Aftermath of the January 6 United States Capitol attack, January 6 commission The U.S. House of Representatives votes 252–175 to approve a commission that will investigate the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol. The bill will head to the U.S. Senate. (Voice of America)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo receives her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (CNN Philippines)
In the United States, the Oregon counties of Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur, and Sherman all approve measures that would require county officials to take steps to promote moving the Idaho border west to incorporate their populations. These counties join Jefferson and Union counties that have already passed similar measures, while Douglas and Harney counties are voting on similar measure in upcoming elections. (The Hill via MSN) (The New York Times)
List of U.S. state partition proposals In the United States, the Oregon counties of Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur, and Sherman all approve measures that would require county officials to take steps to promote moving the Idaho border west to incorporate their populations. These counties join Jefferson and Union counties that have already passed similar measures, while Douglas and Harney counties are voting on similar measure in upcoming elections. (The Hill via MSN) (The New York Times)
Presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, Corruption in Brazil The Federal Police of Brazil reveals an investigation against Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, IBAMA president Eduardo Bim and other high-ranking officials for facilitating illegal logging in the Amazon region. Salles's fiscal and banking secrecies are lifted, and Bim is suspended from his post. (The Independent)
Spillover of the Somali Civil War Al-Shabaab militants ambush a patrol in Lamu County, Kenya, killing seven soldiers. (The Washington Post)
The Federal Police of Brazil reveals an investigation against Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, IBAMA president Eduardo Bim and other high-ranking officials for facilitating illegal logging in the Amazon region. Salles's fiscal and banking secrecies are lifted, and Bim is suspended from his post. (The Independent)
Vice President Leni Robredo receives her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (CNN Philippines)
A tabular iceberg slightly larger than the size of Mallorca, dubbed A-76, calves from the Ronne Ice Shelf in Antarctica's Weddell Sea. (CNN)
Al-Shabaab militants ambush a patrol in Lamu County, Kenya, killing seven soldiers. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus, Lineage B.1.617 Cyprus reports its first four cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (Cyprus Mail) COVID-19 pandemic in France Restaurants, bars, and cafés are reopened in France for outdoor dining for the first time in six months. Museums, theatres, and other cultural venues are also reopened as the curfew is changed to 9:00 p.m. as part of an easing of restrictions. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Restaurants, bars, and cafés are reopened in France for outdoor dining for the first time in six months. Museums, theatres, and other cultural venues are also reopened as the curfew is changed to 9:00 p.m. as part of an easing of restrictions. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
European migrant crisis, Morocco–Spain relations Morocco closes its border with Spain following the escalation of diplomatic tensions generated by the massive influx of migrants into Ceuta on Tuesday. (Euractiv)
International reactions to the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, China–Israel relations Israel condemns an "antisemitic" report by China's state-owned China Global Television Network that claims that "wealthy Jews dominate the finance, media and internet sectors" in the United States. The report also claims that Israel is an American puppet state. The Israeli Foreign Ministry calls on CGTN to take down the video, citing its "racist and dangerous" ideas. (France 24) (The Jerusalem Post)
Israel condemns an "antisemitic" report by China's state-owned China Global Television Network that claims that "wealthy Jews dominate the finance, media and internet sectors" in the United States. The report also claims that Israel is an American puppet state. The Israeli Foreign Ministry calls on CGTN to take down the video, citing its "racist and dangerous" ideas. (France 24) (The Jerusalem Post)
Morocco closes its border with Spain following the escalation of diplomatic tensions generated by the massive influx of migrants into Ceuta on Tuesday. (Euractiv)
Rebel forces confirm that former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia leader Jesús Santrich has been killed in a cross-border operation in Zulia, Venezuela, by the National Army of Colombia. Five others were also killed in the operation on May 17. Santrich's rebel group says that the troops also cut off his little finger before withdrawing back across the border. Santrich was wanted by the United States on charges of drug trafficking. (The Guardian)
Restaurants, bars, and cafés are reopened in France for outdoor dining for the first time in six months. Museums, theatres, and other cultural venues are also reopened as the curfew is changed to 9:00 p.m. as part of an easing of restrictions. (The Washington Post) (France 24)
Russia–United States relations, Foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration The Biden administration lifts sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project between Russia and Germany. Despite Joe Biden's personal opposition to the project, the U.S. State Department says that it concluded that it was in the "U.S. national interest" to waive the sanctions. (BBC News)
