U.S. and Iranian officials appear close to signing a one‑page memorandum that could formally end the U.S.-Israeli war in the Gulf, Reuters sources said on May 6. Iran said it was reviewing a new U.S. proposal and would reply via Pakistan, which has led mediation. President Donald Trump said he would pause a U.S. operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz while talks proceed. The memorandum reportedly sets a 30‑day window for detailed negotiations on thorny issues such as sanctions, shipping through Hormuz and curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme, while deferring other demands like missile limits and proxy activity. The prospect of progress sent global markets higher and oil futures tumbling — Brent crude fell toward the $100 a barrel area on strong easing of conflict risk. Iran’s foreign minister met his Chinese counterpart in Beijing as China urged cessation of hostilities. Meanwhile the U.S. has circulated a U.N. draft on protecting Hormuz and discussed a multinational maritime construct, underscoring continued diplomatic and military pressures around any deal.

A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 en route from Chicago O’Hare to Minneapolis was diverted to Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin late Friday night, May 29, 2026, after crew reported a security concern involving an unruly passenger. Flight UA2005, carrying 147 passengers and six crew, landed safely about 90 minutes after takeoff. Airline and law enforcement statements say the passenger repeatedly attempted to enter the cockpit and was eventually restrained; air traffic control and cabin audio indicate off‑duty officers on board helped subdue him. The FBI’s Milwaukee field office and local deputies responded; the Dane County Sheriff’s Office removed the individual and federal authorities are investigating. No injuries were reported. Passengers resumed the flight after the arrest and the aircraft arrived in Minneapolis in the early hours of Saturday. Some media reports say the pilot used a hijacking squawk (7500), a detail under federal review. United and investigators have not released the detainee’s identity or any charges as of Saturday morning.

The White House released a memo late Friday saying President Donald Trump "remains in excellent health" after a medical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier this week. Capt. Sean Barbabella, the president’s physician, reported Trump underwent cardiac imaging, a CT scan, cancer screenings and other preventive assessments conducted by multiple specialists. The memo said Trump, who turns 80 on June 14, weighed 238 pounds (108 kg), up about 14 lb from April 2025, had a resting heart rate of 73 bpm and blood pressure of 105/71. He scored 30/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; his cardiac age was estimated roughly 14 years younger than his chronological age. The report noted slight lower-leg swelling with improvement from last year, bruising on the hands described as benign and linked to frequent handshaking plus aspirin use, and ongoing cholesterol treatment with rosuvastatin and ezetimibe. Preventive counseling on diet, activity and weight loss was provided. The visit was Trump’s third to Walter Reed in 13 months and the summary reiterated he is ‘‘fully fit’’ to carry out presidential duties.

Wall Street closed May 29 at record highs and wrapped a strong week and month as a tech-led rally — highlighted by Dell’s surge after upbeat guidance — offset mixed economic data. The S&P 500 notched its ninth consecutive weekly gain while the Dow and Nasdaq also rose; the tech sector and software services outperformed even as consumer staples and automakers lagged. Markets were further buoyed by reports that Washington and Tehran have agreed a memorandum of understanding to extend a ceasefire for 60 days and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, though President Donald Trump had not yet approved the deal. Vice‑President J.D. Vance said talks remain “close” but unresolved on uranium enrichment language. The possible interim pact pushed Brent and U.S. crude lower, lifted gold and nudged Treasury yields down as investors weighed lower immediate energy risk against persistent inflation pressures that keep the Federal Reserve’s options open.

A US federal judge ruled on May 29, 2026 that the Donald J. Trump name must be removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and temporarily blocked a planned two-year closure for renovations. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, in a 94-page opinion, found the board — reconstituted last year after President Trump installed himself as chairman — exceeded its statutory authority by unilaterally renaming the federally created memorial, saying only Congress can change the Center’s formal name. The court ordered removal of Trump’s name from façades, signage and official materials within 14 days and said repairs may continue but a full shutdown cannot proceed without proper deliberation. The lawsuit was brought by Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex‑officio board member; the Kennedy Center said it will appeal. Trump reacted on social media, calling the judge “ashamed,” said he would work with Congress to “transfer” the institution, and defended planned renovations for which $257 million has been secured. The ruling follows artist cancellations and declining programming since the board changes late in 2025.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30 that Asian allies must boost military spending to counter what he described as “rightful alarm” over China’s historic military buildup and expanding activities. Speaking at the region’s premier security forum, Hegseth called for partners to aim for defence budgets of about 3.5% of GDP and highlighted a planned $1.5 trillion U.S. military investment. He said the United States seeks a “stable equilibrium” in the Indo‑Pacific and warned that “no state, including China,” should be allowed to impose regional hegemony. Hegseth struck a measured tone compared with last year, saying U.S. ties with Beijing are “better than they have been in many years” and noting increased military‑to‑military contact. He declined to commit on a reported up-to-$14 billion arms package for Taiwan, saying such decisions rest with President Donald Trump, and pressed allies to be “partners, not protectorates,” while praising countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Singapore.