**Summary:** Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran's leader, warned that U.S. President Donald Trump's threats against Tehran, influenced by Israeli provocation, represent a strategic trap that would carry severe consequences.

**Key points:**
- Velayati claimed that President Trump returned from his recent visit to China empty-handed.
- The advisor stated that any U.S. attack on Iran would result in the total loss of American credibility in West Asia.
- Iranian General Staff spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that any new U.S. aggression would face surprising scenarios and lead to a quagmire.
- Reports indicate that the U.S. and Iran have exchanged sets of five conditions regarding potential negotiations.

**Why it matters:** The exchange of threats and conditions between U.S. and Iranian officials signals a significant escalation in regional tensions, raising concerns about the potential for direct military conflict.

turkiyegazetesi.com.tr - İran Meclis Başkanı Kalibafe yeni görev !

mynet.com - İran basını duyurdu! ABD’den müzakereler için İran’a 5 şart

aa.com.tr - İran lideri Hamaneyin Başdanışmanı ndan Trumpa İsrail uyarısı

haberler.com - İran lideri Hamaneyin Başdanışmanı ndan Trumpa İsrail uyarısı Açıklaması

Iran's Senior Advisor Warns Trump Against Strategic Trap in Middle East

**Summary:** Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis opened the 16th regular Congress of the New Democracy party in Athens, focusing on the party's future goals and the upcoming election period.

**Key points:**
- Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended his seven-year record while acknowledging public frustration over inflation.
- The event featured a speech by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who expressed confidence in Greece's trajectory.
- Internal party discussions included a competitive process for selecting members for the new Central Political Committee.
- The Congress, themed 'Together for the Greece of 2030,' served as a launchpad for the party's next electoral campaign.

**Why it matters:** The Congress signals the start of the pre-election period for Greece's ruling party, highlighting its strategic priorities and internal political dynamics.

tovima.gr - Η στροφή 180° Μητσοτάκη για Καραμανλή, Σαμαρά – Τι έλεγε στο συνέδριο του 2016

naftemporiki.gr - Μέτσολα στο Συνέδριο της ΝΔ : Ψήφος εμπιστοσύνης στην πορεία της Ελλάδας

New Democracy Holds 16th Regular Congress in Athens

**Summary:** The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

**Key points:**
- The outbreak has resulted in 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases as of May 16, 2026.
- Confirmed cases have been identified in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in Kampala and Kinshasa.
- The WHO noted that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
- Health authorities have advised against closing borders or imposing travel restrictions, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance and isolation protocols.

**Why it matters:** The declaration aims to mobilize international resources and coordinate a regional response to contain the spread of a rare, highly fatal virus for which no specific medical countermeasures currently exist.

elperiodico.com - La OMS declara la emergencia de salud pública internacional por brote de ébola en África

cyprus-mail.com - WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda an emergency of international concern

huffingtonpost.es - La OMS declara la emergencia internacional por un brote de ébola en el Congo y Uganda

elpais.com - La OMS declara como emergencia global el brote de ébola en el Congo y Uganda

WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency

**Summary:** On May 17, 2026, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held separate meetings with the President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto and the King of Eswatini Mswati III in Baku.

**Key points:**
- The meetings took place in the context of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) hosted by Azerbaijan.
- President Ilham Aliyev received the delegations to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation.
- The discussions occurred alongside a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in the Azerbaijani capital.

**Why it matters:** These meetings highlight Azerbaijan's active diplomatic engagement with African nations during the hosting of a major international urban development forum.

day.az - Президент Ильхам Алиев встретился с делегацией во главе с Президентом Кении

trend.az - President Ilham Aliyev meets with delegation led by King of Eswatini (PHOTO)

trend.az - President Ilham Aliyev meets with delegation led by President of Kenya (PHOTO)

President Ilham Aliyev Holds Bilateral Meetings with African Leaders in Baku

**Summary:** The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) is currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, serving as a global platform for leaders and experts to discuss sustainable urban development and share practical urbanization solutions.

