(2026-05-20). Tankers exit Hormuz as Trump, Vance talk up Iran deal prospects. tribune.com.pk 
Two Chinese tankers laden with oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, shipping data showed, brightening hopes that the US-Israeli war on Iran may soon be resolved after positive comments from the US president and his deputy. | US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the war would be over "very quickly" while Vice President JD Vance talked up progress in talks with Tehran about an agreement to end hostilities. | "We're in a pretty good spot here," Vance told a White House press briefing. | Read: US VP JD Vance says 'a lot of progress' made in Iran negotiations | Trump made his comments a day after sayi…
(2026-05-20). Synagogues that sell stolen Palestinian land should, of course, be protested. mronline.org 
There is a moral panic over whether protests at synagogues against the sale of Israeli settlement homes are antisemitic. This accusation is meant only to distract from Israel's ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing. Don't fall for it.
(2026-05-20). 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)…
(2026-05-20). Trump says Iran diplomacy space is shrinking. tribune.com.pk 
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States could launch fresh military strikes against Iran within days if negotiations fail, even as Washington and Tehran continued indirect efforts to reach a deal aimed at preventing a renewed escalation in the Middle East conflict. | Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump revealed he had been "an hour away" from authorising a new attack before postponing the move following requests from Gulf Arab states seeking more time for diplomacy. | "Well, I mean, I'm saying two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, something, maybe early next week,…
(2026-05-20). G7 imperialist governments line up behind Trump's threats against Iran as global war escalates. wsws.org Trump's gangster-like threats are the authentic voice of world imperialism, which is determined to impose colonial chains on Iran and the entire region as part of the new redivision of the world among the major powers that is already well underway.
(2026-05-20). 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.
(2026-05-20). Putin, Xi hail 'unyielding' ties in talks after Trump visit. geo.tv 
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 20, 2026. — Reuters Beijing and Moscow continuously deepened mutual trust: Xi.Putin says relations reached…
(2026-05-20). Putin arrives in China for talks with 'long-time friend' Xi. tribune.com.pk 
Russian leader Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with 'long-time good friend' Xi Jinping, just four days after Donald Trump's own visit. | In talks that were confirmed just a few hours after Trump wrapped up his own state visit last Friday, the leaders of Russia and China are set to discuss how to 'further strengthen' Russia and China's strategic partnership and 'exchange views on key international and regional issues.' | Setting warm tones for the visit, the two leaders exchanged 'congratulatory letters' on Sunday to mark 30 years of their countries' strategic partnership. | Xi said coope…
(2026-05-20). Media reports highlight concerns in Japan over possible U.S.-China policy recalibration. ecns.cn Recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump on Taiwan and regional security have sparked discussion in Japanese media and policy circles over the future direction of U.S.-China relations and their potential impact on Japan.
(2026-05-20). On cam: Putin arrives in China to grand red carpet welcome after Trump-Xi Beijing meet | Russia. hindustantimes.com Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin in Beijing as the two leaders prepared for a high-stakes summit amid growing global tensions. Putin's visit comes shortly after his diplomatic engagements with the United States, putting fresh focus on Beijing's balancing act between East and West. Ahead of the visit, Putin sent a message of solidarity to China, while Xi welcomed his "old friend" for talks expected to cover geopolitics, trade, Ukraine, and the shifting global power balance.
(2026-05-20). U.S., China agree to launch government-to-government dialogue on AI: FM. ecns.cn During U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, top leaders of the two countries had constructive exchanges on AI and agreed to launch government-to-government dialogue on AI, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Tuesday.
(2026-05-20). The horrors of AI-driven military targeting, from Gaza to Iran. mronline.org 
In 2021, Israeli intelligence officials had proudly declared that an 11-day bombing campaign against Hamas was their "First AI War", but that was a mere skirmish compared to the unbridled, AI-facilitated mass slaughter that was to come.
(2026-05-20). Modi demands India's workers and toilers make "sacrifices" as economic fallout from Iran war expands. wsws.org India's far-right BJP government has raised petrol and diesel prices just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted Indians to slash energy and fertiliser consumption in response to the ever-widening economic fallout from the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran.
(2026-05-20). Don't fall for it: Congress must reject the $1.5 trillion war budget. responsiblestatecraft.org As President Donald Trump considers the path forward in Iran, Americans' economic troubles are apparently not a concern. "I don't think about Americans' financial situation," Trump said in response to a reporter's question last week about efforts to end the conflict. "Not even a little bit."President Trump's lack of concern will surprise many given an almost 50% rise in gas prices, rising grocery costs, job losses, and other economic pain since the start of the U.S.—Israeli war on Iran.Rather than focusing on addressing Americans' economic insecurity, Trump has shown repeatedly that he wants to focus th…
(2026-05-20). Joe Kent: Trump can't end war until Israel taken out of the loop. responsiblestatecraft.org
(2026-05-20). Was Iran hours away from US attack? Trump reveals warships were loaded and ready to strike | Watch. hindustantimes.com Donald Trump has sparked fresh confusion after claiming he personally halted a possible strike on Iran, even as Gulf allies reportedly denied receiving any prior warning about a planned U.S. operation. Trump's latest remarks have fueled speculation over whether Washington was truly preparing military action or using pressure tactics to force Tehran into a deal.
(2026-05-20). Canadian mining company Sherritt International reverses course and maintains joint investment project with Cuba. radiohc.cu The Canadian mining company Sherritt International has finally decided to maintain its joint project with Cuba, reversing the dissolution plan announced days earlier amid the tightening of US sanctions against the island. | The company, which has been operating in Cuba for 32 years, reported that it halted the process after consulting with advisors, government authorities and other stakeholders, as well as receiving new information about the future of the operation and possible alternatives to preserve the value of the business. | Sherritt indicated that it has preliminarily identified "a possible opportunity to…
(2026-05-20). Cuba denounces serious health impact of the U.S. energy blockade before the World Health Organization. radiohc.cu 
During her address to the 79th World Health Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), Cuba's First Deputy Minister of Health, Tania Cruz, denounced the damage suffered by the island's healthcare system due to the total fuel embargo imposed by the United States, which has been added to the already intensified economic blockade. | "This is an action with a serious impact on our healthcare system, causing extraordinary harm to every Cuban family, to our children, the elderly, and the sick," emphasized the official, who added that "causing shortages and extreme hardship for mi…
(2026-05-20). Cuba stands firm. It works, creates, and fights against the threat of imperialism. mronline.org 
Statement by the Cuban Chapter of the Network in Defense of Humanity.
(2026-05-20). Hospitales de Pinar del Río reciben ayuda de cubanos residentes en Estados Unidos. radiohc.cu 
Los cubanos patriotas en Estados Unidos ayudan a su pueblo y un ejemplo lo tenemos con la organización Zunzún que envío recientemente a los hospitales pinareños León Cuervo Rubio y Abel Santamaría, medicamentos e insumos médicos. | Desde el sur de La Florida, en Miami Dade, los cubanos dignos desafiaron el criminal bloqueo económico, comercial y financiero que impone la Casa Blanca por más de seis décadas y recrudecido en la actualidad con más medidas decretadas por la administración de Donald Trump. | A través del Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP), el donativo llegó a su destino y fue entregado…
(2026-05-20). Cuba adecua curso escolar a complejidades por bloqueo energético de EEUU. radiohc.cu 
Los titulares de los Ministerios de Educación y Educación Superior de Cuba, Naima Trujillo Barreto y Walter Baluja García, respectivamente, informaron este martes sobre el cierre del actual período lectivo, en medio de las complejidades que impone la situación nacional debido al bloqueo energético impuesto por el Gobierno de Estados Unidos. | En el espacio televisivo Mesa Redonda, Trujillo Barreto explicó que se disminuirá, en la medida de las posibilidades, la doble sesión, los servicios de seminternado y la presencialidad, de acuerdo a factores de movilidad y transportación. | Informó que se adelantará el cierr…
(2026-05-20). Gaza board reports funding 'gap'. tribune.com.pk 
The gap between funding pledges and disbursement for Donald Trump's Gaza rebuilding plan must be closed urgently, the US president's "Board of Peace" has said in a report, identifying a potential cash crunch in a plan estimated to cost $70 billion. | Trump set up the Board of Peace to oversee his ambitious plan to end Israel's war in Gaza and rebuild the shattered territory. | The UN Security Council has recognised the board, though many major powers have not joined Washington's main Middle Eastern allies and some middling and smaller states in signing up. | Reuters reported in April that the board had only re…
(2026-05-20). Israeli forces fire shots at Gaza flotilla. tribune.com.pk 
Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels in an aid flotilla sailing towards Gaza on Tuesday, according to video footage and flotilla organisers, but Israel said no live ammunition was used and there were no casualties. | Video from the flotilla's livestream showed soldiers firing shots at two of the boats. The type of ammunition fired was not clear. | "At no point was live ammunition fired," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement. | "Following multiple warnings, non-lethal means were employed toward the vessel – not toward protesters – as a warning. No protesters were injured during this ev…
(2026-05-20). 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.
(2026-05-20). Israel says 430 Gaza flotilla activists being transferred to Israel. tribune.com.pk 
Israeli authorities said that 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were en route to Israel after their vessels were intercepted at sea. | Sailing from Turkey last week, the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels are the latest in a string of attempts by activists to breach Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory, with the last convoy intercepted by Israeli forces last month. | "Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives," a spokesman from Israel…
(2026-05-20). Venezuela: Presidency Expresses Condolences for Carmen Teresa Navas' Death. orinocotribune.com The Presidency of Venezuela issued a statement Monday night expressing deep regret for the death of Carmen Teresa Navas, which occurred on Sunday. The administration reported that since the complaint regarding the death of her son, Víctor Hugo Quero, became known, the acting president "ordered a rigorous investigation to clarify what happened," requesting the collaboration of the Ombudsman's Office and the Public Ministry. | "Once the investigations are completed, the country will be fully informed about the results and the corresponding actions," the statement added. | The full unofficial translation of the stat…
(2026-05-20). Venezuela Schedules 2nd National Popular Consultation for July 12. orinocotribune.com Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced Monday that the second National Popular Consultation will be held on Sunday, July 12. The process, which aims to fund communal projects chosen directly by grassroots organizations, will this time formally include residential areas and private housing developments. | During the inauguration of socio-productive spaces in the City of Entrepreneurship, located in the José Rafael Núñez Tenorio urban development of the Gigante Cacique Tiuna Commune in Caracas, where she was accompanied by Communes Minister àÅngel Prado, the acting head of state explained that…
(2026-05-20). The ICRC's response to affected populations and infrastructure following the events of January 2026 in Venezuela. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). EconoScope | Why FIFA lowered the price for China's 2026 World Cup broadcast rights. ecns.cn After months of negotiations, FIFA and China Media Group (CMG) have reportedly reached an agreement on broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the final deal said to be significantly lower than FIFA's initial asking price.
(2026-05-20). Fear grips eastern DR Congo amid deadly Ebola outbreak. aljazeera.com From Bukavu to Kinshasa, concern is spreading among residents and street vendors as Ebola cases rise.
(2026-05-20). South Africa: New Waves of Xenophobic Attacks. hrw.org Click to expand Image | An anti-immigration protest in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 29, 2026. | © 2026 Themba Hadebe/AP Photo | (Johannesburg) — Vigilantes in South Africa have carried out violent xenophobic attacks targeting African and Asian foreign nationals in recent weeks, with little or insufficient apparent response from the police and other authorities, Human Rights Watch said today.In April and May 2026, a citizen-led movement, March and March, that advocates more stringent immigration enforcement in South Africa organized demonstrations against undocumented migrants in major cities…
(2026-05-20). Silk flowers wowing EU market. ecns.cn A post-90s "third-generation entrepreneur" from Tianjin left for Spain last month, planning to stay for at least a year as the 2,600-square-meter overseas silk flower warehouse he invested in has officially begun operations. From this hub, silk flower handicrafts from Tianjin are now being distributed across Europe.
