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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently stated that she has confirmed with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV that the Vatican is willing to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Pope Leo XIV, who was elected two weeks ago, is the first Catholic pope from the United States. On Wednesday, during his first public meeting with foreign dignitaries at the Vatican, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church reaffirmed in his inaugural address that the Vatican is willing to serve as a mediator in global conflicts. Pope Leo XIV said, “People around the world long for peace. To their leaders, I say from the bottom of my heart: let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate—war is always avoidable.”

Prime Minister Meloni said that during a phone conversation with the Pope, he confirmed his willingness to host the next round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican, with the aim of ending the war. Meloni also held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders to maintain "close coordination" and advance the peace talks. She expressed her gratitude to the Pope for his "steadfast commitment to peace."

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed that holding peace talks at the Vatican would be a great idea and could carry more significance. “I saw people talking about it yesterday. Someone told me they were honored to be involved. So, I think it could be helpful,” Trump said. He added that there is currently great pain and anger, and that the Pope’s involvement in mediation could help ease tensions.

After 11 weeks of blockade, Israel has allowed five UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including baby formula and other essential supplies, to enter Gaza. The United Nations welcomed the move but stated that the scale of aid is vastly insufficient, warning that Gaza faces the risk of famine. The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have declared that if Israel continues its attacks on Gaza, they will consider imposing sanctions on the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision to permit a limited amount of UN aid into Gaza was made under pressure from allies in the U.S. Congress. He emphasized the need to avoid famine but also announced plans to expand ground operations against Hamas, with the goal of fully seizing control of Gaza.

According to international reports, on May 20, the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning and warning Israel that if it does not halt its renewed military offensive on Gaza and continues blocking aid, they will consider implementing sanctions. Netanyahu responded by criticizing the stance of these countries, saying it amounts to rewarding Hamas for its terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden was diagnosed on the 16th with aggressive prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. His former Vice President, Kamala Harris, praised him as a “fighter,” while former President Barack Obama expressed confidence that Biden will face the challenge with characteristic determination.

According to a statement released by Biden’s office on the 18th, he sought medical attention after experiencing urinary symptoms. He was subsequently diagnosed with a highly malignant and aggressive form of prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 9 — indicating poorly differentiated cancer cells and rapid progression. Dr. Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer of the American Cancer Society, noted that bone metastasis signifies late-stage cancer, which is no longer curable. However, he emphasized that most patients can still live for years with early-stage hormone therapy and other palliative treatments.

Vice President Harris expressed her support in a statement, calling Biden a determined fighter and voicing her belief that he will confront the illness with the same strength, resilience, and optimism he has always shown. Former President Obama also extended his care and support to Biden and his family, lauding Biden’s longstanding commitment to cancer research and expressing faith in his ability to face the challenge. Obama added that he is praying for Biden’s swift and full recovery.

Biden himself took to social media to thank the public for their support, stating, “Cancer affects all of us.” He added that he and his family are carefully considering treatment options.

Throughout his career, Biden has been a strong advocate for cancer prevention and research — particularly after the death of his son, Beau Biden, from brain cancer in 2015. During the Obama administration, he led the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative. In 2022, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden relaunched the initiative with the goal of preventing four million cancer deaths by 2047.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among American men, affecting roughly 13 out of every 100 men. Age remains the greatest risk factor.

On the morning of the 18th, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV presided over his inauguration Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, officially commencing his papal ministry. During the ceremony, the cardinal protodeacon bestowed upon him the pallium and the Fisherman’s Ring—symbols of the pope’s pastoral authority and leadership—signifying his acceptance of the mission to lead the Church.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized his commitment to fostering unity and communion within the Catholic Church, expressing his hope that the Church may serve as a symbol of peace for the world. He also called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine through diplomatic negotiations and offered prayers for the people of Gaza, highlighting his concern for global humanitarian issues.

Early that morning, Pope Leo XIV made his first tour of St. Peter’s Square in the Popemobile, greeting the gathered faithful. The crowd, waving flags from various nations—including the United States and Peru—enthusiastically chanted “Viva il Papa!” The Vatican estimated that approximately 250,000 people attended the inauguration Mass, a turnout comparable to that of the funeral of Pope Francis.

The ceremony began at 10 a.m. Vatican time (4 p.m. in Taiwan) and lasted two hours. Pope Leo XIV first prayed at the tomb of Saint Peter beneath the main altar, then presided over the Mass. During the liturgy, the cardinal protodeacon presented the pope with the two primary symbols of the papacy, representing his role as both shepherd and leader. Afterward, cardinals, bishops, priests, religious sisters, and lay representatives came forward one by one to express their allegiance, symbolizing their respect and support for the new pontiff.

