Reuters World News Summary

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

U.S. vs Europe: Tense contest to run UN migration agency opens

European countries and the United States are running rival candidates to head the U.N. migration agency in an unusually tense contest between allies that opens in Geneva on Monday. More than 100 million people are forcibly displaced around the world and the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) seeks to ensure humane and orderly migration, intervening in emergencies to help the vulnerable.

Exclusive-G7 leaders to target Russian energy, trade in new sanctions steps -sources

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations plan to tighten sanctions on Russia at their summit in Japan this week, with steps aimed at energy and exports aiding Moscow's war effort, said officials with direct knowledge of the discussions.

New measures announced by the leaders during the May 19-21 meetings will target sanctions evasion involving third countries, and seek to undermine Russia's future energy production and curb trade that supports Russia's military, the people said.

'Sensational!' - Revelry follows Thai opposition Move Forward's lead in elections

Law consultant Paramait Vithayaruksun arrived to join celebrations at the headquarters of Thailand's Move Forward party late on Sunday, after a rolling vote count showed the opposition group taking the lead in what many are calling a historic election. "I didn't imagine this day would come," said the 29-year-old, who joined the party two years ago and is slated to represent a Bangkok district in parliament.

Khartoum under bombardment as Sudan's rivals talk

Shelling and air strikes pounded parts of Sudan's capital on Sunday with little sign that warring military factions were ready to back down in a month-long conflict that has killed hundreds despite ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia. Khartoum and the adjoining cities of Bahri and Omdurman across the Nile's two branches have been the main theatre of conflict along with western Darfur province since the army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary started fighting on April 15.

Migrant crossings drop at U.S.-Mexico border after Title 42 expiry

Migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border have unexpectedly fallen, not risen, since Title 42 curbs expired and reinstating criminal penalties for illegal entry is likely the biggest reason, the Biden administration said on Sunday. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said border patrol agents have seen a 50% drop in the number of migrants crossing the border since Thursday, when President Joe Biden's administration shifted to a sweeping new asylum regulation meant to deter illegal crossings.

Turkey faces runoff election as Erdogan survives first test

Turkey appeared headed for a runoff presidential election after neither Tayyip Erdogan nor rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu cleared the threshold to win outright on Sunday, though Erdogan performed better than expected in his battle to extend his 20-year rule. With more than 96% of ballot boxes counted, Erdogan led with 49.44% of votes and Kilicdaroglu had 44.86%, according to state-owned news agency Anadolu.

Thailand opposition crushes military parties in election rout

Thailand's opposition secured a stunning election win on Sunday after trouncing parties allied with the military, setting the stage for a flurry of deal-making over forming a government in a bid to end nearly a decade of conservative, army-backed rule. The liberal Move Forward party and the populist Pheu Thai Party were far out in front with 99% of votes counted, but it was far from certain either will form the next government, with parliamentary rules written by the military after its 2014 coup skewed in its favour.

Russia says European armed forces treaty contrary to its security interests

The European armed forces treaty from which Moscow is to withdraw is contrary to Russia's security interests, Russia's envoy in charge of the withdrawal said in remarks published early on Monday. Russia's parliament is to decide on Monday when to formally denounce the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), following President Vladimir Putin's decree on May 10.

Zelenskiy in Berlin: we can make Russia's defeat 'irreversible'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday Kyiv and its allies could make a Russian defeat "irreversible" as early as this year as he secured a bumper new military package on a trip to Germany. The visit formed part of a whirlwind weekend tour of several key European allies to drum up military and financial support ahead of an expected major Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russian forces.

Zelenskiy collects Charlemagne Prize on behalf of Ukrainian people

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy collected the prestigious Charlemagne Prize on behalf of the Ukrainian people on Sunday in honour of services to Europe, capping a visit to Germany in which he secured new military aid and warm support from Berlin. Zelenskiy flew to the western city of Aachen with Chancellor Olaf Scholz following talks in the German capital. He received a standing ovation at a ceremony in the Coronation room of Aachen town hall, where he was awarded the prize, which celebrates services to European unification.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)