratulations to Congresswoman Julia Letlow on a fantastic race…
(2026-05-18). Saturday 6/27: SF Trans Ally Rally: The People's March & Rally for Trans Rights. indybay.org San Francisco: Embarcadero Plaza at Steuart and Embarcadero, then march to rally at Civic Center Plaza. | This march & rally welcomes all people to join in standing up for Trans Rights.
(2026-05-18). Saturday 6/6: Mountain Lions, Bobcats, and You. indybay.org Live Oak Library Annex (LOLA), 979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz…
(2026-05-18). In chilling retort, army rebukesIndian threat. tribune.com.pk 
The Army on Sunday rebuked the Indian army chief for his threatening remarks, warning that such "geographic obliteration would certainly be mutual and comprehensive," in a renewed war of words between the two nuclear-armed neighbours just days after some voices from within India including RSS called for dialogue with Islamabad. | At an interactive session in New Delhi on Saturday, Indian Chief of Army Staff Gen Dwivedi was asked about how the Indian army will respond if the "circumstances that led to Operation Sindoor last year" arose again, the Press Trust of India reported. | The Indian army chief repeated N…
(2026-05-17). U.S. state keen to tap into China's market. ecns.cn The U.S. state of Oregon, which is keen to strengthen its economic partnership with China, hosted a trade delegation from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region last week to explore business opportunities.
(2026-05-18). Former UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting announces bid to replace Starmer. aljazeera.com Former UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced he will run against Prime Minister Keir Starmer as Labour leader…
(2026-05-18). Flight diverted after man bites attendant. tribune.com.pk 
Australia's Qantas was forced to divert a flight bound for the United States over a disruptive passenger, with local media reporting the man bit a flight attendant. | The flight from Melbourne was headed to Dallas on Friday when it was forced to make a stop in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, due to a disruptive passenger. | The man was restrained by fellow passengers, with local media including national broadcaster ABC reporting he bit a member of Qantas staff. | The man was met by local authorities on arrival and has been slapped with a no-fly ban on all Qantas planes.
(2026-05-17). Tornado Emergency declared for Hebron, Nebraska. ecns.cn Tornado Emergency declared for Hebron, Nebraska. – reports…
(2026-05-18). 5.2-magnitude quake kills two in south China. geo.tv 
Rescue workers walk past a damaged building following an earthquake at Taiyang village in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China May 18, 2026. — Reuters Quake hit Guangxi's Liuzhou city at 12.21am: report. State broadcaster CCTV identifies deceased as couple….
(2026-05-18). Friday 5/22: To Eat Alone is to Die Alone: An Artist Talk with Vivien Sansour. indybay.org Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Avenue, Santa Cruz…
(2026-05-18). 'Staggering' Iran toll drives up global executions: Amnesty. newarab.com 
Amnesty said it had confirmed the executions of at least 2,707 people globally in 2025. Of these cases, 2,159 were in Iran, a figure more than double that of 2024, Amnesty said. | But the UK-based rights group said that, as in previous years, its total "does not include the thousands of executions" that it believed were carried ou…
(2026-05-18). China's Solar Industry Redesigned Itself Around U.S. Forced Labor Law. wattsupwiththat.com Continuing to look away is a choice, and the people living inside this system will bear the consequences long after the next procurement cycle closes.
(2026-05-18). Saturday 6/6: Solarpunk Summer: Seed Craft. indybay.org Santa Cruz Public Libraries – Branciforte Branch, 230 Gault Street, Santa Cruz…
(2026-05-18). Dar, Qatari minister discuss evolving regional situation, stress dialogue amid US-Iran tensions. tribune.com.pk 
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the regional situation with Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi during a telephone conversation on Monday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). | Both leaders discussed the "evolving regional situation and matters of mutual interest," MOFA said, adding that they "underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges." | Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today spoke with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs…
(2026-05-18). Criminal charges filed against ship operators in Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse that killed six workers. wsws.org The Department of Justice has charged the ship operator and a supervisor with criminal behavior connected to the Key Bridge collapse, but avoided any scrutiny of decades of neglect.
(2026-05-17). Magnitude 5.2 earthquake strikes Guangxi. ecns.cn A magnitude 5.2 earthquake jolted Liunan district in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region early Monday, leaving three people missing and four injured with no life-threatening conditions, local disaster relief authorities confirmed.
(2026-05-18). Britain faces weeks of leadership limbo in slow-motion coup against Starmer. aljazeera.com Keir Starmer battles to retain his authority, critics say he's a 'lame-duck' leader.
(2026-05-17). China-Russia Expo seen as key platform. ecns.cn President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have each sent a congratulatory letter to the 10th China-Russia Expo ahead of the Russian leader's upcoming state visit to China.
(2026-05-18). Fiscal, monetary tools to boost consumption. ecns.cn China is ramping up coordination between fiscal and monetary tools to further unleash consumption potential and energize private investment, in a bid to fuel a broad expansion in domestic demand, officials and business executives said.
(2026-05-18). The "Green Voter Guide" , published by the Green Party of Alameda County. indybay.org The Green Party of Alameda County's 12-page voter guide is here: acgreens.wordpress.com/wp-content/upload……
(2026-05-18). West Bank Palestinians see Nakba repeating under Israeli raids. newarab.com 
In refugee camps across the West Bank, the Today, Palestine's foundational tragedy stirs anxious thoughts of history repeating itself, as aggressive Israeli raids across the occupied territory mark a renewed displacement crisis that echoes the horrors of the Nakba. | In conversations at nine camps, Palestinians see the 78-year-old catastrophe not as history, but as a warning. | Amina Kha…
(2026-05-18). Video: NAKED woman beaten up by man in Beirut Corniche. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – A woman was seen naked in Beirut Corniche, the Raouche area, in Lebanon, shocking all passersby on Sunday.A video circulating online shows a completely naked female in the Raouche area of Beirut, before she was attacked by a man. A passerby immediately intervened, prevented the assault and gave the woman a shawl to cover up.However, till now, there is no information or details about the reason for this strange incident.Many allegedly said that the woman is suffering from a mental health crisis and that she is unaware of what she did.ÿπŸÜÿ…
(2026-05-18). The fall of Romanian government: The "Bolojan plan" scrapped. unitedworldint.com Interview with Miruna Pandele, Deputy Chair of the Romanian Socialist Party By Yasin Okyay On May 6, the Romanian government collapsed following the passage of a no-confidence motion jointly introduced by social democrats and nationalists. The motion by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), gained 281 yes …
(2026-05-18). WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda. tribune.com.pk 
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been declared a public ?health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation, after 80 suspected deaths. | The WHO said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency but that countries sharing land borders with the DRC are at high risk of further spread. | On Sunday, the U.N. health agency said in a statement, that 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported as of Saturday in the DRC's Ituri province across at least thr…
(2026-05-17). Investing more in children is the right thing to do. ecns.cn The world has demonstrated that it is possible to make progress for children on an extraordinary scale. Child mortality was reduced by around 50 percent in two decades, based largely on a simple recipe with three ingredients. First, a safe start. One in four children is now born in a UNICEF-supported health clinic. Second, immunization.
(2026-05-18). Nexteer auto parts workers in Saginaw force UAW to schedule strike vote after rejecting two sellout contracts. wsws.org A Nexteer strike could quickly shut down production at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis and ignite a wave of strikes at US auto parts companies. This is precisely what the UAW bureaucrats are desperate to prevent.
(2026-05-17). Hantavirus-hit cruise ship to arrive at Rotterdam port as final destination. ecns.cn The hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius was due to dock in Rotterdam on Monday morning for disinfection, with Dutch authorities preparing quarantine arrangements for the 25 crew ‚Äåmembers and two medical staff remaining on board.