The event drew delegations and dignitaries from over 150 countries, including more than 20 heads of state, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

As Pope Leo XIV holds dual citizenship of the United States and Peru, representatives from both countries were seated in the front rows. The United States was represented by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Peruvian President Dina Boluarte attended in person. Taiwan was represented by former Vice President Chen Chien-jen.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful: “Let us build a Church founded on the love of God, with arms open to embrace the world.” He stressed that the Church should become “a leaven of human harmony,” and pledged to carry forward the mission of his predecessor, Pope Francis, especially in promoting social justice, caring for the vulnerable, and protecting the environment.

On the 16th, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that within the next two to three weeks, the United States may directly inform its trade partners of new tariff rates, rather than engaging in individual negotiations.

According to CNN, Trump said at a business roundtable in Abu Dhabi on the 16th, "There are 150 countries that want to make deals, but you can’t negotiate with that many countries at once. So in the next two to three weeks, I believe Scott Bessent (U.S. Secretary of the Treasury) and Howard Lutnick (U.S. Secretary of Commerce) will send out letters. We will be very fair, but we will tell people how much it costs to do business in the U.S."

Trump previously shocked the global economy by announcing sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” on various countries. On April 2, Trump announced a 90-day suspension of this policy starting April 9 to allow trade partners to negotiate with the U.S. U.S. officials stated that around 100 countries have requested trade talks, placing immense pressure on American negotiators to conclude these discussions within the 90-day window.

The Trump administration first reached an agreement with the United Kingdom, followed by a deal with China, which included scrapping a proposed 145% tariff on Chinese goods. U.S. officials stated they are currently in discussions with over a dozen countries, including India and Japan, and are close to finalizing frameworks for agreements.

Trump has previously said that his administration is rapidly securing various deals to make trade fairer and bring manufacturing back to the U.S. However, it remains unclear what tariff rates will be imposed on countries unable to reach short-term agreements with the U.S., and whether these tariffs will be permanent or serve as temporary rates during the negotiation period. Although Trump and his administration have touted the conclusion of multiple trade talks, in practice, formal trade agreements often take years to finalize. Trump’s tariff policies remain subject to change and could significantly impact the global political and economic landscape.

Sakurajima, a volcanic island off the coast of Kagoshima, Japan, continues to experience active volcanic activity. On the 15th, the volcano erupted three times with moderate intensity, with plumes reaching as high as 3,000 meters. Due to the impact of volcanic ash, at least 30 flights were canceled on the 15th and 16th.

Volcanic activity was first observed around 8 PM on the night of the 12th. On the 15th, starting at approximately 7:08 AM local time, three eruptions of moderate or greater scale occurred at the Minamidake summit crater. The eruption lasted more than 17 hours, ending at 4 AM on the 16th. Smoke plumes reached up to 3,000 meters. This marks the first time since November 2019 that Sakurajima has produced continuous volcanic plumes for more than 10 hours.

Due to the ashfall from the ongoing eruptions, 25 flights were canceled at Kagoshima Airport on the 15th, with most of the cancellations occurring after 5 PM. On the 16th, at least 7 more flights were canceled. Airline counters were crowded with travelers seeking to change flights or request refunds.

Meteorological authorities reported that volcanic ash was visible across much of Kagoshima Prefecture and parts of neighboring Kumamoto Prefecture. In the coming days, residents are advised to monitor for any increase in eruption activity and to take precautions such as using umbrellas and wearing masks when going outside to protect their health. Drivers are also urged to proceed slowly on ash-covered roads. Those in areas where small volcanic rocks may fall are advised to move indoors or seek shelter under sturdy roofs.

On May 15, Israel bombed Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over a hundred people. Since early March, Israel has cut off aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. Recent airstrikes are aimed at pressuring Hamas to make concessions. However, Hamas insists that the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza is the “minimum requirement” for negotiations.

After halting aid to the Gaza Strip in early March, Israel resumed military operations on March 18, ending a de facto ceasefire that had been in place since mid-January. In recent weeks, Gaza has been facing critical shortages of humanitarian supplies, including food, drinking water, medicine, and fuel. The latest Israeli airstrikes have severely damaged the last remaining hospital in Gaza, which has now ceased operations.

