Kyrgyzstan signs an agreement with the World Bank to purchase vaccines developed by Sinopharm. (Kabar)
Lineage B.1.617 The World Health Organization says that the B.1.617 variant first detected in India in October has now been detected in more than 4,500 samples from 44 countries that were uploaded to an open-access database. (Khaleej Times)
Malaysia reports a record 39 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,761. (Malay Mail)
Prime Minister Erna Solberg announces that Norway will remove the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from its vaccination programme due to the risk of rare blood clots. (Bloomberg)
Sri Lanka imposes a night travel ban from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. until May 31 in order to combat the rise of COVID-19 cases. (The Hindu)
Taiwan reports a record 16 new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,231. (CNA)
Tesla announces they will no longer accept Bitcoin as payment. (AP)
Thailand reports a record 34 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 486. (Bangkok Post)
The French National Assembly approves the creation of a COVID-19 health pass to enable international travel and organization of large events. MPs also agree to end the state of emergency on June 1 and replace it with a transitional period that will last until the end of September, which will allow the prime minister to extend the 9 p.m. curfew until June 30. (Euronews) (The Connexion)
The Israel Defense Forces says that it has conducted a "complex and first-of-its-kind operation" in the Gaza Strip, killing several senior members of Hamas. (AP) (Reuters)
The World Health Organization says that the B.1.617 variant first detected in India in October has now been detected in more than 4,500 samples from 44 countries that were uploaded to an open-access database. (Khaleej Times)
Three additional people are killed by Hamas' rockets in Lod, while an IDF soldier is killed as a military jeep outside Gaza is bombed, thereby bringing the Israeli death toll to seven. (BBC News)
Twenty-nine men are charged with the sexual exploitation and rape of a teenage girl over a seven-year period in Calderdale and Bradford, West Yorkshire, between 2003 and 2010. (BBC News)
2020–21 UEFA Champions League, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football UEFA decides to relocate the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final, which is to be played between English clubs Manchester City and Chelsea on May 29, to the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal. The Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, was originally scheduled to host the event, but stricter pandemic-related travel restrictions imposed by the British government on Turkey prompted the move by UEFA. (CNN)
Syrian Civil War The Syrian Democratic Forces reports that it apprehended a 39-member ISIL cell in Al-Hasakah, Al-Hasakah Governorate, a few days ago. The cell was reportedly planning an attack during Eid al-Fitr. (Rudaw)
UEFA decides to relocate the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final, which is to be played between English clubs Manchester City and Chelsea on May 29, to the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal. The Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, was originally scheduled to host the event, but stricter pandemic-related travel restrictions imposed by the British government on Turkey prompted the move by UEFA. (CNN)
2019–2021 Israeli political crisis Leader of the right-wing Yamina coalition Naftali Bennett calls off talks with oppositional leader Yair Lapid to form a new government in light of escalating violence. He instead voices his support for a unity government. (Haaretz)
2021 Afghanistan attacks Four separate bombings kill eleven civilians and injure many others across the country as the three-day ceasefire declared by the Taliban to observe Eid al-Fitr remains in place. No group claims responsibility for any of the bombings. (Reuters) A week after two power pylons were destroyed in Kabul's Mir Bacha Kot district, an unidentified man blows up another power plant in Kalakan District on Wednesday night, removing a further 260 megawatts of electricity imported from Uzbekistan. (TOLO News)
Attempted assassination of Mohamed Nasheed Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed is flown to Germany for further medical treatment after being seriously injured alongside three other people during an assassination attempt in Malé with a car bomb a week ago. Maldives authorities blame Islamic extremists, amongst whom Nasheed was considered unpopular. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia The government signs an agreement with Moderna to purchase 25 million doses of its vaccine. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte approves the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases of downgrading the Greater Manila Area under the General Community Quarantine with "heightened restrictions" on indoor dining and personal care services. These downgrades include the reopening of hair salons and barbershops. (Rappler)
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed is flown to Germany for further medical treatment after being seriously injured alongside three other people during an assassination attempt in Malé with a car bomb a week ago. Maldives authorities blame Islamic extremists, amongst whom Nasheed was considered unpopular. (DW)
Israeli strikes destroy Hamas' internal security headquarters and Gaza's central bank, as the spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, says that the group has launched "massive rocket strikes", larger than any launched on Israel since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. (The Jerusalem Post)
Leader of the right-wing Yamina coalition Naftali Bennett calls off talks with oppositional leader Yair Lapid to form a new government in light of escalating violence. He instead voices his support for a unity government. (Haaretz)