(2026-05-18). Saturday 5/30: Celebration of Life – A Fundraiser for Palestine. indybay.org SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz…
(2026-05-18). Nukes cornerstone of Russia's national security: Kremlin. tribune.com.pk 
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that nuclear weapons were the "cornerstone" of Russia's national security, according to Russian media outlet Vesti. | Peskov said Russia's nuclear arsenal protected the country from threats to its existence. | "A nuclear power cannot be threatened; its existence cannot be threatened. This is what gives us the opportunity to be confident in this, and this is the basis of nuclear deterrence," he said. | Commenting on relations with Europe, Peskov said growing discussion within the EU about possible negotiations with Russia marked a "major shift" and is in Moscow'
(2026-05-18). South Korea shifts focus to 'peaceful coexistence' with North Korea instead of 'confrontation'. tribune.com.pk 
The South Korean government under President Lee Jae Myung has shifted its focus to "peaceful coexistence" with North Korea rather than "pressure and confrontation," a white paper released by the Unification Ministry showed Monday, local media reported. | The annual paper, striking a distinctly different tone from the previous government, reflects the push by the Lee administration, which took office in June last year, to repair the strained inter-Korean relationship based on building mutual trust, Yonhap News Agency reported. | The previous conservative government of President Yoon Suk Yeol sought to bring abo…
(2026-05-18). Saturday 6/6: How Communities Across Turtle Island are Cutting Ties with Israeli Apartheid. indybay.org Online | www.mobilize.us/us-palestineactivism/eve……
(2026-05-18). Why Berlin Is Promoting Green Hydrogen in Japan. thinktank.pk As global competition over clean energy intensifies, Germany is increasingly turning toward "green hydrogen diplomacy" to secure its industrial future and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The recent visit of Germany's transport minister to Japan to promote green hydrogen cooperation reflects far more than climate policy — it signals a strategic geopolitical and economic shift …
(2026-05-18). Battery innovations take center stage at Shenzhen CIBF 2026. ecns.cn The 18th China International Battery Fair (CIBF 2026) was held at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center under the theme "Connecting the World, Empowering Green, and Driving the Future" in Guangdong Province last week.
(2026-05-18). Activists to Protest at Petco and Demand the End of All Animal Sales. indybay.org Following SF Animal Commission's vote to recommend a ban on the retail sale of animals, advocates will rally in San Francisco to bring attention to cruelty of the exotic pet trade…
(2026-05-18). Saturday 5/16: A Community Conversation: How Fascism Is Controlling Us and the World. indybay.org Black & Brown Social Club | 474 Valencia St. | San Francisco…
(2026-05-18). WHO declares Ebola public health emergency as Trump cuts cripple global disease surveillance. wsws.org The WHO's emergency declaration exposes a global health system in collapse, with surveillance programs terminated, WHO defunded and the CDC barred from international coordination.
(2026-05-17). 'Su Super League' elevates city brand. ecns.cn During Jiangsu Football City League in Yangzhou, team Yangzhou defeated team Zhenjiang 1-0 on Saturday.
(2026-05-18). Trump-backed "Rededicate 250" rally: Christian nationalism in the service of dictatorship. wsws.org Backed by the Trump administration and major corporations, Rededicate 250 fused Christian nationalism, historical falsification and authoritarian politics.
(2026-05-18). Saturday 5/23: In Conversation: All This Safety is Killing Us. indybay.org Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Avenue, Santa Cruz…
(2026-05-18). Unite the New Zealand and Pacific working class against imperialism! wsws.org This speech was delivered by Tom Peters, a leader of the Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand, at the 2026 May Day Online Rally, organized by the WSWS and the ICFI.
(2026-05-18). Iran will turn Gulf of Oman into 'graveyard' for ships if US doesn't end blockade: military adviser. tribune.com.pk 
Iran vowed Sunday to confront the US over its naval blockade, with a top military adviser to the country's supreme leader warning that the Sea of Oman could become a "graveyard" for US ships if tensions continue to escalate. | "My advice to the US militarily is to back off before the Gulf of Oman turns into a graveyard for your ships. Otherwise, our understanding is that a naval blockade is an act of war, and responding to it is our natural right, Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, said in remarks carried Sunday by Iranian state television. | Rezaei added that Iran's re…
(2026-05-18). France reopens Epstein case as new victims speak out. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – French authorities have revived momentum in their probe into Jeffrey Epstein after over 10 new complainants claimed they were victims of the late financier.Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that the new testimony were just filed to French prosecutors, bringing the total number of complainants in the case to about 20.The expanded probe is looking into potential networks of human trafficking that were linked to Epstein's activities in France and seeking to identify anyone who may have helped facilitate or cover up his alleged crimes.French detectives are sifting through communications logs, address boo…
(2026-05-18). UK police detail rally arrests. tribune.com.pk 
London police said Sunday officers arrested 20 people the previous day at a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and 12 people at a counter-demonstration fused with a pro-Palestinian protest. | The city's Metropolitan Police ⚪ which had already disclosed making 43 arrests Saturday after tens of thousands people attended the duelling events ⚪ added 11 of those detained were either non-affiliated or their links was unconfirmed. | The force had mounted its biggest operation in years to manage both Robinson's "Unite the Kingdom" march and the anti-fascism rally organised by the Stand Up to Racism…
(2026-05-18). Saturday 5/16: Free virtual screening of the documentary film "The Balfour Declaration" indybay.org Zoom | us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XzUA……
(2026-05-18). Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup. wattsupwiththat.com Quote of the Week: "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.." — Albert Einstein…
(2026-05-18). Canadian imperialism: predator, not prey, in global war. wsws.org This speech was delivered by Keith Jones, Socialist Equality Party (Canada) national secretary, at the 2026 May Day Online Rally, organized by the WSWS and the ICFI.
(2026-05-18). Red Dawn over China: An extended exercise in anti-communist propaganda. wsws.org Frank Dikà∂tter's new book is a fundamentally flawed work that makes little pretence of academic objectivity or intellectual honesty.
(2026-05-18). Judicial services made more accessible to nation's persons with disabilities. ecns.cn Judicial services have been made more accessible to people with disabilities in recent years, thanks to intensified collaboration between courts and disabled persons' federations.
(2026-05-18). Mali drone strikes kill at least 10 civilians at wedding. aljazeera.com Mali's military carries out strikes after attacks last month by al-Qaeda-linked fighters and Tuareg separatists.
(2026-05-18). Wednesday 6/10: Oakland Privacy: Fighting Against the Surveillance State. indybay.org Please email contact@oaklandprivacy.org a few days before the meeting to get up-to-date location information or obtain Zoom meeting access info.
(2026-05-17). Shanghai sets target to build intl shipping hub. ecns.cn As Shanghai moves from scale expansion to capacity enhancement in building an international shipping center during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, demand for talent with cross-disciplinary expertise is rising, according to experts.
(2026-05-18). Another constitutional package? tribune.com.pk 
It was in September 2024 when speculation, triggered by a series of leaks, began circulating about the federal government planning the 26th Constitutional Amendment. As is often the case, the government publicly dismissed those reports as mere conjecture, while official circles firmly denied that any such move was under consideration. | Yet, just a few weeks later, not only was the plan publicly acknowledged, but the amendment was also swiftly passed by parliament. | Now, once again, similar murmurs are doing the rounds suggesting that the federal government is contemplating another constitutional amendment.
(2026-05-18). Science magazine investigates FBI's witch-hunt against Chinese researchers. wsws.org Science magazine, one of the most prestigious peer-reviewed publications in the world, has published an investigative report titled "Researching While Chinese," detailing the Department of Justice (DOJ) persecution of Chinese researchers at the University of Michigan and Indiana University.
(2026-05-18). Moment of collision between two Navy jets at Idaho air show. aljazeera.com Two US Navy jets collided during an air show at Mountain Home AFB.
