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• Government adopts report on NATO membership Finnish Government 15 May 2022 -- Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a fundamental change has taken place in the security and operating environment of Finland and Europe. On Sunday 15 May, the Government adopted the Report on Finland's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Report on Finland's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Finnish Government 15 May 2022 -- On Sunday 15 May, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy finalised a report on Finland's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The report will be submitted to Parliament once it has been endorsed in the government plenary session.
• Finland Formally Announces NATO Membership Bid VOA 15 May 2022 -- Finland formally announced Sunday that it intends to apply for membership into the Western NATO military alliance, ignoring Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that the move would "negatively affect" peaceful relations between the neighboring countries.
• Blinken Meets with NATO Allies in Berlin on Ukraine Support VOA 15 May 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Sunday with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Berlin, where the two men discussed plans to work together to ensure Ukrainian food exports reach consumers in Africa and Asia.
• Finland, Sweden Move Closer To Joining NATO Amid Russian Aggression RFE/RL 15 May 2022 -- Finland and Sweden have moved closer to joining NATO, ending decades of neutrality, amid growing concern at home over Russia's military aggression.
• NATO Foreign Ministers discuss Sweden, Finland membership application, reaffirm Ukraine support NATO 15 May 2022 -- NATO Foreign Ministers met in Berlin on Sunday (15 May 2022) to discuss the possible membership application of Finland and Sweden as well as to reaffirm NATO's support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia's brutal invasion.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General underlines Alliance support for Ukraine at Informal Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Berlin NATO 15 May 2022 -- Today (15 May 2022), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană set out the priorities of a two-day Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers in Berlin.
• NATO pledges open-ended aid to Ukraine as Russia warns of risks to global security Press TV 15 May 2022 -- NATO has pledged open-ended military support for Ukraine, as Finland and Sweden formally announced their bid to join the military alliance and Russia warned the "militarization" of Ukraine will threaten global security.
• Doubling down on threat to Russia, Blinken seeks Finland, Sweden entry into NATO Press TV 15 May 2022 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he is "very confident" that NATO would reach a consensus on admitting Sweden and Finland to the alliance, despite Turkey's concerns and Russia's warnings against the pair's entry into the US-led military alliance.
• Finland Officially Decides to Apply for NATO Membership Sputnik 15 May 2022 -- Previously, the country's president and prime minister backed the idea to join the military bloc, noting, at the same time, that there is no military threat to Finland from Russia.
• The Social Democrats want Sweden to apply for membership in NATO Socialdemokraterna 15 May 2022 -- On Sunday, May 15, the Social Democrats' party board made a decision on the party's security policy line. The party will work for Sweden to apply for membership in NATO.
• Sweden Follows Finland in Announcing NATO Membership Bid Sputnik 15 May 2022 -- Stockholm's decision comes hours after Finland officially announced its intention to join NATO on Sunday.
• Stockholm Has Yet to Convince Turkey to Change Its Stance on Sweden's NATO Bid, PM Says Sputnik 15 May 2022 -- Sweden, who is expected to submit its application to NATO in the coming days, has stayed outside the military alliance since its foundation in 1949 to oppose the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
• Turkey Not 'Closing Door' for Finland, Sweden in NATO But Wants Nations to Stop Backing Opposition Sputnik 15 May 2022 -- Sweden and Finland have stayed outside NATO since its founding in 1949 to oppose the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Both countries are expected to provide their applications to the bloc in the coming days and be accepted with "minimum delay."
• Finland, Sweden joining NATO are likely to have far-reaching implications People's Daily 15 May 2022 -- The likely ascension of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been sparked by fears in those countries of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. But analysts said the development could have consequences that go beyond the current crisis.
