Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 18th , covering the latest developments you need to know.

1.Russia launches war's largest drone attack after peace talks, Ukraine says

Russia launched its largest drone attack since 2022 early Sunday, sending 273 drones toward the Kyiv, Dnipro and Donetsk regions. Ukraine’s air defences intercepted 88, while 128 dummy drones fell harmlessly. The attack killed a 28-year-old woman near Kyiv and wounded at least three, including a child, after nine hours of raid alerts.
Coming on the heels of peace talks in Istanbul—which secured a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap but no ceasefire—the strike follows Saturday’s drone attack in Sumy that killed nine civilians. President Zelenskyy has urged tougher sanctions, while President Trump plans phone talks with Putin and Zelenskyy on Monday.

2. Hamas proposes releasing some hostages in fresh talks after new Israel offensive

Following fresh talks on Saturday—held just hours after Israel launched a major new offensive in the Gaza Strip—Hamas has offered to free additional hostages as part of a proposed ceasefire deal.
A Palestinian official told the BBC that Hamas would release nine hostages in return for a 60-day truce and the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. The proposal also envisages allowing 400 aid trucks into Gaza each day and evacuating medical patients. Israel, meanwhile, has insisted on proof of life and full details for all remaining hostages.

3. Severe storms kill at least 23 across U.S., including 14 in Kentucky

At least 27 people have died after powerful storms swept across the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky among the hardest-hit states.
Powerful storm systems swept across parts of the Midwest and Southern U.S., leaving at least 27 people dead. Kentucky was the hardest hit, with at least 18 fatalities reported, mostly in Laurel County, where a tornado tore through homes and flipped a car on the interstate.
Governor Andy Beshear said at least 10 people remain in critical condition. One of the victims was a veteran firefighter who died after being injured while responding to the disaster.
Emergency crews continue to search for survivors amid widespread damage. Other states, including Missouri and Virginia, also reported storm-related deaths, while parts of Illinois and Wisconsin experienced dust storms and tornadoes.
The National Weather Service warns more severe weather is expected this weekend across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

4. Five killed in Finland helicopter crash

Two helicopters collided in mid-air near Eura airport in south-west Finland, killing all five people on board. The aircraft went down just after noon Saturday in a forest near the town of Kauttua, around 700 meters from a main road. Finnish police say the victims included three people in one chopper and two in the other. Local media report both helicopters had flown from Estonia and were carrying businesspeople. A witness told Finnish outlet Iltalehti that one helicopter struck the other during a maneuver, sending it crashing straight down.The helicopters were reportedly heading to an aviation event. One was registered in Estonia, the other in Austria—both operated by Estonian companies NOBE and Eleon. Finnish and Estonian authorities are now investigating the crash together.

5. Mexico, Chile and Uruguay pause poultry imports from Brazil after bird flu outbreak

Mexico, Chile and Uruguay have halted poultry imports from Brazil following the country’s first commercial bird flu outbreak in Rio Grande do Sul, joining China and the EU in suspending shipments. Brazil’s agriculture ministry said the export restrictions—ranging from full-country bans to region-specific limits—adhere to agreed health protocols; the outbreak threatens the world’s largest poultry exporter, responsible for 14% of global production.

6. Pope Leo XIV leads inauguration mass attended by JD Vance, Rubio

Today, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his inaugural Mass before St. Peter’s Basilica, officially inaugurating his papacy. The two-hour ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), will feature the Mass along with traditional papal rites—bestowal of the Fisherman’s Ring, imposition of the pallium and homage by the College of Cardinals. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend, alongside over 150 international delegations led by monarchs, presidents and prime ministers.

7. Austria wins 69th Eurovision song contest with Wasted Love

Austrian artist JJ has secured Austria’s third Eurovision Song Contest win in Basel with “Wasted Love,” an operatic ballad whose soaring vocals give way to a pulsing club anthem in its finale. JJ thereby joins Udo Jürgens (1965) and Conchita Wurst (2014) as the nation’s previous champions. This year’s competition was staged in Switzerland—the original host of Eurovision in 1956—after last year’s victor, Nemo, triumphed in Malmö with “The Code.” Upon receiving the trophy, JJ urged Europe to share “more love,” and, visibly moved after an encore of their winning performance, added, “Thank you, Europe—I love you all.”

Copied