An 18-year-old Irish student, Arya Satheesh of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was named the European regional winner of the 2026 Earth Prize on 11 May for Eco Purge, a plant-based biodegradable plastic designed to both replace conventional plastics and help remove existing microplastics. Satheesh’s prototype embeds enzymes within the material so that, as the plastic degrades, catalysts are released that continue to break down microplastics in soil, fresh water and seawater. She has collaborated with researchers at University College Dublin, Atlantic Technological University (Letterkenny) and the BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre. The Earth Prize provides regional winners with $12,500, mentoring and resources; the competition’s global winner — who receives larger funding and publicity from the Geneva-based Earth Foundation — will be chosen by public vote later in May. Satheesh plans to use prize funds to scale up production and to test enzyme production methods that rely on genetically modified bacteria to manufacture the breakdown catalysts, acknowledging technical and cost challenges in making biodegradable plastics suitably durable for everyday use.

Fine Gael’s Seán Kyne has been elected to the Dáil in the Galway West byelection after the 11th and final count, defeating Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas. Kyne finished on 19,218 votes to Thomas’s 16,519, a margin of 2,699, aided by 4,249 transfers from Labour’s eliminated candidate Helen Ogbu. The result closed a contest that swung between Thomas, who led through much of the count on transfers from smaller and anti‑establishment candidates, and Kyne, a long‑standing local TD and senator whose name recognition and record of delivering local projects proved decisive. The count also saw significant transfers from Fianna Fáil’s Cillian Keane and evidence of both a left‑leaning “vote left, transfer left” pattern and tacit transfers between centrist parties. In Dublin Central, the Social Democrats’ Daniel Ennis won the separate byelection held the same weekend. Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris described the Galway West outcome as a boost for centrist politics and party renewal. Labour’s Helen Ogbu performed strongly for the left, finishing third after transfers and signalling potential gains ahead of future contests.

On the evening of May 23, 2026, NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin was filming on the White House north lawn when multiple gunshots rang out nearby. Video of her stunned reaction — asking “What is that?” as pops echoed in the background — was captured in real time and has since circulated widely on social media. Authorities identified the shooter as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who approached a Secret Service checkpoint, opened fire and injured an adult male bystander who later underwent surgery and was reported in stable condition. Uniformed Secret Service officers returned fire and killed the suspect; President Donald Trump was in the White House at the time and was not harmed. Reporters in the area were ordered into the press briefing room as the compound was secured. Footage from other journalists, including ABC’s Selina Wang, corroborated the sequence of events. Media outlets noted the clip quickly spawned memes and critical commentary about on-air reactions while officials continue to investigate the motive and the suspect’s background.

Douglas Shepp McCain, the eldest adopted son of the late U.S. Senator John McCain, died suddenly on May 20 at age 66, his family said. The announcement was shared publicly by his sister Meghan McCain on May 24 and in an online obituary; no cause of death has been disclosed. A Navy veteran who flew A-6 Intruders for six years, McCain later built a long career as a captain with American Airlines. He is survived by his wife, Ashley, his two children, Caroline and Douglas Jr., his grandson Teddy, his mother Carol Shepp McCain and multiple siblings and step-siblings. The McCain Institute extended condolences, calling him a patriot and friend to alumni of the senator’s institute and staff. Private funeral services are planned and a public memorial gathering is scheduled for May 30 at the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach. Family statements stress his devotion to family, friendship and service.

Tensions flared in northern Spain on May 23-24 when activists from the Global Sumud Gaza flotilla returned after being intercepted by Israeli forces on May 18. Footage from Bilbao airport showed Basque police (Ertzaintza) using batons and dragging activists and supporters, prompting the detention of four people on charges including serious disobedience, resisting authority and assaulting an officer. Authorities said the unrest began when returning campaigners and their supporters blocked an arrivals exit; the regional police have opened an internal inquiry. Organisers say several activists were hospitalised after alleged mistreatment during Israeli custody and are considering legal action. Around 2,000 protesters later demonstrated in Bilbao condemning police conduct, while about 20 other activists received a peaceful welcome in Barcelona. The episode has generated diplomatic rows: Israel summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires and used video of the Bilbao clashes to criticise the activists, while Spain had earlier protested to Israel over a video posted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. France has barred Ben-Gvir and signalled it may seek EU measures.

On May 24, 2026, at least 19 people were injured in a crowd surge near a stage at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, town and emergency officials said. Horry County Fire Rescue and local law enforcement responded around 1 a.m.; three people were taken to hospital and the others were treated on scene or sought care independently. Authorities described the response as a “mass casualty incident” because of the number of injured, though officials said none of the injuries appeared life‑threatening. Town officials and the interim manager, Titus Leaks, said the crowd movement appeared to begin when one person ran, triggering a brief chain reaction, and emphasized that officers assigned to the event quickly regained control. The Black Pearl/Bikefest event is a decades‑long Memorial Day weekend gathering that draws large crowds to the Grand Strand; local officials said the incident was isolated and that the festival continued after order was restored. The situation remains under investigation.