The briefing for Sunday, May 17.

The World Health Organization declared the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday after cases rose to 336 suspected infections with 88 deaths. The outbreak, which began spreading in April in eastern Ituri province, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus—a variant with no approved treatments or vaccines. Eight laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported across three health zones including the provincial capital Bunia and the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, with two additional confirmed cases in neighboring Uganda.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of "significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread" of the outbreak. The earliest known victim developed symptoms on April 24, but authorities weren't alerted until May 5 via social media—by which time 50 deaths had already occurred. Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya expressed concern over violent conflict with Islamic State-backed militants and constant population movement due to mining activities, both of which are significantly complicating containment and contact tracing efforts.

The WHO stopped short of declaring this a pandemic emergency like COVID-19, but its designation aims to spur international action. Countries bordering affected regions are considered high risk and have been advised to enhance surveillance and establish emergency operation centers. The Bundibugyo virus has only been detected twice before: during a 2007-2008 outbreak in Uganda that killed 37 people, and in 2012 in Isiro, Congo, which resulted in 29 deaths. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the virus was first discovered there in 1976.

Republican senators in Louisiana advanced legislation Wednesday to eliminate one of the state's two majority-Black congressional districts before November's midterm elections, extending the redistricting wave that followed a recent Supreme Court ruling. The court's decision struck down Louisiana's congressional map as an illegal racial gerrymander, weakening federal Voting Rights Act protections and prompting multiple Republican-led states to dismantle districts with large minority populations that typically elect Democrats.

The Louisiana development came as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp called a special legislative session on redistricting to begin June 17, making Georgia the first state to target the 2028 elections since the Supreme Court ruling. Tennessee and Alabama have already implemented new House maps that could help Republicans gain seats in November's closely divided chamber. By acting now, Georgia Republicans could prevent a potential Democratic governor elected in November from vetoing new districts during next year's regular session.

Republicans believe the national redistricting battle could yield as many as 15 additional winnable House seats across Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and now Louisiana. Democrats counter that new maps in California and Utah could gain them six seats. The redistricting efforts have already involved about one-third of states in a 10-month battle that intensified after President Trump urged Texas Republicans last year to redraw districts. Five of Georgia's 14 House members are currently Black Democrats, with Republican targeting likely focused on Representative Sanford Bishop's southwest Georgia district.

President Donald Trump said in a Fox News interview Friday that he is holding a pending $14 billion arms package to Taiwan "in abeyance" and that approval "depends on China," calling the weapons sales "a very good negotiating chip" in US dealings with Beijing. The comments came immediately after Trump wrapped up a two-day summit in China with President Xi Jinping, raising anxieties on the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory. Trump did not specify what he would want from China in return for denying Taiwan the weapons, though he has been pressing Beijing to buy more American goods and help pressure Iran.

The president also called for Taiwan's microchip sector—which produces more than 90% of the world's most advanced chips—to relocate entirely to the United States. "I'd like to see everybody making chips over in Taiwan come into America," Trump told Fox News, describing such a move as "the greatest thing you can do." Taiwan's leading chipmaker TSMC has already committed $165 billion to an Arizona facility, and the island pledged $250 billion in total US microchip investment under a trade agreement earlier this year. Trump reiterated accusations that Taiwan "stole" its chipmaking sector from the US decades ago.

Chinese President Xi warned Trump during their summit that mishandling Taiwan could lead to "clashes and even conflicts," calling it "the most important issue in China-U.S. relations." Taiwan's presidential office responded Saturday by emphasizing that "consistent U.S. policy and position toward Taiwan remain unchanged" and noting that US arms sales are stipulated by law. The island's government added that it is "self-evident" Taiwan is "a sovereign, independent democratic country," though it remains committed to maintaining the status quo with China. By conditioning arms sales on negotiations with Beijing, Trump may be playing into what analysts call one of Taiwan's "nightmare scenarios"—being on the menu rather than at the negotiating table.

The Long Island Rail Road ceased operations just after midnight Saturday as five unions representing about half its workforce walked off the job, marking the first strike in three decades for North America's largest commuter rail system. The shutdown affects roughly 250,000 daily riders who commute between New York City and its eastern suburbs, forcing them to navigate the region's notoriously congested roads or find alternative transportation. Kevin Sexton of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said no new negotiations have been scheduled and that the parties are "far apart at this point."

The unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have been negotiating for months over salaries and healthcare premiums, with talks breaking down despite Trump administration attempts to broker a deal. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the agency "gave the union everything they said they wanted in terms of pay" and claimed it was apparent the unions always intended to strike. The walkout promises immediate disruptions for sports fans planning to see Yankees-Mets games this weekend or watch the Knicks' playoff run at Madison Square Garden, which sits directly above the railroad's Penn Station hub.

Governor Kathy Hochul blamed the Trump administration for cutting mediation short and pushing negotiations toward a strike, urging Long Islanders to work from home if possible. Trump responded on Truth Social Saturday that he "never even heard about" the strike until that morning, calling it Hochul's fault and offering to "show you how to properly get things done." The MTA said it will provide limited shuttle buses to subway stations, but the contingency plan wasn't designed to handle all workday riders. Many workers in construction, healthcare, and schools cannot work remotely and must find ways to reach their jobs if the shutdown extends into the work week.

Nigeria and the United States announced Saturday they killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by President Trump as the "second in command of ISIS globally" and "the most active terrorist in the world," during a joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin. Al-Minuki was killed along with "several of his lieutenants" during a strike on his fortified compound in Metele, Borno state, shortly after midnight Saturday. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the operation "dealt a heavy blow" to Islamic State, while the Nigerian military reported "zero casualties or loss of assets" and described it as evidence of growing cooperation between the two nations' forces.

Al-Minuki, who was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023, previously oversaw IS-linked operations across the Sahel and West Africa. The Nigerian military linked him to the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping and said he was promoted to "Head of General Directorate of States," making him one of the most senior figures in the global IS hierarchy. Before pledging allegiance to IS in 2015, he was a senior Boko Haram commander. IS has radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa, and its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active.

The operation followed increased military cooperation between Nigeria and the US as the country ramps up efforts against an extremist insurgency that has plagued the region for more than a decade. The Lake Chad Basin—a vast region of waterways and swampland shared by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon—has long been a stronghold for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. The move represents a significant development after US-Nigeria relations reached a low point last year when Trump accused the government of "Christian genocide," claims Nigeria repeatedly denied. In February, the US sent troops to Nigeria after an airstrike targeted IS last December, and this weekend's operation marks a new phase with US forces moving beyond advisory roles.