The World: Five stories you might have missed

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nytimes.com May 22, 2026 Here are some standout stories from this week, curated by The World editors and personalized for you. Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times Inside the Senate G.O.P. Meltdown Over Trump’s Fund Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, went to Capitol Hill to allay Republicans’ concerns over a fund to pay people who claim government mistreatment. It did not go well. By Michael Gold Camille Farrah Lenain for The New York Times A Family Secret No More One fateful decision 100 years ago created parallel lives. How does a family broken by the bizarre rules of racism heal itself after three generations apart? By Susan Saulny Dea/Biblioteca Ambrosiana, via Getty Images A Powerful El Niño Is Forming. If History Is a Guide, It Could Hit Hard. The biggest episodes of the past have altered the course of human events, according to researchers. An emerging one is drawing historic comparisons. By Chico Harlan Arash Khamooshi/Polaris for The New York Times Early War Goal Was to Install Hard-Line Former President as Iran’s Leader An Israeli strike designed to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest in Tehran, U.S. officials said, was part of an effort to bring about regime change and put him in power. By Mark Mazzetti, Julian E. Barnes, Farnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman The New York Times The Secretive Conglomerate That Controls Cuba’s Economy A shadowy state enterprise run by the military is a focal point of Washington's pressure campaign against Cuba. By Maria Abi-Habib and Lazaro Gamio Host: Katrin Bennhold Editor: Alicia Wittmeyer News Editors: Desiree Ibekwe, Carole Landry Associate Staff Editor: Parin Behrooz Photo Editor: Eli Cohen Deputy International Editor: Adam Pasick If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The World from The New York Times. To stop receiving The World, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018