WorldPulse Week 21 · May 18–24, 2026

The week's top verified stories

Ranked by how many independent outlets reported each story, Monday to Sunday (UTC). How we count outlets.

1. 1
   Trump says US was just an hour away from striking Iran

   59 outlets that week · Tehran, Iran · conflict

2. 2
   Transcript - Update on Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, 5/18/2026

   56 outlets that week · ebola · health

3. 3
   Father-of-eight killed in San Diego mosque shooting hailed as hero

   38 outlets that week · san diego · conflict

4. 4
   Israeli forces appear to fire weapons at Gaza aid boat

   29 outlets that week · Israel · conflict

5. 5
   Cuba warns US military action would cause 'bloodbath'

   9 outlets that week · London, United Kingdom · conflict

6. 6
   Belarus launches joint drills with Russia to practice nuclear weapons use

   7 outlets that week · Ukraine · conflict

7. 7
   WHO concerned by 'scale and speed' of Ebola spread in DRC

   13 outlets that week · Africa · health

8. 8
   Japan zoo may ban photos near viral monkey Punch after intrusion by 2 Americans

   12 outlets that week · Tokyo, Japan · breaking

9. 9
   Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces remain ‘locked and loaded’

   5 outlets that week · Tehran, Iran · conflict

10. 10
    Breaking: Former Cuban president Raul Castro indicted on murder charges in the US

    10 outlets that week · Bay Of Pigs, Matanzas, Cuba · conflict

11. 11
    New team to plan search for bodies of Italian divers lost in Maldives

    10 outlets that week · maldives · geopolitics

12. 12
    Ukraine launches major drone attack

    22 outlets that week · Ukraine · conflict

13. 13
    U.S. issues travel bans as Ebola outbreak fuels global alarm

    9 outlets that week · New York, United States · health

14. 14
    Expedition Cruise Ship Hondius Arrives in Rotterdam to Begin Disinfection

    9 outlets that week · rotterdam · health

15. 15
    Trump warns ‘won’t be anything left’ of Iran unless it agrees to deal to end war

    4 outlets that week · Israel · conflict