Current events: 2025-05-20

Wikipedia Current Events · Tuesday at 8:46 PM

Armed conflicts and attacks

Somali Civil War
- Islamic State insurgency in Puntland
  - Puntland counter-terrorism operations
    - Puntland authorities confirmed the killing of Ahmed Muse Said, a senior leader of the ISIS who led the recruitment of members from local clans, during a security operation in the Togga Miiraale area of the Bari Region of Puntland. (Garowe Online) (Hiiraan Online)
- 2025 Mogadishu military base bombing
  - Al-Shabaab claims at least six rounds of mortar fire caused damage to properties in the Aden Adde International Airport area of Somalia's capital Mogadishu, which includes the Halane base camp. This facility houses United Nations offices, African Union personnel, and diplomatic missions. (Garowe Online)
- 2025 Shabelle offensive
  - An Al-Shabaab mortar attack kills three Somali army personnel in Hiilweyne military barracks near Bal’ad town of Middle Shabelle, Somalia. (Hiiraan Online)
Gaza war
- Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip
  - Israeli strikes kill at least 85 Palestinians in Gaza. (AP)

Disasters and accidents

At least four people are killed, including one in a car accident, two others are reported missing, widespread damage is reported and power outages occur after flooding in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. (BBC News) (Sky News)

Arts and culture

International Booker Prize
- Indian author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi win the 2025 International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp, a collection of short stories. (The Guardian)

International relations

Israel–United Kingdom relations
- The United Kingdom suspends negotiations on a new free trade agreement with Israel and summons the Israeli ambassador amid the recent Israeli offensive in Gaza. (BBC News)
European Union-Russia relations
- The European Council adopts a 17th sanctions package against Russia, including 189 additional vessels of Russia's so-called shadow fleet. (European Commission) Law and crime
An attack killed two employees of Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada. (NOS)
Three students are injured in a mass stabbing attack at a school in Pirkkala, Pirkanmaa, Finland. The suspect, a 16-year-old, released a manifesto saying his target was women. (Yle)

Politics and elections

2025 Australian federal election
- The federal wing of the National Party leaves the Liberal-National Coalition for the first time since 1987, citing poor performance in the recent federal election and growing policy differences. (The Guardian Australia)
2025 Bolivian general election
- Former Bolivian President Evo Morales fails to secure his candidacy for the presidential election as the deadline expires amid a court's decision to uphold his ban to run for a fourth term. Morales said he would appeal. (Reuters)

Sports

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and 143,000 players draw in an online freestyle chess match lasting 46 days. The game sets a new record with the biggest number of opponents. (The Guardian)