(2026-05-20). Trump reveals details of his bunker-like ballroom with drone base, underground hospital. scmp.com US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ‚Å revealed previously undisclosed details ‚Å about his new bunker-like White House ballroom, ‚Å saying it would have a drone base on the roof and a military hospital as part of a six-storey subterranean complex. | Amid the bang and clang of construction, Trump took a group of reporters on a tour of the project to try to bolster his argument ‚Äåthat the US Congress should allocate US$1 billion to pay for security enhancements to the building.
(2026-05-20). Minister Ntshavheni to deliver GCIS Budget Vote. sanews.gov.za Minister Ntshavheni to deliver GCIS Budget Vote | Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, alongside Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Kenny Morolong, will on Wednesday table the Government Communication and Information System's (GCIS) Budget Vote, which will outline the department's priorities and plans for the 2026/27 financial year. | The Budget Vote will also outline the plans and priorities of the GCIS entities, Brand South Africa (Brand SA) and the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA). | The annual tabling of departmental Budget Votes is an accountability mechanism for Parliament and the…
(2026-05-20). China-Russia treaty of good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation extended. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Wednesday to continue the extension of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.
(2026-05-20). Where does the surplus go? mronline.org 
Peripheral Bourgeoisies and the Politics of Disinvestment.
(2026-05-20). Washington must act to defuse the Baltic powder keg. responsiblestatecraft.org The Baltic States and the neighboring Russian exclave of Kaliningrad are widely regarded as the most dangerous potential
(2026-05-20). Artist Invitational!! X-country Emergency Intervention Parades!! In adventures of myriad.. indybay.org Informal parades of small and large groups zig-zagging around where intuition and adventure and sprituality (?) brings us!! In order to reach the human beings everywhere!!
(2026-05-20). In memory of legendary activist attorney John Murcko. indybay.org Photo of famed activist attorney Tony Serra shortly after his release from prison in 2007, who defended some clients including Huey Newton, the Black Panthers, George Christie of the Hells Angels, and many others. Lydia Ganz photo.
(2026-05-20). Thursday 5/28: Keeping Your Tax Dollar Local and Out of Hands of Private Profits. indybay.org Oakland Firefighters Union Hall | 369 15th St, Oakland CA…
(2026-05-20). Germany's civil defence plan: The government prepares the country for war. wsws.org Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and the federal government are driving forward the transformation of Germany into a military state. Under the cynical pretext of "civil protection," a 10-billion-euro programme will integrate society into military war planning, preparing Germany as a central NATO hub for deployment against Russia.
(2026-05-20). Whitney Biennial 2026: Taking the pulse and finding it feeble. wsws.org Through the biennial, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City maintains it is taking the pulse of the contemporary art scene in the US.
(2026-05-20). Zelensky's former chief-of-staff released from jail on $3.2 million bail amid corruption charges. wsws.org The rapidly developing corruption crisis in Ukraine has revealed that the Zelensky regime and the ruling oligarchy are steeped in criminality and the plunder of the Ukrainian working class.
(2026-05-20). UAW Local 180 suppresses strike by CNH Industrial workers in Racine, Wisconsin. wsws.org A contract locking in 4 percent annualized wage increases was already insufficient the day it was ratified. The war against Iran—a war of aggression waged by US imperialism that is now directly raising the cost of living for workers across the country—makes the inadequacy of this contract all the more stark.
(2026-05-20). 'Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest. aljazeera.com Controversial remark by Supreme Court chief justice triggers a political movement, with thousands of Gen Z signing in.
(2026-05-20). Loic Wacquant: Against Abolitionism. newleftreview.org A sociological critique of calls for the wholesale elimination of police, courts and prisons, arguing instead for a radical 'penal minimalism'—a better-funded system, with fewer suspects funnelled into it, and imprisonment a punishment of last resort.
(2026-05-20). 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.
(2026-05-20). Jones, Jackson move to Republican primary run-off in Georgia governor race. aljazeera.com Burt Jones and Rick Jackson will face each other again in the June 16 run-off.
(2026-05-20). Descendants of British POWs from Lisbon Maru visit exhibition in east China city. ecns.cn Descendants of British prisoners of war from the Lisbon Maru visit an exhibition on the rescue of Lisbon Maru survivors in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, May 19, 2026.
(2026-05-20). Native Ceremony and March to Refinery in 13th Annual Anti-Chevron Day. indybay.org Large wooden horse connects current conflict to ancient narrative…
(2026-05-20). Monday 5/18: No Monarchs Monday: Weekly Protest at Tesla in San Francisco. indybay.org At the Tesla Dealership, 999 Van Ness (corner of Van Ness and O'Farrell), San Francisco…
(2026-05-20). IHC seeks certified SC copy in Imaan case. tribune.com.pk 
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday raised an objection to the miscellaneous applications seeking early hearing of the sentence suspension pleas of lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial tweets case. | IHC's Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the case. | Senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqi appeared on behalf of Imaan and Chattha. Imaan's mother, Dr Shireen Mazari, Islamabad District Bar President Naeem Gujjar, a former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and members of civil society were also present in the courtroom. | Siddiqi informed the court that miscellaneous applications…
(2026-05-20). Eskom issues notice of intent to interrupt power to Joburg. sanews.gov.za Eskom issues notice of intent to interrupt power to Joburg | Eskom has issued a notice of intent to reduce, interrupt and/or terminate electricity supply to certain bulk supply points in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). | The power utility said this was due to the R5.2 billion owed by the city and City Power (CP) to Eskom. | The debt does not include the R1.5 billion that is due to Eskom in June. | "Eskom has been working with CoJ and/or CP for over two years to support the metro in meeting its payment obligations. | "As a result of CoJ/CP's continued failure to honour its Electricity Supply Agreement with Eskom,…
(2026-05-20). President Ramaphosa heads to Botswana on State Visit. sanews.gov.za President Ramaphosa heads to Botswana on State Visit | President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a two-day State Visit to the Republic of Botswana on Wednesday. | The visit will culminate in the Sixth Session of the Botswana and South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) to be held in Gaborone. | "President Ramaphosa and President Gideon Duma Boko will co-chair the Summit of the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC). | "The Summit will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2026, and the Senior Officials Meeting," a Presidency statement said. | The visit is aimed at strengt…
(2026-05-20). UN cuts global growth forecast, blaming Middle East crisis. aljazeera.com UN economists forecast global GDP to grow 2.5 percent in 2026 and 2.8 percent in 2027.
(2026-05-20). US President Trump, family granted immunity from pending tax audits. aljazeera.com Democratic lawmakers blast move, which follows the establishment of a controversial 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'.
(2026-05-20). Canada CLC Breaks With Zionist Histadrut At Their 2026 Congress. indybay.org The Canadian Labour Congress at their 2026 convention after a struggle ended their relationship with the Israeli Zionists corporate trade union the Histadrut. Hassan Husseini with Labour For Palestine made a report to the Labor For Palestine committee.
(2026-05-20). Russian President Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing on a special flight on the evening of May 19, beginning a state visit to China.
(2026-05-20). Detainee's Death in Armenia Raises Serious Questions. hrw.org Click to expand Image | Armenian law enforcement officers stand outside a police station Yerevan on March 24, 2024. | © 2024 Karen Minasyan/AFP via Getty Images | The death of Armen Hovhannisyan by suicide on May 16, hours after Armenian police transferred him to a psychiatric institution, should prompt urgent scrutiny of how authorities respond to people in psychosocial distress. Police in Artashat, about 30 kilometers from Yerevan, detained Hovhannisyan after he allegedly tore down an election campaign poster. Authorities opened criminal proceedings for "obstructing or coercing participation in campaig…
(2026-05-20). Afridi stopped from meeting Imran at Adiala Jail. tribune.com.pk 
The Islamabad Police on Tuesday prevented K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi from proceeding to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he intended to meet imprisoned PTI founding chairman Imran Khan. | Afridi, who set off for the Rawalpindi prison earlier in the day, was accompanied by Imran's sisters and several PTI workers and leaders. | However, police stopped the delegation at Chungi No26 in Islamabad from proceeding towards Adiala Jail, despite heated arguments, following which the party leaders staged a sit-in. | Meanwhile, several PTI leaders, including Salman Akram Raja, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Bushra Bi…
(2026-05-20). China's desert fighter reconnects with U.S. donor after more than two decades. ecns.cn A Chinese woman who spent decades turning barren desert into woodland has successfully reconnected with an American former teacher who donated $5,000 to support her tree-planting efforts in 1999.
(2026-05-20). Details emerge of sellout deal as Long Island Rail Road workers return to work. wsws.org The result of the deal used to betray a three-day strike is that workers will be poorer due to inflation when the contract expires.
(2026-05-20). 'Climate Hushing': Pragmatism Demoting Exaggeration (McKibben fools himself). wattsupwiththat.com Climate messaging is a mess as the Progressive Left tries to square the energy circle with affordability. Traditional messages have flunked. Complained one activist:…
(2026-05-20). Pennsylvania Results: Chris Rabb to Join the Squad in Congress as Bob Brooks Tries to Flip Key Seat. theintercept.com 
The electoral left won a marquee primary in Philadelphia, while the establishment and progressives united around a firefighters' union chief in the Lehigh Valley.
(2026-05-20). Tom Barrack's highwire act in the Middle East enters its second year. responsiblestatecraft.org During a panel appearance at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum last month, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack managed to anger observers in both Turkey and Israel. Israelis
(2026-05-20). 3 dead in San Diego mosque attack by teenage neo-Nazis. wsws.org The killers' manifesto glorified fascist mass murderers and echoed Republican anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim propaganda.
(2026-05-20). Daughter honours security guard father killed while protecting mosque. aljazeera.com The daughter of mosque security guard Amin Abdullah is remembering him as the "absolute best dad in the world."
(2026-05-20). Deputy Minister Mohai leads Geospatial Strategy Roadshow in eThekwini. sanews.gov.za Deputy Minister Mohai leads Geospatial Strategy Roadshow in eThekwini | Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seiso Mohai, will on Wednesday lead the Geospatial Information Management Strategy (GIMS) Roadshow at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in eThekwini. | The Geospatial Information Management Strategy was initiated by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation under the Chief Directorate Spatial Planning. | The roadshow is being held in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipalit…
(2026-05-20). SA trains officials to crack down on illegal plastic waste trade at sea. sanews.gov.za SA trains officials to crack down on illegal plastic waste trade at sea | Government has, for the first time, provided international training to officials to equip them with the skills needed to manage the complex global trade in hazardous waste and plastic pollution at sea. | While the government has intensified efforts to curb plastic pollution through stronger waste regulations, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, said legislation and policy frameworks alone were not enough and had to be supported by skilled officials. | "Real impact depends on skilled, knowledgeable and c…
(2026-05-20). Death toll reaches 22 in China rains, 20 more missing. geo.tv 
Cars lie partially submerged in floodwaters after heavy rainfall in Duyun, Guizhou Province, China, May 19, 2026, in this still image obtained from a social media video. — ReutersSome areas report "record-breaking rainfall" in recent days.Authorities say floods triggered…
(2026-05-20). The problem with preemption. mronline.org 
Laws deny communities the ability to chart their own course.
(2026-05-20). Drone Panic in Europe: Is Russia Testing NATO's Weak Spots? thinktank.pk The growing wave of drone incidents across Europe is no longer being viewed as isolated military accidents. From Estonia and Latvia to Finland, Romania, and Poland, European governments are increasingly interpreting drone incursions as part of a broader strategy of intimidation, pressure, and hybrid warfare linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The latest incident — …
(2026-05-20). Bipartisan attack on superannuation looming in New Zealand. wsws.org The entire ruling elite is declaring that superannuation payments for future generations of workers and retirees are "unaffordable."
