Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:17pm on 18 May 2026,Monday Health & Wellness
At least 100 people have died in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with over 390 suspected cases reported so far. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency as fears grow over regional spread. The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Uganda has also confirmed two cases and one death. US health authorities said six Americans were exposed during the outbreak, though infections have not been confirmed. Several countries, including Rwanda and Nigeria, have tightened screening and surveillance measures. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:12pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India
Fresh CCTV footage has intensified the investigation into the death of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal. The visuals allegedly show Twisha heading towards the rooftop of her home before her husband Samarth Singh and two others later carried her body downstairs. Police said the preliminary post-mortem report indicated death by hanging. Twisha’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and murder, while the accused side has denied the allegations. WhatsApp chats accessed by media reportedly showed Twisha telling her mother that her “life had become hell”. Samarth Singh remains absconding as a Special Investigation Team continues the probe.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:05pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India
The CBI has arrested 10 people so far in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, including coaching operators, teachers and middlemen allegedly linked to a nationwide network. The latest arrest was of Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar from Maharashtra’s Latur, accused of possessing the leaked question paper before the May 3 examination. Investigators earlier identified retired lecturer PV Kulkarni and teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare as key accused in the alleged leak operation. The probe has uncovered links spanning Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan, with allegations of question papers being shared electronically and sold for large sums of money. (PC: HT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:00pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global
The US Department of Justice has permanently dropped all criminal charges against billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani in a securities and wire fraud case linked to solar energy projects in India. A New York court dismissed the indictment “with prejudice”, meaning the case cannot be reopened. The allegations, filed in 2024, accused the Adanis of misleading US investors while raising funds for solar projects. Prosecutors later concluded there was insufficient evidence and no clear US jurisdictional link to sustain the charges. The development comes days after the US SEC settled civil allegations against the two without admission of wrongdoing. The Adani Group has consistently denied all allegations and called them meritless. (PC: NDTV)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:30pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India
The death of Twisha Sharma at her matrimonial home in Bhopal has escalated into a politically sensitive dowry death investigation involving allegations of abuse, legal influence and evidence tampering. Twisha, 31 and reportedly pregnant, was found hanging on May 12 at the home of her husband Samarth Singh, who remains absconding. Police have filed dowry harassment and dowry death charges against him and his mother, retired judge Giribala Singh. WhatsApp chats accessed by media reportedly reveal Twisha describing emotional suffocation and cruelty inside her marriage. A Special Investigation Team has been formed as her family demands a second post-mortem and alleges influential interference in the probe. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:58pm on 18 May 2026,Monday International
The US-Iran crisis deepened after US President Donald Trump rejected any concessions on Iran’s nuclear programme and warned Tehran that it knows “what’s going to be happening soon.” Speaking to the New York Post, Trump dismissed the latest Iranian peace proposal as inadequate and signalled Washington may consider renewed military action. The remarks followed weekend meetings with his national security team amid reports of possible coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran. Trump also reversed his earlier suggestion of accepting a temporary uranium enrichment moratorium, saying he is “not open to anything right now.” The statement has intensified fears that the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran may soon collapse. (PC: X)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:54pm on 18 May 2026,Monday International
The United States has extended for 30 days a sanctions waiver allowing trade in Russian seaborne oil, citing requests from multiple countries seeking additional time to continue purchases. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the temporary license would help energy-vulnerable nations access Russian oil stranded at sea and stabilise global crude markets following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The waiver, first introduced in March during the US-Israel-Iran conflict, permits limited access to sanctioned Russian petroleum products without violating broader US restrictions on companies such as Rosneft and Lukoil. India has emerged as a major beneficiary, reportedly purchasing around 30 million barrels of Russian oil under the exemption after refiners previously reduced imports due to sanctions.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:59pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India
Twisha Sharma’s death case has taken a significant turn after a video surfaced showing her climbing the staircase at her marital home in Bhopal shortly before her death. The footage reportedly shows at least three men, including husband Samarth Singh, attempting CPR twice before carrying her body downstairs. Twisha, 33, was found dead on May 12 at the couple’s residence in Katara Hills. Police have registered cases of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide against Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh. A Special Investigation Team has been formed, while Samarth Singh remains absconding. The preliminary AIIMS Bhopal post-mortem report indicated death by hanging.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:47pm on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global
India’s LPG supply crunch is now impacting fuel prices in California, highlighting how the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict is disrupting global energy markets. With the Strait of Hormuz facing severe disruptions, India has moved to maximise domestic LPG production to secure cooking gas supplies. However refiners reduced production of alkylates, critical clean-fuel blending components widely used in gasoline markets, especially California’s environmentally regulated fuel system. Analysts say the reduced alkylate exports have tightened already stressed American fuel supply chains, contributing to petrol prices in California crossing $6 per gallon. Energy experts warn the situation could worsen during the summer driving season if shipping disruptions and geopolitical tensions continue across West Asia. (PC: AFP)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:31pm on 18 May 2026,Monday Politics
The West Bengal government has decided to discontinue religion-based stipend schemes for imams and purohits, marking a major policy shift under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The decision was taken during the BJP government’s second cabinet meeting, where Adhikari stated that taxpayer money should prioritise education and welfare over religious allowances. The cabinet simultaneously approved a new financial assistance scheme for women and free bus travel for women across the state. The move has triggered sharp political reactions, with supporters describing it as an end to “appeasement politics” while critics are expected to question its social and electoral implications. The government indicated that scholarship and education-focused initiatives would now receive greater policy emphasis instead of direct religious stipen