Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this May 23rd, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Headlines
- All
- Africa
- Asia
- Business
- Culture
- Environment
- Europe
- Gaming
- Markets
- Middle East
- Movies & TV
- Music
- Politics
- Science
- South America
- Tech
- World News
Heat, rain and Saharan dust hit Portugal
Portugal’s weather agency IPMA forecasts weekend temperatures above the seasonal average, with rain and thunderstorms, as a tropical air mass brings Saharan dust over the Iberian Peninsula.
Masculinity Satire Australian Animated Series ‘Finally, a Show About Men!’ Bows on YouTube (EXCLUSIVE)
“Finally, a Show About Men!,” an Australian short-form animated sketch comedy satirizing modern masculinity, premieres Sunday on Aunty Donna’s Grouse House YouTube channel from Gold Coast’s Sad Man Studio. The series is produced by husbands Samuel Leighton-Dore, who also serves
International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk Calls For Release of Egyptian Filmmaker Omar Salah Marei Jailed on Charges of ‘Spreading False News’
The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk is calling for the “immediate and unconditional” release of Egyptian director and screenwriter Omar Salah Marei who is being held behind bars in Cairo reportedly on trumped up charges of “deliberately spreading false news,”
The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds
A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.
Some of China's deadliest coal mine accidents
SHANGHAI, May 23 - A gas explosion at Liushenyu coal mine in China's northern Shanxi province late on Friday killed at least 90 people, making it China's worst coal mine disaster in over 16 years.
China set for latest space launch, with Hong Kong astronaut aboard
A Hong Kong astronaut will join a Chinese space mission for the first time as part of a three-person crew launching on Sunday, as Beijing edges closer to its goal of landing people on the moon.
SpaceX launches its biggest, most beefed-up Starship yet on a test flight
SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon.
Is it plugged in?
If your toaster isn’t working, this is the first place to start. A combination of an easy first step and also the likelihood that it’s the problem. The troubleshooting for things not working in our interactions with others isn’t as obvious, but we can think about it in a
US soldier in Okinawa referred to prosecutors for sexual assault
There have been a series of sexual crimes involving US service members in Okinawa since 2024.
Hundreds rally in Taipei for defence spending after parliament cuts funds
The Taipei protest was organised by several human rights and pro-independence groups, who waved flags and shouted slogans in support of defence spending.
Turkish police detain 13 in probe of opposition congress that chose ousted leader
ISTANBUL, May 23 (Reuters) - Turkish police detained 13 people under an investigation into a 2023 congress of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), state media said on Saturday, after a court ruling this week ousted the party's leader Ozgur Ozel, inflaming a
Thai police raid luxury condo, arrest six Nigerians over romance scams
Police seized devices that contained alleged scam scripts and AI-generated profile images.
Senegal's president sacks prime minister Sonko after months of tensions
Bassirou Diomaye Faye also dissolved the government, creating uncertainty amid a debt crisis in the country.
Paris mayor seeking honorary citizenship for Palestinian civilians and journalists in Gaza, West Bank
The symbolic proposal is expected to be passed at the city council meeting in June. In a statement, the municipality condemned the October 7 massacre, as well as 'the unprecedented cruelty of the Israeli army'
US says people seeking green cards must leave the country to apply
Applying for a green card can take months or longer, meaning people could be forced to leave their families or jobs whilst the process is ongoing.
Hundreds rally in Taipei for defence spending after Parliament cuts funds
The protest was organised by several human rights and pro-independence groups.
‘Jim Queen’ Review: Hilarious Adult Animation Plays Like French Queer ‘South Park’ on Literal Steroids, With Some Poppers for Good Measure
“Jim Queen” is a film that very much sells itself (or very much does not, depending on the potential viewer) on its one-line elevator pitch. A cartoon about two gay men — one a vapid, brawny influencer, the other a shy, closeted slip of a thing — drawn together to fight
Japan trade minister holds brief talks with Chinese counterpart amid diplomatic row
A meeting between Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa and a senior Chinese official would have marked the highest-level engagement since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered the row by saying a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a response from Tokyo.
