**Summary:** The World Health Organization (WHO) reports over 900 suspected Ebola cases and 220 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the response as a difficult race against the virus.

**Key points:**
- The current outbreak, which began in the province of Ituri, involves a strain that lacks an existing vaccine or specific therapy.
- Two additional Ebola cases have been confirmed in Uganda, bringing the total number of infections in the country to seven.
- Local volunteers are conducting outreach to encourage hygiene practices and discourage the handling of deceased individuals.
- Efforts to contain the virus are hampered by deep-seated public distrust of government and health authorities.

**Why it matters:** The rapid spread of the virus and the lack of effective medical countermeasures pose a significant public health threat to the region.

newsfeed.zeit.de - Demokratische Republik Kongo: Zahl der Ebola-Verdachtsfälle in der DR Kongo steigt auf über 900

tagesschau.de - Ebola-Ausbruch: Wie Freiwillige gegen das Virus kämpfen

Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo Claims Over 200 Lives

**Summary:** Pope Leo XIV has issued an unprecedented apology for the Vatican's historical role in justifying slavery and its failure to condemn the practice for centuries. The apology was included in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.

**Key points:**
- The Pope acknowledged that the Apostolic See of Rome previously intervened to regulate and legitimize forms of subjugation and the enslavement of infidels.
- The encyclical highlights that 15th-century papal bulls, such as Dum Diversas and Romanus Pontifex, provided the legal framework for colonial-era land seizures and enslavement.
- Pope Leo XIV linked the historical slave trade to modern concerns regarding technological enslavement and unregulated labor practices in the digital economy.
- The document notes that it took eighteen centuries for the Church to explicitly recognize the full incompatibility of slavery with its doctrine.

**Why it matters:** This formal apology addresses long-standing calls for the Holy See to atone for its institutional complicity in the colonial-era slave trade, marking a significant shift in the Vatican's historical accountability.

wmtw.com - Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for Holy See own role in legitimizing slavery

citizen.co.za - Pope apologises for Vatican role in justifying slavery

mymotherlode.com - Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for Vatican role in legitimizing slavery

Pope Leo XIV Issues Historic Apology for Vatican's Role in Legitimizing Slavery

**Summary:** King Abdullah II of Jordan received official congratulatory messages from regional leaders, including the King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the King of Morocco, marking the 80th anniversary of Jordan's independence.

**Key points:**
- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud emphasized the strength of bilateral relations.
- King Mohammed VI of Morocco sent a congratulatory cable to King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah expressing his pride in the ties between the two kingdoms.
- The messages highlighted mutual wishes for continued prosperity, progress, and stability for the Jordanian government and its people.

**Why it matters:** These diplomatic exchanges underscore the ongoing strategic alliances and strong fraternal ties between Jordan and other key Arab monarchies in the region.

jordanzad.com - #عاجل الملك يتلقى التهاني من العاهل السعودي وولي عهده

hespress.com - الملك يشيد بعلاقات الأخوة مع الأردن

King Abdullah II Receives Congratulatory Messages on Jordan's 80th Independence Day

**Summary:** United States President Donald Trump stated that any potential agreement with Iran must be significant and meaningful, otherwise no deal will be reached. The remarks follow reports of ongoing, albeit slow, diplomatic discussions.

**Key points:**
- President Trump emphasized on his Truth Social platform that he would not pursue deals similar to the previous nuclear agreement negotiated by the Obama administration.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the administration seeks a favorable agreement or will otherwise pursue alternative measures.
- Both Washington and Tehran have reportedly downplayed expectations for an immediate breakthrough in their three-month-long diplomatic standoff.

