New Ukrainian President vows to take back Crimea; EU extends sanctions on Syrian government

Ukraine's newly elected President Vladimir Zelensky expressed confidence that Ukraine will take back Crimea. "I believe that we will liberate the homeland of the Crimean Tatars from occupation. No matter how long the road back to Crimea may be, we will overcome it together with the kyrymly (Crimean Tatars). We will do it. Do not forget that even the longest night ends with dawn," Zelensky wrote on Facebook.

During the Great Patriotic War, representatives of 20 nationalities, including Greeks, Armenians, Germans, and Bulgarians, were deported from Crimea on suspicion or charges of treason. The Crimean Tatars suffered the most, with more than 183,000 people having to leave the peninsula. Their deportation began on May 18, 1944. Following a referendum in March 2014, Crimea became part of the Russian Federation, and in April of that year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on rehabilitation measures for the Tatars and other nationalities of Crimea.

US warns airlines when flying over the Gulf

US aircraft on mission in the Gulf. Photo: RFL

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just warned airlines to be cautious when flying over the Gulf region due to "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the region."

The warning comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, including in the airspace over the Gulf of Oman. The FAA issued a warning on May 16 stating that escalating tensions in the region increase the risk of US civil aviation operations facing incidents that are considered inadvertent, such as "misdirection" or "miscalculation". The FAA also warned that flights in the area may experience "unintentional GPS location disruptions" and "communications jamming" with little or no warning.

EU extends sanctions on Syrian government for another year

The European Union (EU) has just decided to extend sanctions against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for another year.

The reason for this decision is the "continued repression against the Syrian civilian population". Thus, the sanctions list imposed by the European Union on Syria includes 270 individuals and 70 organizations subject to travel bans, as well as asset freezes, lasting until June 1, 2020. In addition, the European Union also imposed an oil embargo on Syria, and banned equipment and technology that could be used to serve the purpose of internal repression.

Bombing in Afghanistan kills nearly 20 people

At least four civilians were killed and 14 others injured in a bomb attack in Obe district of Herat province, western Afghanistan, on May 18. The attack occurred near the Obe district administrative office after a motorcycle bomb exploded as a vehicle carrying the district chief passed by. The injured were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment, some of them seriously.

The powerful explosion destroyed a civilian vehicle and the vehicle carrying the district chief, injuring him and several others in the car. No individual or organization has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing. Local authorities suspect Taliban militants are the main culprits behind the incident.

Austrian Vice Chancellor resigns after spycam video scandal