May 2022 Current Events: World News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the World news events you need to know so far for May 2022:
- Evacuees In Ukrainian Azovstal Iron And Steel Works Share Horror Stories
- UK Cost Of Living Continues To Rise, So Britons Should Buy Value Brands To Cope, According To Minister
- Nuclear Weapons Testing Resumed In North Korea, According To Surrounding Countries
- North Korea Announces its first Covid Outbreak Since The Start of The Pandemic: Triggers National Emergency
- Possible Prosecution As Asylum Seekers Risk Being Returned To Rwanda
- Amid Russian-Ukraine Crisis, Finland Pushes to Join NATO
- France Elects Its First Prime Minister In Decades.
- The United Nations Condemns The Killing Of Al-Jazeera Reporter
- Complete Reversal Of Trump’s Withdrawal As Biden Approves Redeployment Of US Troops To Somalia
- Turkey Moves To Block Finland And Sweden NATO Bid
- The Taliban Government Of Afghanistan Promises More Rights For Women, But Not All Women
- Wild Polio Confirmed For The First Time Since 30 Years In Mozambique
- Biden Pledges Support For Taiwan In A Statement That Has Raised Eyebrows
- Russian Diplomat Resigns In Geneva To Protest Against Russia-Ukraine Tensions
- China Continues Its Influential Diplomatic Tours In The South Pacific
Evacuees In Ukrainian Azovstal Iron And Steel Works Share Horror Stories
Photo Source: iStock
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - Ukrainian refugees stuck within the Azovstal steel and iron plant in Mariupol recount horror stories when they were finally able to escape the steelwork’s tunnels and underground areas. After over 100 evacuees had to take cover with Ukrainian forces when the Russians moved forward and forced locals into hiding within the plant, this makeshift bunker was running out of food and water, and its stability was being questioned as the bombs rained down.
Babies, children, and dogs were included in the numbers trapped there, with mothers, fathers, and family members hunkering down and fearing the worst. However, this group of evacuees have been rescued and welcomed back onto Ukrainian-held soil in Zaporizhzhia, with reports that many believed “…we wouldn’t get out of there.”
Source: The Guardian
UK Cost Of Living Continues To Rise, So Britons Should Buy Value Brands To Cope, According To Minister
Photo Source: iStock
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - As the cost of living rises in the United Kingdom, people around the country are finding it harder to afford basic goods and services, including groceries, gas, and utilities. It’s a virtual vicious cycle as energy costs affect food and farming prices, and vice versa. However, the cabinet minister responsible for overseeing the UK’s food sector, George Eustice, recommends that families and individuals combat this inflation by focussing on budget goods.
According to Eustice, “by going for some of the value brands…[people] can actually contain and manage their household budget.” This comes as the UK experiences its highest rate of inflation in the past 30 years— a whopping 7%— and many still feel the strains of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in multiple areas of their lives.
Source: The Guardian
Nuclear Weapons Testing Resumed In North Korea, According To Surrounding Countries
Photo Source: iStock
Wednesday, April 4, 2022 - North Korea has not continued its nuclear weapons testing program since 2017, but neighboring South Korea and Japan attest to a recent launch of a ballistic missile from the Sunan airport. This missile has been traced to the ocean of North Korea’s east coast and is said to be part of Kim Jong Un’s renewed schedule to achieve nuclear arsenal dominance as fast as possible. Further, the Japanese Ministry of Defence has confirmed the ballistic missile’s launch.
As the possibility of the North Korean nuclear presence might increase, South Korea’s brand new President Yoon Suk-yeol— having only just taken office for a five-year term— promises the nation that their military alliance with the United States will be a major fallback, should the situation unfold badly.
Source: The Guardian
North Korea Announces Its First Covid Outbreak Since The Start Of The Pandemic: Triggers National Emergency
Photo Source: AP Images/Ahn Young-joon
Thursday, May 12, 2022 - North Korea, since the start of the pandemic, has shut its borders to visitors and humanitarian aid. However, news sources said areas of Pyongyang had been locked down for two days following the news of an outbreak. Citizens have reportedly resorted to panic buying.
The Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Un, has called a crisis meeting to preside over the ensuing trend. Health Officials and front-line workers have been deployed with tests carried out on the suspected patients. Results from the tests are in line with the Omicron variant according to North Korean State Media – KNCA.
Kim told the Workers party Politburo that “the goal was to eliminate the root within the shortest time.” Consequently, there has been tighter control at the borders and on the movement of citizens. Production activities now occur in Isolation to prevent spread.
