Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Israel–United Arab Emirates relations

United States ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says that Israel has deployed Iron Dome air defense systems and military personnel to the United Arab Emirates amid the Iranian strikes.

Saudi Arabia in the 2026 Iran war

It is reported that Saudi Arabia launched retaliatory strikes against Iran in response to Iranian strikes on the country during the war.

2026 Iran war ceasefire

U.S. president Donald Trump says he backs Pakistan as a mediator in ceasefire talks amidst reports that the country allowed Iran to station aircraft at the PAF Base Nur Khan.

2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign

British defence secretary John Healey announces that the United Kingdom has deployed Typhoon fighter jets and the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon as part of a mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

2026 Lebanon war

Lebanese health minister Rakan Nassereddine says that Israeli attacks have killed at least 108 medics and health workers since the war began on March 2, and at least 380 people have been killed and 1,122 have been injured since the ceasefire began on April 17.

Sexual and gender-based violence in the October 7 attacks

A new 300-page report by the Israeli non-profit organization Civil Commission claims that Hamas engaged in sexual violence and rape during the October 7 attacks on Israel.

Attacks in Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian war

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy states that the military has attacked several gas facilities in Orenburg Oblast, Russia.

Russian attacks on civilians in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Six people are killed and seven others, including a nine-month-old child, are injured in Russian drone strikes in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine.

Russo-Ukrainian war

Russian president Vladimir Putin says Russia will deploy new Sarmat nuclear missiles this year.

2026 Blue Nile campaign

The International Organization for Migration reports that 50,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the Blue Nile region.

Darfur campaign

A drone strike hits a local market and civilian vehicles in Karnoi, North Darfur, Sudan, destroying property and causing casualties.

Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A bomb explodes inside a bazaar in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killing at least 10 people and wounding over 30 others.

Denmark–United States relations

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen confirms that expanding U.S. military presence in Greenland is part of talks between the United States and Denmark amidst efforts to resolve a crisis caused by Trump's desire to purchase the island.

2026 United Kingdom government crisis

British prime minister Keir Starmer tells his cabinet he has "no intention" of resigning after several ministers and more than 90 Labour Party MPs call on him to resign or set a timetable for a new party leader to be elected later this year.

2026 United Kingdom government crisis

Four ministers resign following Starmer's refusal to resign, namely Zubir Ahmed, Alex Davies-Jones, Miatta Fahnbulleh, and Jess Phillips.

2025–2026 United States redistricting

The Republican-led South Carolina Senate rejects redistricting efforts to redraw the congressional districts in the U.S. state of South Carolina, including efforts to eliminate the seat represented by U.S. congressman Jim Clyburn.

2026 Bahamian general election

Bahamians vote to elect 41 seats of the House of Assembly. Incumbent prime minister Philip Davis becomes the first prime minister to be re-elected for a second consecutive term in office since 1997.

2026 Ugandan general election

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni is re-inaugurated for a 7th term.

Cambodian–Thai border dispute

The Cambodian National Assembly approves the extension of military conscription to two years and increases penalties for draft evasion amid border clashes with Thailand.

Magyar Government

Ministers of the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Péter Magyar are sworn in and take office.

Politics

Nauru announces plans to hold a referendum on changing the country's official name to "Naoero", a move that would require a constitutional amendment.

Politics

Brazilian president Lula da Silva announces the formal creation of the Ministry of Public Security after its previous iteration was folded into the Ministry of Justice in 2019.

2026 Iranian strikes on Bahrain

Bahrain sentences three people to life imprisonment and more than 20 others to prison terms over charges linked to collaboration with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Climate change in New Zealand

New Zealand justice minister Paul Goldsmith announces plans to amend the country's law to prevent courts from holding companies liable for climate change-related harm linked to greenhouse gas emissions.

Disasters

Five people are killed and two others are injured after a fire at a residential building in Hengyang, Hunan, China.

Disasters

A World War II-era P-51D Mustang crashes near Vicksburg–Tallulah Regional Airport in Mound, Louisiana. The pilot, who was killed in the crash, was Dan Fordice, son of the former Governor of Mississippi Kirk Fordice.

Business

American autonomous driving technology company Waymo recalls 3,800 robotaxis over risks that they could enter flooded areas.

MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak

An American traveller, suspected of potential contact with the hantavirus, is quarantined upon arrival in the Pitcairn Islands after transiting through French Polynesia.

MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak

The Spanish health ministry confirms the country's first case of hantavirus in a Spanish passenger from the MV Hondius who has been in isolation at a hospital in Madrid since 11 May.

2026 Georgian patriarchal election

Shio III is enthroned as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia at the Svetitskhoveli cathedral.