(2026-05-20). Voting begins for 42,000 University of California workers, who still have not seen the full deal. wsws.org Last Thursday, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 called off a state-wide strike at around 1: 00 in the morning, announcing the deal and a snap vote.
(2026-05-20). South Africa to champion climate cooperation at Copenhagen Summit. sanews.gov.za South Africa to champion climate cooperation at Copenhagen Summit | As South Africa prepares to participate in the 2026 Copenhagen Climate Ministerial Summit, government says it will reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism as a key driver of implementation-based cooperation to tackle global environmental and climate challenges. | This is the message that Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, will deliver to about 40 leaders and Ministers gathering in Copenhagen on Wednesday and Thursday to negotiate climate matters ahead of the June Climate Meetings (SB64) in Bonn and COP31 in Ant…
(2026-05-20). Xi says all hostilities must end immediately in Middle East. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said that the situation of the Gulf region in the Middle East is at a critical juncture between war and peace, and all hostilities must end immediately.
(2026-05-20). PTA warns WhatsApp may block accounts. tribune.com.pk 
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday warned that WhatsApp accounts linked to inactive or unregistered SIMs could become inaccessible if users did not update their details. | In an advisory issued on X, PTA said users must ensure that their WhatsApp accounts were connected to an active and properly registered SIM, stressing that "your digital identity is your responsibility." | Meanwhile, the authority has imposed a ban on the sale of SIM cards across the country from midnight to 6am to curb the issuance of illegal SIMs and further strengthen the security system.
(2026-05-20). China-Russia all-round partnership injects certainty into an evolving world. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China is widely expected to elevate bilateral relations further and inject much-needed stability and positive momentum into a turbulent world.
(2026-05-20). Jury Dismisses All Claims in Elon Lawsuit against OpenAI. indybay.org On May 18, jurors in Oakland CA reached a verdict in less than two hours on a federal lawsuit brought by Elon Musk against OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman, and president Greg Brockman. Musk, founder of xAI, accused OpenAI of moving from its not-for-profit origins to a profit-making model. Musk lost … and protesters at the xAI headquarters in Palo Alto delighted in calling Musk a loser the same day.
(2026-05-20). AI Tech Billionaires Attacked At Musk Altman Trial. indybay.org Opponents of AI and labor activists fighting for $30 an hour rallied at the Musk Altman trial on the day of the verdict and talked about the role of these techno billionaires.
(2026-05-20). Couples choose dates that sound like love to marry. ecns.cn Couples across China are rushing to tie the knot on Wednesday and Thursday — May 20 and May 21 — two dates that sound like "I love you" when said aloud in Mandarin, with marriage registration slots fully booked weeks in advance in several major cities.
(2026-05-20). Dar reaffirms ties with regional partners. tribune.com.pk 
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said Pakistan attaches high importance to its fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia and is committed to further strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors. | In a post on X, the deputy prime minister said he met Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, on the sidelines of the Regional Envoys conference in Islamabad. | He appreciated the strong fraternal Pakistan ñSaudi Arabia relations and emphasised the importance of further strengthening the ongoing positive momentum and expanding cooperation across all sectors, includi…
(2026-05-20). Extreme rainfall in central China's Hunan leaves 5 dead, 11 missing. ecns.cn Continuous heavy rains have lashed Shimen County in central China's Hunan Province, leaving five people dead and 11 others missing, according to local authorities.
(2026-05-20). Xi to hold welcome ceremony for Putin. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony on Wednesday morning outside the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a state visit to China.
(2026-05-20). Thomas Meaney: Western Promises. newleftreview.org Thomas Meaney on Fritz Bartel, The Triumph of Broken Promises. The Cold War's end recast as upshot of a contest to enforce capital's discipline, East and West.
(2026-05-20). The Global Trading Wars Are Returning: How Tariffs Are Reshaping the World Economy. indybay.org Summary: | U.S.—China tariffs are disrupting trade and raising costs as supply chains shift away from China. Governments are tying trade to national security, leading to slower growth and a more fragmented global economy.
(2026-05-20). What Do Brazil, Morocco, and UAE Workers Have That You Don't? thinktank.pk Key Takeaways Only 16% of adults participated in structured training last year, revealing a stark access gap. Employers increasingly demand "rounded" skill profiles: digital + green competencies paired with socio-emotional and cognitive abilities. AI-specific skills remain a small share of job postings; foundational digital literacy and critical thinking are the real differentiators. Green and care …
(2026-05-20). Thursday 5/28: Tell Target to Stand Up To ICE! indybay.org Metreon Target: 789 Mission Street. Meet on the sidewalk by the Mission Street entrance.
(2026-05-20). Why I warned the San Diego Islamic Center last Month that it was at Risk. juancole.com
(2026-05-20). US suspected of forcing Norway to cancel Malaysia's US$147 million missile order. scmp.com Norway's revocation of export licences for a naval missile system sold to Malaysia has thrust into sharp relief the United States' ability to kill an arms deal between two other sovereign nations simply by restricting components its own industries supplied. | Analysts suspect a gyroscope used in the guidance system of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace's Naval Strike Missile and other US-made components are the reason Malaysia's navy will not be receiving the weapons it contracted for — and paid nearly…
(2026-05-20). FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Begins in Pakistan. thinktank.pk 
In a landmark moment for sports diplomacy, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, in partnership with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), officially launched the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026‚Ñ¢ with a vibrant kick-off event at the embassy. The gathering brought together government leaders, sports icons, corporate partners, and diplomatic representatives to celebrate football's unique …
(2026-05-20). Wednesday 7/29: Queer Pop! Jazz Funk Dance Class Series. indybay.org Joe Goode Annex | 401 Alabama St, | San Francisco, CA 94110…
(2026-05-20). The United Arab Emirates Is Playing Its Own Game. wattsupwiththat.com Spurning the illusions of energy "transition," the UAE pursues addition, diversification, and diplomacy based on reality and geared toward long-term prosperity for all. It is a model the EU would do well to consider.
(2026-05-20). Rain havoc claims two lives in K-P. tribune.com.pk 
At least two people were killed and 11 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed parts of the province, prompting fresh weather warnings from authorities for the coming days. | According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the fatalities were reported from Mardan during rain-related incidents on Monday night, while injuries were recorded in Battagram, Swat and Mardan. | The Pakistan Meteoro-logical Department (PMD) has meanwhile forecast dust-thunderstorms and rain with occasional gaps in the upper parts of the country till May…
(2026-05-20). Bunker-busting 'of the people, by the people, for the people'. nationofchange.org The cost for shunning what Jesus begot —/ Lip service that cracks our melting pot.
(2026-05-20). NextEra buys dominion energy and forms the biggest U.S. power company. indybay.org Summary: NextEra buys Dominion Energy with plans to form the biggest U.S. power company, allowing for the expansion of AI data centers and power productivity.
(2026-05-20). SC laments political vulnerability in cases. tribune.com.pk 
The Supreme Court has lamented that politicians in general, and parliamentarians in particular, are so vulnerable that they can be implicated in even capital charges without any justification and with mala fide intent by a public servant. | "Since parliamentarians represent the people of their respective constituencies, the magistrate was expected to be vigilant and to remain within the parameters of Section 364 of the CrPC, but he ignored this important aspect and continued to incorporate their names in the statement," said an eight-page judgment authored by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail. | Justice Mandokhail…
(2026-05-20). China secures U17 World Cup qualification again since 2005. ecns.cn China defeated Australia 2-0 in the semifinals of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup on Tuesday. It marked China's return to the premier U17 event for the first time since 2005.
(2026-05-20). What Can North Korea Tell Us about America's Future? juancole.com ( Perhaps a reformer would come along — say, a North Korean version of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev — who could right the airship of state and gu…
(2026-05-20). Anti-Islamic writings' found in car of shooting suspects. tribune.com.pk 
"Anti-Islamic writings" were found in a vehicle connected to the two teenage suspects in Monday's shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that killed three people, according to a Department of Justice official with knowledge of the investigation. | The alleged gunmen have been identified as Caleb Vasquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, the official told Reuters on Tuesday. They were found dead in their car after the shooting, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said on Monday. | Police said the attack was being investigated as a hate crime but declined to offer further details about a possible m…
(2026-05-20). NewsGuild Edsource Reporters Go on ULP Strike for Living Wages & a Contract. indybay.org NewsGuild Edsource reporters went on a 1 day ULP strike to fight for living wages and a contract.
(2026-05-20). 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.
(2026-05-20). Police launch manhunt after North West crime activist killed. sanews.gov.za Police launch manhunt after North West crime activist killed | The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, to ensure maximum resources are deployed to hunt down the killers of Thato Molosankwe. | According to police, the crime activist and traditional healer, Molosankwe was shot and killed after he was attacked at his home in Lomanyaneng village, in Mahikeng, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. | He sustained multiple gunshot wounds. | Lieutenant General…
(2026-05-20). China's Russian SU-35s: The killer jets that could wipe out US-built F-16Vs in Taiwan, what we know. hindustantimes.com China's deployment of advanced Sukhoi Su-35 fighters is reshaping the air-power balance across the Taiwan Strait, raising fresh concerns over Taiwan's ability to defend its skies. Analysts warn the Su-35's long-range radar, thrust-vectoring agility, and heavy missile loadouts could pose a major challenge to Taiwan's American-built F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet in any future conflict.
(2026-05-20). Nations condemn Israeli flotilla interception. tribune.com.pk 
The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, and Spain condemned on Tuesday "in the strongest terms" the "renewed Israeli assaults against the Global Sumud Flotilla," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement. | Terming the flotilla "a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing attention to the catastrophic humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people," MoFA said that the ministers "recall with grave concern the Israeli interventions against previous flotillas in international waters".
(2026-05-20). Sunday 6/7: Boycott Chevron Picket. indybay.org Chevron Corporate Station | 5500 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | (Telegraph at 55th)…
(2026-05-20). PM orders mineral security corridor in Balochistan. tribune.com.pk 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the immediate deployment of the Frontier Corps (FC) to Balochistan's Rakhshan division to establish a dedicated "security corridor" aimed at protecting the province's vast mineral resources and maintaining the confidence of local and international investors operating in the region. | The decision was finalised during the Provincial Apex Committee meeting under the National Action Plan (NAP), held in Quetta. The session was also attended by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bug…
(2026-05-20). Bilawal orders PPP Lahore restructuring. tribune.com.pk 
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has instructed the party's Lahore chapter to immediately complete organisational restructuring down to the grassroots level and begin preparations for local bodies elections during a brief visit to Lahore focused largely on political engagements, condolence visits and internal party consultations. | Bilawal, who arrived in Lahore from Balochistan late Monday night without significant prior notice, held meetings with party leaders at Bilawal House after spending most of the visit offering condolences and congratulations at various residences across the city. | During discussi…
(2026-05-20). Nairobi Regional Delegation Facts & Figures 2025. icrc.org January – December 2025…
(2026-05-20). Russia begins flight tests of two-seat Su-57 fighter jet. ecns.cn Russia has begun flight tests of the two-seat version of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said on Tuesday.
(2026-05-20). Wahhabism Is the Inversion of Ahl al-Hadith. muslimskeptic.com If we examine the aqida and hadith literature produced by the early Sunni Ahl al-Hadith of the ninth and tenth centuries CE, we can notice something deeply ironic. Of course, the ninth century Ahl al-Hadith (of Ahmad ibn Hanbal) are who the Wahhabi movement of the eigteenth century claims to follow. The irony is that …
(2026-05-20). Tuesday 5/19: ICE DETENTION FACILITY PLANNED FOR GILROY, CALIFORNIA. indybay.org According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel from Tuesday, May 19, work is to begin on a ICE detention facility near Gilroy, California. Let us see what we can do to stop this outrage.
