Governor Phil Murphy announces the New Jersey primary will primarily be conducted via vote-by-mail. (CBS News)
Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya offensive The Government of National Accord reports that seven civilians are killed, including a child, after Khalifa Haftar's forces fire heavy artillery on a shelter in Tripoli. (Al Jazeera)
2019–20 Western Libya offensive The Government of National Accord reports that seven civilians are killed, including a child, after Khalifa Haftar's forces fire heavy artillery on a shelter in Tripoli. (Al Jazeera)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah sign a power-sharing deal to end a months long political turmoil that hampered the peace process. (Reuters)
Israel's new unity government is sworn in, after 18 months of rule by a caretaker government. (The Jerusalem Post)
The Government of National Accord reports that seven civilians are killed, including a child, after Khalifa Haftar's forces fire heavy artillery on a shelter in Tripoli. (Al Jazeera)
Thirty-fifth government of Israel Israel's new unity government is sworn in, after 18 months of rule by a caretaker government. (The Jerusalem Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda Ugandan police arrest Stella Nyanzi, a prominent academic and vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, for inciting violence as she protested against lockdown measures taken by the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
Ugandan police arrest Stella Nyanzi, a prominent academic and vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, for inciting violence as she protested against lockdown measures taken by the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
2019–20 Chilean protests; COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Protests against the government resume in Santiago due to food shortages in the poorest neighborhoods of the city created by the lockdown to control the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
Protests against the government resume in Santiago due to food shortages in the poorest neighborhoods of the city created by the lockdown to control the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Sudan Vice President of South Sudan Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny (who acts as defense minister) test positive for COVID-19 and self-isolate. (Reuters)
The Parliament of Lesotho accepts the resignation of Tom Thabane. Finance minister Moeketsi Majoro replaces him as interim Prime Minister. (Reuters)
2020 Burundian general election Citizens of Burundi head to the polls to elect their president and the members of the National Assembly. Following a campaign marred by violence, the election takes place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and a social media blackout. Regional and international election observers have been blocked from monitoring the election, raising doubts about its fairness. (DW)
Citizens of Burundi head to the polls to elect their president and the members of the National Assembly. Following a campaign marred by violence, the election takes place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and a social media blackout. Regional and international election observers have been blocked from monitoring the election, raising doubts about its fairness. (DW)
Bolivian Minister of Health Marcelo Navajas is dismissed and arrested in graft probe over ventilators bought in a Spanish company. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia Bolivian Minister of Health Marcelo Navajas is dismissed and arrested in graft probe over ventilators bought in a Spanish company. (Bloomberg)
May 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election Todd Muller defeats Simon Bridges to become the new leader of the National Party, and the Leader of the Opposition. (Newshub)
The footage also shows Environment Minister Ricardo Salles calling for the deregulation of environmental policies while the press is "distracted" by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan, Afghan peace process The Taliban declares a three-day Eid ceasefire starting on Sunday. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid orders all attacks to cease and only use force "if any action is taken against you by the enemy". Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomes the ceasefire and orders the armed forces of Afghanistan to "comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked". (National Post) (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya offensive Forces of the international-recognized Libyan government retake two military camps, Hamza and Yarmuk, from forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar south of Tripoli. (Anadolu Agency)
The Taliban declares a three-day Eid ceasefire starting on Sunday. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid orders all attacks to cease and only use force "if any action is taken against you by the enemy". Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomes the ceasefire and orders the armed forces of Afghanistan to "comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked". (National Post) (Reuters)
2019–20 Western Libya offensive Forces of the international-recognized Libyan government retake two military camps, Hamza and Yarmuk, from forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar south of Tripoli. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic Thousands of protesters, mostly supporters of the far-right party Vox, participate in car protests in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona and other cities against the continuing lockdown and the national government. (BBC News)
Forces of the international-recognized Libyan government retake two military camps, Hamza and Yarmuk, from forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar south of Tripoli. (Anadolu Agency)
Thousands of protesters, mostly supporters of the far-right party Vox, participate in car protests in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona and other cities against the continuing lockdown and the national government. (BBC News)
Afghan peace process President Ashraf Ghani pledges to speed up the release of more Taliban prisoners, and asks that the Taliban release more government prisoners in return. (Al Jazeera)