(2026-05-18). Trump envoy arrives for Greenland visit. tribune.com.pk 
US President Donald Trump's special envoy to Greenland landed in Nuuk on Sunday for a visit of several days to the autonomous Danish territory, local media reported. | Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry arrived for his first visit in the role and is due to take part in an economic forum in the Greenlandic capital on Tuesday and Wednesday. | Organised by the employers organisation Gronlands Erhverv, the Future Greenland event will bring together investors, political and business leaders to try to encourage investment there. | Landry's visit comes after international tension over Trump's repeated claims to the te…
(2026-05-17). Chinese-built Astana light rail begins operations. ecns.cn Kazakhstan on Saturday officially launches the Astana light rail transit system, constructed by a Chinese company. It is the first urban light rail line in Central Asia.
(2026-05-18). Nawaz yet to fulfil Balochistan pledge. tribune.com.pk 
With almost a year having past, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who, as per his party, gave assurance to play a proactive role in resolution of Balochistan issues, remained completely missing from action, as per the members of the two delegations from the security-troubled province who had met former premier in Lahore, early last year. | The silence stands in contrast to expectations raised during high-level meetings. | Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif met in March with the Supreme Court Bar Association president and the Balochistan High Court Bar president, and later in April with a delegation of National Party…
(2026-05-18). Australia: Elderly residents of Melbourne apartment complex face forced eviction. wsws.org The threat to Oasis residents takes place amid a housing crisis and the Victorian Labor government's program to evict 10,000 people from the city's 44 public housing towers.
(2026-05-18). Sunday 6/28: Solar Punk Pen Pals: Crafting Hopeful Futures Together. indybay.org Santa Cruz Public Libraries – Downtown Branch, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz…
(2026-05-17). Sino-Russia energy cooperation forges strategic resilience for a new era. ecns.cn Amid continued volatility in global energy markets.China and Russia are accelerating the structural deepening of their energy partnership — anchored by stable fossil-fuel supply chains while simultaneously breaking ground in next-generation clean-energy corridors.
(2026-05-17). Driving development with new quality productive forces. ecns.cn China Dailys Business Insight section has launched a column devoted to an in-depth interpretation of Xi Jinpings economic thought, with this article serving as the debut piece of the new series.
(2026-05-18). Military jets' crew members safely eject after Idaho air-show collision. geo.tv 
Four crew members of military jets eject safely following a mid-air collision during the Idaho air show outside Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, US May 17, 2026, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video. — Reuters Four crew members involved in a mid-air collision…
(2026-05-17). Two dead, one missing after 5.2-magnitude quake strikes Guangxi. ecns.cn Two people were confirmed dead and one person remains missing after a magnitude-5.2 earthquake jolted Liunan district in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, early Monday, according to the local earthquake relief headquarters.
(2026-05-18). Sinner wins Italian Open to complete career Golden Masters. aljazeera.com The first Italian to win the title in 50 years enters the French Open as favourite with Alcaraz out injured.
(2026-05-18). Homeless Persons Legal Assistance Project Returns. indybay.org Court Navigation and Local Ordinance Assistance for the Houseless Community…
(2026-05-18). Sunday 5/31: Farmworkers Betrayed: Latinx Feminists speak out on César Chávez abuses ⚪ watch party. indybay.org New Valencia Hall, 747 Polk St., San Francisco…
(2026-05-17). China's property investment declines in first four months. ecns.cn China's investment in property development decreased in the first four months of 2026, down 13.7 percent year on year, the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday.
(2026-05-18). Iran war hits global companies with $25 billion bill. newarab.com 
A review of corporate statements from companies listed in the United States, Europe and Asia since the start of the conflict offers a sobering look at the fallout. Businesses are grappling with soaring energy prices, fractured supply chains and trade routes severed by Iran's grip on the At l…
(2026-05-18). The humanitarian cost of non-compliance with IHL in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Russian drone strikes Chinese cargo ship in Black Sea. albawaba.com
(2026-05-18). ICRC report: Failure to respect rules of war deepened humanitarian crisis in Colombia in 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). How Donald Trump, "President of Peace," is Making War on Everything. juancole.com
(2026-05-18). Egypt: ICRC, Al-Azhar University Emphasize Shared Principles Between IHL and Islamic Sharia. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Poland: High level briefing on IHL for the Polish ministries. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Colombia 2025: A humanitarian crisis beyond numbers. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Yuba County Falconry Business Ransacked, Former Visitor Claims Responsibility. indybay.org
(2026-05-18). The Judicial Training Institute at the Ministry of Justice and the ICRC Launch the First International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition for Universities in the UAE. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Message on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). ICRC RED aircraft to operate from Jeddah to strengthen humanitarian access to Sudan. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Calls to action to parties to conflicts in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Mozambique: January to December 2025 Facts & Figures. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Treatment of civilians in Colombia during 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Colombia: Conduct of hostilities and use of explosive hazards. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Children and adolescents in armed conflicts in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). ICRC president calls for sustained international engagement to prevent further military escalation in the Middle East during visit to Iraq. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Iraq: ICRC president to meet senior officials, discuss humanitarian engagement on two-day visit. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Yemen: Frequently asked questions on the release, transfer and repatriation of conflict-related detainees – May 2026. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Searching for people missing in connection with the 1992-1993 armed conflict continues. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Upholding international humanitarian law in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Non-compliance with international humanitarian law deteriorated the humanitarian situation in Colombia in 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). El Salvador: Human Rights Lawyer Still in Jail One Year on. hrw.org Click to expand Image | Ruth López. | © El Diario de Hoy | (Washington, DC) — The prominent anti-corruption lawyer Ruth López remains in pretrial detention in El Salvador with her case under judicial seal one year after her arrest, Human Rights Watch said today. Salvadoran authorities should guarantee López a prompt, open, and fair trial, lift the judicial secrecy on her case file, and allow her regular contact with her family and lawyers.López, 48, heads the Anti-Corruption Unit at Cristosal, one of Central America's leading human rights organizations. She has investigated alleged corruption by sen…
(2026-05-18). El incumplimiento del DIH agravó la situación humanitaria en Colombia en 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-18). Saturday 5/23: Film Screening: Sunrise. indybay.org Albany Library, Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Ave, Albany…
(2026-05-17). Israel kills at least five in Lebanon after 'ceasefire' extended. aljazeera.com At least five people have been killed in Israeli air attacks on several locations in southern and eastern Lebanon.
(2026-05-17). Israel strikes kill at least 7 in Lebanon as Hezbollah denounces US-brokered talks. scmp.com Israeli strikes killed seven people in Lebanon on Sunday, including an Islamic Jihad commander, Lebanese authorities and state media said, despite a fragile ceasefire as Hezbollah called US-brokered talks between the two countries a "dead end". | The health ministry published a "preliminary toll" for Israel's strikes on Sunday, with three people killed in the town of Tayr Felsay, including a child, and two killed in the town of Tayr Debba, including another child.
(2026-05-17). War in Middle East: latest developments. al-monitor.com Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: – No US concessions -Iranian media said Washington had failed to make any concrete concessions in its latest response to Iran's proposed agenda for negotiations to end the war. The Mehr news agency said: "The United States, offering no tangible concessions, wants to obtain concessions that it failed to obtain during the war, which will lead to an impasse in the negotiations." – Drone strike outside UAE nuclear plant -…
(2026-05-17). After UAE and Iran scares, Massive fire erupts at IDF base in Negev near Israel's nuclear heartland. hindustantimes.com Reports of escalating regional tensions across the Middle East have raised fresh concerns after alleged drone strikes, explosions, and fires near sensitive military and energy infrastructure. Incidents reportedly include a fire at an Israeli military base in the Negev Desert, alongside unverified claims linking the region to critical strategic facilities. Separately, Iranian authorities have described controlled explosions in parts of Isfahan, while earlier reports suggested a drone strike near the Barakah nuclear plant in the UAE. Officials across affected regions have issued statements downplaying damage, but s…
(2026-05-17). Alexander Zevin: Trump's Gulf War. newleftreview.org Asymmetries of the US-Israeli assault on Iran, as an uneasy balance holds between Tehran's tourniquet on the Strait of Hormuz—and the world economy—and the enormous firepower of the aggressors, at the end of the first round.