(2026-05-20). Sri Lanka's JVP government commemorates 17 years since "victory" in racist anti-Tamil war. wsws.org The capitalist state cannot tolerate the political unity of Tamil and Sinhala workers, which threatens a system based on the exploitation of labour and communal division.
(2026-05-20). Energy Shock Ripples Through Global Economy, Pushing Millions Toward Poverty. indybay.org Summary: | Rising fuel prices and disrupted global trade are increasing costs for food, transport, and essentials worldwide. The UN warns that these pressures are pushing vulnerable households closer to poverty, with millions at risk if instability continues.
(2026-05-20). China-Europe SMILE satellite launched to study Earth's magnetosphere. ecns.cn China and the European Space Agency (ESA) on Tuesday launched the jointly developed SMILE satellite to study interactions between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, marking the first full space science mission jointly carried out by the two sides.
(2026-05-20). Friday 5/22: Little Singer — Dinétah (Arizona), Santa Cruz Film Premiere. indybay.org Resource Center for Nonviolence | 612 Ocean Street | Santa Cruz, CA 95060…
(2026-05-20). 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……
(2026-05-20). Xi holds talks with Putin in Beijing. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.
(2026-05-20). 21 killed as heavy rains drench China. tribune.com.pk 
Torrential rain continued across southern and central China on Tuesday with at least 21 people killed in widespread flooding that also closed schools and businesses, and disrupted transport and power supplies, authorities said. | China's weather agency said areas of Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan faced a high risk of rain-related disasters, including landslides, flash floods and severe urban flooding and waterlogging. | Authorities said they have allocated 150 million yuan ($22.04 million) for disaster relief and launched emergency responses in several affected areas. | Ma…
(2026-05-20). China launches multicenter trial of implantable brain-computer interface system. ecns.cn China on Monday launched its first multicenter clinical trial for a fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI), marking a significant step toward the clinical application of the technology.
(2026-05-20). Supreme Court preserves nationwide access to abortion pill mifepristone by mail. nationofchange.org The justices' decision will block a previous ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which would require patients to obtain the medication only in-person from a physician.
(2026-05-20). Arsenal fans erupt after team secures Premier League crown. aljazeera.com Arsenal has won the Premier League, ending a 22-year drought.
(2026-05-20). Two magnitude 5.2 earthquakes hit south China's Guangxi. ecns.cn Two 5.2-magnitude earthquakes successively struck Liuzhou, a city in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Monday. Rain fell at the scene as staff members set up tents to accommodate affected residents.
(2026-05-20). California scholars demand accountability for death of Chinese researcher Danhao Wang. wsws.org California Scholars for Academic Freedom's Professor Stephen Roddy opposes the McCarthyite witch-hunt targeting Chinese scientists at American universities and calls for transparency over the recent suicide at the University of Michigan of Danhao Wang.
(2026-05-20). 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……
(2026-05-20). Opp rifts ahead of anti-govt protest. tribune.com.pk 
Major opposition political parties are gearing up for protests against the government over the rising inflation on Friday but they are unable to join hands as Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), announced their separate plans, highlighting lack of unity among their ranks. | Some of the parties openly expressed their lack of trust on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the main opposition party, and hence decided to stay away from its protest call. | Separate protests are being planned over inflation and governance issues. | TTAP, whose main alliance inc…
(2026-05-20). Taiwan's president says future will not be decided by 'external forces'. aljazeera.com President Lai says Taiwan's future is up to its people as the island faces Chinese and US headwinds.
(2026-05-20). China activates flood emergency response in Yangtze basin. ecns.cn Chinese authorities on Tuesday activated a Level IV flood emergency response in four provinces as heavy rainfall continued across parts of the Yangtze River basin, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides, according to media reports.
(2026-05-20). Fact Check: How Chinese State Media Is Framing Europe as "Declining" thinktank.pk A recent article published by the Chinese state-backed outlet Global Times titled "EU prescribes wrong medicine for 'disease' with trade barriers" presents Europe as economically weak, technologically dependent, and politically irrational for imposing restrictions on Chinese industries. The article argues that Europe's growing trade and cybersecurity measures against China are driven by "anxiety," "decline," and …
(2026-05-20). Bodies of Italian divers recovered from cave in Maldives. aljazeera.com The bodies of two of five Italian divers who died in a deep underwater cave in the Maldives have been recovered.
(2026-05-20). Joint Nigeria-US strikes kill 175 Isis fighters. scmp.com A joint operation by the United States and Nigeria against Islamic State fighters has killed 175 over the past few days, Nigeria's military said on Tuesday, while the head of the US Africa Command said it showed the capabilities its forces could bring in Africa, home to the "epicentre of global terrorism". | The US sent troops to Nigeria in February in what was deemed a mostly advisory and training role, but the joint operation signals more active involvement. The US Africa Command, or AFRICOM,…
(2026-05-20). Google's $190B Search Gamble. indybay.org Summary: | Google's new AI agents turn Search from a tool into a system that works continuously and autonomously in the background without requiring active user input or interaction.
(2026-05-20). Trump's Ebola response cuts face renewed scrutiny as deadly outbreak spreads through Central Africa. nationofchange.org WHO warns the outbreak in Congo and Uganda is "deeply concerning" as former health officials and aid experts say Trump administration cuts weakened the systems designed to detect and contain Ebola before it spread.
(2026-05-20). San Diego mosque shooting intensifies fears over rising anti-Muslim violence and extremist attacks on places of worship. nationofchange.org Investigators are treating the killing of three men at the Islamic Center of San Diego as a suspected hate crime after police recovered anti-Islamic material and officials said a security guard's actions likely prevented a larger massacre.
(2026-05-20). Central China's Wuhan launches probe into reports of alleged 'cancer village'. ecns.cn Authorities in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, said Tuesday that a joint investigation team has been formed following media reports alleging that pollution from a sodium silicate factory may have harmed the health of local residents.
(2026-05-20). Indian aircraft ban extended till June 24. tribune.com.pk 
The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) on Tuesday extended restrictions on Indian aircraft using its airspace until June 24. | Pakistan has kept its airspace closed to Indian aircraft since April 2025, when tensions between the two countries sharply escalated after an attack in IIOJK's Pahalgam. | According to a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Tuesday, the authority said Pakistan's airspace would remain closed to all aircraft registered in India. | The restriction also applies to planes operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines or operators, including military flights, the NOTAM added.
(2026-05-20). PM Modi, Italy's Meloni visit iconic Colosseum in Rome ahead of crucial bilateral talks. hindustantimes.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni soon after arriving in Rome on Tuesday. Following a dinner meeting, the two leaders visited the iconic Colosseum, where they were seen in deep conversation on a range of topics. The candid moments and photographs from their Colosseum visit have quickly gone viral online, drawing widespread attention. The meeting highlights the growing warmth in India-Italy ties and adds a memorable moment to PM Modi's ongoing European diplomatic tour.
(2026-05-20). In Numbers: China's economy stays resilient in first four months. ecns.cn China's economy posted a steady recovery in the first four months of 2026, with key indicators rebounding and new growth drivers gaining momentum.
(2026-05-20). Minister Meth announces R350 million youth employment drive. sanews.gov.za Minister Meth announces R350 million youth employment drive | Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has announced a R350 million commitment towards a government and business partnership aimed at placing 130 000 young people into learning and employment opportunities. | Delivering the Department of Employment and Labour's Budget Vote 31 speech in Parliament on Tuesday, Meth said the intervention forms part of government's intensified efforts to tackle the country's worsening unemployment crisis. | "The latest Statistics South Africa (STATS SA) report reminds us of a reality that South Africa's economi…
(2026-05-20). Australian Labor government steps up war-related crackdown on university research. wsws.org A wartime-style atmosphere is being created in Australian universities, backed by threats of punishment of researchers that fail to comply with national security guidelines.
(2026-05-20). Heavy rains in central China leave four dead, six missing. ecns.cn Heavy rainfall in central China has left at least four people dead and six missing in Hubei and Hunan provinces, local authorities said on Monday, as forecasters warned of more extreme weather across several regions in the country.
(2026-05-20). Big Oil spends record $10 million on lobbying CA officials in first quarter of 2026. indybay.org Chevron and the Western States Petroleum Association together spent $8 million of the $10.3 million pumped into lobbying California officials in the first 3 months of 2026.
(2026-05-20). Knicks rally from 22 points down to stun Cavs in overtime. aljazeera.com Jalen Brunson scores 38 points as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in Game One.
(2026-05-20). US probe into strike on Iran girls' school near conclusion. newarab.com 
A US military investigation into a Reuters first reported that an initial, internal
(2026-05-20). Nexteer workers denounce UAW bureaucrats after forcing strike authorization vote. wsws.org The highly exploited and low-paid workers, who produce critical steering components for some of the Big Three's most profitable models, erupted in anger at a meeting of UAW Local 699 on Sunday following the overwhelming rejection last week of the second tentative agreement brought by the union.
(2026-05-20). Is a new Gulf war already underway? UAE blames Iraq for drone strikes on key installations. hindustantimes.com Tensions are escalating in the Gulf after the United Arab Emirates claimed that recent drone attacks targeting its airspace originated from Iraqi territory. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, six hostile drones were intercepted within 48 hours, with all threats neutralised before causing casualties or significant damage. The statement also linked earlier incidents, including an alleged strike on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, to the same origin point. The UAE says its advanced tracking systems confirmed the launch sites, while reaffirming its right to respond under international law. The allegations rai…
(2026-05-20). Pakistan, Russia discuss strategic stability. tribune.com.pk 
Pakistani and Russian officials discussed international security and global stability in high-level talks in Moscow, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday. | In a statement, the FO said Spokesperson and Additional Secretary Tahir Andrabi and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister "discussed topical issues of international security and global stability" a day ago as they co-chaired the 16th meeting of the Russia-Pakistani Consultative Group on Strategic Stability in Moscow. | It said the two sides had a "confident and detailed exchange of views" with discussions on matters related to arms control, disarmament and non-pr…
(2026-05-20). Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 78 runs to clinch historic Test series win. aljazeera.com Taijul Islam's six-for helps Bangladesh bowl out the visitors for 328 in their first home series win over Pakistan.
(2026-05-20). Xi holds welcome ceremony for Putin. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony on Wednesday morning outside the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a state visit to China.
(2026-05-20). Nexteer workers: No more extensions, no more delays! Set up a rank-and-file strike committee! Strike to win! wsws.org The following statement was issued by the Nexteer Workers Rank-and-File Committee to workers at the Saginaw, Michigan, auto parts plant who forced the UAW to conduct a strike authorization vote on Wednesday and Thursday.
(2026-05-20). Bond Market Is Flashing a Warning Over Iran, Former White House Official Warns. indybay.org Summary: | Bond markets are flashing stress signals as Iran tensions push oil higher and long-term yields surge toward 5%, raising fears that inflation and borrowing costs are entering a new, more permanent phase.
