Tuesday morning news - May 17, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Turkey objects to Finland, Sweden joining NATO » Sweden has decided to join neighboring Finland in seeking to join the Western NATO alliance, though there’s now reason to doubt whether they will be allowed to join.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Monday the Swedish Parliament debated the issue.

ANDERSSON: After the debate, the government of Sweden formally decided to apply for NATO membership.

But there’s a problem. Russia isn’t the only country that doesn’t want Finland or Sweden to join NATO. Turkey says it also objects.

That’s important because Turkey is a part of NATO. And to admit a new member into the alliance, existing members have to unanimously agree.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the countries of failing to take a “clear” stance against Kurdish militants and other groups that his country considers to be terrorists and of imposing military sanctions on Turkey.

But all other members are on board, including the United States . Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell assured Finnish leaders of that during a visit to Finland on Monday.

MCCONNELL: I’m safe in saying there is strong bipartisan support in the United States for admission of Finland to the world’s most successful military alliance.

The same goes for Sweden.

But with possible delays caused by Turkey’s objection, Magdalena Andersson warned Sweden would be in a “vulnerable position” during the application period. She said Russia could launch “disinfaiormation” campaigns within Sweden and attempt to—quote—“intimidate and divide us.”

McDonald’s selling Russian restaurants » Meantime in Russia, a sad sign of the times. McDonald’s is selling its restaurants in the country. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: Thirty-two years ago, the arrival of McDonald’s in Russia ushered in a new era in the former Soviet Union. It was a symbol of freedom and Western capitalism.

AUDIO: Today we are opening the first McDonald’s in Moscow (cheers)

When the first location opened in Moscow, customers formed lines as long as four football fields … as police stood by to prevent a riot.

The company now has 850 restaurants in the country, employing more than 60,000 people.

But with no end in sight to Russia’s violent invasion of Ukraine, McDonald’s is pulling out.

The company said “we have a commitment to our global community and must remain steadfast in our values.”

McDonald’s says it plans to start removing its golden arches and other symbols and is working to sell all of its Russian restaurants.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Gas prices again crest record highs » Gas prices have hit another record high. The national average for regular unleaded is $4.48 per gallon. Prices are also hitting truckers hard. The average for diesel is $5.56 per gallon, which further fuels inflation on anything trucked around the country.

President Biden told reporters …

BIDEN: They’re high for two reasons: One was COVID, and now, the second big reason is Vladimir Putin.

Republicans point to Biden policies like shutting down the Keystone XL pipeline and a move last week when his administration canceled a 1-million acre oil lease in Alaska. The Department of the Interior said that was due to a “lack of interest in leasing in the area.”

The department said it also would not move forward with two oil lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico.

Five states hold primary elections » Voters in five states will decide more than a dozen different primary races today. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has that story.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: They’ll head to the polls in Idaho, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Oregon.

Pennsylvania voters will pick candidates for governor and U.S. Senate.

The GOP Senate primary race is a tight one. Trump endorsed celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz for the open seat, but polls indicate he’s locked in a three-way tie with former hedge fund CEO David McCormick and political commentator Kathy Barnette.

The Democratic frontrunner in the Pennsylvania Senate primary, John Fetterman, suffered a stroke over the weekend. But he is doing well and plans to rejoin the campaign trail soon.

In Idaho, Republican Gov. Brad Little is running against his Trump-endorsed lieutenant governor who banned mask mandates last year when Little was out of the state on business.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Authorities: Gunman in Calif. church attack motivated by hate for Taiwanese people » Police say the gunman who opened fire inside a Southern California church on Sunday was a Chinese immigrant motivated by hate for Taiwanese people.

The shooter killed one person and wounded five others during a lunch held by Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods.

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes told reporters:

BARNES: Based on preliminary information in the investigation, it is believed the suspect involved was upset about political tensions between China and Taiwan.

The suspect was identified as 68-year-old David Chou of Las Vegas. He is is behind bars on murder and attempted murder charges. He is expected to appear in court today.

Federal authorities are also investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Police seized multiple weapons and ammunition at the scene along with Molotov cocktail-like devices

I'm Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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