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Hard Numbers: German arms for Ukraine, Serbia rejects ‘thoughts and prayers,' deadly storm hits Myanmar and Bangladesh, Sweden sweeps Eurovision

May 14, 2023
Gabrielle Debinski
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Chancellery in Berlin.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Chancellery in Berlin.
Reuters

2.7 billion: Ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to Berlin on Sunday, Germany announced an additional €2.7 billion in military aid ($2.95 billion) for Ukraine, including an additional 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks. Germany was criticized for being slow to arm Ukraine but has since emerged as one of the largest provider of military aid to Kyiv.

9,000: More than 9,000 firearms, both legal and illegal, have been handed in to Serbian authorities in recent weeks as part of an amnesty program after two recent mass shootings in the country – including one at a school – killed 17 people, injuring dozens more. President Aleksandar Vucic said that many weapons had been handed in voluntarily though some had been seized by authorities.

400,000: At least 400,000 people were evacuated from Myanmar and Bangladesh as authorities prepared for one of the strongest storms in years. Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state, home to the Rohingya, a Muslim minority long persecuted by the state, was particularly hard hit, though refugees in Cox’s Bazar in southeast Bangladesh were spared the worst of the cyclone.

*2: On Saturday, Swedish artist Loreen won the Eurovision competition with her intense track “Tattoo,” marking Sweden’s second Eurovision win to date. Finland and Israel came in second and third, respectively. Sweden’s victory means that it will host next year’s competition, which will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Abba’s Eurovision triumph with the hit song "Waterloo."

*Correction: Finland secured second at this year's Eurovision with "Cha Cha Cha." Our morning newsletter incorrectly stated that second place went to Ireland.

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