President Ashraf Ghani pledges to speed up the release of more Taliban prisoners, and asks that the Taliban release more government prisoners in return. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro Montenegro becomes the first European country to declare itself "coronavirus free". (Government of Montenegro)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pardons 3,157 prisoners to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. (Middle East Eye)
Montenegro becomes the first European country to declare itself "coronavirus free". (Government of Montenegro)
2020 Surinamese general election Citizens of Suriname head to the polls in the country's latest general election. It is the first election after Suriname's president Dési Bouterse was convicted of murder for the December murders in 1982. (BBC News)
Citizens of Suriname head to the polls in the country's latest general election. It is the first election after Suriname's president Dési Bouterse was convicted of murder for the December murders in 1982. (BBC News)
2020 Burundian general election Candidate for the ruling party, National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy, and retired general Evariste Ndayishimiye wins the election with 68.72% of votes cast amid an election preceded by political violence including the arrest, torture and murder of opposition activists, according to a local human rights group. (Reuters)
Candidate for the ruling party, National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy, and retired general Evariste Ndayishimiye wins the election with 68.72% of votes cast amid an election preceded by political violence including the arrest, torture and murder of opposition activists, according to a local human rights group. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifts the state of emergency in all remaining parts of the country, including Tokyo. (Associated Press)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifts the state of emergency in all remaining parts of the country, including Tokyo. (Associated Press)
Second Libyan Civil War, Libya–Russia relations The United States Africa Command accuses Russia of deploying fighter jets to eastern Libya to provide air support to Russian mercenaries allied to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is locked in a civil war with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). (BBC News)
The United States Africa Command accuses Russia of deploying fighter jets to eastern Libya to provide air support to Russian mercenaries allied to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is locked in a civil war with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). (BBC News)
Afghan peace process The government urges the Taliban to extend the three-day truce due to expire today. It also announces the government will release 900 Taliban prisoners today. (Reuters)
LGBT rights in Zambia President Edgar Lungu pardons a gay couple jailed for 15 years due to consensual homosexual acts amid a mass wave of pardons of nearly 3,000 inmates to celebrate Africa Freedom Day. (Reuters)
President Edgar Lungu pardons a gay couple jailed for 15 years due to consensual homosexual acts amid a mass wave of pardons of nearly 3,000 inmates to celebrate Africa Freedom Day. (Reuters)
The government urges the Taliban to extend the three-day truce due to expire today. It also announces the government will release 900 Taliban prisoners today. (Reuters)
The Social Democratic Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Fiji's parliament, is suspended from parliament for 60 days amid a political feud which has caused its appointments to be declared null and void. The party's parliament leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, said the decision will not be appealed. (RNZ)
War in Afghanistan, Afghan peace process, May 2020 Afghanistan attacks In the first attack since the end of a truce declared by the Taliban, and despite a petition of the government for the Taliban to extend the ceasefire, at least 14 security forces members are killed in an attack on a checkpoint in Parwan. A government spokesperson says the Taliban also suffered casualties. The group has not commented on the attack. (Al Jazeera)
In the first attack since the end of a truce declared by the Taliban, and despite a petition of the government for the Taliban to extend the ceasefire, at least 14 security forces members are killed in an attack on a checkpoint in Parwan. A government spokesperson says the Taliban also suffered casualties. The group has not commented on the attack. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the adoption of a new package of measures to support the economy and citizens in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. This payment does not cancel but supplements the previously introduced support measures. Additionally, Putin proposed to establish a monthly payment of five thousand rubles for families with children under three years of age. (RT)
Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the adoption of a new package of measures to support the economy and citizens in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. This payment does not cancel but supplements the previously introduced support measures. Additionally, Putin proposed to establish a monthly payment of five thousand rubles for families with children under three years of age. (RT)
2020 Niuean general election In Niue, Sir Toke Talagi loses his seat at the Common Roll and is now leaving his position as Premier of Niue. Former Secretary to Government Richard Hipa, a first-time candidate, topped the Common Roll votes with 440 and now looks to be a contender for the premiership. (RNZ)
In Niue, Sir Toke Talagi loses his seat at the Common Roll and is now leaving his position as Premier of Niue. Former Secretary to Government Richard Hipa, a first-time candidate, topped the Common Roll votes with 440 and now looks to be a contender for the premiership. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, his wife and their four children test positive for COVID-19. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil in Hong Kong is banned for the first time since 1990 citing health concerns due to COVID-19. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who organize the vigil, say the ban signals the end of Hong Kong's "one country, two systems". (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, his wife and their four children test positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, his wife and their four children test positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Former President of Ecuador Abdalá Bucaram is arrested for illegal possession of weapons during a raid on his home against corruption. (CNN Español)
