Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has called on former US President Donald Trump to launch attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran continues to reject Washington’s conditions in nuclear negotiations. Graham made the remarks in an interview with NBC, asserting that Iran’s energy sector is its weak point and should be targeted if hostilities resume.

Despite international law prohibiting attacks on civilian infrastructure, Graham insisted that stronger action could pressure Iran into reaching a deal. He argued that repeating past strategies would yield the same results and urged for more forceful measures to compel Tehran to negotiate.

Graham further claimed that Iran is testing US patience and playing a waiting game, describing the situation as one where the country is “playing games” and acting irrationally, echoing Trump’s own rhetoric. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and published by Amar Desh on May 18, 2026.

Two US Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jets collided midair during the final day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, May 17. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed to the ground, but all four crew members managed to eject safely using parachutes, according to a BBC report.

Commander Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for the US Navy’s Pacific region, confirmed that the aircraft were based at Whidbey Island in Washington. NBC News reported that the air show was canceled after the incident, and the military base was placed under lockdown for safety reasons.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the collision or the extent of damage on the ground.

Inter Miami secured their first win at their new stadium on May 18, 2026, defeating Portland Timbers 2–0. Lionel Messi was central to the victory, contributing one goal and one assist. The club, owned by David Beckham, had failed to win in their previous four matches at the venue, recording three draws and one loss before this breakthrough performance.

Messi opened the scoring in the 31st minute after a well-coordinated attack with Luis Suárez and Segovia, finishing with a precise left-footed shot. Before halftime, the Argentine star created another goal, setting up German Berterame after a quick exchange with Suárez. Late in the match, Messi nearly scored again from a free kick, but Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis made a crucial save.

The victory lifted the mood in the Miami camp after a frustrating start at the new venue. The team will play one more match before the international break for World Cup qualifiers, after which Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will join the Argentina national squad.

The US Treasury Department has withdrawn the temporary waiver that allowed limited purchases of Russian crude oil after the expiry of its one-month term. The waiver had permitted the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea, but that special allowance has now ended. The measure was originally introduced to stabilize the global energy market amid severe supply disruptions caused by war-related shocks.

According to reports, following US and Israeli attacks that led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, global energy prices surged sharply. Major buyers, including India, used the stranded Russian oil to ease the crisis. With the waiver now lifted, analysts warn that global oil supplies could tighten further, potentially pushing international prices higher.

Experts suggest that the end of this waiver may increase pressure on fuel prices in the United States, where gasoline is already near $4.50 per gallon. India, which had been importing around 2.3 million barrels of Russian oil daily during the waiver period, will now need to seek alternative sources.

Three people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack near Moscow, Russia, according to the region’s governor. The incident occurred early Sunday, and Governor Andrei Vorobyov described it as a large-scale assault targeting areas surrounding the capital. He reported that one woman died when a drone struck a house, while another person was trapped under debris.

Vorobyov added that two men were also killed during the early-morning attack. The information was shared through his Telegram post and cited by AFP. No further details on the extent of the damage or response measures were provided in the report.

The attack marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with drone strikes increasingly reaching deeper into Russian territory, according to the governor’s statement.

Russia has claimed to have intercepted a large-scale drone attack launched by Ukraine across several of its regions. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, more than 550 drones were shot down overnight, with a total of 556 fixed-wing drones reportedly destroyed or neutralized by Russian air defense systems. The ministry confirmed the information in a statement released on social media, which was later reported by AFP from Moscow.

The statement added that the drones were detected over multiple Russian regions and were destroyed in the air before reaching their targets. The report did not specify the exact locations of the interceptions or any resulting damage. The announcement underscores the continuing intensity of drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine, as both sides rely heavily on unmanned aerial systems in ongoing hostilities.

Further details about the scale of the attack or potential casualties were not provided in the ministry’s statement.

US President Donald Trump is under growing political pressure over the ongoing war against Iran, as public support for the conflict has dropped below half. Multiple opinion polls show only 30 to 40 percent of Americans back the war, a level analysts compare to the final phase of the Vietnam War. Rising fuel prices across the country have further fueled public dissatisfaction, with gasoline now exceeding $4.50 per gallon in many areas.

In California, where most oil is imported, prices have surpassed $6 per gallon, intensifying economic strain on households. Analysts say the surge in energy costs is directly affecting daily expenses and creating significant political pressure on the Trump administration. Responding to reporters, Trump said his focus was on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons rather than on Americans’ financial concerns.

The comment, widely broadcast on US television, has drawn negative reactions from citizens facing financial hardship. Political analysts warn that the situation could pose serious challenges for Trump’s Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections, with the risk of losing control of both chambers of Congress.

Senior officials from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly advised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to take a more direct role in its ongoing conflict with Iran by seizing an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf. The British newspaper The Telegraph reported that Trump’s close associates suggested the UAE take control of Lavan Island, citing information from Middle East Eye.

According to the report, the proposal was made as tensions escalated in early April, when a secret Emirati operation allegedly targeted the island. A senior U.S. official was quoted as saying, “Go, take them,” adding that such an action would have placed Emirati rather than American troops on the ground.

The report highlights the extent of U.S. involvement in advising regional allies during heightened Gulf tensions, though it does not specify whether the UAE acted on the suggestion or how Iran responded.