Spillover of the Colombian conflict Rebel forces confirm that former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia leader Jesús Santrich has been killed in a cross-border operation in Zulia, Venezuela, by the National Army of Colombia. Five others were also killed in the operation on May 17. Santrich's rebel group says that the troops also cut off his little finger before withdrawing back across the border. Santrich was wanted by the United States on charges of drug trafficking. (The Guardian)
The Biden administration lifts sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project between Russia and Germany. Despite Joe Biden's personal opposition to the project, the U.S. State Department says that it concluded that it was in the "U.S. national interest" to waive the sanctions. (BBC News)
The United States rejects a United Nations Security Council resolution that calls for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Gaza. (The Washington Post) (Yahoo! News)
In the aftermath of the attack, it is revealed at a Senate Armed Services cyber subcommittee hearing that the Department of Homeland Security was not alerted to the ransomware attack and that the Justice Department was not alerted to the ransom type or the amount of money demanded, prompting discussion about the numerous information silos in the government and difficulties of information-sharing between them. (USNI News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Panama Panama closes its border with Colombia due to COVID-19 concerns. The Colombian government had recently reopened the border, which had been closed since March 2020. Panama has so far recorded more than 370,000 COVID-19 cases and 6,300 deaths. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina President Alberto Fernández announces a nine-day nationwide lockdown to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, Lineage B.1.617 Brazil reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. The variant had been detected among a group of six crew members of a ship travelling from South Africa to deliver iron ore in São Luís, Maranhão. (Geo News) (Al Arabiya English)
Panama closes its border with Colombia due to COVID-19 concerns. The Colombian government had recently reopened the border, which had been closed since March 2020. Panama has so far recorded more than 370,000 COVID-19 cases and 6,300 deaths. (Reuters)
Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic U.S. President Joe Biden signs the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, a bill that would expedite anti-Asian hate crime reviews to the U.S. Justice Department. (The New York Times)
Yemeni Civil War The United States sanctions two Houthi leaders for their roles in the Marib campaign. (Al Jazeera English)
2021 Copa América, 2021 Colombian protests The CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body, announces that Colombia will no longer co-host the 2021 Copa América with Argentina as the country is currently experiencing social unrest. (Associated Press)
Brunei suspends a reciprocal green lane arrangement with Singapore until further notice following the worsening situation of the pandemic in the latter country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Brunei suspends a reciprocal green lane arrangement with Singapore until further notice following the worsening situation of the pandemic in the latter country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signs a law prohibiting schools and businesses from imposing mask mandates. She also signs a law that limits vaccine passports in the state. (Quad-City Times) (The Des Moines Register) COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The FDA announces its approval for measures allowing the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be stored at regular refrigerator temperatures for up to 30 days before administration. Previously, the agency had only allowed such storage for five days. (Time)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The FDA announces its approval for measures allowing the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be stored at regular refrigerator temperatures for up to 30 days before administration. Previously, the agency had only allowed such storage for five days. (Time)
International reactions to the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont introduces a resolution that would block an arms sale of $735 million in weapons to Israel in response to the conflict between Israel and Gaza. (CBS News)
The CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body, announces that Colombia will no longer co-host the 2021 Copa América with Argentina as the country is currently experiencing social unrest. (Associated Press)
The French Constitutional Council strikes down Article 24 of the so-called global security law, which criminalized the sharing of images that could reveal the identity of police officers. (Euronews)
The United States sanctions two Houthi leaders for their roles in the Marib campaign. (Al Jazeera English)
A decryption key for the hospital records has been provided to the Irish Health Service Executive. The government says that it had not paid and would not pay any ransom in exchange for the purported key. The group responsible for the cyberattack continues to threaten to sell patient data. (US News and World Report)