(2026-05-17). 'Calm before the storm': Trump shares cryptic post amid reports of potential fresh strikes. ptcnews.tv PTC News Desk: US President Donald Trump on Sunday posted a cryptic message on his social media platform Truth Social asserting "It Was The Calm Before The Storm," alongside an AI-generated image that appeared to signal rising tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. | The image, shared on Donald Trump's social media account, showed him wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap while standing aboard a US Navy vessel with a naval officer. The background featured rough seas, lightning, and Iranian ships.
(2026-05-17). Xi, Trump reach series of new common understandings: China's foreign ministry. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
(2026-05-17). Trump's China Visit and Xie Feng's Taiwan Narrative Explained. moderndiplomacy.eu The interview given by Chinese Ambassador to Washington Xie Feng to Newsweek on May 5, 2026, represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing Sino-American war of words over Taiwan. Xie, who assumed his post in May 2023, employed a clever, albeit controversial, historical analogy, reminding Americans of the American Civil War (1861-1865) to legitimize Beijing's …
(2026-05-17). China to buy at least $17bn in US agricultural products annually, says White House. geo.tv 
US President Donald Trump speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026.— Reuters/FileChina has committed to purchasing at least $17 billion of US agricultural products in 2026, 2027 and 2028, the…
(2026-05-17). Xi, Trump have private meeting in Beijing. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump had a private meeting on Friday in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in central Beijing.
(2026-05-17). Why Marco Rubio's name changed before his entry to China? ummid.com US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in China Wednesday May 13, 2026 along with Donald Trump onboard Air Force 1 — the US President's official carrier, but not before his name changed.
(2026-05-17). Explained: Multi-dimensional Implications of US/Israel War on Iran. ummid.com Far from reviving American supremacy, the Iran conflict exposed the limits of coercive power in an age where history is no longer shaped by a single empire, but by competing centres of influence struggling to define a new world order.
(2026-05-17). After the Iran War: Seven Dynamics That Will Define the New Middle East. moderndiplomacy.eu Every major war in the Middle East has left the region permanently altered in ways that nobody fully anticipated at the time. The 1948 Arab-Israeli war created a refugee crisis whose consequences are still being negotiated seventy-eight years later. The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran reorganized the entire regional security architecture around a new fault …
(2026-05-17). As Finland's economy hit by war on Iran, President Stubb pledges support to US military. wsws.org Finland's right-wing government is aligning with US war crimes and using the growing economic crisis to attack social services…
(2026-05-17). FIFA says held positive talks with Iran's FA ahead of World Cup. newarab.com 
(2026-05-17). Chikunga prioritises youth enterprise development. sanews.gov.za Chikunga prioritises youth enterprise development | Social Development Acting Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has undertaken an oversight visit to the Sozo Foundation's Genesis Incubator Hub in Vrygrond, Cape Town, placing youth enterprise development at the centre of her first day in office. | The visit forms part of preparations for the Department of Social Development's Budget Vote 19 for 2026. It aimed to assess the impact of a youth enterprise development programme funded by the National Development Agency (NDA). | During the engagement on Friday, Chikunga interacted directly with young entrepreneurs participati…
(2026-05-17). Spaniards demonstrate for Cuba and reject U.S. military intervention. radiohc.cu Hundreds of Spaniards demonstrated on Sunday against a US military intervention in Cuba, while reiterating their condemnation of the White House's economic strangulation of the island. | Gathered in front of the Cuban Embassy in Madrid, solidarity activists spoke out against the Washington blockade, intensified by preventing other countries from exporting fuel to the Caribbean nation, in addition to numerous other restrictions. | In this attempt to literally encircle Cuba, the group also deplored the inclusion of the Caribbean nation on the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, according to the Trum…
(2026-05-17). Cuba thanks BRICS for statement demanding U.S. end the blockade. radiohc.cu The Government of Cuba expressed its "sincere gratitude" to the BRICS member countries for their statements rejecting the blockade imposed by the United States on the Caribbean island, made within the framework of the bloc's XVIII Meeting of Foreign Ministers, held in India. | In a message posted on its social media, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that paragraph 19 of the Declaration of the Indian Pro Tempore Presidency condemns the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, particularly the application of so-called "secondary sanctions" of a distinctly extraterritorial nature, such as those contai…
(2026-05-17). Solidarity group from the United States welcomed in Cuba. radiohc.cu The local branch of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) welcomed a group of American activists from the organization Code Pink on Saturday, who began a solidarity visit to the island. | The group will carry out a program of activities in this northeastern province until May 21st, with the aim of strengthening ties of friendship and learning about the realities of the Caribbean nation. | During the welcoming ceremony, the visitors expressed their rejection of the hostile policies of the United States government, as well as the economic sanctions and unilateral coercive measures applied agains…
(2026-05-17). Solidaridad de India transmite amor y respaldo a Cuba. radiohc.cu Un mensaje de amor y respaldo hacia Cuba transmitió este sábado la Solidaridad de India al canciller de Bruno Rodríguez en un acto contra el asedio y las amenazas de Estados Unidos contra la nación caribeña. | En el concurrido encuentro, organizado por la Organización de Paz y Solidaridad de Toda la India (Aipso), el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores cubano detalló la difícil situación que enfrenta la mayor de las Antillas con el recrudecimiento del bloqueo económico, comercial y financiero de Estados Unidos. | Ante representantes de partidos políticos de izquierda de la nación surasiática y del cuerpo diplomátic…
(2026-05-17). Israel kills three Palestinians in strike on an aid kitchen in Gaza. aljazeera.com Israel bombed a kitchen that provided meals to the displaced in Gaza, killing three and injuring others.
(2026-05-17). Bulgaria wins Eurovision Song Contest, amid protests over Gaza. newarab.com 
Bulgaria wins the 70th Dara, who was declared the winner early Sunday, was not among the favourites ahead of the show but gained traction during Eurovision week with her high-energy and highly choreographed dancing on the catchy floor-filler "Bangaranga".
(2026-05-17). Spanish star Javier Bardem says 'narrative changing' on Gaza. newarab.com 
(2026-05-17). What is the expected situation in the Gaza Strip in the next days? thealtworld.com Why do we urge Netanyahu not to exaggerate the assassination of Qassam martyr Izz al-Din al-Haddad? The city of Gaza and the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, mourned …
(2026-05-17). Gaza is integral part of Palestine, any arrangements must be temporary: Palestinian president. ecns.cn Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed on Thursday that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the State of Palestine and that any transitional arrangements must be temporary and not infringe upon the unity of Palestinian territory.
(2026-05-17). Spanish star Javier Bardem says on Gaza. al-monitor.com Outspoken Spanish star Javier Bardem told AFP he was "getting more work than ever" despite his public campaigning against Israel's war in Gaza, something he attributed to "the narrative changing" around the conflict. At the last Oscars ceremony in February, the openly political star of "No Country for Old Men" used his time presenting the award for best international feature film to state: "No to war and a free Palestine."
(2026-05-17). Bulgaria wins Eurovision for first time; Israel comes second amid boycott. aljazeera.com Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia stage biggest political boycott in Eurovision history over Gaza war.
(2026-05-17). Nancy Fraser: Gaza as World Event. newleftreview.org The global reverberations of Israel's destruction of Gaza, understood as world event—an epochal turning point which serves to reveal the changing nature of the times. Philosophical reflections on the rise of a new-era McCarthyism in Germany and the US.