Norilsk oil spill Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a state of emergency after 20,000 tons of oil leaked into the Ambarnaya River near the Siberian city of Norilsk within the Arctic Circle on May 26, 2020. The spill happened when a fuel tank in a Nornickel NTEK power plant collapsed. Putin lambasted the company for not reporting the incident. The World Wildlife Fund said the accident is believed to be the second-largest in modern Russian history. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a state of emergency after 20,000 tons of oil leaked into the Ambarnaya River near the Siberian city of Norilsk within the Arctic Circle on May 26, 2020. The spill happened when a fuel tank in a Nornickel NTEK power plant collapsed. Putin lambasted the company for not reporting the incident. The World Wildlife Fund said the accident is believed to be the second-largest in modern Russian history. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
Former Lesotho First Lady Maesiah Thabane is arrested on charges of murder. Her husband, former Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane, is also accused of murder but not formally charged. (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya campaign The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, retreat from the capital after months of intense clashes in the city. (Reuters) The GNA recaptures Tripoli International Airport on the outskirts of the capital following the withdrawal of LNA forces. (BBC News)
2019–20 Western Libya campaign The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, retreat from the capital after months of intense clashes in the city. (Reuters) The GNA recaptures Tripoli International Airport on the outskirts of the capital following the withdrawal of LNA forces. (BBC News)
After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions. Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye says the curfew will be shortened and inter-regional travel ban lifted. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions. Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye says the curfew will be shortened and inter-regional travel ban lifted. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses Italy with the third-highest COVID-19 death toll. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal After violent protests erupt across the country against a lockdown imposed to combat the virus, the government announces it will "relax" the restrictions. Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye says the curfew will be shortened and inter-regional travel ban lifted. (Reuters)
The Government of National Accord (GNA) says they are in full control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, retreat from the capital after months of intense clashes in the city. (Reuters)
2020 Saint Kitts and Nevis general election Citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis head to the polls in the country's latest general election. (Foreign Brief)
Citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis head to the polls in the country's latest general election. (Foreign Brief)
Mali War, Operation Barkhane The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly says that AQIM emir Abdelmalek Droukdel, along with members of his inner circle, had been killed in northern Mali on 3 June 2020. She also says that French forces had also captured a senior AQIM commander in an operation in May. (BBC News)
Second Libyan Civil War 2019–20 Western Libya campaign Turkish-backed GNA forces enter the strategic Libyan National Army-held town of Tarhuna, west of Tripoli. The town is considered to be a stronghold for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The GNA operations room say its forces have reached the centre of the town. (Reuters)
2019–20 Western Libya campaign Turkish-backed GNA forces enter the strategic Libyan National Army-held town of Tarhuna, west of Tripoli. The town is considered to be a stronghold for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The GNA operations room say its forces have reached the centre of the town. (Reuters)
The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly says that AQIM emir Abdelmalek Droukdel, along with members of his inner circle, had been killed in northern Mali on 3 June 2020. She also says that French forces had also captured a senior AQIM commander in an operation in May. (BBC News)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi says Khalifa Haftar supports a ceasefire starting Monday, June 8, with the condition that all "foreign mercenaries leave Libyan territory". (Al Jazeera)
The Government of National Accord (GNA) says its forces have taken full control of Bani Walid, including Bani Walid Airport, and Al ‘Urban without facing any resistance, as Libyan National Army forces abandon their positions. (The Libya Observer)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The Brazilian government alters the country's COVID-19 death toll on the Health Ministry's website following a change in protocol for the release of pandemic-related data to the general public. President Jair Bolsonaro orders interim minister Gen. Eduardo Pazuello to limit the number of divulged deaths to under 1,000 per day. (The Guardian) (O Estado de S. Paulo)
The Brazilian government alters the country's COVID-19 death toll on the Health Ministry's website following a change in protocol for the release of pandemic-related data to the general public. President Jair Bolsonaro orders interim minister Gen. Eduardo Pazuello to limit the number of divulged deaths to under 1,000 per day. (The Guardian) (O Estado de S. Paulo)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses his condolences for the death of a Palestinian man with autism and says he "expects a full investigation into the matter" from Interior Security Minister Amir Ohana. (Reuters)
Shooting of Iyad Halaq Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses his condolences for the death of a Palestinian man with autism and says he "expects a full investigation into the matter" from Interior Security Minister Amir Ohana. (Reuters)