**Key points:**
- The forum has attracted over 40,000 registrations from more than 120 countries.
- UN-Habitat officials praised Azerbaijan's infrastructure and organizational professionalism in hosting the event.
- Multiple memorandums of understanding are scheduled to be signed throughout the week to foster international partnerships.
- Discussions focus on creating more sustainable, accessible, and comfortable urban environments to reduce carbon emissions.

**Why it matters:** The forum facilitates critical international cooperation and knowledge exchange on urbanization, which is essential for addressing global challenges related to housing, infrastructure, and climate change.

day.az - Азербайджан создал важную площадку для обсуждения устойчивого развития городов

trend.az - Azerbaijan, UN-Habitat set to seal multiple urban pacts at WUF13 - UN-Habitat official (Exclusive)

trend.az - WUF13 demonstrates Azerbaijan's international prestige - UN-Habitat official (Exclusive)

Baku Hosts 13th Session of the World Urban Forum

**Summary:** Russian air defense systems intercepted 80 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting the Moscow region on May 17, 2026. The attacks resulted in casualties and damage to residential buildings.

**Key points:**
- Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed that emergency services are operating at the sites where drone debris fell.
- Preliminary reports indicate that 12 people were injured and three individuals died in the Moscow region due to the drone strikes.
- Russian military forces also reported repelling a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group in the Donetsk People's Republic.
- Engineers from the 'Sever' (North) grouping in the Kursk region are neutralizing improvised explosive devices disguised as toys and household items.

**Why it matters:** The large-scale drone attack on the Russian capital and the use of booby-trapped civilian objects represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

interfax.ru - Число сбитых БПЛА, летевших на Москву, увеличилось до 80

news.mail.ru - ВСУ разбрасывают мины в виде плюшевых мишек в Курской области

lenta.ru - ВС России предотвратили прорыв ДРГ ВСУ в ДНР

Russian Forces Report Intercepting 80 Drones Over Moscow Region

**Summary:** Following a summit in Beijing, the United States and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on certain products and address non-tariff barriers to expand bilateral trade, particularly in the agricultural sector.

**Key points:**
- China committed to addressing US concerns regarding import licenses for beef plants and poultry exports.
- The US expects China to purchase double-digit billions in farm goods over the next three years.
- Both nations plan to establish boards of trade and investment to facilitate ongoing negotiations.
- The agreement includes provisions to resolve issues surrounding the export of dairy, aquatic products, and potted plants.

**Why it matters:** The agreements represent a stabilization in economic relations between the world's two largest economies following a period of significant trade friction.

asiaone.com:443 - China signals tariff cuts , advances in farm market access after Trump

1190talkradio.iheart.com - Reaction to Trump China Visit : Good , the Bad and the Ugly

businesstimes.com.sg - China signals lower levies , advances in farm trade with US following Trump

US and China Agree to Trade Measures Following Presidential Summit

**Summary:** Following a summit with China's President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump suggested that Taiwan's push for independence is a source of regional tension, leading to speculation about the future of US arms sales to the island.

**Key points:**
- President Trump described the $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan as a potential negotiation leverage, indicating it may be indefinitely delayed.
- The US President stated that he does not wish to see Taiwan move toward independence, warning that such actions could trigger conflict.
- Analysts suggest President Trump's rhetoric reflects an influence from Beijing's narrative, which frames Taiwan as the primary source of cross-strait instability.
- Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang party reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the status quo, while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party faced criticism regarding its stance on independence.

**Why it matters:** The remarks signal a potential shift in US strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan, raising concerns about the reliability of American security commitments and the future of regional stability.

udn.com - 紐時 ： 川普接受北京說法 「 台灣釀緊張 」 專家稱恐無限期延宕對台軍售

talk.ltn.com.tw - 自由開講 》 川習會後 別把北京威脅寫成台灣責任

hkcna.hk - 特朗普最新涉台表態引起島內關注

Trump's Post-Summit Remarks on Taiwan Spark Debate Over US Policy