Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - May 19, 2022

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

Finland and Sweden officially submitted their membership bids to join the NATO military alliance.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 959 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered at the Azovstal steel plant in the besieged city of Mariupol over the past day.

At least 28,300 Russian soldiers have so far been killed during the war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced.

At least 229 children have been killed and 424 others injured so far in the war with Russia, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said.

In a tit-for-tat move over the war in Ukraine, Russia declared 34 French diplomats persona non grata, effectively ordering their expulsion.

In a retaliatory move over the Ukraine war, Russia declared 27 Spanish diplomats persona non grata.

The European Commission president announced an additional €9 billion ($9.5 billion) in macro-financial assistance for Ukraine.

A Paris court indicted the French company Lafarge for their "complicity in crimes against humanity" in Syria, local media reported.

The US is providing an additional $215 million in emergency assistance to help the international community weather a food crisis exacerbated by Russia's war on Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to address a severe baby formula shortage in the US.

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay became the first Black African to win a Grand Tour stage at the 2022 Giro d'Italia on Tuesday, one of the three prestigious Grand Tours.

German team Eintracht Frankfurt lifted the 2022 UEFA Europa League trophy after beating Scottish side Rangers. -