(2026-05-17). Israel says close to killing all architects of October 7 attack. scmp.com Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel had almost completed a key goal of the war in Gaza — eliminating all those responsible for orchestrating the attack on October 7, 2023. | His remarks followed the Israeli military's announcement that Ezzedine al-Haddad, commander of Hamas' armed wing, had been killed in an air strike in Gaza on Friday.
(2026-05-17). Three community kitchen workers among eight killed by Israel in Gaza. aljazeera.com Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 871 Palestinians since the so-called ceasefire started last year.
(2026-05-17). Israel's PM says close to killing all architects of October 7 attack. scmp.com Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel had almost completed a key goal of the war in Gaza — eliminating all those responsible for orchestrating the October 7 attack. | His remarks followed the Israeli military's announcement that Ezzedine al-Haddad, commander of Hamas' armed wing, had been killed in an air strike in Gaza on Friday.
(2026-05-17). Gaza health officials say Israeli strikes, gunfire kill five. newarab.com 
Despite "Five martyrs have been brought to hospitals as a result of Israeli strikes today so far in the Gaza Strip," sai…
(2026-05-17). Israeli Military Kills 14 Palestinians in Gaza Over Three Days as It Continues Constant Ceasefire Violations. news.antiwar.com Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed at least 14 Palestinians over the past three days, according to numbers from Gaza's Health Ministry, as the IDF continues its constant violations of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire deal that was signed in October 2025. The Health Ministry said on Saturday that it recorded the Israeli killing of 12 …
(2026-05-17). Economic and Political Realism: Critical Points of Venezuela's Public Debt Restructuring. orinocotribune.com By Misión Verdad — May 15, 2026 | The Venezuelan government has officially launched a "formal, comprehensive, and orderly" process for the In a statement issued by the Vice Presidency of Economy and Finance, the Venezuelan government stated that historically the country has faithfully honored its commitments…
(2026-05-17). 'Timmy' the rescued humpback whale confirmed dead. aljazeera.com 'Timmy' the rescued humpback whale confirmed dead, found off Danish coast.
(2026-05-17). Around 10 'new' victims emerge in France's expanding Epstein probe. scmp.com Around 10 "new" suspected victims have come forward in a French investigation into the network of the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a prosecutor said on Sunday. | France opened a human trafficking investigation after the US Justice Department in January released the latest cache of files from the investigation into the disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019 while facing charges of trafficking underage girls for sex.
(2026-05-17). Keir Starmer set to face reality and step down finally. thecanary.co 
The UK is in an unusual situation in which everyone understands Keir Starmer is no longer PM except Keir Starmer himself. This is a problem, because Starmer is unfortunately the only person who can remove Starmer from office. Thankfully, though, there are now signs he's planning to join us all here in reality. As Labour […] | By
(2026-05-17). UAE condemns drone strike that caused fire outside nuclear plant. newarab.com 
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(2026-05-17). The lost art of letter writing. tribune.com.pk 
Recently, while cleaning up some old stuff in my parents' room, we discovered some old letters kept meticulously in their respective envelopes and then stashed together in a large envelope. Thinking that they might be some important correspondence, they were carefully handled only to discover that they were odd letters family members had written to each other—brother to brother, sister to sister, son to father and mother—and had been preserved carefully through decades as mementos, though the subject of any of them was not significant, just family chit chat and updates on each other. | Going throug…
(2026-05-17). Actor Imran Khan opens up about the joys, quiet struggles of being a single father. tribune.com.pk 
Actor Imran Khan made a rare public appearance, featuring in an interview on fellow actor Parineeti Chopra's show Mom Talks, speaking candidly about his life as a single father and the emotional challenges that come with parenting. | Sharing a heartfelt perspective, Imran said that parenthood, for him, was not merely a responsibility but an honour and privilege, as it allows him precious time with his daughter. | View this post on Instagram | Imran shares daughter Imara with his ex-wife Avantika Malik. The former couple welcomed their daughter in June 2014 before separating in 2019. Despite the split, Imran re…
(2026-05-17). Comoros suspends fuel price hikes after deadly protests. newarab.com 
The announcement came after one person was killed and five were injured in confrontations between protesters and security forces on the island of Anjouan. | "The government and President Azali (Assoumani) heard the cries of the Comorian people. There was no other solution than to listen to them. The goal is to preserve peace," Energy Minister…
(2026-05-17). Grey Tiles That Pair Beautifully with Full Body Vitrified Tiles. ummid.com Grey tiles have gained strong popularity in modern interiors due to their calm, neutral tone and versatile design appeal as they blend easily with a wide range of styles, from minimal to contemporary, while helping spaces feel balanced and visually open.
(2026-05-17). Nathan Sperber: Beyond Neoliberalism? newleftreview.org Investigating the persistence—or retreat—of capital's great prog ≠rammatic offensive, along its many fronts: ideological struggle, policy prescription, macro-regulation of economic life, class direction. A multi-dimensional analysis of an uneven condition.
(2026-05-17). Italian PM Giorgia Meloni meets victims of Modena car incident. scmp.com Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday visited people wounded by a driver with a history of mental health problems who ran over several pedestrians in northern city of Modena. | Hundreds gathered in the evening at the call of the city's mayor to "unite against those who want to divide and sow hatred" after some far-right politicians tried to tie the incident to immigration.
(2026-05-17). As support for Israel declines in the U.S., the 'Special Relationship 2.0' is starting to take shape. mondoweiss.net 
Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies in Congress have begun calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel, but this won't end the "special relationship" between the two countries. In fact, recent signs suggest it may only deepen U.S. military ties to Israel.
(2026-05-17). In a world of chaos, China signals that stability is possible. scmp.com Three polls firmly caught my attention over the past month or so. Each was conducted by a different outlet and addressed different questions. However, taken together, they tell one overarching story — implicitly, but unmistakably. Beyond an assortment of data, the story is about direction. | The first was a CNN poll. It showed that 76 per cent of Americans now see high prices and the cost of living as their country's most serious economic problem. Even more striking, nearly seven in 10 expect a…
(2026-05-17). U.S. martial arts enthusiast makes the right moves. ecns.cn Wearing a loose-sleeved training uniform with a flowing black beard and a topknot tied up with a hairpin, Pinnick, 36, from the United States, told an unusual story of "Becoming Chinese".
(2026-05-17). Mexican officials announce 10 dead in early-morning shooting in Tehuitzingo. aljazeera.com Officials blamed the shooting on 'armed individuals', though no details were provided about attackers or their motives.
(2026-05-17). Should you trust AI for everything? tribune.com.pk 
From diagnosing symptoms and planning diets to deciding what to cook for dinner or what to gift a friend, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved into roles once reserved for medical practitioners or trusted confidants and, stranger still, for companionship itself. At the same time, it has become the first stop for life's random questions: Türkiye?" and "Who invented the telephone?" to "How many calories are in an egg?" "How do I write a resignation letter?" "Why is my phone not charging?" or "How can I lose weight?" | This increasing variety of queries shows how deeply AI is embedding itself in our daily…
(2026-05-17). Insurance strategy for Australian SMEs in a disruption era. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-05-17). Behind PM Modi's Austerity Appeal. ummid.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity, urging families to cut back on personal spending and edible oil consumption amid high fuel prices and global conflicts, is purely an act of letting down the middle class.
(2026-05-17). Malaysia calls off search, rescue operation for victims of migrant boat tragedy. tribune.com.pk 
Malaysian authorities ended a nearly week-long search and rescue operation for victims of a boat capsizing tragedy involving Indonesian migrants in waters off Pulau Pangkor island last week, media reports said Sunday. | At least 16 people were killed, while 23 were rescued after a migrant boat carrying 37 undocumented passengers sank on May 11 off the island, state-run Bernama news agency reported. | Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the operation ended Saturday following no new discoveries in the search area. | "Initial information obtained on the first day of the operation stated that t…
(2026-05-17). KEAM 2026 Result: Link, Steps to Check. ummid.com The Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Government of Kerala is declaring the result of KEAM 2026 — the entrance exam held for admission in Engineering and Pharmacy courses on its official website cee.kerala.gov.in.
