International News of the Week (5/24-5/30)

◎ Ebola Outbreak Widens in DRC, WHO Reports Over 900 Suspected Cases As the Ebola virus continues to threaten several African nations, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on the 24th that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded over 900 suspected Ebola cases, a development causing concern. ◎ Pope Leo XIV Apologizes for Church's Delayed Condemnation of Slavery On the 25th, Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," since taking office, publicly apologizing for the Catholic Church's centuries-long failure to promptly condemn slavery. He sincerely sought forgiveness, describing the issue as "a wound in the Christian memory." ◎ Heat Dome Phenomenon Hits Europe, UK, France, and Ireland Set May Temperature Records On the 25th, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France successively broke their historical May temperature records. AFP reported that warm air from North Africa, trapped under a high-pressure system in Western Europe, created a "Heat Dome" phenomenon, bringing abnormal temperatures typically seen in mid-summer. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in southwest London recorded a high of 34.8 degrees Celsius, setting a record for the hottest May day in UK history. ◎ North Korea Fires Projectiles Again, First Ballistic Missile Test in 37 Days South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that around 1 PM on the 26th, they detected North Korea launching several short-range ballistic missiles from the vicinity of Jeongju, North Pyongan Province, towards the Yellow Sea. The military also noted the rare simultaneous launch of multiple rocket launchers and did not rule out the possibility of North Korea deploying suicide drones. This marks North Korea's first missile launch in 37 days. ◎ Shinnosuke Abe's Resignation Sparks Backlash, Over 65,000 Fans Sign Petition to Keep Him Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe resigned amid a domestic violence controversy, drawing dissatisfaction from some fans. On the 27th, an online petition campaign emerged demanding Abe's return, garnering over 65,000 signatures by evening. Renowned director Takashi Yamazaki publicly supported Abe, suggesting that his eldest daughter, aged 18, might suffer psychological trauma if he were to leave his position due to this incident. ◎ WMO Warns: Global Temperatures May Reach New Highs in the Next 5 Years The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UK's Met Office released a joint report on the 28th, indicating that the global average temperature is expected to approach or exceed historical record highs in the next five years, with the Arctic region warming particularly rapidly. The report predicts that the global average surface temperature will be 1.3 to 1.9 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). ◎ US Unmanned Vehicle Autonomously Transits Taiwan Strait, Successfully Tracks PLA Naval Vessels US-based maritime technology company Seasats announced on May 27th (Taiwan time, May 28th) that its "Lightfish" Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) successfully completed its first autonomous transit of the Taiwan Strait. During the voyage, it tracked and filmed Chinese naval vessels, demonstrating new maritime surveillance capabilities. ◎ US and Iran Nearing Transitional Agreement, Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Sticking Point The New York Times reported on May 28th (Taiwan time, May 29th) that the United States and Iran are close to reaching a transitional memorandum of understanding as a preliminary framework for a future long-term agreement. The terms include resuming shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and establishing an Iranian reconstruction fund, with nuclear issues to be discussed later. However, significant disagreements persist between the two sides regarding the timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. ◎ Former Arcadia Mayor Pleads Guilty, Admits to Acting as Chinese Agent Former Arcadia, California Mayor Eileen Wang pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court on May 29th (Taiwan time, May 30th), admitting to illegally acting as an agent for the Chinese government. Sentencing is scheduled for October 6th, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. ◎ Israeli and Lebanese Military Officials Hold Constructive Talks in Washington, Says US Israeli and Lebanese military officials held security talks in Washington on May 29th (Taiwan time, May 30th). US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby stated on social media platform X that he hosted the military delegations at the Pentagon and described the talks as "constructive," aiding the two countries in advancing related negotiations.