Russian President Vladimir Putin tells French President Emmanuel Macron that his country is ready to continue peace negotiations with Ukraine amidst fears that talks between the two countries have stalled. (TASS) (KMGH-TV)
2022 Sri Lankan protests The Sri Lankan government declares a state of emergency in response to massive anti-government protests. (Reuters)
The Sri Lankan government declares a state of emergency in response to massive anti-government protests. (Reuters)
Former president of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announces his candidacy for the upcoming Brazilian presidential election in October, launching his candidacy with a message of "hope" and stating that he is ready to make "the greatest peaceful revolution" in the history of Brazil. (EFE)
2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election Irish republican party Sinn Féin win the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly with 29% of the first-preference vote, marking the first time that a unionist party did not win the most seats since Northern Ireland's establishment in 1921. (The Guardian)
Irish republican party Sinn Féin win the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly with 29% of the first-preference vote, marking the first time that a unionist party did not win the most seats since Northern Ireland's establishment in 1921. (The Guardian)
Canada–Ukraine relations Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly make an unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing Russian invasion. (CTV News) Trudeau announces the reopening of the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv. (Politico)
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly make an unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing Russian invasion. (CTV News)
2022 Philippine general election Filipinos head to the polls to elect officials in the Presidential, Senate, House of Representatives, Gubernatorial, and other local elections. (The Guardian) Bongbong Marcos, the son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is leading in the preliminary and unofficial results to become the next President. (CNN)
2022 Pulitzer Prizes The Washington Post wins the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its coverage of the 2021 United States Capitol attack. The New York Times wins the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting on the war on terror's failed bombing campaigns and the most awards overall. (The New York Times) (NPR)
Filipinos head to the polls to elect officials in the Presidential, Senate, House of Representatives, Gubernatorial, and other local elections. (The Guardian)
Gunmen open fire at two polling stations in Buluan and Lanao del Sur, Philippines, killing three guards and a voter and injuring another guard and two voters, amid the presidential elections. (Al Jazeera)
The Washington Post wins the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its coverage of the 2021 United States Capitol attack. The New York Times wins the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting on the war on terror's failed bombing campaigns and the most awards overall. (The New York Times) (NPR)
Bongbong Marcos, the son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is leading in the preliminary and unofficial results to become the next President. (CNN)
Enlargement of NATO The Swedish Social Democratic Party announces that it will decide on May 15 whether to pursue a course of action to join NATO. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö is expected to also announce Finland's intention to join NATO on May 12. (Al Jazeera)
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns amid mass protests over the government's handling of the economic crisis. (BBC News)
The Royal Thai Army announces it will ban all army personnel from using the Singaporean e-commerce site Lazada for allegedly insulting the royal family in a Facebook video ad. Digital Economy Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn in a separate statement said the government is considering legal action against both Lazada and the advertising agency responsible for the ad. (Reuters)
The Swedish Social Democratic Party announces that it will decide on May 15 whether to pursue a course of action to join NATO. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö is expected to also announce Finland's intention to join NATO on May 12. (Al Jazeera)
2022 Philippine presidential election Former Senator of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos, son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is expected to become the next President of the Philippines, based on partial and unofficial counts. Marcos has more than twice as many votes as the next closest candidate Leni Robredo, the current Vice President of the Philippines. The victory will be officially ratified by the Congress of the Philippines in late May. (BBC News)
Crown Prince of Kuwait Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah accepts the resignation of the Government of Kuwait, after the request had been submitted more than a month ago. No timeline is given for when the next election will occur. (Reuters)
Former Senator of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos, son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is expected to become the next President of the Philippines, based on partial and unofficial counts. Marcos has more than twice as many votes as the next closest candidate Leni Robredo, the current Vice President of the Philippines. The victory will be officially ratified by the Congress of the Philippines in late May. (BBC News)
Lithuania–Russia relations, Government and intergovernmental reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine The Seimas of Lithuania unanimously votes to designate Russia as a terrorist state and to classify Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide. (NPR)
Yoon Suk-yeol is sworn in as the 13th President of South Korea. (CNN)
The Seimas of Lithuania unanimously votes to designate Russia as a terrorist state and to classify Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide. (NPR)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs security agreements with Finland and Sweden, pledging British military assistance to both Nordic countries should they come under attack. (Reuters)