(2026-05-20). Report finds regulatory oversight at rehab centres. tribune.com.pk 
The Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project funded by the European Union (EU) has resulted in the publication of the report, "Caged in Care: Investigating Human Rights Abuse in Rehabilitation Centres". | Drawing on testimonies from former and current patients, as well as an analysis of institutional and legal frameworks, the report identifies key gaps in oversight, regulation, and accountability within selected rehabilitation centres. | The report findings point to recurring challenges in monitoring and enforcement, including gaps between licensing frameworks and implementation on the ground. It also highlights concerns…
(2026-05-20). Congo Ebola deaths rise to 131. tribune.com.pk 
Twenty-six more suspected Ebola deaths were recorded in 24 hours in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said on Tuesday, and the head of the World Health Organization expressed deep concern about the outbreak's spread. | The new deaths brought to 131 the fatalities associated with the outbreak in eastern DRC. There have been 543 suspected cases and 33 confirmed cases in DRC, according to Congolese health authorities, and two confirmed cases in neighbouring Uganda. | WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus a public health eme…
(2026-05-20). Nigeria says joint US strikes kill 175 ISIL fighters in country's northeast. aljazeera.com Nigerian Army lauds joint US operation as part of ongoing military campaign to 'hunt down and kill terrorists anywhere'.
(2026-05-20). Republican Thomas Massie who stood up to Trump defeated in Kentucky primary. aljazeera.com With an estimated 72 percent of the vote counted, Ed Gallrein led with 54.4 percent to Massie's 45.6 percent.
(2026-05-20). China, ASEAN launch business and trade information platform in South China's Nanning. ecns.cn Built and operated by China News Network, the official website of China News Service, the platform serves as ASEAN trade agencies, industry associations, overseas Chinese communities, and cross-border enterprises, providing one-stop trade information services.
(2026-05-20). The Ellisons' Pro-Trump Media Monopoly Threatens Democracy. juancole.com The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and CBS News were sacrificed to satisfy Donald Trump's childish vindictiveness. This was just part of the price paid to secure the merger between David Ellison's Skydance and Paramount Global, owner of CBS. | Chicago (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) — Several months ago, Paramount and the Ellisons — billionaire father Larry, founder of software company Oracle, and nepo son David, CEO of Skydance — did everything possible to kiss up to Trump. Their pandering started with Paramount's shake-down settlement with Trump over his frivolous lawsuit against CBS, en…
(2026-05-20). 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.
(2026-05-20). Foreign fishing vessels empty Mauritanian waters. aljazeera.com Who is benefiting from the fishing agreements between Mauritania's government and foreign vessels?>
(2026-05-20). Trump tightens grip on Republican Party as critic Massie ousted in primary. scmp.com US President Donald Trump tightened his grip on the Republican Party on Tuesday as Kentucky voters ousted one of the few conservative lawmakers willing to challenge him openly. | Congressman Thomas Massie's defeat, which he conceded some three hours after polls closed, marked another victory in Trump's campaign to punish Republican dissent.
(2026-05-20). IHC seeks report on campus drug controls. tribune.com.pk 
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought a report from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) regarding measures taken against drug use in the federal capital's universities. | It directed the Federal Ministry of Education to get rules related to the eradication of narcotics approved by the federal government. | The court also directed the HEC to include the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and police officials in the monitoring committee formed to oversee anti-drug measures in educational institutions. | It also instructed the media to run awareness campaigns against narcotics during prime time and sought a…
(2026-05-20). 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.
(2026-05-20). Synergy in Action: IHL and Islamic Law for Humanitarian Outcomes. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Colombia 2025: A humanitarian crisis beyond numbers. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). 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
(2026-05-20). Yemen: Frequently asked questions on the release, transfer and repatriation of conflict-related detainees – May 2026. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Colombia: Conduct of hostilities and use of explosive hazards. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kimareki rebuilds a life beyond disability. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Frequently asked questions: Our work in Mali. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Georgia: Remains of eleven people missing in connection with 1992—93 armed conflict handed over to families. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Non-compliance with international humanitarian law deteriorated the humanitarian situation in Colombia in 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Children and adolescents in armed conflicts in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). The humanitarian cost of non-compliance with IHL in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). ICRC RED aircraft to operate from Jeddah to strengthen humanitarian access to Sudan. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Upholding international humanitarian law in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Treatment of civilians in Colombia during 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). ICRC report: Failure to respect rules of war deepened humanitarian crisis in Colombia in 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Calls to action to parties to conflicts in Colombia. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Iraq: ICRC president to meet senior officials, discuss humanitarian engagement on two-day visit. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). AIPAC takes out Israel lobby critic Thomas Massie in grueling primary. responsiblestatecraft.org
(2026-05-20). Message on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Poland: High level briefing on IHL for the Polish ministries. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Ethiopia: Beyond survival, a journey defined by possibility. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Searching for people missing in connection with the 1992-1993 armed conflict continues. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). ICRC president calls for sustained international engagement to prevent further military escalation in the Middle East during visit to Iraq. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Irán condena distorsión descarada de EEUU para ocultar matanza en escuela. radiohc.cu El portavoz del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de Irán, Esmail Baqai denunció este martes que "la afirmación del Comando Central de Estados Unidos (CENTCOM) de que la escuela primaria Shayare Tayebe, atacada en Minab, se encontraba dentro de una 'instalación de lanzamiento de misiles' es una invención infundada y una mentira atroz". | En su cuenta de X, el portavoz iraní reiteró que "esta descarada distorsión" representa "un claro intento de ocultar la terrible realidad de los ataques con misiles del 28 de febrero, que resultaron en la trágica masacre de más de 170 escolares y sus maestros".Atacar una instituci…
(2026-05-20). Villa Clara ratifica condición de provincia destacada en el Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente. radiohc.cu 
Una vez más, Villa Clara vuelve a conquistar la condición de provincia destacada, de cara a la celebración del Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente, fecha que se celebra el próximo 5 de junio. | El territorio ratifica ese reconocimiento que mantiene de manera consecutiva cada año desde el 2019, y esta vez se suman al pelotón de avanzada, también con la categoría de territorios destacados por la efeméride, Pinar del Río, Sancti Spíritus y Las Tunas, mientras que Ciego de àÅvila conquistó la sede del acto central. La Máster en Ciencias Lourdes Castelo Valdés, subdelegada del Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medi…
(2026-05-20). Putin: Alianza estratégica Rusia-China desempeña papel estabilizador. radiohc.cu El presidente de Rusia, Vladimir Putin afirmó este martes que la estrecha alianza estratégica entre Moscú y Beijing desempeña un papel estabilizador en el escenario mundial. | El mandatario, quien emitió su mensaje en un video publicado previo a su visita a China los días 19 y 20 de mayo, expresó su confianza en que ambas naciones seguirán trabajando juntas para contribuir a la seguridad y la estabilidad globales, así como profundizar su asociación y buena vecindad, impulsar el desarrollo de sus países y garantizar el bienestar de sus ciudadanos.Las relaciones entre Moscú y Beijing han alcanzado un nivel sin prec…
(2026-05-20). Andalucía: fallecimiento de El Cabrero, referente del flamenco rebelde. indybay.org Andalucía: fallecimiento de El Cabrero, compañero "sin rienda ni jierro encima", referente del flamenco rebelde…
(2026-05-20). Sociedad Cultural José Martí evoca los nexos entre el pensamiento del Apóstol y Fidel Castro. radiohc.cu 
(2026-05-20). El incumplimiento del DIH agravó la situación humanitaria en Colombia en 2025. icrc.org
(2026-05-20). Saturday 5/23: Film Screening: Sunrise. indybay.org Albany Library, Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Ave, Albany…
(2026-05-20). Bolivia's capital under siege as protests and blockades deepen crisis for president. scmp.com Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz faces a deepening crisis as widespread protests and blockades leave the political capital under siege less than six months after he took office. | Two weeks of road closures — spearheaded by the Bolivian Workers' Central, COB, peasant unions and miners — have emptied markets in La Paz and depleted vital hospital oxygen reserves. The government reported that at least three people died after emergency vehicles were blocked from reaching medical centres.
(2026-05-19). US permanently drops tax claims against Trump in IRS lawsuit deal. scmp.com The US government will permanently drop tax claims against US President Donald Trump, according to a settlement document made public Tuesday, in an extraordinary use of executive power that could effectively help shield the president from further examination of his finances and legal conduct. | As part of the settlement deal meant to resolve Trump's US$10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns, the US was "forever barred and precluded" from examining…
(2026-05-19). "Ask E. Jean" Film Profiles the Woman Who Twice Sued Trump & Won, for Sexual Assault & Defamation. democracynow.org 
President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to toss two verdicts against him resulting from civil litigation brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. In 2019, the famous advice columnist published a memoir describing an encounter in the 1990s when she says Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store. When Trump denied the account, Carroll sued him and won $5 million in damages, with a unanimous New York jury finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. After Trump made disparaging remarks about Carroll, she sued him again and won a second defamation judgment for $83.3 million. Federal courts…
(2026-05-19). Poll shows cracks in GOP support as Iran war drags on. responsiblestatecraft.org Nearly half of Americans believe the war in Iran has made the United States less safe, according to a
(2026-05-19). Fact-check: Viral video does not show Israeli soldiers ambushed by Hezbollah fighters; clip is old. tribune.com.pk 
Multiple pro-Iranian users, based on their past posts, were sharing a video on social media platform X since May 17, 2026, allegedly showing Hezbollah fighters ambushing Israeli soldiers. However, the video is not recent and has been available online since at least September 2022. | Since the war with Israel began on March 2, 2026, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, the country's health ministry reported in its latest casualty toll on May 18, 2026. Reignited by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have rumbled on since US President Donald Trump first anno…
(2026-05-19). 22 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Lebanon in the Last 24 Hours. news.antiwar.com Israeli drone strikes against southern Lebanon have killed at least six people this morning and wounded at least three others. The Health Ministry has indicated at least 22 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours, increasing the overall toll since the Israeli invasion began in March to over 3,040 killed. …
(2026-05-19). Thomas Massie Loses His Seat in a Win for Trump — and AIPAC. theintercept.com 
(2026-05-19). Activists demand South Africa stop supplying Israel with coal as a new report outlines complicity in the Gaza genocide. mondoweiss.net 
Despite taking the lead in the ICJ case against Israel, South Africa has also been a leading exporter of coal that has fueled Israel's genocide in Gaza. Activists are demanding that the government halt the shipments, which violate South African law.
(2026-05-19). Is Trump involved in new blasts on Iran? Explosions heard in Qeshm island amid rising war tensions. hindustantimes.com Reports of explosions on Qeshm Island in southern Iran have sparked concern and speculation amid rising regional tensions. Iranian media claim the blasts may have been caused by the neutralisation of unexploded munitions, though official details remain limited and Tehran has not issued a full clarification. The island holds strategic importance due to its location near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. The incident comes at a sensitive time as diplomatic discussions continue between Iran and international actors, raising questions about security stability in the region. Authorities are mo…
(2026-05-19). 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.