British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says that the government is considering penalizing the BBC for its 1995 interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, in which an independent inquiry conducted by former Justice of the Supreme Court John Dyson, Lord Dyson found interviewer Martin Bashir to be guilty of deceit and breaching the network's editorial conduct to obtain the interview. (The Economic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The Japanese government officially approves the use of the Moderna and Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 18 and older. It comes after the Health Ministry panel recommended the approval of both vaccines. (The New York Times) (Kyodo News) Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces the extension of the state of emergency to Okinawa from May 23 until June 20 after a record 207 new cases of COVID-19 are reported in the prefecture in the past 24 hours. (The Japan Times)
The Japanese government officially approves the use of the Moderna and Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 18 and older. It comes after the Health Ministry panel recommended the approval of both vaccines. (The New York Times) (Kyodo News)
An outage in the Sabre passenger service system used by multiple airlines causes flight issues in multiple countries. The system is used for check-ins, selling tickets, and dispatching flights. Issues are reported with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Rex Airlines, and Virgin Australia. The vendor's redundancy systems are not activated during the outage. (9News) (MSN)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba, COVID-19 vaccine Over one million people in Cuba have received a dose of the Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccines. (UrduPoint) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana, Lineage B.1.617 Louisiana reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first discovered in India. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana, Lineage B.1.617 Louisiana reports its first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first discovered in India. (AP)
Director of the Pan American Health Organization Carissa F. Etienne announces that Latin America and the Caribbean have surpassed one million deaths caused by COVID-19. (EFE)
Indonesian Islamists protest American support for Israel at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. Protesters also demand an end to Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip despite the ceasefire going into force yesterday. (AP)
International protests over the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Indonesian Islamists protest American support for Israel at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. Protesters also demand an end to Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip despite the ceasefire going into force yesterday. (AP) In Toronto, activists paint the Israeli consulate with a "river of blood" to symbolize the 200 Palestinians who were killed during the conflict. (CTV News)
Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolves parliament and calls for new elections in November. Her office says that the decision was made on the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. This is the second time in six months that the parliament has been dissolved amidst a political crisis. (DW)
April 2021 Samoan general election, 2021 Samoan constitutional crisis The Samoan head of state, Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II, issues a proclamation preventing the Legislative Assembly of Samoa from meeting on May 24 without explanation, triggering a constitutional crisis. Opposition leader Naomi Mataʻafa of FAST was expected to be elected prime minister at the upcoming session following a Supreme Court ruling upholding the results of the general election. (Samoa Observer) (RNZ)
The Samoan head of state, Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II, issues a proclamation preventing the Legislative Assembly of Samoa from meeting on May 24 without explanation, triggering a constitutional crisis. Opposition leader Naomi Mataʻafa of FAST was expected to be elected prime minister at the upcoming session following a Supreme Court ruling upholding the results of the general election. (Samoa Observer) (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, Lineage B.1.351 Thailand reports its first locally transmitted cases of the South African Lineage B.1.351 variant in three test samples from a cluster of infections that could be linked to illegal immigration in the southern portion of the country. (The Star)
Thailand reports its first locally transmitted cases of the South African Lineage B.1.351 variant in three test samples from a cluster of infections that could be linked to illegal immigration in the southern portion of the country. (The Star)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest New footage reveals that William Jennette, a truck driver, died in the Marshall County jail while gasping for breath minutes after police officers held him face down, with one taunting, "You shouldn't be able to breathe." Jennette's official post-mortem examination had ruled the death to be a homicide. (BBC News)
Australia reports that it is suffering a plague of mice across New South Wales, from the Queensland border all the way to Victoria. Mice are chewing through walls and ceilings, and are estimated to have caused $100 million in damage to crops and grain stores. Homeowners setting traps are reporting catching 500 to 600 mice per night. (9News)
Belgian officials announce that they will return the remains of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba to his family, which is just a single tooth as his body was dissolved in acid following his assassination in 1961. The handover ceremony is expected to take place on either June 21 or 22 in Brussels. (Yahoo! News)
