Ebola outbreak declared an international emergency

Reuters Daily Briefing <dailybriefing@thomsonreuters.com>
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2026-05-18 12:59

Daily Briefing

By Claire Beers

Hello. The WHO declares the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda's Ebola outbreak an international emergency, the Iran war saddles global companies with a $25 billion bill — and counting, and Samsung Electronics holds last-ditch talks to avert strike action.

Plus, our reporter’s guide to revolutionary history, clam chowder and Red Sox fandom in Boston.

Today's Top News

Workers stand guard at the gate of the Kibuli Muslim Hospital where a man died of Ebola Bundibugyo virus in Uganda. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization.
The hantavirus-hit cruise ship has docked in Rotterdam for disinfection as health officials battle another outbreak: misinformation. Global Health Correspondent Jennifer Rigby tells the Reuters World News podcast why fighting rumors and conspiracy theories with facts may not be enough.
A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the UAE, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones, as US President Donald Trump warned that Iran must act 'fast' after efforts to ‌end the war.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake in China's southwest region of Guangxi ‌killed two and forced more than 7,000 in the city of Liuzhou to evacuate as search and rescue operations continue.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is under intense pressure to quit from within his Labour Party after ‌a set of poor local election results, will not set out a timetable for his departure, his deputy David Lammy said.
Russia has high expectations for President Vladimir Putin's trip to China this week, and the two sides will use it to ‌develop their 'privileged partnership', the Kremlin said.

Business & Markets

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 18, 2026. REUTERS

The US-Israeli war with Iran has already cost companies around the world at least $25 billion, and the bill is climbing, according to a Reuters analysis.
Bonds from Tokyo to New York extended losses as rising energy prices from the ongoing Middle East war fanned inflation fears and stoked investor wagers on rate hikes ‌from global central banks.
Samsung Electronics and its labor union started talks in ‌a last-ditch bid to avert the biggest strike in the tech giant's history as concerns grow that a walkout by more than 45,000 workers could hit South Korea's economy and disrupt global supply chains.
China has committed to purchasing at least $17 billion of US agricultural products in 2026, 2027 and 2028, the White House ‌said in a fact sheet. The commitment was made during the US-China summit last week.
Inter IKEA, which franchises the Swedish budget home furniture brand in 63 ‌countries, is laying off 850 workers in a cost-cutting drive.
Nikka Whisky is betting the Japanese whisky boom has further to run, ‌spending big on capital investment and setting a long-term sales target that would eventually quadruple its current revenue, president Naoto Ono said.

Trump's crypto venture and Iran's top exchange tapped into the same industry networks

Iran’s Nobitex processed at least $2.3 billion through Tron and BNB Chain, blockchain ledgers started by backers of the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial. REUTERS

When Iran’s largest crypto exchange customers needed to move money, networks created by two of the industry’s biggest players served as conduits. And from the early stages of President Trump’s flagship digital currency venture, the same two lent the startup credibility.

According to data analyzed by Reuters, Iran’s Nobitex exchange processed at least $2.3 billion since 2023 on Tron and BNB Chain, blockchains established respectively under crypto billionaires Justin Sun and Changpeng Zhao.

Read our exclusive report

And Finally...

REUTERS/Illustration/Kate Evans

Boston is the cradle of American liberty, the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin, home to umpteen universities and renowned for its rabid sports fans. Reuters reporter Tim McLaughlin takes us around his home away from home in this week's City Memo.

Read more

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