Fadi Selwan, Deputy CEO at Meridiam – "What distinguishes Meridiam is our vision as a very long-term investor"
This interview provides an in-depth look at Meridiam's strategy, operational practices, and commitment to sustainability. Fadi Selwan, Deputy CEO, outlines the core pillars of his role, which range from asset management to overseeing ESG and human resources teams. He discusses
What if AI could move your hand? Students build a wearable device using AI and electric pulses
The prototype system was developed in just 48 hours during a hackathon.
US diplomat dangles energy diversification to APEC group
The region has long depended on the Middle East for oil and gas.
Xi Jinping urges 'all-out rescue' after coal mine explosion kills at least 90 in China
Six emergency rescue teams consisting of 345 personnel have since been sent to the scene, the Xinhua state news agency reported on Saturday.
Pakistan's army chief arrives in Tehran as Rubio signals 'slight progress' in peace talks
US President Donald Trump has described the stop-start negotiations this week as teetering on the "borderline" between a deal and renewed attacks.
WHO says Ebola risk now 'very high' in DR Congo
WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that the global risk from the disease remained low.
Analysis-Three months in, is Trump losing the Iran war?
By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON, May 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump may have won just about every battle against Iran, but three months after attacking the Islamic Republic he now faces a bigger question: Is he losing the war? With Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz,
At least 90 killed in Chinese coal mine explosion, state media reports
The explosion took place at 19:29 local time on Friday at a coal mine in northern China.
China ‘won’t win anything’ if it ‘destroys’ Europe’s industry, French minister tells Euronews
France’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Nicolas Forissier, says the European Union must stop being “naive” and shift its mindset when addressing trade imbalances, saying that the approach should encompass all countries weaponising foreign trade.
Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this May 23rd, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
‘Anime effect’: Fans boost tourism across Asia with pilgrimages to attractions and festivals
An anime-inspired ‘set-jetting’ travel trend is surging in Asia, with Trip.com reporting a 195% year-on-year rise in searches for anime and comic-related tourism experiences.
In the race to succeed Trump, Vance and Rubio set for unpopularity contest among Republicans
When Republicans choose Donald Donald Trump’s successor next year, they will also be deciding the future of the populist MAGA movement. So far, Trump is keeping his strategy close to his chest.
Multimedia arts project wins Sycamore Gap tree commission after public vote
‘Living archive’ will mark loss of Northumberland landmark with storytelling, sound and sculpture using saved wood A new artwork will transform preserved wood from the felled Sycamore Gap tree into a “living archive” after a public vote. The community arts charity Helix Arts
Is Hantavirus a threat to Europe? Climate change and habitat destruction are increasing the risk
Hantavirus has circulated in Europe long before the MV Hondius outbreak, but is climate change increasing future risk?
How a ‘cockroach’ jibe united India’s disgruntled jobless youth
The Cockroach Janta Party has already overtaken the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the number of followers on Instagram.
US arms sales to Taiwan unrelated to Iran war, source says
May 23 (Reuters) - U.S. arms sales to Taiwan take years to process and are unrelated to the war with Iran, a source familiar with the matter said, after a senior U.S. official suggested there was a pause due to the need to have enough arms for the conflict. Taiwan, which China
Rubio visits India to sell energy as Iran oil shock persists
The top US diplomat has made statements offering to support India’s energy needs - but should Delhi give in?
US Secretary of State Rubio starts first visit to India on heels of US-China summit
He will also take part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the so-called Quad - Australia, India, Japan and the US - four democracies seen as a counterweight to China's presence in the Indian Ocean.
Study shows highlighting others' achievements on LinkedIn sparks the most engagement
If you're trying to stand out on LinkedIn, it might seem like posting about your own achievements is a smart approach. But new research from The University of Texas at Arlington suggests a different strategy: highlight others.
