May 17-23: Weekly News Digest

[International News] ★ Kevin Warsh sworn in as Fed Chair, vows reform Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new Chair of the Federal Reserve on the 22nd, pledging to lead a "reform-oriented" central bank.

★ Ebola death toll rises, WHO raises risk level in DR Congo The World Health Organization has raised the risk level of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the highest level as deaths continue to climb.

★ Gas explosion in Shanxi coal mine, China, kills over 82 A gas explosion at a coal mine in Qinyuan County, Shanxi, resulted in 82 deaths. Rescue operations are ongoing.

★ Heavy rains in Southern China cause 19 deaths, 16 missing Severe storms across multiple provinces in China have led to significant casualties and missing persons.

★ Senegal President dismisses Prime Minister amid debt crisis President Faye dismissed PM Sonko and dissolved the government, raising concerns about political instability.

★ Samsung Electronics reaches labor agreement, averting strike Samsung Electronics and its labor union reached a last-minute agreement, avoiding an 18-day strike. Semiconductor employees are set to receive significant performance bonuses.

★ Starbucks Korea CEO fired over 'Tank Day' marketing scandal Starbucks Korea apologized and fired its CEO following a marketing campaign that insensitive to the Gwangju Uprising anniversary.

★ UN General Assembly passes climate resolution, 8 countries oppose The UNGA supported the International Court of Justice's opinion on legal obligations regarding climate change.

★ AF447 crash: Air France and Airbus convicted of involuntary manslaughter A French court overturned a lower court ruling, convicting both companies for the 2009 crash that killed 228 people.

★ Black man dies after restraint by security in Dublin Protests erupted in Dublin after a Black man died following a restraint incident by security guards at a department store.

★ India's 'Cockroach Janta Party' goes viral A satirical political movement, the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP), has gained massive online popularity in India.

[Domestic News] ★ President: 5,000 TWD monthly subsidy for ages 0-18 President Lai Ching-te announced a 200 billion TWD annual budget to provide a 5,000 TWD monthly growth allowance for children aged 0-18.

★ 'Taiwan Travelogue' wins International Booker Prize Yang Shuang-zi's novel 'Taiwan Travelogue' won the International Booker Prize in London.

★ April unemployment rate hits 3.3%, lowest in 26 years The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics reported the lowest April unemployment rate since 2001.

★ Hantavirus case confirmed in Keelung The CDC confirmed a local Hantavirus case, noting it is the Seoul virus strain and there is no human-to-human transmission.

★ Ministry of Health and Welfare audits clinics, 35 found filming illegally Audits of cosmetic clinics revealed 35 facilities were illegally filming patients.

★ New rules for license re-application after revocation Starting June 30, those whose licenses were revoked for over 3 years must complete driving training before re-testing.

★ TPASS commuter rebates available from May 25 Commuters can collect their TPASS 2.0 rebates starting May 25 following budget approval.

★ Core Pacific City's 20% floor area bonus revoked The Taipei City Government announced the revocation of the 20% floor area bonus for the Core Pacific City project.

★ New tax on parking spaces used as residences The Ministry of Finance introduced a tax rate of up to 4.8% for parking spaces or shelters used as residences.

★ Asian Elite Pickleball League established A new professional pickleball league will launch in August to help Taiwanese players compete internationally.