From May 19-21, 2026, the Russian Armed Forces are conducting an exercise on the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of a threat of aggression. The TASS-FACTBOX editorial team has prepared a summary of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces’ (SNF) drills since 2020.
Strategic deterrence forces, SNF in Russia’s Armed Forces

Russia’s strategic deterrence forces (#SDF) are a core component of the Armed Forces. They are designed to deter aggression against Russia and its allies, as well as to defeat an aggressor in a war using various types of weapons, including nuclear weapons. The SDF consist of the strategic offensive forces and strategic defensive forces. The main component of the strategic offensive forces are the strategic nuclear forces (SNF, the nuclear triad). They include the Strategic Missile Forces, a part of the Navy – the naval SNF, and part of the Aerospace Forces – the air-based SNF. The SNF include air defense and missile defense systems, a missile attack warning system, etc.

The main working day of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to #Beijing will take place on May 20.

The trip coincides with the 25th anniversary of the fundamental bilateral Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination for the 21st century.

Putin arrived in Beijing at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting will be their second contact this year after consultations held via videoconference on February 4 and their first in-person talks of 2026.
Visit program

The two leaders are set to hold talks in both narrow and expanded formats, covering a broad range of bilateral and international issues. The visit is expected to result in a substantial package of intergovernmental, interdepartmental, and corporate agreements, including a Joint Statement by the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as on deepening relations of good neighborliness, friendship, and cooperation. Earlier, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said the two countries plan to ink some 40 documents, 21 of which will be signed in the presence of the presidents.

Putin and Xi Jinping will attend the launch ceremony for the cross-cultural education years (2026-2027) and visit the TASS-Xinhua joint exhibition featuring the history of relations between the two countries. During the visit, Putin is also expected to meet Peng Pai, a 36-year-old Chinese engineer who, as a child in 2000, waved to the Russian president during his visit to Beijing’s Beihai Park and took a photo with him. Peng revealed that it was a memorable encounter that inspired him to pursue higher education in Russia. From 2007 to 2013, he studied at the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI) and even got a "Russian name," Pasha.

In the evening, Putin will hold separate talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang focused on practical cooperation. This will be followed by a formal reception marking the 25th anniversary of the Treaty and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the course toward strategic cooperation, with broad participation from business, academic, media, and public representatives from both countries. The visit will conclude with a private meeting of the heads of state in a restricted format. According to Ushakov, it will effectively become the key event in the Russian president’s working program, as the most important international issues are traditionally discussed "over tea." Only four representatives from each side are invited to attend the meeting.

#Kenya : One shot during fuel price protests in Kakamega

Cuba warns U.S. military action would cause ‘bloodbath’ after drone report. HAVANA, May 18 - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Monday that any U.S. military action against Cuba would lead to a “bloodbath” with incalculable consequences for regional peace and stability.

“Cuba does not represent a threat,” Diaz-Canel said in a post on X.

The comments follow an Axios report published on Sunday, citing classified intelligence, that said Cuba had acquired more than 300 military drones and had discussed plans to use them to attack the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, U.S. military vessels and Key West, Florida. Cuba said the U.S. was fabricating a case to justify potential military intervention.

On the streets of Havana, some residents said they would resist any attack despite the island’s deep economic hardship.

“I know Cuba is a strong country. Cubans are very brave and they are not going to find us unprepared,” said Sandra Roseaux, 57. “If they come, they will have to fight, because Cuba will respond. My country, hungry or however it may be, will respond. It is better that they do not come because there will be a fight.”

Cuba, a communist foe of Washington for generations, has come under increasing strain since the United States cut off its energy supplies after arresting the president of its then-ally Venezuela in January. In recent weeks fuel has run out and electricity is often available for only an hour or two a day.

Tensions between the two countries have risen sharply in recent days. Reuters reported last week, citing a U.S. Department of Justice source, that prosecutors planned to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro over #Cuba’s 1996 shooting down of two planes operated by a humanitarian group.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a social media post that Cuba, “like every nation in the world,” has the right to legitimate self-defence against external aggression under the U.N. Charter and international law.

Ulises Medina, 58, a Havana resident, urged negotiations. “It would not be right for the United States to invade Cuba, nor for Cuba to invade the United States,” he said. “They must reach an agreement and talk and negotiate. Cuba, in any case, will defend itself because the country will not be surrendered.”

An indictment of #Castro, 94 - the brother of late former leader Fidel Castro and a hero of the 1959 Cuban Revolution - would mark a major escalation in pressure on Cuba by the Trump administration.

“The Cuban people do not let anyone interfere with their land,” said Jorge Villalobos, 87. “Cubans know how to defend themselves, even with sticks and stones.”

Reporting by Kylie Madry,

Editing by Peter Graff and Rosalba O’Brien, #Reuters

#Ebola outbreak raises concerns over spread, expert says. The World Health Organization’s (#WHO) declaration of the latest Ebola outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern is intended to strengthen international co-ordination and mobilize resources as the virus spreads across borders, an infectious disease expert says.

“They have declared it as an extraordinary event that requires, international collaboration and co-ordination.”

Butt said the WHO’s decision is aimed at helping affected regions access more support and supplies.

“And the reason they have done it is to mobilize more resources and supplies to the affected region,” he said.
Why this Ebola strain is concerning

Butt said one of the main concerns surrounding the current strain is the lack of vaccines and targeted treatments.