Belgium–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Belgian officials announce that they will return the remains of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba to his family, which is just a single tooth as his body was dissolved in acid following his assassination in 1961. The handover ceremony is expected to take place on either June 21 or 22 in Brussels. (Yahoo! News)
New footage reveals that William Jennette, a truck driver, died in the Marshall County jail while gasping for breath minutes after police officers held him face down, with one taunting, "You shouldn't be able to breathe." Jennette's official post-mortem examination had ruled the death to be a homicide. (BBC News)
2021 Samoan constitutional crisis, April 2021 Samoan general election The Supreme Court of Samoa overturns a proclamation by head of state Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II which had suspended the opening of parliament on Monday. The ruling, which declared that Sualauvi had acted unlawfully, allows for the opening of parliament, as previously scheduled. (RNZ) Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi announces that he will not convene the new session of parliament on Monday, defying the new ruling by the Supreme Court. (RNZ)
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi announces that he will not convene the new session of parliament on Monday, defying the new ruling by the Supreme Court. (RNZ)
The Supreme Court of Samoa overturns a proclamation by head of state Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II which had suspended the opening of parliament on Monday. The ruling, which declared that Sualauvi had acted unlawfully, allows for the opening of parliament, as previously scheduled. (RNZ)
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Israeli police announce they have arrested over 1,550 demonstrators, most of them Palestinians, since May 9 for allegedly disrupting the peace, and that they will arrest hundreds more in the upcoming days. (Al Jazeera)
Israeli police announce they have arrested over 1,550 demonstrators, most of them Palestinians, since May 9 for allegedly disrupting the peace, and that they will arrest hundreds more in the upcoming days. (Al Jazeera)
Tribune Publishing shareholders approve a deal for the sale of nine newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, and the New York Daily News, to Alden Global Capital. Alden owns the Boston Herald, The Denver Post, and The San Jose Mercury News through its Digital First Media chain. With Tribune, Alden will be the second-largest newspaper company in the United States, after Gannett. (Fox Business)
2021 Colombian protests, Human rights in Colombia Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Lucía Ramírez denies a request by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for on-site visits to investigate growing concerns of police brutality, censorship, and government repression amidst the ongoing civil unrest. (El Espectador)
2021 Ecuadorian general election Guillermo Lasso is sworn in as the 47th president, succeeding Lenín Moreno. (The Washington Post)
The United States sanctions Ethiopian and Eritrean government and military officials for their involvement in the Tigray War. These sanctions are intended to push all parties in the war to pursue peace. (Al Jazeera)
Tigray War The United States sanctions Ethiopian and Eritrean government and military officials for their involvement in the Tigray War. These sanctions are intended to push all parties in the war to pursue peace. (Al Jazeera)
Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Lucía Ramírez denies a request by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for on-site visits to investigate growing concerns of police brutality, censorship, and government repression amidst the ongoing civil unrest. (El Espectador)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses 300,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Brazil. India recorded its last 100,000 deaths in less than a month. Experts warn that the real number of deaths could be much higher as many are not officially recorded; some models speculate that about a million people may have actually died. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware, Lineage B.1.617 Delaware reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that originated in India. (WDEL-AM) Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The U.S. State Department tells Americans not to travel to Japan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases there. (CNN)
Guillermo Lasso is sworn in as the 47th president, succeeding Lenín Moreno. (The Washington Post)
India surpasses 300,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Brazil. India recorded its last 100,000 deaths in less than a month. Experts warn that the real number of deaths could be much higher as many are not officially recorded; some models speculate that about a million people may have actually died. (BBC News)
Police raid the Delhi and Gurgaon offices of Twitter's Indian branch to search for an alleged toolkit used by the oppositional Indian National Congress to allegedly spread misinformation about the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Indian Express)
A suspicious package is sent to the home of U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). The incident is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta Malta has vaccinated 70% of its adult population with at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, thereby becoming the first country in the European Union to achieve this herd immunity-related milestone. (U.S. News & World Report)