(2026-05-19). India & Russia Will Jointly Set Up Urea Factory. infobrics.org Amidst the urea crisis caused by the Iran war, India and Russia have accelerated the process of setting up a fertilizer plant in a joint venture. This plant is being set up in Samara, Russia, which will be completed in the next two years…
(2026-05-19). Headlines for May 19, 2026. democracynow.org Trump Says He Called Off "A Very Major Attack Tomorrow" to Give Iran Negotiations More Time, U.S. Imposes Entry Ban on Travelers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan as Ebola Deaths Top 130, World Leaders Condemn Israel's Abduction of Activists from Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla, Teenage Attackers Kill 3 at San Diego Islamic Center in Suspected Hate Crime, Charges Filed Against ICE Officer Who Shot a Venezuelan Immigrant in Minneapolis, Report: 100,000 Children in U.S. Have Had a Parent Detained in Immigration Crackdown, DOJ Announces $1.776B Fund to Compensate Trump Allies, EPA Proposes to Kill Drinking…
(2026-05-19). US Official: US-Israeli Bombing Campaign Has Left a More Hardened and Resilient Iran. news.antiwar.com The New York Times reported on Monday that the five-week US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran "has left a more hardened, resilient adversary" as the Iranian military is preparing to face renewed airstrikes. The report, which cited an unnamed US military official, said that Iran has used the ceasefire to "dig out scores of bombed ballistic …
(2026-05-19). Senate Advances War Powers Resolution Meant To End Trump's War With Iran. news.antiwar.com The Senate on Tuesday voted to advance a War Powers Resolution meant to bring an end to President Trump's war against Iran as he is threatening to restart the full-scale bombing campaign. The legislation, which would direct the removal of US forces engaged in the blockade and other hostilities against Iran that haven't been authorized …
(2026-05-19). Tehran sees US 'softening' as Iran rebuilds military leverage. newarab.com 
A cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over relations between Tehran and Washington as the region swings between renewed military confrontation and a fragile political settlement, after A preliminary understanding has emerged in recent negotiations between Tehran and Washington, including an agreement to dedicate 30 days to discussions over unresolved disputes, Iranian analyst Hadi Mohammadi told The New Arab. | The US side has reportedly…
(2026-05-19). Cuba denounces new sanctions designed to justify escalation of total economic war and military aggression. radiohc.cu The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, denounced this Monday the unprecedented escalation of the United States blockade against Cuba, while dismantling one of the most repeated fallacies of the U.S. government."In the leadership of our Party, State, Government, and its military institutions, no one has any assets or property to protect under U.S. jurisdiction," the president stated. The U.S. government knows this perfectly well, so much so that there isn't even any evidence to present. The anti-Cuban rhetoric of hate tries to make people belie…
(2026-05-19). The CIA's Cuba Ultimatum: Regime Change With a Diplomatic Smile. scheerpost.com Joshua Scheer View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Nation Magazine (@nationmag) The CIA did not sneak into Havana this time. It landed in broad daylight. Peter Kornbluh reports in The Nation that CIA Director John Ratcliffe led a high-level U.S. delegation to Cuba on May 14, delivering what amounted to a …
(2026-05-19). Cuba to activate 200 electric cars for transporting patients requiring hemodialysis. radiohc.cu Cuba is expediting the implementation of a batch of 200 electric vehicles intended for transporting people requiring hemodialysis treatments and other medical care, as recently reported by the island's Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez. | The initiative, according to the official, is part of a package of government measures approved by the Council of Ministers to address the current fuel shortage affecting the country, a consequence of the U.S. blockade, intensified through energy restrictions. | As part of these complementary actions in the health sector, the eastern province of Holguín recently adde…
(2026-05-19). Cuba conmemora caída de Martí con entrega de firmas contra bloqueo. radiohc.cu 
A propósito del aniversario 131 de la caída en combate del Héroe Nacional, José Martí, la sociedad civil cubana entregó este martes al presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel las rúbricas del movimiento ´Mi Firma por la Patria ª. | La iniciativa popular, que reunió 6,2 millones de firmas, expresa el rechazo de Cuba al bloqueo de Estados Unidos y al cerco energético impuesto por Washington. | En el acto por la efeméride, la vicepresidenta de la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular, Ana María Mari Machado, destacó que hace 131 años, en un paraje de Dos Ríos, caía en combate ´con el sol en la frente y la patri…
(2026-05-19). Cuba no es una amenaza para Estados Unidos. radiohc.cu Cuba no es una amenaza para Estados Unidos, afirmó el concejal Mark Conway, del Cuarto Distrito de la ciudad de Baltimore, al rechazar en declaraciones exclusivas a Prensa Latina la escalada agresiva del Gobierno de Donald Tump hacia la isla. | "Estoy muy decepcionado, muy decepcionado al ver la escalada y la agresividad de Estados Unidos hacia Cuba", expresó Conway, quien se opone al cerco energético a que es sometido el país caribeño como parte del reforzamiento sin precedentes del bloqueo económico, comercial y financiero impuesto por Washington hace más de seis décadas. | Para el funcionario público de la urb…
(2026-05-19). Palestinian president's son vows to put 'Gaza first'. newarab.com 
The son of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said Fatah would prioritise Gaza and return it "to the fold of Palestinian legitimacy", the day after being elected to the movement's top decision-making body. | Fatah's first congress in a decade came as the Palestinian movement faces existential challenges in the wake of the devastating Israeli Veteran Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, 90, was re-elected as head of the movement, with his 64-year-old son Yasser Abbas securing a place on its central…
(2026-05-19). Trump Admin Sanctions Flotilla Activists, Baselessly Claims Ties to Hamas. truthout.org On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned four Gaza flotilla activists, baselessly smearing them as part of "Hamas support networks." The four activists — Saif Abukeshek, Jaldia Aueda, Hisham Abu Mahfuz, and Mohammed Khatib — are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a flotilla attempting to break Israel's siege of Gaza in order to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians. |
(2026-05-19). Hamas rejects Board of Peace report on Gaza truce stalling. newarab.com 
Hamas has rejected a It said that the report contained "misrepresentations" and adopted the Israeli narrative on the movement's weapons and governance of Gaza. | In a pre…
(2026-05-19). Israeli forces fire 'rubber bullets' at activists on Gaza aid flotilla. aljazeera.com Israeli naval forces are accused of firing 'rubber bullets' at activists on board the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.
(2026-05-19). Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, denies using live ammunition. scmp.com Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels in an aid flotilla sailing towards Gaza on Tuesday, according to video footage and flotilla organisers, but Israel said no live ammunition was used ‚Äåand there were no casualties. | The flotilla was making a renewed attempt to deliver aid to Gaza after earlier missions were intercepted by Israel in international waters.
(2026-05-19). Gaza: Israel Curbs Aid, Kills Civilians During Ceasefire. hrw.org Click to expand Image | Aid trucks enter the Kerem Abu Salem crossing in Khan Younis, Gaza, October 12, 2025. | © 2025 Omar al-Qatta / AFP via Getty Images | (Beirut) — The humanitarian infrastructure sustaining life in Gaza remains in peril over six months after the ceasefire agreement in October 2025, Human Rights Watch said today. As the Board of Peace prepares to brief the United Nations Security Council on May 21 on its newly-issued six-month progress report, Israeli authorities are undermining humanitarian lifelines. Continuing Israeli attacks have killed at least 856 Palestinians and wounded…
(2026-05-19). Trump's Gaza board reports funding 'gap', urges quicker disbursement. tribune.com.pk 
The gap between funding pledges and disbursement for Donald Trump's Gaza rebuilding plan must be closed urgently, the United States president's "Board of Peace" has said in a report, identifying a potential cash crunch in a plan estimated to cost $70 billion. | Trump set up the Board of Peace to oversee his ambitious plan to end Israel's military onslaught in Gaza and rebuild the shattered territory. Trump has said it would also tackle other conflicts. | The UN Security Council has recognised the board, though many major powers have not joined Washington's main Middle Eastern allies and some middling and small…
(2026-05-19). US Imposes Sanctions on Gaza Flotilla Organisers Amid Israeli Crackdown. portside.org US Imposes Sanctions on Gaza Flotilla Organisers Amid Israeli Crackdown |
(2026-05-19). Israeli restrictions deepen Gaza's hunger crisis. newarab.com 
A deepening food crisis in the In western Gaza City, a displaced mother of four, Majdolin Ezzat, said her family's daily meals have become increasingly limited as access t…
(2026-05-19). WHYY Newscast for Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-05-19). 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.
(2026-05-19). Massive fuel strike halts transport services across Kenya. ecns.cn Commuters across major cities in Kenya were left stranded on Monday morning following a nationwide transport strike over rising fuel prices, forcing many workers to walk kilometers to their destinations.While others opted to work from home as transport operators halted services.
(2026-05-19). 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.
(2026-05-19). Oil Moves Our Machines, But Electricity Is the Cornerstone Of Our Quality Of Life. wattsupwiththat.com The ignorance of the "energy ILLITERATE" leaders is shocking, as they NEVER explain how the "energy" from wind turbines and solar panels can provide TRANSPORTATION FUELS: jet fuel for military and commercial aircraft, diesel fuel for trucks and construction equipment, gasoline fuel for cars, bunker fuel for merchant and cruise ships, and the exotic fuels for the space programs !
(2026-05-19). The Medical-Industrial Complex Is Killing America While War Profiteers Get Rich. scheerpost.com Joshua Scheer I posted an article from Truthout about Trump and healthcare, but nowhere in the piece did it mention Obama and the failure of his administration — and the Democrats here in California under Gavin Newsom — to create a real single-payer system. Thankfully, voices like Margaret Flowers, Dr. Ana Malinow, and many others …
(2026-05-19). WHYY Newscast for Tuesday 6:00 a.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-05-19). Manitowoc, WI: LOVE NOT HATE Progressive Lakeshore People ARTIST EXHIBITION. wibailoutpeople.org LOVE NOT HATE | PLP ARTIST EXHIBITION: | Art drop off at Parkview Playhouse | 932 S. 12th St. | Manitowoc | May 15th 5: 30 — 7: 00 p.m.
(2026-05-19). Drone attack kills 28 at market in southern Sudan. al-monitor.com A drone strike on a crowded market in southern Sudan killed 28 people and injured 23 more on Tuesday, a medical source and witnesses told AFP, in one of the deadliest recent attacks on civilians in the country's three-year war.The strike hit the town of Ghubaysh in West Kordofan, an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) whose conflict with the Sudanese military has devastated much of the country since April 2023. The wounded and the dead were taken to the town's hospital, the medical source said.
(2026-05-19). Sweden Chooses Unusual French Design For Its New Frigates. twz.com 
Sweden has chosen its future surface combatant, the Luleà• class,
(2026-05-19). Mexican economy and investment plans founder amid war against Iran. wsws.org On May 12, S&P Global Ratings revised Mexico's credit outlook to negative from stable, citing persistently weak fiscal results, rising debt levels and weak economic growth.
(2026-05-19). Riyadh Derby: Self goal costs Al Nassr a certain victory over Al Hilal. ummid.com Al Nassr had almost clinched the Saudi Pro League title 2026 Tuesday May 12, 2026 but for the self goal in the fag end of the match which denied the Cristiano Ronaldo's men a certain victory against key rival Al Hilal.
(2026-05-19). Norway reports Europe's first case of bird flu in a polar bear. scmp.com Norwegian authorities on Tuesday announced that bird flu has been documented in a polar bear for the first time in Europe, in the Svalbard region in the Arctic. | The H5N5 variant of the virus was detected in samples taken from a male bear about one year old and a walrus found dead in mid-May on the icy archipelago, around 1,000km (600 miles) from the North Pole, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute said.
(2026-05-19). WHO opens annual assembly amid deepening Ebola crisis. wsws.org With at least 118 dead in the DRC and Uganda and an American physician among the infected, the Trump administration has imposed a Title 42 travel ban while refusing to account for the aid cuts that crippled the international response.
(2026-05-19). America's Jobs Pessimism Is a Foreign Policy Problem. fpif.org Washington usually measures American decline in external terms: China's rise, Russia's revisionism, strained alliances, and military crises in the Middle East. But one of the clearest warnings is coming from inside the United States. In 2025, only 43 percent of Americans ages 15 to 34 That finding should unsettle a country that is still speaking t…
(2026-05-19). How war and rising costs are reshaping Hajj in 2026. newarab.com 
Amona Mukhtar has been saving for this journey for years. The 43-year-old Sudanese housewife, displaced by her country's Her husband and brother pooled their savings to cover costs that have nearly doubled over the past year, to roughly 19 million Sudanese pounds, or around $31,600. | Neighbours contributed what they could, following a local tradition of collective giving that ha…
(2026-05-19). "Without Weapons, We Can Do Anything" : Remembering Razan al-Najjar. scheerpost.com Joshua Scheer "They called her dangerous because she carried no weapon at all — only a medical vest, courage, and the belief that Palestinian lives mattered." In a world drowning in propaganda, war crimes, and the routine dehumanization of Palestinians, the story of Rozan al-Najjar cuts through the noise with devastating clarity. She wasn't armed. …
(2026-05-19). "We all should unite" : New York bus drivers speak out in support of Long Island Rail Road strike. wsws.org The powerful support for a wider struggle is precisely why the Democrats and union bureaucrats moved to shut the strike down Monday evening.
