World roundup: May 1 2023

Stories from China, Sudan, France, and elsewhere

Happy May Day!

TODAY IN HISTORY

May 1, 1707: The Acts of Union, separately passed by the English and Scottish parliaments, go into effect, merging the two kingdoms into the newly christened Great Britain. The Scottish Stuart dynasty had been ruling both kingdoms (the “Glorious Revolution” notwithstanding) since James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth I as James I of England, but the crowns had been held in personal union only. The Acts of Union made it a legal union and thereby completed the Scottish takeover of England. Or at least that’s how I like to think about it.

May 1, 1977: The Taksim Square Massacre

INTERNATIONAL

In today’s global news:

• Worldometer is tracking COVID-19 cases and fatalities.

• The New York Times is tracking global vaccine distribution.

MIDDLE EAST

SYRIA

Syrian media is reporting a new round of Israeli missile strikes early Tuesday morning on Aleppo’s international airport. At least one soldier was reportedly killed and the airport’s operations have been suspended due to damage. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights the strikes also targeted a munitions facility at the airport and a nearby Syrian military airbase.