The day

Monday 4 May 2026

25 stories, biggest first.

1
NewsOperation Project Freedom
The U.S. Central Command says that two US-flagged merchant vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, the first vessels to cross the waterway since the start of Project Freedom. Additionally, CENTCOM also says that U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers transited through the waterway.
2
News2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign
Iranian media report that the Iranian navy struck a U.S. Navy warship with two missiles, after it ignored warnings off the coast of Jask. United States Central Command denies the claim that a ship was hit.
3
News2026 Iran war ceasefire
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar hold a phone call to discuss Pakistan's efforts to revive ceasefire talks between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war.
4
News2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign
A fire and explosion is reported on an anchored HMM vessel in the Strait of Hormuz near the United Arab Emirates. No casualties were reported.
5
News2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates reports that it has intercepted three missiles from Iran, with the 4th one falling into the sea. This is the first report of missile interceptions since the ceasefire began on April 7.
6
NewsSudanese civil war
Rapid Support Forces launch drone attacks at several targets in Khartoum, Sudan, including the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan. Drone strikes are also reported at the Signal Corps in Khartoum Bahri and Al-Markhiyat camp in northern Omdurman.
7
Culture2026 Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize winners for 2026 are announced, recognizing excellence in journalism, books, drama, and music.
8
News2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign
A vessel belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is attacked by two drones in the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported.
9
News2026 United States naval blockade of Iran
The Pakistani foreign ministry says that the U.S. has evacuated 22 crew members on the Touska and will hand them to Iranian authorities.
10
News2026 United States naval blockade of Iran
The IRNA confirms that the 22 sailors returned home to Iran at a border terminal in Sistan-Baluchistan.
11
News2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates
A strike on an energy facility in the Fujairah emirate injures three Indian nationals.
12
NewsSudanese civil war
The Sudan Army's air defenses intercept drone strikes at the airport.
13
News
At least two people are killed and three others are injured when an Embraer EMB-721 crashes into a residential building in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
14
News2026 Liuyang fireworks factory explosion
At least 26 people are killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan, China.
15
NewsAustria and Russian intelligence
Austria expels three Russian diplomats over suspected espionage activities involving data interception from the Russian embassy and a diplomatic mission in Vienna.
16
NewsIndonesia–Japan relations
Indonesia and Japan signs a defense agreement including cooperation in defense industry and personnel training amid the lifting of Japan's arms export ban.
17
NewsNigeria–South Africa relations
Nigeria announces plans for the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa following reported attacks and safety concerns affecting foreign nationals.
18
MoneyEconomic impact of the 2026 Iran war
The Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, reports a 66% drop in passenger traffic in March 2026 amidst a disruption of air traffic in the Middle East due to the Iran war.
19
Crime2026 Leipzig car incident
Two people are killed and 22 others are injured, including two seriously, after a car was driven into a crowd of people in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. The perpetrator is arrested and the incident is being investigated.
20
News
Eight people are killed in a road accident in Dandong, Liaoning, China.
21
News
Seven people are killed and 13 others critically injured after a bus collided head-on with a trailer in Northern Uganda.
22
News
Three people are killed and 14 others are injured in a fire at a six-story apartment building in Manhattan, New York, United States.
23
News
Two people are killed after a fire swept through a residential area in San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines.
24
NewsAustralia–Japan relations
Australia and Japan sign agreements on energy and critical minerals.
25
NewsEuropean integration
The 8th European Political Community Summit is held in Yerevan, Armenia, with leaders from nearly 50 countries participating.

Stories adapted from Wikipedia’s Current events portal for 4 May 2026, by Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.