Finland–United Kingdom relations, Sweden–United Kingdom relations British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs security agreements with Finland and Sweden, pledging British military assistance to both Nordic countries should they come under attack. (Reuters)
Enlargement of NATO Finland–NATO relations Finland's leaders declare that the country should apply for membership of NATO "without delay," with the Parliament set to vote next week on whether to apply. (CNBC) (President of the Republic of Finland) Finland–Russia relations The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs threatens to take retaliatory steps against Finland, including of a "military-technical" nature, if the country joins NATO. (BBC News)
Finland–NATO relations Finland's leaders declare that the country should apply for membership of NATO "without delay," with the Parliament set to vote next week on whether to apply. (CNBC) (President of the Republic of Finland)
Finland's leaders declare that the country should apply for membership of NATO "without delay," with the Parliament set to vote next week on whether to apply. (CNBC) (President of the Republic of Finland)
Boycott of Russia and Belarus, 2022 French Open Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete at the upcoming French Open as neutral athletes. However, players who speak in support for Russian President Vladimir Putin will face sanctions. (Tennis Majors)
Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete at the upcoming French Open as neutral athletes. However, players who speak in support for Russian President Vladimir Putin will face sanctions. (Tennis Majors)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea North Korea announces its first COVID-19 outbreak. (AP) Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un orders a national lockdown. (Financial Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania announces that starting on May 16, the fourth dose of Comirnaty – the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – can be administered in vaccination centers and in family medicine offices for all adults. (Romania Insider)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Romania announces that starting on May 16, the fourth dose of Comirnaty – the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – can be administered in vaccination centers and in family medicine offices for all adults. (Romania Insider)
Romania announces that starting on May 16, the fourth dose of Comirnaty – the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – can be administered in vaccination centers and in family medicine offices for all adults. (Romania Insider)
Finland–Turkey relations, Sweden–Turkey relations Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says that Turkey will oppose Sweden and Finland's applications to join NATO, asserting that the countries are "guesthouses for terrorist organisations", without giving details. Turkey has repeatedly criticized Sweden and other Western European countries for its handling of organisations labeled terrorist by the Turkish government, including the Kurdish militant groups PKK and YPG, and the followers of U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen. (Reuters)
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says that Turkey will oppose Sweden and Finland's applications to join NATO, asserting that the countries are "guesthouses for terrorist organisations", without giving details. Turkey has repeatedly criticized Sweden and other Western European countries for its handling of organisations labeled terrorist by the Turkish government, including the Kurdish militant groups PKK and YPG, and the followers of U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen. (Reuters)
Anti-government demonstrations occur in multiple cities in Iran that are experiencing Internet shutdowns. (Fox News)
Enlargement of the eurozone The Croatian Parliament votes 117–13 to officially replace the kuna with the euro on 1 January. (RTÉ)
President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan dies at the age of 73. (Gulf News)
The Croatian Parliament votes 117–13 to officially replace the kuna with the euro on 1 January. (RTÉ)
2022 heat wave in India and Pakistan India bans wheat exports with immediate effect after the heat wave causes yields to be lower than expected. Exceptions will be made if wheat is requested by governments, or for food security needs. (Bloomberg)
Georgia–Russia relations, Russia–South Ossetia relations Proposed Russian annexation of South Ossetia Outgoing South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov announces that a referendum on joining Russia will be held on July 17. (Reuters)
India bans wheat exports with immediate effect after the heat wave causes yields to be lower than expected. Exceptions will be made if wheat is requested by governments, or for food security needs. (Bloomberg)
Outgoing South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov announces that a referendum on joining Russia will be held on July 17. (Reuters)
Proposed Russian annexation of South Ossetia Outgoing South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov announces that a referendum on joining Russia will be held on July 17. (Reuters)
The Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates appoints Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the country's new president, who also inherits the Emirate of Abu Dhabi after the death of his half-brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (AP)
2022 Lebanese general election Lebanese voters head to the polls to elect a new session to Parliament. Preliminary counts show the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies, who won in the previous election, losing seats while the Saudi-backed Lebanese Forces made gains. (Reuters)
2022 Somali presidential election Former President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is re-elected to a non-consecutive term in the third voting round. (Reuters)
Enlargement of NATO Finland–NATO relations President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin formally announce that Finland will apply for NATO membership. Niinistö says that "this is a historic day", and that Finland is "entering a new era". (Yle) Sweden–NATO relations Sweden's governing Social Democratic Party approves the country joining NATO. The official government decision is expected in the coming days. (Politico)
