Trade: Trump pauses Iran strike, warns of major offensive if talks fail (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
United States President Donald Trump on 18 May said that he has decided "to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow [Tuesday]", at the request of the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, as "serious negotiations are now taking place."

UN: Middle East crisis sending shockwaves through global labour markets (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The Middle East crisis is sending economic shockwaves through global labour markets, with higher energy prices, disrupted shipping routes, supply chain bottlenecks, weaker tourism flows and tighter migration channels eroding jobs, incomes and working conditions far beyond the region, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

UN: Hunger crisis deepens in Somalia amid renewed famine risk (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Somalia is facing a rapidly escalating hunger and malnutrition crisis, with 6 million people projected to be in critical levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between April and June 2026, driven by the compounding effects of multiple shocks and marking the country's first confirmed famine risk since the 2022 crisis.