(2026-05-17). One Indian worker killed, three injured in massive Ukrainian attack on Russia. ptcnews.tv PTC News Desk: An Indian worker was killed and three others injured after a drone strike hit Russia's Moscow region on Sunday, the Embassy of India in Russia said. | "The Embassy condoles the loss of life and is working with the company management and local authorities to provide necessary assistance to the workers," the embassy said in a statement posted on X. The identities of the victims have not yet been made public. Authorities are also yet to release further details about the drone strike. | Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks on Moscow in recent months overnight on Sunday, setting off air ra…
(2026-05-17). Nicholas Kristof's report on Israeli rape of Palestinians detonated a furious smear campaign. Will the mainstream media follow the story? mondoweiss.net 
An in-depth report by NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof accused Israeli prison guards of raping Palestinians. The Netanyahu government responded with a ferocious smear campaign, and the media is squirming uncomfortably. Will it follow the story?
(2026-05-17). PHA and NAMI host songwriting workshop for Philadelphia youth during Mental Health Awareness Month. whyy.org 
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Children gathered around a table at the Philadelphia Housing Authority's North Philadelphia office and shouted out things that made them feel happy as they worked together to write songs about their emotions. | The songwriting workshop, hosted by the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, aimed to give Philadelphia youth a creative outlet to express themselves and talk openly about mental health. | Ashley Murray, youth peer navigator for…
(2026-05-17). Activists troll far-right UK rally with giant pro-immigration clip. aljazeera.com Led By Donkeys has snuck a big screen streaming pro-immigration messages into a far-right rally in the UK.
(2026-05-17). Head flag shagger arrested at Unite the Kingdom rally. thecanary.co 
Flag shagger arrested! As we reported, Tommy Robinson's 2026 Unite the Kingdom rally was a massive flop. Despite this, some good did come of it: Oh dear… Raise the Colours leader Ryan Bridge has just been arrested at Euston station t.co/jTvTaLaKrr — Nick Lowles (@lowles_nick) May 16, 2026 Flag shagger raising the colours Ryan Bridge […] | By
(2026-05-17). UK deploys low-cost anti-drone missile system to Middle East. tribune.com.pk 
Britain has deployed a new low-cost missile system to the Middle East in a move aimed at strengthening protection against drone attacks targeting "UK forces, citizens and regional partners." | The UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Saturday that the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) has now been fitted to RAF Typhoon fighter jets operating in the region, allowing the aircraft to destroy drones and other threats at "a fraction of the price" of the missiles currently in use. | "The system has now been deployed on operations in the Middle East with sorties flown by 9 Squadron RAF Typhoon fi…
(2026-05-17). The photographer who got away the day Danny Kaye was front page news. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-05-17). Governments Love Secrecy, But the World's Major Problems Are Not Secret. warisacrime.org I've been reading Truth and Consequence: Reflections on Catastrophe, Civil Resistance, and Hope. It's a collections of things Daniel Ellsberg wrote and didn't publish. I come to it having read what he did publish, having spoken with him about some of it, having debated him — publicly and privately — on some of it, and …
(2026-05-17). Sebastian Veg: Three Vistas of Hong Kong. newleftreview.org Sebastian Veg on Ming-Sho Ho, Be Water; Ching Kwan Lee, Forever Hong Kong; Edmund Cheng and Samson Yuen, The Making of Leaderful Mobilization. Studies of Hong Kong's 2019 protests.
(2026-05-17). Ukraine Drone Strike Kills Four in Russia as Moscow Hit by Biggest Attack in Over a Year. moderndiplomacy.eu At least four people died in a significant drone attack on Russian regions, including Moscow, which experienced its largest assault in over a year. Three fatalities occurred in the Moscow region, and one in Belgorod, with a woman killed when her home was struck in Khimki. Two men died in the Mytishchi district. Many high-rise …
(2026-05-17). 'Auction, Not Exam': Rahul Gandhi on NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Reports. ummid.com Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi Tuesday slammed the Narendra Modi government over the reports of NEET UG 2026 paper leak saying the medical entrance exam is 'not an exam any more but has become 'auction'.
(2026-05-17). Military jets' crew members safely ejected after Idaho air show collision, Navy says. scmp.com Four crew ‚Å members involved in a mid-air ‚Å collision of military jets at an air show ejected safely on Sunday outside Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, the US Navy said. | Two E/A-18G Growler ‚Äåjets collided in mid-air two miles from the base during the two-day Gunfighter Skies Air Show, said Commander Amelia Umayam, a spokeswoman for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet.
(2026-05-17). 'We're Not Going Back': Black Voters March in Montgomery Against Redistricting. capitalbnews.org 
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Roy Wilson remembers marching with his family before the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. More than 60 years later, the 77-year-old answered the nationwide call to action this weekend as hundreds mobilized across Selma and Montgomery against the direct attacks on the voting protections he fought for as a teenager. …
(2026-05-17). High-quality development of China's service sector to boost industry, benefit people. ecns.cn In the first quarter of this year, the value-added output of China's service industry accounted for 61.7 percent of GDP and contributed 63.2 percent to the country's economic growth, cementing its status as the largest pillar of the national economy, official data showed.
(2026-05-17). UK ramps up Gulf military role amid US-Iran tensions. newarab.com 
The The British government said Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets would be equipped with an advanced precision weapons system…
(2026-05-17). Haryana 12th Result 2026, Toppers List Released. ummid.com The Haryana Board of Secondary Education (HBSE) had announced the result of 2026 HSC 12th exams along with Merit List and Toppers Names on its official website bseh.org.in.
(2026-05-17). Modest fashion's global turn. aljazeera.com From Instagram to Paris catwalks, modest fashion is booming as the global Muslim market heads toward $433bn by 2028.
(2026-05-17). Crypto.com gets license to receive taxes, other govt payments in UAE. ummid.com Crypto.com has become the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) to get the UAE license to receive taxes and other government payments.
(2026-05-17). WHYY Newscast for Sunday 8:00 a.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-05-17). Sudanese army advances in Blue Nile state deepen displacement crisis. aljazeera.com The Sudanese army has made advances in Blue Nile state, with renewed fighting forcing families into overcrowded camps…
(2026-05-17). China achieves successful batch cloning of super high-yield dairy goats. ecns.cn Chinese scientists have successfully cloned six super high-yield dairy goats in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, marking the country's first successful batch cloning of such animals and a major breakthrough in dairy goat breeding technology.
(2026-05-17). British daily reveals when UK PM Keir Starmer will exit Westminister as political pressure mounts. hindustantimes.com UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly considering stepping down, triggering fresh turmoil at the top of British politics. According to a report by journalist Dan Hodges, citing an unnamed cabinet minister, Starmer "understands the political reality". Pressure on Starmer has intensified sharply after four ministers resigned on May 11, even as he publicly insists he will not quit. Starmer became prime minister in 2024, the UK's fifth premier since the 2016 Brexit vote, in a period of almost continuous political instability in which no prime minister has completed a full term since David Cameron.
