International News 19 May 2026
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Disappointing April Data Signals China’s Economic Engine Is Losing Momentum
China’s economic growth slowed in April 2026 after both industrial production and retail sales data came in significantly below market expectations. This weakness suggests that the country’s recovery momentum is beginning to fade, amid rising energy costs driven by the Iran conflict and persistently soft domestic demand. According to Reuters, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Monday (May 18, 2026) showed that industrial output grew by only 4.1% year-on-year in April. This marked a slowdown from 5.7% in March and fell short of the Reuters forecast of 5.9%. It also represented the weakest industrial production growth since July 2023.
IKEA Cuts 850 Jobs Amid Weakening Consumer Spending Pressures
Inter IKEA, the franchise holder of the Swedish furniture brand IKEA operating across 63 countries, has cut around 850 jobs as part of a cost-efficiency drive amid weakening global consumer spending. The company, which manages IKEA’s global supply chain and sourcing from various manufacturers worldwide, is facing pressure from rising operating costs and U.S. import tariffs. At the same time, Inter IKEA is undergoing a strategic shift in its business model, moving away from large warehouse-style stores located in suburban areas toward smaller-format outlets in urban centers.
WHO Declares Ebola Emergency as No Approved Vaccine Available Yet
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The decision was made following at least 80 suspected deaths linked to the Ebola Bundibugyo strain. WHO warned that the risk of cross-border transmission to neighboring countries remains very high, although the situation does not yet meet the criteria of a global pandemic. The organization also emphasized the unusual nature of the outbreak, noting that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo virus strain.