Lebanese voters head to the polls to elect a new session to Parliament. Preliminary counts show the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies, who won in the previous election, losing seats while the Saudi-backed Lebanese Forces made gains. (Reuters)
Finland–NATO relations President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin formally announce that Finland will apply for NATO membership. Niinistö says that "this is a historic day", and that Finland is "entering a new era". (Yle)
Former President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is re-elected to a non-consecutive term in the third voting round. (Reuters)
President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin formally announce that Finland will apply for NATO membership. Niinistö says that "this is a historic day", and that Finland is "entering a new era". (Yle)
Sweden–NATO relations Sweden's governing Social Democratic Party approves the country joining NATO. The official government decision is expected in the coming days. (Politico)
Sweden's governing Social Democratic Party approves the country joining NATO. The official government decision is expected in the coming days. (Politico)
Borne government French Minister of Labour Élisabeth Borne is appointed by President Emmanuel Macron as the new Prime Minister of France, succeeding Jean Castex. (Le Monde in English)
Enlargement of NATO Sweden–NATO relations Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson confirms the decision her party made on Sunday and formally announces Sweden's intent to join NATO. (The Guardian) In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will react to the "expansion of military infrastructure" by NATO in Sweden and Finland, saying that "problems are being created for no reason at all. We shall react accordingly". (Sky News)
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will react to the "expansion of military infrastructure" by NATO in Sweden and Finland, saying that "problems are being created for no reason at all. We shall react accordingly". (Sky News)
Somali Civil War American military intervention in Somalia U.S. President Joe Biden announces that American troops will be redeployed to Somalia, reversing a previous order under former President Donald Trump. (ABC News)
Sweden–NATO relations Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson confirms the decision her party made on Sunday and formally announces Sweden's intent to join NATO. (The Guardian) In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that Russia will react to the "expansion of military infrastructure" by NATO in Sweden and Finland, saying that "problems are being created for no reason at all. We shall react accordingly". (Sky News)
French Minister of Labour Élisabeth Borne is appointed by President Emmanuel Macron as the new Prime Minister of France, succeeding Jean Castex. (Le Monde in English)
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson confirms the decision her party made on Sunday and formally announces Sweden's intent to join NATO. (The Guardian)
United States–Venezuela relations, International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis The United States lifts some economic sanctions on Venezuela, including allowing the Chevron Corporation to negotiate its license with the Venezuelan PDVSA state-owned oil company and removing the names of some Venezuelan officials from a United States government list of sanctioned individuals. (AP)
2022 Tripoli clashes Heavy fighting breaks out in Tripoli, Libya, forcing Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha to flee the capital. (AP)
Heavy fighting breaks out in Tripoli, Libya, forcing Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha to flee the capital. (AP)
Around 200 anti-government militants block a road in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan, which links the country to China. Some of the militants, armed with firearms and petrol bombs, later ambush a security convoy on the same road. Eight militants and one officer are killed, while 13 officers are injured and more than 70 militants are arrested. The Tajik interior ministry later say the attack was an attempt to "destabilise the social and political situation" in the region. (Reuters)
2021–2022 global supply chain crisis 2022 United States infant formula shortage The U.S. House of Representatives votes to pass a series of legislation aimed at combating the baby formula shortage in the United States. The Access to Baby Formula Act passes with a 414–9 vote, and the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act passes with a 231–192. (NBC News) (Newsweek) U.S. President Joe Biden invokes the Defense Production Act to solve the baby formula shortage in the U.S. (CNBC)
Economic impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War The United States Senate votes 86–11 to pass a $40 billion package aimed at sending aid to Ukraine. The legislation will head to U.S. President Joe Biden for his signature. (Reuters)
Foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War The United States Senate votes 86–11 to pass a $40 billion package aimed at sending aid to Ukraine. The legislation will head to U.S. President Joe Biden for his signature. (Reuters)
Enlargement of NATO, Finland–Turkey relations, Sweden–Turkey relations President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterates that he will vote against the admittance of Finland and Sweden into NATO, effectively preventing their accession. Erdoğan has accused the two countries of supporting the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, which Turkey considers to be terrorist organizations. (Yahoo! News)
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterates that he will vote against the admittance of Finland and Sweden into NATO, effectively preventing their accession. Erdoğan has accused the two countries of supporting the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, which Turkey considers to be terrorist organizations. (Yahoo! News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) votes to recommend a third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5–11 years old. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tests positive for COVID-19. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tests positive for COVID-19. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tests positive for COVID-19. (BBC News)
