May 23, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMay 23, 2026UpdatesPakistan talks in Iran were highly productive, army statement saysPakistan's ‌Army Chief ‌Field Marshal Syed ⁠Asim Munir ⁠held highly productive talks with Iran's president and other senior ‌officials ‌during a visit to Tehran on ending the Iran war, the military said ⁠on Saturday.Negotiations over the past ‌24 ⁠hours ‌had resulted in encouraging progress towards ⁠a final understanding, the statement said.U.S.-Iran cease-fire may be extended by 60 days, according to mediators, report saysA U.S.-Iran cease-fire may be extended by 60 days, mediators say, adding that they believe a framework to discuss diluting or handing over Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium may be underway, the Financial Times reported.As part of the cease-fire, the United States would ease its blockade of Iranian ports while Iran would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The United States would agree to sanctions relief and put a pause on freezing Tehran's overseas assets.Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmael Baghaei said on Saturday that Tehran was discussing a "memorandum of understanding" as part of the first phase of cease-fire talks, and within 30-60 days, would hash out the details of the agreement, including denuclearization and the opening of the Strait.Police say they removed six Israelis from Jericho city center in Palestinian-controlled area of West BankIsraeli police announced that they removed six Israelis from Jericho who rented a villa in the city center, which is located in Area A of the West Bank, where Israelis are legally prohibited from entering.According to police, Palestinian residents living near the villa heard shouting in Hebrew and passed the information on to security officials, who removed the Israelis from the city. The police have opened an investigation.Trump posts graphic of Middle East with Iran painted in U.S. flag colorsU.S. President Donald Trump posts a graphic on Truth Social: 'United States of the Middle East? Credit: Truth Social/Donald TrumpU.S. President Donald Trump posts a graphic on Truth Social: 'United States of the Middle East? Credit: Truth Social/Donald TrumpPresident Donald Trump posted a map captioned "United States of the Middle East?" with Iran's landmass edited as a U.S. flag.Hundreds protest against crime in Arab society: 'Our blood is not in expendable'Hundreds of people demonstrated against the state's neglect of handling crime in Arab society in the northern Israeli Arab town of Jadeidi Makr, a week after a shooting in which the head of the city's local council and his deputy were shot while leaving an event.The organizers said that the demonstration was intended to convey a message of anger and distrust towards the authorities amid the continued escalation of violence in Arab society and the feeling that the country's leadership is not taking steps to address the issue of criminal organizations. According to protesters, the shooting represents an escalation and a line being crossed, with elected officials and heads of authorities now also becoming targets.Protesters carried signs reading, "The government is enabling crime," and "Our blood is not expendable," and briefly blocked traffic several times.The shooting is not the first time Suhail Melhem, head of the Jadeidi Makr local council, has been targeted. About three years ago, his personal security guard was seriously wounded in a shooting. Last year, shots were fired twice at Melhem's home and car, and in another incident, an explosive device was placed near the local council building. Previous incidents were linked, among other things, to disputes over tenders and the management of the local council. A tender for waste removal became a major dispute in the town, followed by several shootings and arson attacks.Following the shooting, Arab political and civic leaders called for action against the surge in violence, including the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, the Committee of Arab Local Council Heads, parties and political movements. Grassroots groups also called for protests after what they described as an attempted assassination.In recent years, Arab local authority heads have increasingly become targets of threats, shootings and other violence, whether directed at them personally, their homes or the municipal buildings they oversee. Earlier this year, shots were fired at the mayor of Arraba and the head of the city's popular committee. 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