The Czech Republic introduces a state of emergency for 30 days as thousands of Ukrainian refugees arrive in the country. (Novinky)
Ukrainian refugee crisis The Czech Republic introduces a state of emergency for 30 days as thousands of Ukrainian refugees arrive in the country. (Novinky)
The International Organization for Migration says that the refugee crisis has now become the largest and fastest exodus of people in Europe since World War II. (Fox News)
Ukrainian refugee crisis The International Organization for Migration says that the refugee crisis has now become the largest and fastest exodus of people in Europe since World War II. (Fox News)
Cyprus denies access for five Russian military vessels to enter its port in Limassol. Whether the military ships could enter Cypriot ports in the first place is controversial, as the international law background is unclear. (Kathimerini Cyprus)
Cyprus–Russia relations Cyprus denies access for five Russian military vessels to enter its port in Limassol. Whether the military ships could enter Cypriot ports in the first place is controversial, as the international law background is unclear. (Kathimerini Cyprus)
The Russian and Ukrainian delegations hold a third round of talks at the Belarus–Poland border. During the talks, both countries say that they made limited progress on humanitarian corridors. However, no ceasefire was agreed to. A fourth round of talks will be held in the future. (ANI) (Times of Israel) (Daily Sabah) (Deccan Herald)
Russia–Ukraine relations Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Ankara, Turkey, for upcoming talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. (Reuters) Ukrainian foreign policy aide Ihor Zhovkva says that Ukraine is open to holding talks discussing Russia's demand of Ukraine's neutrality as long as Ukraine is given security guarantees. However, Zhovkva warned that Ukraine will not give up any of its territories. (Bloomberg)
Ukrainian foreign policy aide Ihor Zhovkva says that Ukraine is open to holding talks discussing Russia's demand of Ukraine's neutrality as long as Ukraine is given security guarantees. However, Zhovkva warned that Ukraine will not give up any of its territories. (Bloomberg)
The British Army confirms that a number of active-duty soldiers have disobeyed orders and gone AWOL, and have likely gone to Ukraine to fight against the Russian military. Defence Minister Ben Wallace says that the serving members are "breaking the law and will be prosecuted" when they return to the United Kingdom. (Sky News)
The United Kingdom's Defence Ministry says that it is sending another 1,615 MBT LAWs, and a small number of FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles to the Ukrainian army. More small arms, body armour and medical supplies have also been sent. (BBC News)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says over two million Ukrainians have now fled the country since the invasion began. Most have gone to neighbouring Poland, with Hungary, Romania and Slovakia also taking in several hundred thousand refugees each. (DW)
Ukrainian refugee crisis The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says over two million Ukrainians have now fled the country since the invasion began. Most have gone to neighbouring Poland, with Hungary, Romania and Slovakia also taking in several hundred thousand refugees each. (DW)
The Ukrainian parliament begins to debate a new law which would allow the forced seizure of all assets belonging to Russians citizens as well as Ukrainians deemed by the courts or the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to be Russian collaborators. Last week, a bill was approved that allowed forced seizure of assets owned by the Russian government and Russian companies. (Ekonomichna Pravda)
Russia's Ministry of Transport prepares a draft regulation which would allow airlines to not have to honour the request of the lessor to return leased aircraft unless a special government commission orders them to do so and would also allow companies to pay the lessor in rubles. The law comes amid EU sanctions which forces all lease contracts for Russian aircraft to be voided by late March and also forbids E.U. companies from insuring Russian aircraft. (Interfax Russia)
Judiciary of Poland, Polish constitutional crisis The Constitutional Tribunal, the highest court in Poland, declares that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) may not control the validity of the appointment of any judges in Poland. The Tribunal also wrote in its opinion that Poland is not obliged to implement four ECHR court rulings which found that the parties were denied a right to fair trial, as the relevant provision violates the Constitution of Poland when applied to control the judges' appointment. (Rzeczpospolita) (Euronews)
The Constitutional Tribunal, the highest court in Poland, declares that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) may not control the validity of the appointment of any judges in Poland. The Tribunal also wrote in its opinion that Poland is not obliged to implement four ECHR court rulings which found that the parties were denied a right to fair trial, as the relevant provision violates the Constitution of Poland when applied to control the judges' appointment. (Rzeczpospolita) (Euronews)
