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)

Saifullah Khalid, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative responsible for major attacks in India, including the 2005 Indian Science Congress in Bangalore, the 2006 RSS headquarters assault in Nagpur, and the 2008 CRPF camp attack in Rampur, was killed by unidentified assailants in Pakistan's Sindh province. Operating under the alias "Vinode Kumar," he had previously lived in Nepal, coordinating LeT activities and marrying a local woman. Recently, he relocated to Matli in Sindh's Badin district, continuing his involvement with LeT and its front, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, focusing on recruitment and fundraising. His death marks a significant development in efforts against terror networks targeting India. (PC: India Today)

On May 18, 2025, ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission failed to accomplish its objective of deploying the EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) Earth observation satellite. The launch, which began at 5:59 AM IST from Sriharikota, proceeded smoothly through the first and second stages. However, a critical anomaly occurred in the third stage, causing a drop in chamber pressure and halting the satellite deployment. EOS-09 was intended to bolster India’s all-weather surveillance and remote sensing capabilities. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath announced the formation of a Failure Analysis Committee to investigate. This marks the first PSLV failure since 2017, underscoring the complexity of space missions. (PC: PTI)  

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)

On May 18, 2025, a devastating fire in Hyderabad's Gulzar Houz area claimed 17 lives, including women and children, due to smoke inhalation. The fire reportedly began from a short circuit in a ground-floor jewelry shop and quickly engulfed the building, which lacked proper emergency exits. President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended sympathies and announced ₹2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The tragedy highlights critical fire safety gaps in urban India. (PC: INDToday)

COVID-19 cases are surging in Hong Kong and Singapore, driven by waning immunity and the rapid spread of new Omicron JN.1 variants. Singapore's Health Ministry reported a 28% increase in estimated cases, reaching 14,200 in the first week of May, with hospitalizations rising by around 30%. Key symptoms include cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, brain fog, and conjunctivitis. In Hong Kong, the virus's presence in sewage water indicates widespread community transmission, prompting health alerts. Despite the uptick, vaccinations remain effective in preventing severe illness, and no new social restrictions are planned. Authorities urge continued vigilance, mask-wearing in crowded places, and staying home when ill to mitigate the spread. (PC: News18)

Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana, known for her channel "Travel with Jo," has been arrested on espionage charges. Authorities allege she passed sensitive military information to Pakistan's ISI after multiple visits to Pakistan in 2023. Her travel expenses reportedly exceeded her known income sources. Investigations reveal she used encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to communicate with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Police are examining her digital devices and scrutinizing her financial records. The case has raised concerns about national security and the potential misuse of social media platforms for espionage activities. Malhotra faces charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (PC: Hindustan Times)

The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a stern advisory warning Indian citizens that overstaying their authorized period in the United States could lead to deportation and a permanent travel ban. This marks the third such warning this month, highlighting the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration. A new policy mandates all foreign nationals staying over 30 days in the U.S. to register with the federal government, irrespective of visa expiration dates. The embassy emphasizes that the permitted duration of stay is determined by immigration regulations, not visa validity. These advisories align with broader efforts to enforce immigration laws and deter visa violations. (PC: The Financial Express)

   The Indian Army, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police, destroyed 42 unexploded shells in Poonch on Sunday. These shells were left behind after cross-border shelling by Pakistan. The controlled operation took place in Jhullas, Salotri, Dharati, and Salani villages. Trained bomb disposal teams carried out the task with full safety to protect local people. The Army said the operation shows their strong efforts to keep civilians safe and restore peace in the area. Earlier, shelling from Pakistan had killed 12 and injured 42. A ceasefire was agreed on May 10, ending days of military tension between India and Pakistan. (PC: Hindustan Times)

On May 18, 2025, a deadly fire broke out in a three-story building in Hyderabad’s Shah Ali Banda area, killing at least 17 people and injuring several more. The fire originated from a short circuit in a ground-floor jewelry shop and quickly spread to the upper residential floors. With a single, narrow staircase and no alternative escape route, residents were trapped. Rescue operations faced major obstacles due to heavy smoke and poor access. Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation, as the tragedy reignites concerns over widespread fire safety violations in urban India. (PC: AFP)