Asia South Korea New liberal President Lee Jae‑myung won a snap election, pledging to revive democracy and restart the economy, tackle cost‑of‑living pressures, deregulate markets, and pursue pragmatic diplomacy, strengthening U.S. ties engaging North Korea and China
Asia South Korea Over 8.300 South Korean medical students will repeat a year due to a prolonged class boycott against increased enrollment quotas; despite government offers to reverse the policy if they returned by March, most persisted; 46 students were expelled
Europe United Kingdom International state owned investors, including sovereign funds, public pension or social security schemes, will be able to take up to a 15% stake in UK newspapers and news magazines under new laws that would guarantee media plurality and vital funding
Europe Austria Thousands of people took part in the solemn ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp, an event that has been held annually since 1946 on the initiative of the survivors and their associations
America Guyana President Ali from Guyana condemned once again Venezuela's plan to hold elections for a governor in the disputed Essequibo region, defying binding ICJ orders and escalating tensions
Europe Portugal A rail strike in defense of salary increases and collective bargaining is expected to end today after having affected up to 70% of trains in key hours for commuters' transport for several days
Asia Japan Japan came 14th among 36 developed countries in new child well-being survey, up from 20th in the previous survey released in 2020; the UNICEF Innocenti report comprehensively evaluates children's mental well-being, physical health and skills
Asia Saudi Arabia The Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo will return for its seventh edition from 20 to 22 May at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, bringing together the world's top entertainment and amusement brands
Oceania Vanuatu The Vanuatu Chess Federation is celebrating a 40% rise in its memberships, increasing from 100 to over 140 active participants; weeks ago it was officially recognized by the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee
America Nicaragua Four contracts have been signed with China in telecommunications, defense, and transport to boost digital connectivity, logistics, and military capacity, deepening bilateral ties during the China-CELAC ministerial meeting in Beijing
Asia Myanmar A military airstrike hit a school in Ohe Htein Twin village, Sagaing Region, killing at least 22 people, including 20 students and two teachers, during morning classes
America Panama Protests against economic elites and US military presence are increasing in Panama with demonstrators invoking anti-imperialist slogans, as backlash intensifies over Trump-backed troop deployments and perceived threats to national sovereignty
Africa Ethiopia The Ethiopia Peace Observatory reported that in the days 26 April and 9 May there has been a 71% decrease in fatalities due to political violence compared to the previous two weeks, with 82 reported casualties and -37% political violence events (37)
Asia Philippines The Kanlaon volcano erupted on May 13, spewing a 4,5 km-high ash plume and affecting nearby villages; Authorities raised alert level 3, enforced a 6 km radius evacuation zone, and warned of possible further eruptions though no casualties were reported