Good morning. It’s Thursday 19 May and here is a summary of the latest news.
The martial law in Ukraine will continue
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly plans to extend both martial law and military service in Ukraine for another three months, until at least August 23, the night before Ukrainian Independence Day.
Martial law was not introduced until February 24, just hours after Russian tanks first rolled across its borders, and it has since been extended twice by 30 days.
Experts believe that the planned period of time as martial law will be introduced as a good indicator of how long the government expects the fighting to last.
More than a day after Ukraine announced that it had ordered its garrison in the end result of Europe’s bloodiest battle in decades is still unresolved
Finland and Sweden are officially applying to join NATO
Finland and Sweden have officially applied to join NATO, the world’s largest military alliance.
The move has been driven by security concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine, where Finland shares a border with Russia.
It is also seen by some as a symbolic end to hundreds of years of neutrality from Sweden.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the applications are a historic step.
Scott Morrison clarifies China’s relationship
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there is a difference between Australia’s relationship with the Chinese government and that of Chinese Australians, as Australia’s position with China continues to deteriorate following the signing of its security agreement with the Solomon Islands.
Mr Morrison has told SBS about where he sees the future relations with China going and what needs to be done to ensure an improvement in relations.
The Prime Minister says that he thinks that the relations between people between Australia and China are very strong.
“There is a great desire and interest for Chinese people to be able to come to Australia, have a holiday, study here, have good contacts, whether it is cultural connections, and of course ensure business relations and trade,” he said.
“And this is what we want to see happen in the future. But at the same time, Australia will always stand up for the freedoms and the freedoms and the things that are very important to us, and we can not have a situation where any other government from anything another country, including the Chinese government, would try to force Australia. “
Officials discuss journalist shooting
Palestinian officials have met with a delegation from the Netherlands to discuss the killing of an Al Jazeera journalist at the center of the talks.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki received his Dutch counterpart, Wopke Hoekstra, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where they spoke about Dutch support for a two-state solution and the investigation into
Veteran journalist Shireen Abu Aqla. Credit: Al Jazeera
The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank and cooperates with Israel on security issues, has condemned what it said was a “shocking crime” committed by Israeli forces.
Mr Hoekstra says that an independent investigation is necessary.
Team debates about voluntary assisted dying continue
The debate on laws on voluntary assisted dying will resume in the New South Wales Parliament, following a marathon session in the Upper House.
The debate on the bill was adjourned at midnight last night in the Legislative Council, reportedly after an eight-hour marathon meeting to consider changes.
Legislative Council member Penny Sharpe says there is one last set of amendments to vote on this morning before a third and final vote on the legislation.
The bill will then return to the Legislative Assembly for final approval.
Workers killed in India’s factory
At least 12 workers have been killed after a wall collapsed in a salt packaging factory in India.
Another thirteen workers were injured in the incident, which occurred in the western state of Gujarat.
Their injuries are not said to be life-threatening.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says his thoughts go to the grieving families.