“This strain is of particular concern, because there are no vaccines for it, and there are no therapeutics for it,” he said.

“So, it’s mostly supportive treatment.”

He said timing and early detection are critical in improving outcomes for patients.

“The more early you’re able to detect the diseases, (the earlier) you can provide supportive treatment to these people,” he said.

According to Butt, the strain is one of four Ebola strains known to affect humans and has not been seen widely in recent years.

“The last time they saw it was in 2007 and 2012,” he said.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is escalating its response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of #Congo and #Uganda, after the World Health Organization labeled the outbreak a public health emergency

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to announce plans soon to compile an extra budget in response to rising commodity prices driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict

#Nigeria : Atiku Abubakar faults Bola Ahmed Tinubu over delayed response to xenophobic threats against Nigerians in South Africa.

#WHO keeps evaluation of hantavirus as ‘low risk’. The World Health Organization said Sunday it was maintaining its assessment of the hantavirus outbreak as “low risk” as the cruise ship where the outbreak originated approached the Netherlands.

“The public health risk has been reassessed with the most current information available, and the global risk remains low,” said a WHO statement.

“While additional cases may still occur among passengers and crew members exposed before containment measures were implemented, the risk of onward transmission is expected to be reduced following disembarkation and the implementation of control measures,” it added.

The MV Hondius is expected to dock in the Dutch port of Rotterdam between 10:00 am (0800 GMT) and midday on Monday, according to officials, before disembarking the 27 remaining people on board: 25 crew and two medical staff.

The ship, operated by Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, made headlines after three passengers died from hantavirus -- a rare virus for which no vaccines nor specific treatments exist.

#Drone strike sparks fire at UAE nuclear power plant in latest blow to Iran ceasefire.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A drone strike targeted the United Arab Emirates’ sole nuclear power plant on Sunday, sparking a fire on its perimeter. There were no reports of injuries or radiological release, but it highlighted the risk of renewed war as the Iran ceasefire remains tenuous.

No one immediately claimed responsibility, and the UAE did not blame anyone. It has however accused Iran of launching drone and missile attacks in recent days as tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy waterway still gripped by Iran, which is under a U.S. naval blockade.

The UAE has hosted air defenses and personnel from Israel, which joined the U.S. in the Feb. 28 attack that sparked the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested hostilities could resume and was expected to speak with Israel’s prime minister on Sunday. Iranian state television has aired segments with news anchors holding rifles in an effort to prepare the public for war. Diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have faltered.

Fighting has also heated up between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon despite a nominal ceasefire there, further straining the wider truce.
Barakah plant can provide a quarter of the UAE’s energy

The UAE Defense Ministry said three drones had come over its western border with Saudi Arabia, with the other two intercepted. It was investigating who launched them. Iran and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq have launched repeated drone attacks targeting Gulf Arab states in the war.

The US$20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the UAE with the help of South Korea and went online in 2020. It is the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world and can provide a quarter of the energy needs in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms that is home to Dubai.

The UAE’s nuclear regulator said on X the fire didn’t affect plant safety and “all units are operating as normal.” Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, later said he spoke by phone with his South Korean counterpart.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, said the strike caused a fire in an electrical generator and one reactor was being powered by emergency diesel generators.

IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed “grave concern” and said military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable, the agency said in a statement.

It’s the first time the four-reactor Barakah plant has been targeted in the war. It is near the border with Saudi Arabia, some 225 kilometres (140 miles) west of the UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi.

Yemen’s Irani-backed Houthi rebels, whom the UAE has battled as part of a Saudi-led coalition, claimed to have targeted the plant while it was under construction in 2017, which Abu Dhabi denied.
The UAE’s nuclear program is different from Iran’s and Israel’s

The UAE signed a strict deal with the U.S. over the nuclear power plant, known as a “123 agreement,” in which it agreed to forego domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent fuel to ease any proliferation concerns. Its uranium comes from abroad.

That’s very different from the nuclear program in Iran, which is at the heart of long-running tensions with the United States and Israel.

Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, but it has enriched its uranium close to weapons-grade levels and is widely suspected of having had a military component to its program until at least 2003. It has often restricted the work of U.N. inspectors, including since the 12-day war with Israel last year.

Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the region, but has neither confirmed nor denied having atomic weapons. Iran struck near Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility during the war.

Nuclear plants have increasingly been targeted in wars in recent years, including during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. During the Iran war, Tehran repeatedly claimed its Bushehr nuclear power plant came under attack, though there was no direct damage to its Russian-run reactor or any radiological release.
Ceasefire appears increasingly shaky

Two people familiar with the situation, including an Israeli military officer, said Israel is coordinating with the U.S. about a possible resumption of attacks. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing confidential military preparations.

Speaking to his Cabinet on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “our eyes are also open” when it comes to Iran. He said he planned a chat with Trump later in the day to discuss the president’s trip to China and “perhaps” other things.

“We are prepared for any scenario,” Netanyahu said.

On Iranian state TV, presenters on at least two channels appeared armed during live programs.

One of them, Hossein Hosseini, received basic firearms training from a masked member of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Hosseini mimed firing a shot at the flag of the UAE.

On another channel, Mobina Nasiri said a weapon had been sent to her from a gathering in Tehran’s Vanak Square. “From this platform, I declare that I am ready to sacrifice my life for this country,” she said.

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Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed.

Jon Gambrell And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press