• Finland's ruling Social Democratic Party backs NATO application People's Daily 15 May 2022 -- The Party Council of the leading Finnish Social Democratic Party on Saturday endorsed the plan for making Finland a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• In phone call with Finland's Niinisto, Putin says applying for NATO membership a "mistake" People's Daily 15 May 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, held a phone conversation on Saturday and discussed Helsinki's intention to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call with Ukraine's Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov DoD 15 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 15 May 2022
• China's 2nd large destroyer passes comprehensive test, 'fully ready for far sea missions' Global Times 15 May 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's second Type 055 large destroyer, the Lhasa, recently passed a full-course training assessment that comprehensively tested the vessel's air defense, maritime attack and anti-submarine capabilities in mock battles, with experts saying on Sunday that the warship with more than 10,000 tons of displacement is 100 percent ready for far sea missions beyond the first island chain.
• Frigates conduct maritime combat drill PLA Daily 15 May 2022 -- In early May, frigates Enshi (Hull 627) and Wuzhou (Hull 626) assigned to a frigate flotilla of the navy under the PLA Southern Theatre Command conducted a high-intensity multi-subject combat training exercise at a sea area to verify the troops' operational commanding and coordinating abilities in realistic battalefield scenario.
• Tabletop wargames to be launched Monday: Taiwan military CNA 15 May 2022 -- Taiwan's annual major military exercises this year begin Monday with a five-day tabletop wargames phase to simulate the military's defense tactics against possible Chinese invasion scenarios, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with German, UK, and French Counterparts US Dept. of State 15 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French Foreign Minister Le Drian US Dept. of State 15 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno US Dept. of State 15 May 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 15 May 2022

Defense Industry

• First C919 jet to be delivered completes successful maiden test flight People's Daily 15 May 2022 -- The first C919 large passenger aircraft to be delivered completed a successful maiden test flight on Saturday, according to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• Syrian air defenses destroyed 16 of 22 Israeli missiles fired in latest raid on Hama, Russian military says Press TV 15 May 2022 -- The Russian military says Syrian air defense units intercepted most of the missiles fired during a recent Israeli raid on the Arab country's western-central province of Hama, and shot down more than a dozen projectiles during the attack that had been fired over the Mediterranean.
• Suicide Attack In Pakistan Kills At Least Six People, Including Children RFE/RL Gandhara 15 May 2022 -- Pakistani authorities say at least six people have been killed in a suicide attack on a military vehicle in the country's restive northwestern region bordering Afghanistan.
• Bomb kills 6 people, 3 kids included, in northwestern Pakistan Press TV 15 May 2022 -- Three soldiers and three children have been killed in a bombing near a military vehicle in Pakistan's northwestern region.
• Suicide Blast, Gunmen Kill 8 People in Pakistan VOA 15 May 2022 -- Pakistani officials said Sunday militant attacks in the country's northwest had killed at least eight people, including security force members, children and members of the minority Sikh group.

News Reports

• McConnell urges Biden to label Russia state sponsor of terrorism Press TV 15 May 2022 -- US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called on President Joe Biden to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, as Washington ups the ante in its war against Moscow.
• More Russian Military Enlistment Buildings Targeted In Possible Sign Of War Protest RFE/RL 15 May 2022 -- Unidentified individuals have attempted to set fire to military enlistment offices in two locations in Russia in a possible sign of protest against the war in Ukraine.
• Xi Jinping Sends Message of Congratulation to UAE's New President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan PRC MofA 15 May 2022 -- On May 14, 2022, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to New President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his inauguration of UAE President.
• China moves to cut mortgage rates by 20 basis points to accelerate home sales Global Times 15 May 2022 -- China's central bank, and the banking and insurance sector regulator, moved on Sunday to cut mortgage rates for the first homes to be purchased by Chinese residents by 20 basis points of the benchmark LPR (loan prime rate), in an attempt to accelerate urban housing sales.
• Taiwan thanks G7 for second straight year of support CNA 15 May 2022 -- Taiwan's government on Sunday expressed its gratitude to the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations over the latter's communique that stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and offered support for Taiwan's meaningful participation at the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA).
• Great Attention Paid to Securing Irrigation Water in North Hamgyong Province KCNA 15 May 2022 -- Farms in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK have prepared for thoroughly preventing the damage from drought by directing efforts to laying the foundations for securing irrigation water while revving up the atmosphere of epidemic prevention among the people as required by the maximum emergency epidemic prevention system.
• Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Bier of Yang Hyong Sop KCNA 15 May 2022 -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the bier of winner of Kim Il Sung Order and Kim Jong Il Order Yang Hyong Sop, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, on Saturday to express deep condolences over his death.
• Yang Hyong Sop Passes Away KCNA 15 May 2022 -- An obituary of winner of Kim Il Sung Order and Kim Jong Il Order Yang Hyong Sop, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, was issued by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Saturday. He died of brain infarction at 22:40 on May 13, Juche 111 (2022) at the age of 96.
• Iran to invest $2.8b for oil, gas development studies IRNA 15 May 2022 -- Four Iranian entities are going to sign memoranda of understanding worth 2.8 billion dollars for development studies of oil and gas fields.
• Iran's natural gas output to increase by 45 mcm in year to March Press TV 15 May 2022 -- The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) will add around 45 million cubic meters (mcm) per day to the country's natural gas output in the year to March 2023, says the CEO of the state-run company as he indicates that Iran's gas supply to Iraq and Turkey may increase in the future. .
• Iran serious in talks but distrusting enemy: Deputy FM IRNA 15 May 2022 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran is serious in talks on removal of the sanctions and in implementation of international commitments; meanwhile, the country is determined to distrust the enemy and be independent from foreigners in order to keep safe from the sanctions, Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs Ali Bagheri Kani said here on Sunday.
• Top negotiator in Vienna talks: Sanctioned countries seek Iran's 'sanctions nullifying knowledge' Press TV 15 May 2022 -- Iran's lead negotiator in the ongoing Vienna negotiations on the revival of the 2015 Iran deal says other countries targeted by sanctions are on the lookout for Iran's "sanctions nullifying knowledge."
• Pakistan vows to bring criminals to justice at memorial service for Chinese teachers killed in terrorist attack Global Times 15 May 2022 -- Pakistan's foreign minister strongly condemned the outrageous terrorist act of killing three Chinese teachers in Karachi and vowed to bring the criminals to justice at a memorial service held by Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Saturday.
• PM urges parties to restore power-sharing institutions on visit to Northern Ireland Gov.UK 15 May 2022 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges parties to restore power-sharing institutions on visit to Northern Ireland.
• China-built expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, starts trial operation Global Times 15 May 2022 -- An expressway built by a Chinese enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, started trial operation on Saturday, the Xinhua News Agency reported, showcasing closer cooperation between China and Kenya under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Somali Parliament Reelects Former President to Top Job VOA 15 May 2022 -- Somalia's parliament has reelected former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following marathon voting in Mogadishu on Sunday.
• Somali politicians choose new president, unruffled by explosions Press TV 15 May 2022 -- Somali politicians have voted for a new president despite explosions near a heavily fortified airport hangar, as the country battles ongoing threats of violence and goes through its worst drought in decades.
• Tunisians call for democratic return after Saied's seizure of electoral commission Press TV 15 May 2022 -- Thousands of Tunisians have taken to the streets of the capital Tunis to voice opposition to President Kais Saied's decree to replace members of the independent electoral commission with people he named himself, and to reiterate their demand for a return to the normal democratic rule.
• Polls close, vote counting starts in Lebanon's key parliamentary elections amid economic crisis Press TV 15 May 2022 -- Polls have closed and vote counting started in Lebanon's parliamentary elections, which many hope could set the stage for a recovery from economic woes fueled by US-led sanctions on the country.
• UN Humanitarian Chief calls for urgent action to save lives and communities amidst the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in four decades UNOCHA 15 May 2022 -- The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, concluded a two-day visit to Kenya on 13 Maywhere he saw first-hand the devastating impact of a fourth consecutive failed rainy season in the Horn of Africa.
• Persistent Drought in Ethiopia Result of Climate Change, Experts Say VOA 15 May 2022 -- Drought is not new to the Horn of Africa, but experts say the record one killing crops and cattle across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia has underscored the increasing frequency of drought due to climate change.