(2026-05-19). Bodies of 2 Italian divers recovered from 'well inside' underwater cave in Maldives. scmp.com Finnish divers on Tuesday recovered the bodies of two of the four remaining Italians who died deep inside an underwater cave in an atoll in the Maldives, an official said. | The bodies were located on Monday, when searches resumed after being suspended following the death of a local military diver during a perilous mission to try to reach them. | Five Italian divers went missing on Thursday, with one of the bodies recovered earlier. The plan is to recover the remaining two bodies on Wednesday.
(2026-05-19). Sierra Club: Volunteers Needed to Counter 'Climate Disinformation'. wattsupwiththat.com You can counter the misinformation that spews from the Industrial Climate Complex and the anti-industrial Progressive Left. Please join here.
(2026-05-19). Sri Lanka: Death of Welikada Prison inmate raises serious questions. wsws.org Until a credible, transparent and independent investigation is conducted, the serious doubts surrounding his death will—and must—persist.
(2026-05-19). Eid al Adha 2026: Saudi Arabia pushes Dhul Hijjah Moon Sighting to Sunday May 17. ummid.com In a last minute change, the Saudi Supreme Court has pushed to Dhul Hijjah 1447AH Moon Sighting, which confirms the first day of Eid al Adha 2026 and Hajj Day (Youme Arafat 2026), to Sunday May 17, 2026.
(2026-05-19). Peruvians familiar with oppression and exclusion fuel Sánchez presidential campaign. peoplesworld.org 
As the second round of presidential voting in Peru approaches on June 7, the progressive Roberto Sánchez of the United for Justice Party is confronting Keiko Fujimori, the right-wing candidate who has finished second in Peru's last three presidential elections. First-round voting for 30 candidates took place on April 12, and extended into the next …
(2026-05-19). Māori climate risk worsened by colonization, report finds. grist.org 
In Aotearoa New Zealand, record-breaking storms and flooding are impacting Māori land, health, and culture. And, according to a new national climate report, colonization has intensified those risks. | The
(2026-05-19). Rice seedling cultivation in full swing in Anhui. ecns.cn During the early summer, villagers are busy carrying out field management including watering and weeding for the upcoming rice transplanting.
(2026-05-19). Battle Over Medication Abortion Threatens to Revert US Back to 19th Century. truthout.org On May 1, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the mailing of mifepristone, a common abortion medication. The ruling restricted distribution and use of the medication to in-person clinic visits only, even as the number of brick-and-mortar abortion clinics has continued to shutter over the past year, and some red states blocked access to mail order pills. |
(2026-05-19). Saturday 6/27: Pacific Commons Announces Return of Popular Summer Concert Series. indybay.org Pacific Commons Shopping Center, 43440 Boscell Rd, Fremont, CA 94538…
(2026-05-19). BlitzBox Packs 100 Weaponized Drones Into An Unassuming Container. twz.com 
(2026-05-19). WHYY Newscast for Tuesday 7:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-05-19). Minister moves to strengthen ethics, accountability in the public service. sanews.gov.za Minister moves to strengthen ethics, accountability in the public service | Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Buthelezi has used his 2026 Budget Vote speech to outline a reform agenda aimed at building what he described as a "capable, ethical and developmental State" grounded in professionalism, accountability and public trust. | Delivering the department's Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Buthelezi said recent amendments to the Public Service Act and the Public Administration Management Act marked a "defining moment" in the evolution of South Africa's public administration. | He said the ref…
(2026-05-19). Southampton expelled from world's most lucrative football match for spying. aljazeera.com Southampton out of EFL championship playoff final after spying on Middlesbrough, who face Hull for Premier League place.
(2026-05-19). Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting's Brexit Conundrum. bylinetimes.com Wes Streeting's comment that Brexit was a "catastrophic mistake" has been portrayed as having reignited the debate about leaving the EU. In truth, it is a debate which has never really gone away, and Labour's leadership crisis merely gives renewed focus to it. | For the truth is that being for or against Brexit has proved to be an enduring source of political identity. It has also influenced voting patterns, so that in the recent English council elections high levels of support for Reform UK were closely correlated with areas which voted 'leave' in the 2016 Referendum. | It is that correlation, specifically, w…
(2026-05-19). National Dialogue Steering Committee adopts rollout phase framework. sanews.gov.za National Dialogue Steering Committee adopts rollout phase framework | The National Dialogue Steering Committee has formally adopted a framework that will guide the rollout phase of the National Dialogue pilot process. | Steering Committee spokesperson Qhamisa Tengile said this follows the adoption of the National Dialogue Roadmap in March, which "laid the strategic foundation for the phased national rollout of the National Dialogue process". | "The adoption of the Implementation Framework marks an important transition from strategic planning toward structured pilot implementation, as the National Dialogue continu…
(2026-05-19). Israel supporters renew anti-Corbyn smears amid Labour turmoil. thecanary.co 
Amid the leadership turmoil in the Labour Party, pro-Israel lobbyists are rebooting their antisemitism smears to stave off even a mention of Jeremy Corbyn's name. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell told Times News on 15 May that part of reunifying the left meant: reinviting Jeremy Corbyn back into the Labour Party. But Corbyn has a […] | By
(2026-05-19). Mansour Kaziha, Nader Awad identified as victims in San Diego Mosque attack. aljazeera.com All three victims have now been identified in California attack being investigated as hate crime.
(2026-05-19). A vulnerable Republican, fake ads and a contentious Democratic primary are putting a Lehigh Valley congressional race into the spotlight. whyy.org What questions do you have about the 2026 elections? What major issues do you want candidates to address? U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, is among the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in the country. Polling puts him underwater in favorability after narrowly flipping the seat in 2024 from Democrat Susan Wild by just 1% of the vote. | "Congressman Mackenzie is a first-term Republican incumbent in a cycle that is challenging for his party," said Chris Borick, director of public opinion at Muhlenberg College. "You put all those things together, and this is going…
(2026-05-19). US charges 7 Chinese executives and 4 shipping firms linked to container cartel. scmp.com ‚Å The ‚Å US has ‚Å charged seven Chinese executives and four of the world's largest shipping container companies with conspiring to restrict supply, raising the price ‚Äåof containers during the Covid-19 pandemic, Department of Justice officials said on Tuesday. | The companies together manufacture about 95 per cent of the world's standard dry shipping containers and conspired to ‚Å restrict output and fix prices between November 2019 ‚Äåand January 2024, the DOJ said.
(2026-05-19). Iranian Associate Professor Mededlu: "The UAE is a hostile base" unitedworldint.com "There is no anti-Iran bloc in the Gulf, there is a complete fragmentation" By Yiƒüit Saner The question of how the war against Iran will reshape relations between Tehran and the Gulf states has become one of the most critical issues on the West Asian agenda. From the very first day of the war, Iran …
(2026-05-19). China's firms have a glaring weakness as they face a barrage of EU probes. scmp.com With their domestic profits narrowing and production capacity expanding, China's firms are continuing to widen their overseas footprints in search of new, more lucrative markets. In this series, we examine China Inc.'s next phase of "going global" and the complex, challenging international environment its companies have chosen to enter. | Not long ago, plans were in motion to build an enormous battery factory in the Belgian countryside. If completed, it would have created an estimated 2,000 jobs…
(2026-05-19). WHYY Newscast for Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-05-19). Vietnam's Next Frontier in Workforce Development. unitedworldint.com Beyond Labor Export By Mehmet Enes Be≈üer Labor export has been a progressive solution to Vietnam's demographic and economic pressures for decades. Overseas workers' remittances are significantly responsible for country income, curtail unemployment, and often fund investment in housing, education, and healthcare by their families. Foreign work is the portal to economically transformative mobility for …
(2026-05-19). NAACP urges athletes to boycott southern US universities over voting rights. aljazeera.com Organisation calls for Black athlete fan boycott over Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act ruling, southern redistricting.
(2026-05-19). Legal Workers Protest After Woman Forced to Give Birth in Brooklyn Courtroom. truthout.org On Monday, legal service workers protested in front of the Brooklyn Criminal Court and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office after a woman who was being detained was forced to give birth in a courtroom on Friday. At least 150 legal advocates, public defenders, and local lawmakers rallied against what the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (ALAA) called "the dangerous conditions in… |
(2026-05-19). Workers Struggles: The Americas. wsws.org Mass protests by teachers took place across Mexico May 15 demanding pensions, wages and education funding, while Toronto Transit Commission and CUPE reached a last-minute deal Monday after multiple deadlines passed.
(2026-05-19). In the long term, Türkiye will establish "true strategic autonomy" vis-à -vis the European Union. unitedworldint.com/feed/ Interview with Professor Vi≈üne Korkmaz from the Ni≈üanta≈üƒ± University Relations between the European Union and Türkiye are continuing to be tense. Despite the customs union, a long tradition of cooperation between the sides on a number of issues, both the progress of Türkiye's membership and its inclusion into a debated European Security Architecture seem to …
(2026-05-19). AC-130J Gunship With Mini Cruise Missiles Paired With AESA Radar To Undergo Tests. twz.com 
(2026-05-19). New chapter for flood victims as homes handed over in Cornubia. sanews.gov.za New chapter for flood victims as homes handed over in Cornubia | Flood victims were overcome with emotion and relief as they received the keys to their new homes at Cornubia, north of Durban, marking a long-awaited step towards stability and dignity after being displaced by the devastating 2022 floods. | For many beneficiaries, the handover of houses represents a turning point after years spent in temporary emergency accommodation. | EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, together with KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, officially launched the handover of 113 houses on Monday, with…
(2026-05-19). How Researchers Are Fighting Fascists, One Story at a Time. politicalresearch.org Shane Burley speaks with Christopher Mathias, author of To Catch a Fascist, on the importance of highlighting antifascist research and resistance in a time of rising authoritarianism.
(2026-05-19). Tomgram: John Feffer, America's Flight 93 Moment. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Hey, the news was already so good in 2025 that the Trump White House put up a "welcome to the Golden Age" post at its website, and things are so magnificent that it's still there! It said, in …
(2026-05-19). Musk expands Israel ties with Tesla self-driving car rollout. newarab.com 
The tech billionaire addressed
(2026-05-19). San Diego Islamic Centre shooting leaves five dead, police say threat 'neutralised'. geo.tv 
(2026-05-19). ICE Director Blames 2-Year-Old Child's Killing On Mother, Who ICE Deported. newsone.com 
Source: ROBYN BECK / Getty | In 2022, a pregnant undocumented migrant crossed over the U.S.-Mexico border with her sister in hopes of finding a better life, one that would let them be free of the violent men they had left to escape, according to her attorney. A few years later, she was swept up in the mass deportation agenda of President Donald Trump, forced to leave her home in Florida, and forced to leave her two-year-old child with a relative, who now stands accused of murdering that child. Predictably, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) responded to the tragedy by blaming it on the child's mother.
(2026-05-19). Xavier Becerra Pushed to Inflate a Black Man's IQ to Execute Him as California AG. theintercept.com 
Becerra, a front-runner for California governor, has a history of blocking police accountability measures and seeking to uphold the death penalty.
