On May 18, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during Pope Leo's inauguration in Rome, marking their first meeting since a contentious February White House encounter over the Ukraine war. This meeting occurred amid heightened tensions, including Russia's largest drone offensive against Ukraine and ahead of a scheduled call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a potential ceasefire. Zelenskiy reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to diplomacy and an unconditional ceasefire, while European leaders planned to advise Trump on imposing stricter sanctions against Russia. (PC: Reuters)

After 10 weeks of a full blockade, Israel announced it will allow a "basic amount" of food into Gaza to prevent a starvation crisis. The decision comes amid mounting global pressure and intensifying military operations against Hamas. Airstrikes across Gaza have left at least 67 dead and hundreds injured, with hospitals overwhelmed or shut down. The al-Mawasi "safe zone" was hit, killing 22. Israeli officials say aid will be restricted to prevent Hamas from exploiting it. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations in Doha remain deadlocked as Hamas demands a full truce and Israeli withdrawal in exchange for the release of hostages. (PC: Getty Images)

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his office. The 82-year-old underwent evaluation after developing worsening urinary symptoms. Doctors confirmed the cancer is hormone-sensitive, offering some treatment options, but noted the Gleason score is 9—indicating a high-grade, fast-spreading form. Biden and his family are consulting specialists to determine a treatment path. While metastatic prostate cancer is not curable, medical experts say it is manageable, with many patients living several years post-diagnosis. Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in US men. (PC: AFP)

Ukraine reported Russia's largest drone strike since the invasion began, with 273 drones targeting Kyiv and eastern regions. One woman was killed and three others, including a child, were injured in the Kyiv suburb of Obukhiv. The attack preceded a scheduled call between US President Trump and Russian President Putin, amid renewed calls for a 30-day ceasefire. Ukraine intercepted 88 drones, while 128 caused no significant damage. Russia's move casts doubt on peace efforts following talks in Turkey. Ukraine’s President Zelensky expressed readiness for a ceasefire, but Moscow insists on halting military aid and Ukraine abandoning NATO ambitions. (PC: Reuters)

Razaullah Nizamani, alias Abu Saifullah Khalid, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander linked to major attacks in India, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan’s Sindh province on Sunday. Nizamani, mastermind of the 2006 RSS HQ attack and the 2005 IISc Bengaluru strike, was also behind the 2001 CRPF camp attack in Rampur. He played a crucial role in LeT’s Nepal module, managing recruitment and funding. Despite being under Pakistani government protection post-Pahalgam attack, he was gunned down near his home in Matli. His death is seen as a major blow to LeT’s cross-border terror infrastructure. (PC: X/ Paras Nayak)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed ongoing negotiations with Hamas to potentially end the Gaza conflict, provided key conditions are met. Talks in Doha, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and supported by the US, revolve around a proposal from US envoy Steve Witkoff. The deal includes a phased hostage release, Hamas disarmament, and the exile of its leaders. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s team is “exhausting every possibility” for an agreement. However, intensified Israeli airstrikes have killed over 100 Palestinians, signaling continued pressure. Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal and a clear end to the war in any ceasefire terms. (PC: AFP)

The IMF has imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan for the next tranche of its bailout, taking the total to 50, according to The Express Tribune. Key demands include parliamentary approval of a Rs 17.6 trillion budget, energy tariff hikes, new taxes on agriculture, and lifting car import restrictions. The IMF also warned that post-Operation Sindoor tensions with India pose risks to the programme's fiscal and reform goals. The IMF emphasized cost recovery in the energy sector and better governance. Pakistan’s defence budget is also set to increase significantly amid recent cross-border hostilities with India. (PC: India Today)

Two people died and at least 19 were injured after the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. The vessel, carrying 277 crew, lost power and struck the bridge’s abutment, causing its 158ft-tall masts to snap. Some sailors were standing on the masts as they fell, officials said. Emergency responders rushed to the scene amid chaotic conditions. The ship lost all three masts, but no one went overboard. The bridge sustained no major damage and has since reopened. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences. The Cuauhtémoc was en route to Iceland from Acapulco. 

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to visit China on Monday for bilateral talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, marking his first foreign trip since India's Operation Sindoor. The visit includes a trilateral meeting with Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Discussions will focus on regional trade, security cooperation, and the evolving situation following the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in over a hundred terrorist casualties. Subsequent Pakistani attempts to retaliate were repelled by India's indigenous air defense systems. The choice of China as the destination underscores Beijing's role in regional diplomacy. (PC: Hindustan Times)

On May 18, 2025, Russia carried out its largest drone assault on Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, deploying 273 drones and decoys across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk. A 28-year-old woman was killed near Kyiv, and at least three others, including a child, were injured. Ukrainian forces intercepted 88 drones and jammed 128 decoys. The attack followed failed peace talks in Istanbul, which only resulted in a mutual prisoner exchange agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to speak with both Putin and Zelenskyy, as hopes for a ceasefire remain elusive amid escalating drone warfare. (PC: Reuters)