May 19, 2026

U.S., ISRAEL, IRAN WAR | Day 81.

• U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that he called off a resumption of attacks on Iran scheduled for today at the request of Gulf Arab states amidst what he characterized as "serious negotiations." Trump also noted that he told U.S. military leaders to "be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable deal is not reached." [more]
• Iran's IRNA state news agency cites Iranian officials as saying their latest proposal to the U.S. to end the Middle East war involves ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, the withdrawal of ​U.S. forces from areas close to Iran, reparations for destruction caused by the war, the lifting of sanctions and release of frozen Iranian funds, and an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian shipping and ports. Reports note that the terms as described in the Iranian reports appear little changed from Iran's previous offer, which U.S. President Donald Trump rejected last week as "garbage". [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,543 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here is your update:

• Reuters cites unnamed intelligence agency sources and a joint Russia-China agreement signed last year as indicating that the Chinese military has secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel, some of whom have since returned to fight in Ukraine. The training took place in China and focused mainly on the use of drones, according to the sources. [more]

U.S. GUN VIOLENCE | Two teenagers opened fire on the grounds of the Islamic Center of San Diego in California yesterday, killing three men, including a security guard who police say prevented the incident from being "much worse." The shooters were found dead in a vehicle near the incident site and are believed to have killed themselves. The Center, according to reports, contains the largest mosque in San Diego County, as well as a school for students ages 5 and up. [more]

U.S. COMPENSATION FUND | Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the formation of a $1.776 billion compensation fund yesterday as part of a deal to resolve President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. Payouts from the fund, according to Blanche, represent a process for individuals or entities to seek redress for "improper and unlawful political, personal, or ideological" targeting by the government. President Trump said the fund is dedicated to "reimbursing people who were horribly treated" through prosecution and government investigations. The fund, which has already seen congressional opposition, would be overseen by a Blanche-appointed board, and it is unclear what information on payouts would be made available to the public. [DOJ press release] [more]

U.S. IMMIGRATION | The Trump administration informed Congress yesterday that it plans to admit up to 17,500 white South Africans into the U.S. this year – up from an earlier estimate of 7,500. A State Department notice provided to members of Congress said that developments in South Africa, where President Trump has continued to insist that the white Afrikaner minority has faced systematic discrimination and violence, have created an "emergency refugee situation." [more]

U.S. DRUG PRICES | The Trump administration yesterday announced an expansion of the TrumpRx discounted-drug and coupon website to include more than 600 generic medications. [TrumpRx website] [more]

CALIFORNIA | Emergency officials in southern California's Ventura County say the Sandy Fire, which broke out yesterday near Simi Valley amidst strong winds and dry conditions, has burned more than 1,300 acres and forced the evacuation of thousands of area residents. [CalFire website] [more]

NEW YORK | Long Island Rail Road workers and New York City's regional Metropolitan Transportation Authority have reached a deal to end a workers' strike and resume service on the country’s busiest commuter rail system. Full LIRR service is expected to resume by noon today. [more]

U.S. AND CANDA | Amidst strained trade and diplomatic U.S.-Canada relations and U.S. claims that Canada has failed "to make credible progress on its defense commitments," Pentagon officials said yesterday that the U.S. is pausing its participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, a collaboration with Canada for North American defense that dates back to World War II. [more]

GLOBAL OIL | In a move analysts suggest is linked to efforts to mitigate oil supply shortages associated with the Iran war, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new 30-day waver extension of sanctions on Russian oil that is already in tankers at sea. [more]

EBOLA | World Health Organization Director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus said today that he is "deeply concerned about the scale and speed" of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where at least 131 people have died and more than 500 suspected cases have been recorded. [more]

RUSSIA AND CHINA | Ahead of a two-day visit to Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that the Russia-China relationship is at a "truly unprecedented level." Putin's meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to center on bilateral economic cooperation and "key international and regional issues." [more]

GERMANY | Authorities in the eastern Germany city of Görlitz say three people remain missing following the collapse last night of a building that housed rental and vacation apartments. Emergency responders say a gas explosion may have caused the collapse. [more]

NEW ZEALAND | Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today that New Zealand's government plans to cut about 14% of public sector jobs – about 9,000 positions – by 2029 as part of efforts to reduce spending. Willis noted that military, teachers and doctors would be among those exempt from the job losses. [more]

POWER INDUSTRY | Amidst surging measures to power artificial intelligence and data centers, NextEra has announced plans to acquire Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Energy in a $67 billion all-stock deal that would create the world’s biggest regulated electric utility business by market capitalization. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1884, Ringling brothers opened a small circus in Baraboo, Wisconsin and by the early 20th century had transformed it into the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the leading American circus. [more history]