(2026-05-17). Arnold urges Iraq to show fighting spirit at upcoming World Cup. newarab.com 
(2026-05-17). Red is the colour of sacrifice. tribune.com.pk 
Sheep led to slaughter may sense what awaits them, yet they have no choice but to move forward. Some might even mistake movement for freedom and look forward to life beyond their stockyard. Dress these sheep in bright reds and golds, surround them with garlands, fill the air with melancholic music, and gather eager spectators, and the ritual begins to resemble a typical wedding procession. Herded down the aisle against their free will, millions of women and girls face a similar fate as their right to shape their own lives is sacrificed at the altar of culture. | Under Section 498-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (…
(2026-05-17). Marcus Verhagen: The Art of Counter-Remembrance. newleftreview.org In 2017, a fire killed 72 residents of Grenfell Tower in West London, exposing a bleak background of neglect. How can art grapple with such an event? Contrasting modes of aesthetic response explored in the works of Chris Ofili, Steve McQueen and Forensic Architecture.
(2026-05-17). TN CM Joseph Vijay promises Secular state based on Social Justice. ummid.com Soon after taking oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Actor C Joseph Vijay promised a Secular state based on Social Justice.
(2026-05-17). CTET Sept 2026 registration starts, Apply before June 10. ummid.com Online registration and application process for the 22nd edition of the Central Teaching Eligibility Test (CTET) September 2026 to be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started through the official website 'ctet.nic.in'.
(2026-05-17). Chevron wants a school district tax break for a data center power plant. grist.org A major oil company is seeking a state tax break in Texas worth hundreds of millions of dollars to build a massive power plant. The energy won't be going to residential customers, though. Instead, the gas plant will be used to power a data center whose eventual tenant could be Microsoft. | Chevron subsidiary Energy Forge One has
(2026-05-17). China opens 21 international cargo routes in April. ecns.cn China opened 21 new international cargo air routes in April, adding more than 43 round-trip flights per week, according to data released by the Air Logistics Branch of the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing on Thursday.
(2026-05-17). France Out Of Africa! PASAI Shows The Way. popularresistance.org Kenya's president, William Ruto, long ago proved his bona fides as a puppet of the United States and its junior imperialist partners. In 2023, he sent Kenyan police, under the "Multinational Security Support Mission" to assist the U.S. in its occupation of Haiti. At the time, he referred to his actions as being "Pan-African," even as he did the bidding of the imperialist powers and made a mockery of that term. | Ruto's loyalty was rewarded as Kenya was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally, an elaborate way of saying that he is a puppet, a stooge, a lapdog, for U.S. interests.
(2026-05-17). Dollar trap: Washington's bid to keep the Gulf in line. strategic-culture.su The story Washington wants you to believe is simple. The Iran war broke the Persian Gulf's economy, and the US is throwing its allies a lifeline. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) called the proposed UAE dollar swap line a financial backstop. The Financial Times (FT) called it a rescue. CNBC called it a bailout. The real question is who gets access to the Fed's gates, and on what political terms.
(2026-05-17). 'Syria now laboratory for new regional alignment of diplomacy,' says US envoy. tribune.com.pk 
US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on Sunday that "Syria is now a laboratory for a new regional alignment of diplomacy, integration and hope for the entire region." | Barrack's remarks came in a post on X, following a Saturday meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss developments in Syria and the region. | Just over a year ago, @POTUS visionary meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia opened a new chapter — announcing the lifting of sanctions to "give Syria a chance at greatness." | A bold and hopeful gesture for Syria and the region. | Under President al-Sharaa's..
(2026-05-17). ISPR says Indian COAS remarks reflect 'jingoistic and myopic mindset'. tribune.com.pk 
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday criticised remarks by the Indian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), saying the statement reflected a "jingoistic and myopic mindset" and warned against pushing "South Asia towards wars and crises". | In a statement, ISPR said the Indian army chief had made a "provocative statement" during a recent interview that "Pakistan should decide if it desired to be part of geography and history". | The military's media wing said that, contrary to what it described as a "delusional and hallucinational belief system" and "despite the omnipresent ill wishes that prevail in Hind…
(2026-05-17). Algeria's USM Alger beat Egypt's Zamalek to win CAF Cup. aljazeera.com Algeria's USM Alger beat Egypt's Zamalek to win CAF Cup.
(2026-05-17). WHO Declares Congo-Uganda Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency. moderndiplomacy.eu The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern. " This outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus, presents risks to neighboring countries. The WHO reported 80 suspected deaths, eight confirmed cases, and 246 possible cases in the DRC's …
(2026-05-17). Activists to Protest Marin Grocer United Markets Over Sale of Chickens from Perdue Factory. indybay.org Protesters to expose animal cruelty documented at Perdue's California subsidiary, Petaluma Poultry, and ask United Markets to cut ties…
(2026-05-17). Saturday 5/16: All Roads Lead to the South: Watch Party for Selma Movie. indybay.org Mountain View, 94043…
(2026-05-17). Cannes Filmmakers Show Growing Acceptance of AI in Cinema. moderndiplomacy.eu Xavier Gens, the French director of the upcoming Netflix film "Under Paris," mentioned that if he made the movie now, he could have dramatically reduced the visual effects budget and finished it in less time due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). He stated that with AI, he could complete the film in three months …
(2026-05-17). Not your father's matlock. tribune.com.pk 
Reviving a legacy title is always a gamble, especially when the original—Matlock—remains etched in popular memory as a comforting courtroom procedural led by the folksy brilliance of Andy Griffith. Not only did it run for 9 seasons in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it also inspired other producers to create a modern-day courtroom drama. | The same thing happens in CBS's modern reimagining, fronted by Kathy Bates, which could easily have leaned on nostalgia alone. Instead, by the time Season 2 wraps, it becomes clear that this Matlock is not interested in imitation—it's carving out someth…
(2026-05-17). Record Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow kills 3, targets refinery. scmp.com Russia's capital and the surrounding Moscow region came under record drone attacks overnight, leaving at least three people killed and over a dozen wounded. | Residential buildings were damaged across several suburbs and Moscow's oil refinery was targeted in a rare strike, according to local authorities.
(2026-05-17). Sukhneet, Suhani, Divanshi Top PSEB 12th 2026 Exam Scoring 100% Marks. ummid.com Sukhneet Kaur, Suhani Chauhan and Divanshi have topped the PSEB Punjab Class 12th board exam 2026 the result of which was announced today i.e. Wednesday May 13, 2026.
(2026-05-17). Strikes and resurgent trade unionism in Chile: Interview with Domingo Pérez Valenzuela. links.org.au 
Domingo Pérez Valenzuela discusses the resurgence of Chilean trade unionism, strengths and limitations of its strike model, and what lessons the country's recent labour struggles offer for labour renewal internationally.
(2026-05-17). Americans in DR Congo may have had exposure to Ebola in outbreak, US media reports. scmp.com A ‚Å number ‚Å of ‚Å Americans currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo are believed to ‚Äåhave had exposure to suspected cases in the country's latest Ebola outbreak, with several deemed to ‚Å have had high-risk exposures, US health news website STAT ‚ÄåNews reported on Sunday. | At least one of ‚Äåthese individuals may have ‚Å developed symptoms, ‚Å the report said.
(2026-05-17). US citizens in DR Congo potentially exposed to Ebola in outbreak, report says. scmp.com A ‚Å number ‚Å of ‚Å Americans currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo are believed to ‚Äåhave had exposure to suspected cases in the country's latest Ebola outbreak, with several deemed to ‚Å have had high-risk exposures, US health news website STAT ‚ÄåNews reported on Sunday. | At least one of ‚Äåthese individuals may have ‚Å developed symptoms, ‚Å the report said.
(2026-05-17). Richard Overy: Rethinking The Second World War. newleftreview.org Interviewed by Tom Stevenson, one of Britain's leading historians discusses the development of his understanding of the war as a terminal clash between imperial-colonial systems, built on close analysis of its interrelated military, political and economic dimensions.