(2026-05-19). Lesson from the Iran War Making enemies makes us poorer. therealnews.com 
This article originally appeared on Our Secretary of Defense (or War) Pete Hegseth seems to be having a really great time killing people in Iran, but his live action video games come at a big cost, not just in lives, but in budget dollars. To be clear, the main reason to be opposed to this pointless war is its impact on the people of Iran and elsewhere in the region. But it also has a huge economic cost that is seriously underappreciated. | The short-term cost is the sho…
(2026-05-19). Putin says Russian-Chinese ties reach truly unprecedented level. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a video address on Tuesday before his state visit to China.
(2026-05-19). The AI Backlash Is an Opportunity for Democrats. portside.org The AI Backlash Is an Opportunity for Democrats |
(2026-05-19). British Muslim girlhood takes centre stage in Sisters 360. newarab.com 
British-Pakistani actor and playwright "These three sisters, Amaya, Layna and Maysa — they were between the ages of 10 and 13, all wearing the hijab and skateboarding, and I immediately thought it would make a good starting point for a play," Asif tells The New Arab. | "They had gathered quite a lot of attention on their own through their social m…
(2026-05-19). Pakistan extends ban on Indian aircraft in airspace until June 24. tribune.com.pk 
The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) on Tuesday extended restrictions on Indian aircraft using its airspace until June 24. | Pakistan has kept its airspace closed to Indian aircraft since April 2025, when tensions between the two countries sharply escalated after an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. | New Delhi had alleged Islamabad's involvement in the incident without presenting evidence. Pakistan rejected the accusation and offered to support a neutral investigation. | NOTAM: Airspace ban on Indian planes (incl. military) prolonged until 24 June, 04: 59 AM PKT. | — Pakis…
(2026-05-19). To all workers at Bosch in Schwà§bisch Gmàºnd, Germany: Your struggle is the struggle of all workers. Build an action committee! wsws.org Bosch is planning to destroy more than half the jobs at its plant in Schwà§bisch Gmàºnd. This article calls on workers to build an independent rank-and-file action committee, as the IG Metall union and works council are actively collaborating with management to enforce the cuts.
(2026-05-19). Surprise, Surprise: Millions Have Lost ACA Insurance Due To Cost Spikes. newsone.com 
Source: zimmytws / Getty | Last year, one of the longest government shutdowns in history occurred because Republicans let tax subsidies for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expire. The shutdown ended without a deal to expand the subsidies, or even a plan to mitigate the rising costs. As a result of the GOP's inaction, it's projected that nearly 5 million people are now uninsured because they simply can't afford it. |
(2026-05-19). Register to make your mark in the 2026 LGE. sanews.gov.za Register to make your mark in the 2026 LGE | Eligible South Africans have been urged to use the available registration opportunities and play an active role in shaping the future of their communities through the 2026 Local Government Elections democratic process. | President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last month that the elections will take place on 4 November 2026. | Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said at the time that the announcement had provided certainty for planning and should encourage citizens to ensure their voter registration details are up to date. | "The announcement of the election date provides…
(2026-05-19). Islamic Center Of San Diego Shooting That Left 3 Victims Dead Investigated As Hate Crime. newsone.com 
(2026-05-19). NTA to re-conduct NEET UG 2026 after paper leak. ummid.com In a major setback for students who appeared in the NEET UG 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled and decided to re-conduct the important medical entrance exam, conducted on Sunday May 03, 2026, after the agencies found evidence of paper leaks…
(2026-05-19). Norway: Court Blocks Activist's Extradition to Greece. hrw.org Click to expand Image | Tommy Olsen. | © 2021 Daniel Berg Fosseng/TV 2 | (Athens, May 19, 2026) — The decision by a Norwegian appeals court on May 15, 2026, to block the extradition of a human rights defender, Tommy Olsen, to Greece is a victory for human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. A district court had initially approved the extradition request on March 16, but Olsen filed an appeal.The Hà•logaland Court of Appeal unanimously recognized that the acts described by Greek authorities in its extradition request do not constitute criminal offenses under Norwegian law, and that his extrad…
(2026-05-19). Cristiano Ronaldo will Once Again Light up the World Cup. radiohc.cu Havana, May 19 (RHC) — Today, Portugal officially announced an expanded list of 27 names for the 2026 World Cup. Still, the announcement once again revolved around Cristiano Ronaldo, the team's captain, symbol, and lightning bolt. | At 41, the Al-Nassr striker will face his sixth World Cup, approaching it with the solemnity of someone walking towards his final major tournament—a farewell that doesn't diminish his ambition but rather sharpens it. | The squad, announced by Roberto Martínez, includes a foundation of international experience and talent at the peak of their competitive prime, with figures l…
(2026-05-19). India's film certification board censors award-winning The Voice of Hind Rajab, citing "harm" to India-Israel relations. wsws.org The banning of the docudrama reveals the depth of relationship now established between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-supremacist government and the murderous Zionist Netanyahu regime.
(2026-05-19). Caroline Graham's enduring legacy of resistance and activism. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-05-19). Director of E. Jean Carroll Film Says Distribution Was "Quite a Challenge" truthout.org President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to toss two verdicts against him resulting from civil litigation brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. In 2019, the famous advice columnist published a memoir describing an encounter in the 1990s when she says Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store. When Trump denied the account, Carroll sued him and won $5 million in damages… |
(2026-05-19). Trump gutted USAID. Hunger and violence followed. grist.org 
For decades, the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, worked across many of the world's most food-insecure and climate-besieged regions, funding thousands of humanitarian, healthcare, food, and disaster relief programs. That all changed last year when, days after President Donald Trump's inauguration, his administration issued a stop-work order that suspended nearly all of USAID's overseas programs. Then, last July, the administration informally dissolved the agency — leading to the largest withdrawal of American international development aid in more than 60 years. | A new study published…
(2026-05-19). Trump's "Anti-Weaponization" Fund Is a Handout to His Hardcore Supporters. theintercept.com 
Donald Trump speaks at the "Save America March" rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images | In yet another staggeringly corrupt and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump's Justice Department on Monday The fund is part of a deal decided by the Trump administration to drop its weak $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over a leak of the president's…
(2026-05-19). Chinese PLA Navy sends Liaoning aircraft carrier group to Western Pacific for routine training. ecns.cn China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said on Tuesday it has sent a task group led by the Liaoning aircraft carrier to the waters of the Western Pacific to conduct training.
(2026-05-19). Feminist organisation blasts Labour's VAWG plans for excluding Black and brown women. thecanary.co 
On 15 May, Hibiscus — a feminist, anti-racist, and intersectional women's organisation — gave a searing critique of Labour's plans to: champion the rights of women and girls to live in a world free from violence. Of course, the feminist group welcomed the sentiment of the statement itself. However, it pointed out the glaring hypocrisy of […] | By
(2026-05-19). The Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus: What do we know? tribune.com.pk 
(2026-05-19). US to drop tax claims against Trump 'forever', in IRS lawsuit deal. scmp.com The US government will permanently drop tax claims against President Donald Trump, according to a settlement document that is part of a deal to resolve Trump's US$10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. | As part of the settlement agreement, the US is "forever barred and precluded" from examining or prosecuting Trump, his sons and the Trump Organisation's current tax issues, according to a one-page document posted to the Justice Department's…
(2026-05-19). Woman dies after falling into uncovered manhole in New York. scmp.com A 56-year-old woman fell into an open maintenance hole on a busy New York street and died, police and utility officials said as they investigated how it could have happened. | The woman parked her Mercedes-Benz SUV right next to the maintenance hole on Monday night near the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan and fell in after exiting the vehicle shortly before 11.30pm, police said. | She was pronounced dead at a local hospital after firefighters pulled her out.
(2026-05-19). The long drive from Esperance to Broome: What regional Australia looks like when the network drops. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-05-19). The Strange Case of Dr. Jacques: The Vietnam War's Most Elusive Spy. covertactionmagazine.com The best spies work for everyone. — Lucien Conein, legendary CIA operative. Colonel Nguyen Mau was director of the Special Branch of the Republic of Vietnam's national police force from 1968 to 1972. Created, funded and advised by the CIA, the Special Branch consisted of professional interrogators and agent handlers who maintained informant networks in the …
(2026-05-19). Pakistan's air chief in Ankara as Islamabad touts regional alliance talks. al-monitor.com The visit came after Pakistan's defense chief suggested that talks were advancing on a wider defense arrangement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.
(2026-05-19). Talk World Radio: Abolish the Police. worldbeyondwar.org 
By Talk World Radio, May 19, 2026 | Not everyone who wants to abolish war wants to abolish police, and vice versa, but can one go without the other, and if so, how? | AUDIO: | Talk World Radio is recorded on Zoom. | Here is VIDEO: | This week on Talk World Radio we're talking about abolishing the police. Our guest, brian bean, is the author of Their End Is Our Beginning: Cops, Capitali…
(2026-05-19). Trump creates unconstitutional $1.776 billion slush fund to pay off fascist allies. wsws.org The "Anti-Weaponization Fund" defies Congress' power of the purse and creates a secretive claims process with no appeal or judicial review.
(2026-05-19). 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.
(2026-05-19). Pa. election 2026: Primary voters are heading to the polls. Here's what to know. whyy.org Voters are heading to the polls today to cast ballots in Reporters from WHYY News and Billy Penn are following the state's major campaigns, including the closely watched 3rd Congressional District race in Philadelphia and the 1st Congressional District race in Bucks County. | As Election Day unfolds, follow live special coverage on WHYY.org, the Here's your voter game plan: | Your one-sto…
(2026-05-19). US lawmakers express support for victims of San Diego Islamic Centre shooting. tribune.com.pk 
US lawmakers expressed support for the families of the victims of a fatal shooting at the Islamic Centre of San Diego on Monday. | Authorities said that five people, including two suspected shooters, were killed in the incident. | California Senator Adam Schiff said on X that he is "heartbroken" by the shooting. "My prayers are with the families of the three precious lives lost today," he said. | I'm heartbroken by the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and my prayers are with the families of the three precious lives lost today. | Today's shooting is a horrific attack on Southern California's Muslim…
(2026-05-19). Car bomb in Syrian capital leaves 1 dead, 23 injured: What to know. al-monitor.com Tuesday's bombing is the latest in a string of recent security incidents in Damascus.
(2026-05-19). Wrong, Daily Mail, Future Melting Antarctic Ice Isn't Going to Drown Millions. wattsupwiththat.com That is not a scientific failure. It is click-bait motivated journalistic malfeasance, and it deserves to be named as such.
(2026-05-19). Chinese researchers achieve kilowatt-level wireless power transmission for space travel. ecns.cn A Chinese research team has reported new advances in space-based solar power station technology and wireless microwave power transmission, including kilowatt-level power transmission over distances of more than 100 meters, according to media reports.
(2026-05-19). Global bond market selloff intensifies. wsws.org Yields on long-term government debt are now recording some of their highest levels since the lead up to the global financial crisis.
(2026-05-19). Populism does not solve problems — it requires them to exist. thecanary.co 
Populism has become the dominant political mode of the present moment, across the Western political spectrum. Contemporary Britain is a particularly clear example: Reform UK now polls consistently among the largest parties in the country after witnessing massive electoral success in the May 7 council elections; the parliamentary left has fragmented across multiple vehicles; the […] | By
(2026-05-19). French League match canceled after fans storm pitch. thecanary.co 
The match between Nantes and Toulouse in the 34th and final round of the French League came to an abrupt end on 17 May. This happened after Nantes fans stormed the field of the La Beaujoire stadium to protest the team's official relegation to the second division. The scenes were chaotic. As a result, the […] | By
(2026-05-19). Thousands of protesters demand president's resignation in Bolivia's La Paz. aljazeera.com Bolivia faces its worst economic crisis in 40 years, fueling nationwide protests demanding the president's resignation.