News digest for 18 may, 2026

May 18, 2026

National News & Politics

Kerala gets a new Chief Minister – V D Satheesan of the Congress will take oath as Kerala's CM today at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, marking the UDF's return to power after a decade – a fresh start for God's Own Country.
20‑member cabinet to take oath – Alongside Satheesan, veteran leaders Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan will be sworn in, while Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has been appointed as the Speaker of the Assembly – experience meets new energy.

India‑EU strategic ties deepen – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the proposed India‑EU Free Trade Agreement the "mother of all deals" and announced upcoming joint EU‑India naval exercises to counter maritime and cyber threats – a big step forward.
Markets open cautious – Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty 50 , opened on a cautious note today following Friday's profit‑booking and persistent weakness in the Indian rupee – investors playing safe.
Pharma stocks in the spotlight – Market analysts predict pharmaceutical stocks will attract significant investor interest today, thanks to their defensive earnings profile amid ongoing global macroeconomic uncertainty – a classic safe‑haven play.

🌍 Global Affairs & Security

Drone strike hits UAE nuclear plant – A drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi . The UAE government stated it has the full right to respond to what it called a "terrorist attack" – tensions escalating fast.
Saudi intercepts three drones – Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones that entered from Iraqi airspace, warning it will take strict operational measures to defend its sovereignty – the region on edge.
Brent crude jumps past 111∗∗–InresponsetotheescalatingMiddleEasttensionsandtheUAEdronestrike,∗∗Brentcrudefuturessurgedpast111∗∗–InresponsetotheescalatingMiddleEasttensionsandtheUAEdronestrike,∗∗Brentcrudefuturessurgedpast111 per barrel – reviving fears of global supply chain disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
Global market selloff intensifies – Global equities took a major hit as rising US inflation data forced investors to reprice reality. Rate cuts are now largely off the table, pushing US 10‑year yields over 4.6% – a rough day for markets.
CDC escalates Ebola response – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has formally escalated its response to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the DRC and Uganda following the WHO's global emergency declaration – stepping up the fight.
US military jets collide mid‑air – Two E/A‑18G Growler jets collided during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show in Idaho – fortunately, all four crew members successfully ejected and survived the crash. A miracle at the show.
UK political crisis deepens – The British Labour Party is facing a severe leadership crisis surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer , prompting renewed debate over whether the UK should unwind its estrangement from