(2026-05-17). Labour Party leadership challenge — Starmer's successors change nothing. thecanary.co 
The Labour Party, once the obvious vehicle for working class hopes, now resembles a clapped-out Ford Escort, abandoned on the hard shoulder of history. The wheels are missing, the engine is on fire, and the driver is insisting everything is on track for change. With Keir Starmer on the brink — cabinet ministers whispering exit […] | By
(2026-05-17). China's South-to-North water project has supplied nearly 200 million people. ecns.cn China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project has transferred more than 88 billion cubic meters of water to northern regions since operations began, benefiting nearly 200 million people, according to official data released in May.
(2026-05-17). New Chinese battery offers fresh hope for hydrogen storage. ecns.cn Chinese researchers have built a new type of battery that may solve one of the biggest challenges in clean energy: how to store hydrogen easily and efficiently.
(2026-05-17). SPL 25/26: Ronaldo trails behind Ivan Toney in Golden Boot Race. ummid.com Cristiano Ronaldo has taken Al-Nassr Saudi FC to the cusp of Saudi Pro League Title 2026 but the highest goal scorer in international football is trailing behind Al Ahli's Ivan Toney in Golden Boot race.
(2026-05-17). British MP resigns, paving way for possible Starmer challenger's return to Westminster. ecns.cn Josh Simons, a British Labour member of parliament (MP), resigned on Thursday so that Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham could replace him in his constituency through a by-election.
(2026-05-17). R12bn allocated to water infrastructure grants. sanews.gov.za R12bn allocated to water infrastructure grants | An amount of R12.3 billion has been allocated to infrastructure grants to fund 70 bulk water projects and 341 water services initiatives across all provinces, as government intensifies efforts to stabilise struggling municipal systems. | Presenting the Budget Vote for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Parliament on Friday, Minister Pemmy Majodina announced that the funding will be channelled through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). | The Minister said RBIG will fund 70 bulk infrastructur…
(2026-05-17). Palestinian-owned dog survives after Israeli settler beating. newarab.com 
A Palestinian-owned dog that was brutally beaten by an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank on Friday is now recovering and being treated for severe wounds. | The Lucy suffered severe injuries and has since been taken for emergency treatment. | The harrowing footage clearly shows the settler, who has not yet been named, r…
(2026-05-17). This week in history: May 18-24. wsws.org 25 years ago, 14 Mexican migrants die crossing the Arizona desert amid intensified US border militarization; 50 years ago, Pol Pot is installed as Cambodia's prime minister, consolidating Khmer Rouge rule; 75 years ago, the "17-point" agreement formalizes China's annexation of Tibet; 100 years ago, French forces capture the Rif rebel capital in Morocco…
(2026-05-17). Advanced manufacturing showcases nation's industrial prowess. ecns.cn Ahead of the May Day holiday, more than 4,000 international car dealers traveled to Wuhu in East China's Anhui province, home to the headquarters of Chinese automaker Chery. For many, the visit was a firsthand look at the dynamism of China's manufacturing sector.
(2026-05-17). Government launches water anti-corruption drive. sanews.gov.za Government launches water anti-corruption drive | The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has announced the establishment of a national Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum as part of intensified efforts to combat crime, corruption and sabotage within South Africa's water sector. | Presenting the department's Budget Vote in Parliament on Friday, Majodina identified water mafias – organised criminal networks engaged in crime, corruption and sabotage of water infrastructure – as one of the central threats to water service delivery. | "One of the focus areas on the National Water Action Plan is the fight…
(2026-05-17). Norway arrests Chinese national for alleged spying. scmp.com Norway's interior security service, PST, said on Sunday a Chinese man had been arrested in the country's north for spying, just weeks after a Chinese woman was arrested suspected of spying on satellite data. | The suspect was arrested on Friday by the Nordland police district, Eirik Veum, PST's media spokesman, told Agence France-Presse.
(2026-05-17). Trump Undecided on Moving Forward $14 Billion Arms Package for Taiwan After Talks With Xi. news.antiwar.com President Trump has said he's undecided on moving forward with a massive $14 billion package of arms deals for Taiwan following his visit to Beijing and talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "I'll make a determination over the next fairly short period. I'm gonna make a determination," Trump told reporters on Air Force One as …
(2026-05-17). Qatar, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts to ease Mideast tension. tribune.com.pk 
Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and his Saudi Arabian counterpart Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the situation in the Middle East, including those related to the US-Iran war. | In a Sunday statement on US social media company X, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the discussions over the phone call also addressed efforts to ease tensions and promote stability and security across the region. | Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ Holds Phone Call with Saudi Foreign Minister | Doha | May 17, 2026 | HE Prime Minister and Minister of Fore…
(2026-05-17). California's 2025 Wolf Population Rises 10%, Successful Breeding Pairs Decline. indybay.org SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2026 — California's wolf population grew by 10% in 2025, with a total of nine packs by the end of December, according to a report released today by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The number of successful breeding wolf pairs declined, the report said.
(2026-05-17). Ukraine drones kill four as Moscow faces biggest attack in year. newarab.com 
At least four people were killed, including three in the A fourth person was killed in the
(2026-05-17). Navy E/A-18G Growlers Collide At Idaho Air Show. twz.com 
(2026-05-17). Israeli Troops Advance into Southwest Syria to 'Investigate Shepherds'. news.antiwar.com Israeli forces continue to operate militarily in southwestern Syria, though exactly what they are attempting to accomplish is increasingly uncertain, with raids into Quneitra and Daraa Governorates involving ill-defined investigations of random homes or people. The weekend operation was near the town of Jamleh, and saw Israeli troops enter Syria to capture a group of …
(2026-05-17). India's Tata and Dutch giant ASML sign semiconductor deal during Modi visit. aljazeera.com Prime Minister Modi says his talks with the Dutch PM also focused on expanding cooperation in defence and security.
(2026-05-17). Prosecutors seek death penalty for US man charged with killing Israeli embassy staffers. al-monitor.com Prosecutors said Friday that they will seek the death penalty for a Chicago man charged with fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers in the US capital last year.Elias Rodriguez was arrested immediately after the May 21 shooting of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and his fiancee, Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington.US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a court filing that prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Rodriguez, who faces murder, firearms and hate crime charges.
(2026-05-17). Norway arrests Chinese man for spying, interior security service says. scmp.com Norway's interior security service, PST, said on Sunday a Chinese man had been arrested in the country's north for spying, just weeks after a Chinese woman was arrested suspected of spying on satellite data. | The suspect was arrested on Friday by the Nordland police district, Eirik Veum, PST's media spokesman, told Agence France-Presse.
(2026-05-17). NEET UG 2026 re-exam to be held at same exam centers with no fees. ummid.com The National Testing Agency (NTA) said NEET UG 2026 re-exam for all registered candidates will be held at the same exam centre where a candidate had appeared on May 03, 2026.
(2026-05-17). "The Forever Prisoner" : Abu Zubaydah's testimony from Guantánamo Bay. wsws.org Zubaydah's international lawyer, Helen Duffy, explained how he has been held in arbitrary detention for 24 years without charge, trial, or judicial review and subjected to torture.
(2026-05-17). Did the Sun's "Terminator" Predict the Coming 2026 El Niño? New Research Says Yes. wattsupwiththat.com Every Terminator since the 1960s coincided with a flip from El Niño to La Niña conditions.
(2026-05-17). US-Indonesia Gaslighting Part 2: "Fact Checkers" Attack Reports Exposing US Interference. thealtworld.com 
After receiving a second email from a Western-linked media organization in Indonesia — I go into further detail regarding Western-backed networks in Indonesia who are attempting to gaslight the public by accusing those reporting on US interference in Indonesia's internal political affairs of being a form of "foreign interference" themselves. | References: | New Atlas — Post on Indonesia unrest from 2025: | US-Funded Riots Target Indonesia (or, NED is Alive and Well…) | US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in May during the Singapore-based Shangri La Dialogue the US would focus more on the, "In…