By Saleem Ahmed

May 24 (Reuters) - A bomb blast hit a shuttle train carrying Pakistani security personnel and their families in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Sunday, officials said, in the latest major attack claimed by separatist militants.

The explosion killed at least 24 people and injured 70, according to three provincial government and security officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the media.

ANKARA, May 24 (Reuters) - Turkish authorities ordered police to evict the leadership of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) from their headquarters on Sunday, enforcing a court ruling that reinstated the former leader and fuelled a political crisis.

Riot police and crowds gathered outside the gates of CHP headquarters in the Turkish capital after the Ankara governor's office issued the order to remove CHP members aligned with ousted leader Ozgur Ozel.

By Michele Kambas

NICOSIA, May 24 (Reuters) - Cypriots went to the polls on Sunday in a parliamentary election expected to deliver gains for anti-corruption campaigners and the far right, while weakening centrist parties that back President Nikos Christodoulides.

In a vote being closely watched for signs of public sentiment ahead of a 2028 presidential election, more than half a million registered voters will elect 56 lawmakers from a record field of 753 candidates.

May 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. and Iran areclose to signing a dealinvolving a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened,Iranwould be able to freely sell oil and negotiations would be held on curbing Iran's nuclear program, Axios reported on Saturday, citing a U.S. official.

According to the Axios report, during the 60-day period, the Strait of Hormuz would be open with no tolls and Iran would agree to clear the mines it deployed in the strait to let ships pass freely.

Despite the Middle East war and a US government travel advisory, there was never any doubt in Fadel's mind that he would attend this year's hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

"Even if the war were still ongoing, I would not have backed out," the 49-year-old US national, who asked that only his first name be used, told AFP.

"We are undoubtedly in the safest place in the world," he added, referring to a passage from the Koran.

(Corrects second bullet to specify Iran is disputing Trump's claim the strait could reopen)

By Asif Shahzad, Michael Martina and Ryan Patrick Jones

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI, May 23 (Reuters) - A "largely negotiated" memorandum of understanding on an Iran peace deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday, although the Iranian Fars news agency disputed that claim.

Heavyweight boxing king Oleksandr Usyk retained his titles after a dramatic and controversial stoppage victory over kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven with a second left of the 11th round in Egypt on Saturday.

In the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Verhoeven had rocked the Ukrainian champion and seemed to be leading before he was dropped and eventually stopped.

"I thought it was an early stoppage but in the end it's not up to me," Verhoeven told DAZN.

May 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal has been "largely negotiated" with Iran and will open the Strait of Hormuz, with details to be unveiled soon.

"Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly," Trump wrote on Trump Social.

Trump posted the announcement after separate calls with the leaders of Muslim majority nations and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran are moving their World Cup training base to Mexico after football's world governing body FIFA approved a request to transfer it from Tucson, Arizona, the head of Iran's football federation said on Saturday.

The Iranian team will be based in Tijuana on the border of Mexico and the United States, federation president Mehdi Taj said in a video carried by the Fars news agency.

WASHINGTON, May 23 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Saturday that negotiators for the United States and Iran were "getting a lot closer" to finalizing an agreement to end the war, according to an interview with CBS News.

He said a final agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and would ensure that Iran's enriched uranium would be "satisfactorily handled," according to CBS.

"I will only sign a deal where we get everything we want," Trump was quoted as saying.