Russia Declares Martial Law in Illegally Annexed Ukrainian Territories
Moscow declared martial law (WaPo) yesterday in four Ukrainian territories it recently annexed, giving Russia-installed authorities new powers to restrict freedom of movement and impose curfews. It also announced movement restrictions (CNN) in eight Russian regions bordering Ukraine. Moscow last declared martial law during World War II.
It is unclear how well Moscow will be able to enforce the measures in the annexed regions, as it does not completely control all of them. Ukrainian forces have advanced (AFP) in the annexed region of Kherson in recent days. Separately, Ukraine warned citizens across the country to expect rolling blackouts (NYT) of up to four hours today due to Russian attacks on its infrastructure.
Analysis
“If the past months are any guide, [Moscow’s new announcements] are part of a slow-motion tightening of control over Russian society that began with the crushing of independent media and continued with the introduction of partial mobilization,” CNN’s Nathan Hodge and Uliana Pavlova write.
“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin obviously is laying the groundwork—giving a legal basis—to governors and to his own representatives for putting the economy on a war footing, for further conscription, for moving deportees, and also for blocking any protests,” CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich tells CBS News.
Europe
Truss Announces Resignation as UK Prime Minister
Following pressure from fellow Conservative Party lawmakers, Liz Truss said she will step down (FT) as prime minister of the United Kingdom (UK) after just forty-four days in office. Her tax and spending proposals caused an economic meltdown.
Pacific Rim
Japan Considers Currency Intervention as Yen Hits Thirty-Two-Year Low Against U.S. Dollar
Japan’s finance minister said the government will take “appropriate steps” (Kyodo) against excess market volatility. Japan has maintained low interest rates as the United States and other countries have raised their own.
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary-General António Guterres jointly launched (AP) a program encouraging people to make environmentally friendly lifestyle choices, such as switching off car engines at traffic lights and turning off water taps while not in use.
Middle East and North Africa
Lebanese Health Official Warns Cholera Is ‘Spreading Rapidly’
A cholera outbreak that spread from neighboring Syria has killed five people in Lebanon (AFP). The World Health Organization is temporarily recommending (Axios) a one-dose vaccine regimen instead of a two-dose one while outbreaks in twenty-nine countries strain global vaccine supplies.
Syria/Palestinian territories: Hamas, the militant organization that governs the Gaza Strip, has sent a senior official to Syria (Axios) for the first time since 2012 as it looks to mend ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Chad Declares State of Emergency Over Flooding
Flooding has caused tens of thousands of people to flee (Anadolu) their homes, President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno said.
Madagascar: President Andry Rajoelina dismissed Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato for voting at the United Nations to condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, Reuters reported. Prior to the vote, the government had not taken a stance on the war.
Americas
Mexican Activists File Hague Complaint Against Officials Over Disappearances
The activists alleged (AP) that Mexican authorities participated in the disappearances of hundreds of people in the coastal state of Veracruz between 2010 and 2016.
Peru: The Organization of American States is set to consider (Reuters) Peru’s political situation today after President Pedro Castillo Terrones said legislators’ repeated attempts to oust him are preventing his “legitimate exercise of power.”
Court Rules That Financial Watchdog’s Funding Structure Is Unconstitutional
In a case brought by a payday lending group, a federal appeals court ruled (NPR) that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. The decision could force the agency to seek annual funding from Congress instead of the Federal Reserve.
