5 things you need to know this morning: May 9, 2022

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Putin links Ukraine invasion to Soviet victory over Hitler

Russian President Vladimir Putin has used a celebration of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany to link Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the struggle against Hitler. He told Russians they were fighting in Ukraine for the security of the "homeland."

"You are fighting for the security of Russia"

President Vladimir Putin addresses his military during Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Squarehttps://t.co/NnfTyTezia pic.twitter.com/0TuwSlxNFt

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 9, 2022

2. Bitcoin value falls back to 2021 levels

Bitcoin's value has plummeted by 50 per cent since the fall of 2021, a cryptocurrency exchange said. Coinbase said Bitcoin is now trading below US$33,000.

Bitcoin sinks below $33K to lowest price since July 2021 https://t.co/BmmV0JFzfX pic.twitter.com/SEGiSRay1n

— New York Post (@nypost) May 9, 2022

3. Musk prompts debate in Japan after warning country will 'cease to exist'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has sparked debate after warning that Japan will "cease to exist" unless more people in the country start having children. Japan's fertility rate is estimated to be about 1.4, far below the 2.1 required for a population to sustain itself.

Musk tweet on Japan doomed by low birthrate provokes anger - but not just at him https://t.co/E0xHJ4Hcxr pic.twitter.com/qJRwW7tq6P

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 9, 2022

4. Restrictions tightened in China's biggest cities

COVID-19 restrictions have been tightened in China's two largest cities. The new measures have been met with frustration in Shanghai and Beijing as residents and global analysts continue to question the Communist Party's zero-COVID policy.

Shanghai is further tightening its stringent lockdown measures after China's top leader Xi Jinping pledged to "unswervingly" double down on the country's controversial zero-Covid policy, leaving millions confined to their homes with no end in sight. https://t.co/VDevhDVh8l

— CNN (@CNN) May 9, 2022

5. Enormous New Mexico wildfire could continue to grow, officials warn

Officials have warned that a huge wildfire in New Mexico could continue to grow. They warned that the Hermits Peak Fire – already larger than the city of Chicago – could worsen due to "historic" winds and dryness.

Dangerous winds picked up again in New Mexico, threatening to spread spot fires and complicate work for firefighters. https://t.co/pMVc596rrN

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 9, 2022