Censorship by YouTube YouTube blocks all accounts associated with Russian state-funded media outlets for violation of YouTube's policy of denialism or trivialisation of well-documented violent events. (Reuters)
YouTube blocks all accounts associated with Russian state-funded media outlets for violation of YouTube's policy of denialism or trivialisation of well-documented violent events. (Reuters)
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russia–Ukraine relations Israel–Ukraine relations, Israel–Russia relations Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should be held in Jerusalem. He also says that Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett could have a positive impact on the negotiations. (Times of Israel) Azerbaijan–Ukraine relations, Azerbaijan–Russia relations Azerbaijani foreign policy adviser Hikmet Hajiyev says that Azerbaijan is open to holding talks between Ukraine and Russia. (Trend)
Russia–Ukraine relations Israel–Ukraine relations, Israel–Russia relations Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should be held in Jerusalem. He also says that Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett could have a positive impact on the negotiations. (Times of Israel) Azerbaijan–Ukraine relations, Azerbaijan–Russia relations Azerbaijani foreign policy adviser Hikmet Hajiyev says that Azerbaijan is open to holding talks between Ukraine and Russia. (Trend)
Azerbaijan–Ukraine relations, Azerbaijan–Russia relations Azerbaijani foreign policy adviser Hikmet Hajiyev says that Azerbaijan is open to holding talks between Ukraine and Russia. (Trend)
Azerbaijani foreign policy adviser Hikmet Hajiyev says that Azerbaijan is open to holding talks between Ukraine and Russia. (Trend)
An airstrike on the NATO–Ukraine Partnership for Peace Yavoriv military base some 10–20 km (6.2–12.4 mi) from the border with Poland kills 35 people and injures 134 others. (USA Today)
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine War crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine The United States Senate unanimously passes a bipartisan resolution declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and calls for his investigation by the International Criminal Court. (Reuters)
The United States Senate unanimously passes a bipartisan resolution declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and calls for his investigation by the International Criminal Court. (Reuters)
War crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine The United States Senate unanimously passes a bipartisan resolution declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and calls for his investigation by the International Criminal Court. (Reuters)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says that over three million people have now fled Ukraine since the invasion began. (The Independent)
Ukrainian refugee crisis The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says that over three million people have now fled Ukraine since the invasion began. (The Independent)
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposes a series of reforms to the national parliament, including re-establishing the Constitutional Court, reducing the membership requirement for establishing political parties from 20,000 to 5,000, reducing the number of parliament deputies appointed by the president, and restoring three regions that were merged during the 1990s. He says that the purpose of these reforms is to move the current political system from "superpresidential" rule to a presidential republic with a strong parliament. (Reuters)
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine The International Court of Justice orders Russia to immediately halt its invasion of Ukraine. (Reuters)
The International Court of Justice orders Russia to immediately halt its invasion of Ukraine. (Reuters)
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signs a law to rename the town of Isfana as Razzaqov in honor of former Secretary of the Communist Party of Kirghizia Iskhak Razzakov. The law was passed by the Kyrgyzstan Parliament on March 16. (AKIPress)
44th Canadian Parliament The Liberal Party of Canada reaches a tentative confidence-and-supply agreement with the New Democratic Party (NDP) that would see the NDP prop up the minority Liberal government until 2025 in exchange for progress on longtime NDP policy priorities. (CTV News)
The Liberal Party of Canada reaches a tentative confidence-and-supply agreement with the New Democratic Party (NDP) that would see the NDP prop up the minority Liberal government until 2025 in exchange for progress on longtime NDP policy priorities. (CTV News)
A Russian court bans Facebook and Instagram for "extremism". (The Moscow Times)
Internet censorship in Russia A Russian court bans Facebook and Instagram for "extremism". (The Moscow Times) The Roskomnadzor, the Russian media regulator, blocks Euronews. (Novaya Gazeta)