A US federal court has unsealed charges against Iraqi national Mohammad al-Sadi, accused of plotting attacks on American and Jewish targets in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Prosecutors described him as a senior figure in the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah. The case has heightened Western concerns that Iran is extending its proxy network beyond the Middle East to strike Western interests. Al-Sadi was reportedly detained in Turkey and extradited to US custody before appearing in a Manhattan court, where he entered no plea.

According to the indictment, al-Sadi was linked to at least 20 planned attacks since late February, following the start of a US-Israeli operation against Iran. The document cites attempted arson at a Belgian synagogue and an attack on a Paris bank building. Investigators claim he coordinated with a front group tied to Kataib Hezbollah. Experts say the group operates closely with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and rarely acts without Tehran’s approval.

The case emerges amid a fragile ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, with stalled mediation efforts and rising global oil prices due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a video and statement marking Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel. The video features an interview with Inia Bushnak, a New York resident who identifies as a survivor of the Nakba, recounting her family’s flight from Jerusalem amid fears of advancing Zionist forces.

The video explains that the term “Nakba,” meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the expulsion and displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians between 1947 and 1949 during the establishment of Israel. It also states that armed groups such as Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi destroyed over 400 Palestinian villages and towns, committing mass killings. Nakba Day is observed annually on May 15, and the video asserts that the Palestinian displacement continues today.

Mamdani released the video during anti-Zionist rallies in Manhattan and declined to participate in the upcoming “Israel Day on Fifth” parade organized by the Jewish community later this month.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying the country will face a 'very bad time' if a peace agreement is not reached soon. He made the remarks in an interview with French broadcaster BFM TV, emphasizing that reaching a deal would be in both Washington’s and Tehran’s interests.

According to the report, while Tehran confirmed receiving new negotiation messages from the Trump administration, it expressed deep mistrust about Washington’s intentions. Amid this diplomatic deadlock, U.S. media outlets have reported that Trump could consider a major military operation to break the stalemate, with his top advisers already preparing a framework for renewed military action.

The New York Times reported that Trump might take a significant decision on the Iran crisis at any time. The report also recalled that the United States had previously carried out two military strikes on Iran during earlier nuclear program negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump returned from his China visit without achieving a breakthrough on the Iran issue, despite intensified diplomatic efforts. Speaking to reporters on his way back to Washington, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping supported reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, positions Beijing had previously expressed. Trump later wrote on his social media platform that U.S. military operations against Iran would continue.

According to U.S. administrative sources, the White House had planned to shape its next Iran strategy based on the outcome of the Trump–Xi meeting. With little progress, Trump now faces a decision on whether to launch new military strikes to halt the conflict. Internal divisions have emerged: some Pentagon officials favor targeted attacks to pressure Tehran, while others advocate continued diplomacy. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance claimed some negotiation progress, citing ongoing contacts with Trump’s envoys and Arab allies.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up global oil prices, pushing U.S. gasoline above $4.50 per gallon and fueling inflation. Analysts warn that rising economic strain and the prolonged conflict could hurt Trump’s popularity ahead of the midterm elections.

Cyber intrusions have been detected in automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems at gas stations across several US states, with officials suspecting Iran-backed hackers. Sources said the attackers accessed many internet-exposed, password-free ATG systems and in some cases altered displayed fuel data without affecting actual fuel levels. Investigators noted that Iran had previously targeted similar energy infrastructure, though definitive attribution remains uncertain due to limited forensic evidence.

Analysts linked the incident to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, suggesting Tehran may be using cyber operations as an alternative to direct military action. The attack could also pose political challenges for the Trump administration, as rising fuel prices and public concern over the war’s economic impact intensify. Cybersecurity researchers have long warned that internet-connected ATG systems are vulnerable to exploitation.

Experts further cautioned that Iran’s cyber activity has expanded in scope and sophistication, including disruptive operations against US energy and water systems. They warned that future US elections could face Iranian cyber and disinformation campaigns, potentially amplified by artificial intelligence tools.

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Manhattan, New York, on Friday to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. The demonstration was organized by a group called Within Our Lifetime. The event coincided with a new proposal introduced by U.S. Congress member Rashida Tlaib calling for recognition of Palestinian refugees’ rights.

Participants at the rally described the Nakba as a continuing tragedy comparable to the Holocaust and called for global recognition of its history. They demanded an end to what they termed genocide and occupation in Palestine, urging the return of displaced Palestinians and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Demonstrators expressed solidarity with Palestinians and vowed to continue their advocacy until freedom is achieved within their lifetime.

The Nakba Day commemorates events beginning on May 15, 1948, following Israel’s declaration of independence the previous day, when many Arabs were expelled or fled from the area. The day is marked annually by protests and heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

This week, the annual Jackson Poetry Prize was awarded to Chicago-born poet Marianne Boruch. The honor recognizes an outstanding American poet each year and includes a $100,000 cash award. The 2026 judging panel consisted of Major Jackson, Cole Swensen, and Afaa Michael Weaver.

According to the judges’ statement, Boruch’s poetry reveals the breadth and depth of human thought through its ornamental rhythm and captivating expression. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, her work seeks to stir collective human understanding, exploring the vastness of desire and curiosity. Her poetic tone moves fluidly between refined diction and spontaneous wit, employing every stylistic nuance in between.

The judges noted that Boruch’s unconventional sentence structures are not merely surprising but awakening, inviting readers to look upward and think more deeply. The prize highlights her distinctive contribution to contemporary American poetry.