This escalation coincides with former U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East. Trump has proposed that the U.S. "take over" Gaza and turn it into a “freedom zone,” a suggestion that Hamas has firmly rejected, declaring that the Gaza Strip is “not for sale.” A U.S.-backed humanitarian foundation for Gaza has reached an agreement with Israel to begin distributing aid in Gaza by the end of this month.

British media reports that immigration numbers have increased in recent years, sparking growing anti-immigration sentiment among the UK public. On May 12, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government officially released a white paper proposing changes to the country’s immigration rules. Key proposals include extending the minimum residency requirement for applying for UK permanent residency from 5 years to 10 years, introducing a points-based system, and raising the English language proficiency standards for immigrants. The length of stay required for permanent residency will be adjusted based on the applicant's contributions, with shorter periods granted to those who make significant contributions.

The UK currently has different residency requirements for various immigration visa categories. Many follow the “5+1” model—permanent residency after five years of living or working in the UK, followed by citizenship after one more year. It remains unclear whether the new immigration system will impact all visa routes leading to permanent residency, such as the "5+1" British National (Overseas) Visa (BNO Visa). The document only states that a shorter five-year threshold will still apply for non-UK dependants of British citizens. It also confirms that settlement rights will continue to be available for vulnerable groups, including victims of domestic violence and abuse. Further details will be announced by the end of the year.

Starmer stated that the Labour government will truly fulfill the promise of “taking back control of our borders” and “deciding for ourselves who can come to the UK, ensuring immigration policy serves the national interest.” According to British media, some of the proposed measures may require amendments to primary legislation and could be delayed until the next parliamentary session in 2026.

After days of intense clashes, India and its longtime rival Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement on the 10th, though the international community remains skeptical. On the 12th, India stated that both sides had experienced "the first calm night in recent days," and announced the reopening of 32 airports. Military leaders from both countries are scheduled to meet on the 12th to discuss follow-up actions.

Last week, both sides exchanged missiles, drones, and artillery fire over a four-day period, resulting in at least 60 deaths and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The border town of Poonch, in the Indian-controlled Kashmir region, suffered the heaviest damage, with at least 12 residents killed. It is estimated that the majority of the town's 60,000 residents have fled. Although a ceasefire agreement has been reached, both India and Pakistan accused each other of violations after U.S. President Trump announced the news on social media, further fueling doubts about the truce.

The military leaders of India and Pakistan are set to meet on the 12th to discuss next steps. India’s civil aviation operations are gradually resuming, while Pakistan had already fully reopened its airspace on the 10th—signs that tensions may be easing. However, whether the two sides can maintain peace remains to be seen.

Putin Proposes Direct, Unconditional Talks with Ukraine on May 15; Europe Threatens More Sanctions Without Ceasefire

On May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed holding direct, "unconditional" talks with Ukraine to end the war that has dragged on for more than three years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded cautiously, calling it a "positive signal" and stating that Kyiv is open to dialogue—but only if Russia agrees to a ceasefire first.

On May 10, European leaders issued a joint statement demanding that Russia implement an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday (May 12), warning that failure to comply would result in broader economic sanctions from Europe and the United States. Putin, however, did not respond to the ceasefire demand. Instead, he said he was willing to hold direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday (May 15) in Turkey. Many observers interpreted this sudden public call as a possible attempt by Russia to delay action and avoid new sanctions.

Europe's response was firm. Leaders made it clear that negotiations cannot resume without a ceasefire. German Chancellor Merz stated, "Negotiations cannot begin while the guns are still firing." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the international community is still waiting for Russia to make the right decision on an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment: "Together with the United States, we demand that Putin—if he is serious about peace—must show that commitment immediately."

Putin claimed that it was Kyiv, not Russia, that violated the 2022 agreement. Nevertheless, he said, "We propose to resume direct dialogue with Kyiv without any preconditions. We are willing to restart negotiations on Thursday in Istanbul." Despite the offer, Putin continued to accuse Ukraine of being the party responsible for the collapse of ceasefire talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on May 11, expressing doubt that Ukraine would actually reach an agreement with Putin. He urged Zelensky to accept the meeting, emphasizing that only by participating in talks can it be determined whether an agreement is possible. He added that the U.S. and its allies could then respond accordingly to help end the "bloody massacre" as soon as possible.

Following Trump’s statement, Zelensky quickly posted that he would personally attend the talks on May 15 and would wait for Putin in Turkey. However, he reiterated, “The first step to ending the war is a ceasefire,” and expressed hope that Russia would not find another excuse to back out. If the meeting takes place, it will mark the first direct talks between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine since the war began.