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is convicted of fraud and sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court, which claims that Navalny stole millions in donations from his supporters. (Sky News)
Foreign relations of Mali The UEMOA court orders sanctions against Mali to be suspended. The sanctions were imposed on the junta in January after elections were delayed. (Reuters)
The UEMOA court orders sanctions against Mali to be suspended. The sanctions were imposed on the junta in January after elections were delayed. (Reuters)
The World Health Organization announces that a polio vaccination campaign will begin in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. (News-Medical.net)
2022 Uruguayan Law of Urgent Consideration referendum A referendum is held in Uruguay on whether to repeal the Urgent Consideration Law, which gives the government more power to dismantle protests and increased security measures after record high crime rates in Uruguay in 2017. (MercoPress)
A referendum is held in Uruguay on whether to repeal the Urgent Consideration Law, which gives the government more power to dismantle protests and increased security measures after record high crime rates in Uruguay in 2017. (MercoPress)
Celebrities at the Awards wear blue and gold ribbons to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and pay tribute to the refugees. (USA Today) (The Wrap)
Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian War Russia cautions against expecting any "significant breakthroughs" ahead of the first round of in-person negotiations with Ukraine. (MSN) Two Ukrainian negotiators as well as sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich are reported to have fallen victim to suspected poisoning during peace talks on the Belarus–Ukraine border earlier this month. Their health has since improved. (Reuters) (BBC News)
Roman Hrybov, the border guard who told the Russian warship command over the radio "Russian warship, go fuck yourself" in defiance of its order to surrender Snake Island, is freed in a prisoner swap. Initial reports erroneously suggested that 13 border guards on the island had died. (The Guardian)
Snake Island campaign Roman Hrybov, the border guard who told the Russian warship command over the radio "Russian warship, go fuck yourself" in defiance of its order to surrender Snake Island, is freed in a prisoner swap. Initial reports erroneously suggested that 13 border guards on the island had died. (The Guardian)
2021–2022 Belarus–European Union border crisis A regional court in the border town of Hajnówka rules that pushbacks against migrants on the Belarus–Poland border violated Polish law. (Gazeta Wyborcza) (Rzeczpospolita)
2021–2022 North Korean missile tests North Korea–South Korea relations South Korean lawmakers and the defense ministry say that last week, North Korea has tested a Hwasong-15, which was successfully tested in November 2017, instead of a Hwasong-17. (ABC News) (AP)
North Korea–South Korea relations South Korean lawmakers and the defense ministry say that last week, North Korea has tested a Hwasong-15, which was successfully tested in November 2017, instead of a Hwasong-17. (ABC News) (AP)
South Korean lawmakers and the defense ministry say that last week, North Korea has tested a Hwasong-15, which was successfully tested in November 2017, instead of a Hwasong-17. (ABC News) (AP)
2022 Ukrainian refugee crisis The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says more than four million Ukrainians have fled the country since the invasion began on February 24. (France 24)
North Korea–South Korea relations The South Korean military says that last week, North Korea tested Hwasong-15 from November 2017, instead of a Hwasong-17. This comes a day after the defense ministry and lawmakers also confirmed this. (DW) (CBS News)
The South Korean military says that last week, North Korea tested Hwasong-15 from November 2017, instead of a Hwasong-17. This comes a day after the defense ministry and lawmakers also confirmed this. (DW) (CBS News)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says more than four million Ukrainians have fled the country since the invasion began on February 24. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia begins its transition from pandemic to endemic phase that shift the management of the pandemic from reliance on government-imposed standard operating procedures and existing laws to individual responsibility, and community solidarity. (The Star)
Malaysia begins its transition from pandemic to endemic phase that shift the management of the pandemic from reliance on government-imposed standard operating procedures and existing laws to individual responsibility, and community solidarity. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The U.S. CDC announces that the Biden administration will end the usage of Title 42, a series of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Trump administration in order to prevent migrants from entering the United States. The measure will take effect on May 23. (CNBC)