**Why it matters:** The statements reflect the current U.S. administration's firm stance on negotiations with Iran, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic strategy regarding regional security and nuclear policy.

jordanzad.com - ترامب: الاتفاق مع إيران إما أن يكون عظيماً أو لن يكون

magazine.pagesjaunes.online - Iran/Usa: Donald Trump tempère les espoirs d'un accord rapide

hespress.com - ترامب: نريد اتفاقا “عظيما” مع طهران

Donald Trump Stresses Need for 'Great' Deal with Iran

**Summary:** The World Health Organization has identified over 900 suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 101 confirmed infections and at least 177 deaths linked to the virus.

**Key points:**
- The World Health Organization has elevated the risk level for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to very high.
- The virus has spread from rural origins to major cities including Bunia and Goma.
- Uganda has reported five confirmed cases and two deaths related to the outbreak.
- Health officials report that misinformation, conflict-zone displacement, and traditional funeral practices are complicating containment efforts.
- Protesters recently set fire to a treatment facility in Ituri province after attempting to retrieve a victim's body.

**Why it matters:** The rapid spread of the highly contagious Ebola virus in a conflict-prone region with limited healthcare infrastructure poses a significant threat to regional stability and public health.

Pajhwok Afghan News - Over 900 suspected Ebola cases identified in DRC : WHO

Egypt Independent - Inside the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in DRC as the virus spreads

Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo Reaches Over 900 Suspected Cases

**Summary:** President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presided over a meeting on May 25, 2026, to discuss current issues and priorities in the national agricultural sector.

**Key points:**
- The meeting focused on evaluating the state of agriculture and outlining future development strategies for the country.
- President Ilham Aliyev delivered a formal address to the participants regarding the sector's performance and goals.
- The event was held in Baku, with official reports confirming the President's active leadership in the session.

**Why it matters:** The meeting underscores the Azerbaijani government's commitment to prioritizing agricultural productivity and economic development as key pillars of national policy.

day.az - Под председательством Президента Ильхама Алиева состоялось совещание, посвященное вопросам сельского хозяйства

trend.az - President Ilham Aliyev chairs meeting dedicated to agricultural issues (PHOTO)

President Ilham Aliyev Chairs Meeting on Agricultural Development in Azerbaijan

**Summary:** President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabić has accused Croatia of inciting recent student-led protests in Belgrade to destabilize the government of President Aleksandar Vučić.

**Key points:**
- Ana Brnabić claimed that protesters receive direct instructions from abroad, specifically identifying Zagreb as the primary source of support.
- The Serbian official argued that Croatia's strategic interest is to prevent Serbia from becoming a regional leader.
- Brnabić cited Serbia's recent economic growth, including GDP and infrastructure development, as a source of frustration for Croatian authorities.
- She warned that if the protesters were to gain power, it would threaten the future of democratic elections in Serbia.

**Why it matters:** The accusations highlight ongoing diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Croatia, reflecting deep-seated regional rivalries and domestic political instability.

Oslobođenje - Ana Brnabić studentima : Ne sviđa vam se Srbija ? Idite u Hrvatsku

Dnevno.hr - Jezive izjave Brnabić o Hrvatskoj lede krv : Ovo je najopasnija stvar koja prijeti Srbiji

Večernji list - Brnabić se obrušila na blokadere : Ne sviđa vam se Srbija ? Idite , evo , Hrvatska ima otvorena vrata

Ana Brnabić Accuses Croatia of Orchestrating Serbian Protests

**Summary:** The 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) concluded, highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence, high-tech, and traditional culture within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

**Key points:**
- The event featured over 120,000 cultural products and emphasized a shift toward immersive, industry-focused exhibition models.
- Guangdong's cultural sector reported significant growth, with revenue for large-scale cultural enterprises exceeding 2.77 trillion yuan in 2025.
- The fair introduced an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) economy exhibition zone to facilitate international cultural trade.
- Key exhibits included AI-integrated robotics and digital cultural content, reflecting the region's focus on high-quality, globalized cultural exports.

**Why it matters:** The fair demonstrates the rapid digital transformation and global expansion of China's cultural industry, particularly through the integration of AI and cross-regional industrial collaboration.

Quarte Bot