Despite the outbreak, there are no signs that the country is ready to open up to the world.
Source: The Guardian
Possible Prosecution As Asylum Seekers Risk Being Returned To Rwanda
Photo Source: AP Images/Muhizi Olivier
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 - There are ongoing reports of physical and psychological stress on people seeking asylum. This is reportedly due to the threats by Ministers to send unauthorized migrants back to Rwanda.
The Home Office admitted that there is a possibility that asylum seekers who are LGBTQ+ will be prosecuted if sent back to Rwanda. Nevertheless, the drive towards the plan is not weaning. The Home Office has said that the first group of people to be relocated will be notified this week, and the flights are scheduled for the nearest future.
This move by the Home Office has attracted condemnation and concern from Human rights groups such as the British Red Cross and the Refugee Council. Popular Opinion is that the government ought to be doing more to help vulnerable people. The move may signal people that they are not welcomed in the United Kingdom.
Source: The Guardian
Amid Russian-Ukraine Crisis, Finland Pushes to Join NATO
Photo Source: AP Images
Thursday, May 12, 2022 - The War between Russia and Ukraine has raised many security concerns worldwide, especially in countries that border the two countries. Finland Shares about 800 miles of border with Russia. It has never been a North Atlantic Treaty Organization member to avoid rows with Russia.
However, things are beginning to change with the Prime minister and President of Finland releasing a joint statement to join NATO. The formal announcement is expected to be made in a few days after thorough consultation by the parliament and respected political figures.
Sweden has also hinted at making similar decisions as soon as possible.
There have been different reactions from Russia and NATO members, with Russia threatening measures against the two countries if they violate their longstanding neutrality. On the other hand, NATO has a positive outlook on the announcement.
Source: BBC
France Elects Its First Prime Minister In Decades
Photo Source: AP Images/Christophe Ena
Monday, May 16, 2022 - President Macron has named Elizabeth Borne as the new Prime Minister of France ahead of a crucial parliamentary election. She becomes the first woman to hold the position since Edith Cresson, 30 years ago.
Borne’s selection comes amid concerns that Macron has surrounded himself mostly with male confidants even though his cabinet has featured an equal number of men and women. Borne is a vocal Macron supporter and led three key ministerial jobs during Macron’s first term.
One of the first major tasks for Borne is to manage the factions of the Centrist Party ahead of the coming parliamentary elections. Borne, while taking office, dedicated her appointment to little girls in France, urging them to follow their dreams. She also emphasized that women’s place in society must be secured.
Source: The Guardian
The United Nations Condemns The Killing Of Al-Jazeera Reporter
Photo Source: AP Images/Ariel Schalit
Sunday, May 15, 2022 - The death of Shireen Abu Akleh has received many reactions worldwide. The 51-year-old reporter, a field agent for Al-Jazeera for the past 2 decades, was killed during an Israeli operation in the Jenin Refugee Camp.
The United Nations has condemned her death following the disruption of her funeral proceedings on Friday— a rare display of unity in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Along with the condemnation, the members of the UN Security Council also called for “an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killing to ensure accountability.”
Mr. Guterres mentioned that he was moved by the widespread sympathy from Palestinian mourners, which he said was a testament to her career and life. Although the Israeli authorities reported that the fatal shot could have come from a Palestinian gunman, eyewitness reports and Palestinian reports said the journalist was killed by Israeli gunfire.
Source: BBC
Complete Reversal Of Trump’s Withdrawal As Biden Approves Redeployment Of US Troops To Somalia
Photo Source: AP Image/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ruano
Monday, May 16, 2022 - Amongst the several policies of former President Trump that President Biden has reversed is the withdrawal of US troops from Somalia.
Trump ordered a withdrawal in early 2020 as part of efforts to reduce US involvement in international politics. However, Biden has approved the redeployment of fewer than 500 troops back to the East African country to restore the US military presence in consultation with the Somali government.
According to the Pentagon official, the withdrawal was “abrupt and sudden,” giving strength and morale to the al-Shabaab forces. President Biden believes that al-Shabaab poses a notable threat and that the presence of US troops will contain the group. No confirmation has been made to suggest targeted strikes on specific leaders of al-Shabaab. Still, more emphasis has been made on other non-military components of the US counter-terrorism strategy in Somalia.
Source: CNN
Turkey Moves To Block Finland And Sweden NATO Bid
Photo Source: AP Images/Turkish Presidency
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 - The bid of the Scandinavian countries of Sweden and Finland to join NATO, the largest military alliance in the world, can only be completed by a unanimous agreement by all current members of the organization.