2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis Pakistani President Arif Alvi dissolves the National Assembly after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri refused to hold a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was widely expected to lose the motion. Khan previously accused the United States of conspiring with the opposition to remove him due to his opposition towards US foreign policy, which the US denies. (BBC News)
Pakistani President Arif Alvi dissolves the National Assembly after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri refused to hold a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was widely expected to lose the motion. Khan previously accused the United States of conspiring with the opposition to remove him due to his opposition towards US foreign policy, which the US denies. (BBC News)
Russia restricts diplomats, journalists, and politicians from the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein from obtaining a visa by a simplified procedure. (Kommersant) (Reuters)
Russia–European Union relations, Iceland–Russia relations, Norway–Russia relations, Russia–Switzerland relations Russia restricts diplomats, journalists, and politicians from the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein from obtaining a visa by a simplified procedure. (Kommersant) (Reuters)
War in Darfur Darfur genocide The trial of Ali Kushayb, one of the suspects in the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, begins at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Kushayb pleads not guilty. (Deutsche Welle)
Darfur genocide The trial of Ali Kushayb, one of the suspects in the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, begins at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Kushayb pleads not guilty. (Deutsche Welle)
Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation The European Commission launches disciplinary proceedings against Hungary under the newly-upheld conditionality mechanism that could block funds over rule-of-law concerns if the shortcomings do not prevent misuse of EU funds. (Politico)
The European Commission launches disciplinary proceedings against Hungary under the newly-upheld conditionality mechanism that could block funds over rule-of-law concerns if the shortcomings do not prevent misuse of EU funds. (Politico)
The trial of Ali Kushayb, one of the suspects in the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, begins at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Kushayb pleads not guilty. (Deutsche Welle)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Cyprus will lift their COVID-19-related travel conditions from April 18, ending rules of two years of the pandemic. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Kazakhstan will lift their COVID-19 travel restrictions at the country's borders with Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. (Astana Times) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tests positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Kazakhstan will lift their COVID-19 travel restrictions at the country's borders with Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. (Astana Times)
Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Kazakhstan will lift their COVID-19 travel restrictions at the country's borders with Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. (Astana Times)
2022 Tel Aviv shooting Israeli soldiers raid the refugee camp in Jenin where the perpetrator of the Tel Aviv shooting lived. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad member is killed and 13 other people are injured. (Times of Israel) (Al Jazeera) In retaliation for the Israeli raid, a group of around 100 Palestinian rioters vandalize Joseph's Tomb in Nablus. The gravestone and some other objects are damaged in the attack. (The Jerusalem Post) (Ynet)
Israeli–Palestinian conflict 2022 Tel Aviv shooting Israeli soldiers raid the refugee camp in Jenin where the perpetrator of the Tel Aviv shooting lived. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad member is killed and 13 other people are injured. (Times of Israel) (Al Jazeera) In retaliation for the Israeli raid, a group of around 100 Palestinian rioters vandalize Joseph's Tomb in Nablus. The gravestone and some other objects are damaged in the attack. (The Jerusalem Post) (Ynet)
At least 13 people are killed and 10 others are missing after two boats carrying African migrants sink off the coast of Sfax, Tunisia. At least 19 people have been rescued. (Reuters)
European migrant crisis At least 13 people are killed and 10 others are missing after two boats carrying African migrants sink off the coast of Sfax, Tunisia. At least 19 people have been rescued. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers raid the refugee camp in Jenin where the perpetrator of the Tel Aviv shooting lived. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad member is killed and 13 other people are injured. (Times of Israel) (Al Jazeera)
