One million people fled Ukraine (WaPo) during the war’s first seven days in what could become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century, the UN refugee agency said. Russian forces took control of Kherson (FT), a major city in Ukraine’s south, and have stepped up bombardment of Kyiv, the capital, and the southeastern port city of Mariupol.
 
Mariupol’s mayor said the city is experiencing “a humanitarian catastrophe,” including heavy shelling and cutoffs of heat, electricity, and water. Yesterday, 141 of the 193 member countries of the UN General Assembly backed a resolution (DW, AFP) demanding that Russia cease its use of force in Ukraine. Only five members, including Russia, voted against it. A second round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian envoys is set to be held today (Al Jazeera).

Opposition party candidate Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to withdraw from the upcoming election (Reuters) and endorse centrist Ahn Cheol-soo, who was polling in third place. Yoon had been neck and neck in polls with Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. 
 
CFR’s Scott A. Snyder lays out what to know about South Korea’s presidential election.
 
Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order committing the country to develop a nuclear power program (Philippine Star) to diversify its energy sources away from coal.

The leaders of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, which form the so-called Quad, will meet virtually today (Hindustan Times). Yesterday, the United States called on India to distance itself from Russia over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
 
For Foreign Affairs, CFR’s Manjari Chatterjee Miller argues that India should rethink its Russia policy.
 
Bangladesh: A Bangladeshi engineer died when a rocket attack hit a Bangladeshi ship (Dhaka Tribune) stranded at a port in Ukraine.

The incoming foreign and culture ministers were abducted (Bloomberg) while traveling to their swearing-in. Incoming Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha said the ceremony will go on. Incumbent Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has refused to cede power (Al Jazeera).
 
Iran: The director of the UN nuclear watchdog will travel to Tehran (Reuters) on Saturday amid final negotiations about a potential return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

At the meeting of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, member states agreed to start talks (BBC) on drawing up a treaty on the production, use, and disposal of plastics.
 
Nigeria: Protesters outside the country’s parliament denounced the rejection (Al Jazeera) of five bills that would have expanded women’s rights. The bills would have introduced gender quotas in the legislature and in leadership of political parties, among other changes.

The European Union (EU) is “imminently” expecting membership applications (WaPo) from the two countries, a senior official said. While some European Parliament members expressed interest in admitting Ukraine, which also submitted an application this week, leaders have signaled that there are disagreements within the bloc.

The draft deal set to be introduced in Congress (MercoPress) would restructure Argentina’s more than $40 billion owed to the International Monetary Fund.
 
This Backgrounder looks at Argentina’s economic struggles.
 
Honduras: To fight corruption, the legislature repealed a law (AFP) that classified public documents allegedly related to national security. It had been used in the past to hide improper use of public funds.

It will target individuals (NYT) who have aided Russian President Vladimir Putin in the invasion of Ukraine and who seek to avoid newly announced sanctions.