Swedish and Finnish bids to join may be rejected as Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, opposed the move. He also added that the two countries should not send delegates with hopes of negotiation.
Erdogan’s reason was that he cannot agree to the admission of countries that placed sanctions on Turkey. He also accused them of harboring the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which the Turkish state has viewed as a terrorist group since a 2016 coup attempt.
The Finnish foreign minister made it clear that Finland would not enter any form of negotiation with Turkey. The Swedish Prime minister said with the new reality in Europe, NATO will strengthen Sweden, and vice versa, to end an age-long military non-alignment.
Source: BBC
The Taliban Government Of Afghanistan Promises More Rights For Women, But Not All Women
Photo Source: AP Images/Ebrahim Noroozi
Thursday, May 19, 2022 - Since the Taliban took control of leading Afghanistan in august 2020, they have assured the world that the rights of women and girls will be protected.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistan’s acting interior minister, said girls up to grade 6 are allowed to go to school. Still, beyond that, a mechanism in line with Islamic law and Afghan custom must be designed to enable girls to return to school.
Young women affected by this delay in return to school have complained several times to the media. They hope that international pressure will make the Taliban allow girls to return to school. Women in Afghanistan have also complained to the press that the restrictions have prevented them from making economic progress.
The international community has little trust that the Taliban are serious about their promises and have significant concerns that the restriction on rights and freedom will only increase.
Source: CNN
Wild Polio Confirmed For The First Time Since 30 Years In Mozambique
Photo Source: AP Images/Thoko Chikondi
Thursday, May 19, 2022 - For the first time since 1992, a polio case was identified in a northeastern province of Mozambique, with the c-infected child already experiencing the first sign of paralysis.
Polio eradication is one of the significant achievements of global health measures. However, the strain discovered through genomic sequencing is linked to the strain identified earlier in 2022 in Malawi and reported in Pakistan in 2019.
According to the WHO, Africa has been declared polio-free since 2020, and the recent findings will not affect that certification. An investigation is also underway to determine the spread and extent of the spread and the new exposure risk. Polio is highly contagious, spreading via oral contamination. Mozambique’s earlier efforts include two mass vaccinations in response to the Malawi case identified in February.
Source: The Guardian
Biden Pledges Support For Taiwan In A Statement That Has Raised Eyebrows
Photo Source: AP Photo/Taiwan Presidential Office
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 – On his tour of Asia visiting allies, President Biden likened Taiwan to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine in a statement that attracted remarks from the Chinese leadership.
For the second time in many months, the US promised unequivocally that the US is prepared to defend Taiwan if China attacked. Before this time, the United States’ position had been vague regarding the situation.
Chinese Foreign Minister said that Taiwan is inseparable from China, and their position on that is not subject to compromise. He mentioned further that the situation in Ukraine is unlike that of Taiwan, urging the US to abide by the One-China Principle.
The ties that the US has with China acknowledge the principle of the One Chinese government, but at the same time, its Taiwan Relations Act states that the US must provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Source: BBC
Russian Diplomat Resigns In Geneva To Protest Against Russia-Ukraine Tensions
Photo Source: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber
Monday, May 23, 2022 – Boris Bondarev, a counselor at the Russian permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva, resigned from his diplomat position.
Since the war broke out in February, the 20-year veteran has been the only high-level diplomat yet to resign from the Russian foreign ministry. He is the counselor on arms control at the Russian diplomatic mission in Geneva.
He termed the war an aggressive move by Putin that is all about “lies, warmongering, and hatred.” He further emphasized that other diplomats feel the same way about the situation but are unlikely to speak out.
Hillel Neuer, the executive director of the Geneva-based human rights organization UN Watch has commended Bodnarev and urged other diplomats to follow his example.
Bodnarev was asked about a possible return back to Russia following his resignation. He said, “that would not be a very good idea right now.”
Source: The Guardian
China Continues Its Influential Diplomatic Tours In The South Pacific
Photo Source: AP Photo
Thursday, May 26, 2022 – Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi is on a diplomatic tour following its proposed regional security deals with countries in the South Pacific. The agreement proposes cooperation and mutual policing, cybersecurity, and economic growth.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Mr. Wang will talk with Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor in the coming days.
The Prime Minister of Australia believes that China wants increased influence in a region where Australia has been the primary security partner since WWII. At the same time, Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand emphasized that the countries in the pacific have what they need to respond to any security challenge.
However, the prime minister of the Solomon Islands assured that the security deal with China is only a complement to the existing security in the region.
Source: CNN
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