# AI News 180m Report｜2026-05-20 06:00–09:00 JST｜Page 4 of 4

One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 257 items from 2 sources; Japan, 51 items from 1 source.One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.

## Israel Uses Force to Block Gaza Aid Flotilla; Italian Foreign Minister Calls for Members’ Safety

- Published: 2026-05-20T08:26:02+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605200014.aspx
- anchor: #n439802
- Companies mentioned: 義大利安莎通訊社（ANSA）、五星運動黨（M5S）

Israeli forces used force to block the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying aid to Gaza, and took away 29 people aboard an Italian vessel. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on Israel to ensure the safety of its citizens and launch an investigation.

## NATO Shoots Down Drone That Entered Estonian Airspace; Ukraine Accuses Russia of Diverting Its Course

- Published: 2026-05-20T07:59:58+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605200012.aspx
- anchor: #n439804
- Companies mentioned: 北大西洋公約組織（NATO）、愛沙尼亞公共廣播公司（ERR）、路透社

A Ukrainian drone apparently entered Estonian airspace by mistake on the 19th after being disrupted by Russian electronic warfare and was shot down by NATO fighter jets, marking the first such incident in Baltic airspace. Ukraine apologized and accused Russia of deliberately manipulating its course, while Estonia said the incident demonstrated the effectiveness of NATO’s defenses.

## ‘Taiwan Travelogue’ Wins International Booker Prize; Yang Shuang-zi: Being Taiwanese Is a Matter of Luck and Pride [Video]

- Published: 2026-05-20T07:54:10+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acul/202605200011.aspx
- anchor: #n439765
- Companies mentioned: Tate Modern、And Other Stories、The Booker Prizes

Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi’s novel Taiwan Travelogue won the 2026 International Booker Prize, a first in the history of Taiwanese literature. Yang and English translator Lin King accepted the award together in London and delivered speeches underscoring Taiwanese identity and the power of literature.

## Fears Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation High Weigh on Markets; Most U.S. Stocks Close Lower

- Published: 2026-05-20T07:05:50+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202605200010.aspx
- anchor: #n437491

Energy prices have risen amid the conflict in the Middle East, stoking market concerns that high inflation will persist and prompting a sell-off in government bonds. Against this backdrop, most major U.S. stock indexes closed lower, with only the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index edging up.

## ‘Taiwan Travelogue’ Wins International Booker Prize, a First for Taiwanese Literature

- Published: 2026-05-20T06:27:09+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acul/202605200009.aspx
- anchor: #n437356
- Companies mentioned: And Other Stories

Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi’s novel Taiwan Travelogue won the British International Booker Prize, marking the first time a work of Taiwanese literature has received the honor and a historic milestone. The book was translated into English by Lin King and published by an independent British publisher.

## Markets Await Developments in the Middle East; International Oil Prices Edge Lower

- Published: 2026-05-20T06:09:45+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202605200008.aspx
- anchor: #n437357
- Companies mentioned: 紐約商品交易所

Investors took a wait-and-see approach to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iran, believing his past threats had often gone unfulfilled. The cautious mood led international oil prices to edge lower on the 19th.

## Ebola Outbreak Spreads; Rubio Says WHO Is Slow to Confirm Cases

- Published: 2026-05-20T05:44:42+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605200007.aspx
- anchor: #n437353
- Companies mentioned: 世界衛生組織（WHO）、美國疾病管制暨預防中心（CDC）、法新社

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized 世界衛生組織（WHO） for being too slow to confirm an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States plans to open about 50 clinics to provide assistance, despite access difficulties caused by conflict and the area’s remoteness.

## From the Archive: The Storm Over Michael Jordan’s Whirlwind Visit to Taiwan

- Published: 2026-05-19T15:54:41+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/202605195003.aspx
- anchor: #n439805
- Companies mentioned: 台灣NIKE公司、消基會、台北地檢署、公平交易委員會、台北市籃球記者聯誼會、中央社影像空間

Michael Jordan’s 2004 promotional visit to Taiwan sparked a public relations crisis when he appeared for only 90 seconds, contrary to the advertisements. The organizer, Taiwan NIKE, went from denying the issue to apologizing, ultimately offering refunds and community compensation, and was hit with a NT$1 million fine by the Fair Trade Commission.