President Rodrigo Duterte approves the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases of downgrading the Greater Manila Area under the General Community Quarantine with "heightened restrictions" on indoor dining and personal care services. These downgrades include the reopening of hair salons and barbershops. (Rappler)
The death toll from the airstrikes in the Gaza Strip increases to 113 people, while 600 others are wounded. The city of Rafah is attacked by multiple Israeli raids. Protests continue in the West Bank, resulting in injuries to 35 more Palestinian protesters. The number of children killed also increases to 31. (Al Jazeera)
The government signs an agreement with Moderna to purchase 25 million doses of its vaccine. (ABC Australia)
The Syrian Democratic Forces reports that it apprehended a 39-member ISIL cell in Al-Hasakah, Al-Hasakah Governorate, a few days ago. The cell was reportedly planning an attack during Eid al-Fitr. (Rudaw)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaiian Governor David Ige says that the state will keep its mask mandate despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that fully vaccinated Americans can go to places without wearing a mask. (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Lineage B.1.617 Russia reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in 16 Indian students studying at Ulyanovsk State University. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 4,887 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours due to the emergence of jail clusters that have infected 2,835 prisoners. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 93,794. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates approves the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (The National)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaiian Governor David Ige says that the state will keep its mask mandate despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that fully vaccinated Americans can go to places without wearing a mask. (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) The CDC announces that all fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks or practice social distancing, unless the person is immunodeficient or still displaying symptoms of the virus. (CNN)
Eid al-Fitr, the "Feast of Breaking the Fast" that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan, is celebrated in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia for the first time in 87 years. (Anadolu Agency)
Four people are killed in a firecracker explosion in Kebumen Regency, Indonesia. (Tribun News)
Four separate bombings kill eleven civilians and injure many others across the country as the three-day ceasefire declared by the Taliban to observe Eid al-Fitr remains in place. No group claims responsibility for any of the bombings. (Reuters)
Nine people are wounded, three of them critically, in a shootout between groups at a residence in Providence, Rhode Island. It is believed to be the largest shooting in Providence's memory. (AP)
Russia reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in 16 Indian students studying at Ulyanovsk State University. (Reuters)
Thailand reports a record 4,887 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours due to the emergence of jail clusters that have infected 2,835 prisoners. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 93,794. (Bloomberg)
The last Spanish soldiers in Afghanistan arrive in Spain, ending the mission after 19 years. (El Periódico)
The United Arab Emirates approves the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (The National)
Health Service Executive cyberattack The Irish Health Service Executive shuts down its IT systems nationwide after a cyberattack involving ransomware. (RTÉ)
The Irish Health Service Executive shuts down its IT systems nationwide after a cyberattack involving ransomware. (RTÉ)
War in Afghanistan 2021 Afghanistan attacks 2021 Kabul mosque bombing Twelve people, including an imam, are killed and 15 others are wounded when a bomb explodes inside a mosque in the Shakardara District on the outskirts of Kabul. The Taliban condemns the attack, for which nobody has so far claimed responsibility. (Reuters)
2021 Afghanistan attacks 2021 Kabul mosque bombing Twelve people, including an imam, are killed and 15 others are wounded when a bomb explodes inside a mosque in the Shakardara District on the outskirts of Kabul. The Taliban condemns the attack, for which nobody has so far claimed responsibility. (Reuters)
2021 Formula One World Championship, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motorsport The Turkish Grand Prix, originally scheduled for June, is canceled due to the recent upgrading by the British government of pandemic-related travel restrictions on Turkey. (Arab News)
2021 Kabul mosque bombing Twelve people, including an imam, are killed and 15 others are wounded when a bomb explodes inside a mosque in the Shakardara District on the outskirts of Kabul. The Taliban condemns the attack, for which nobody has so far claimed responsibility. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan The Taipei City Government announces the indefinite closure of entertainment venues and multiple public facilities such as libraries and sports centres beginning tomorrow after Taiwan reports a record 29 new locally transmitted cases in the past 24 hours. (France 24)
Czech Republic President Miloš Zeman orders the Israeli flag to fly at the Prague Castle to show support for the country amidst its conflict with Palestine. (Newsweek)
International reactions to 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Czech Republic–Israel relations Czech Republic President Miloš Zeman orders the Israeli flag to fly at the Prague Castle to show support for the country amidst its conflict with Palestine. (Newsweek)
Taiwan's Central Election Commission approves three referendums in late August. The referendums will allow the public to decide on banning pork containing ractopamine, on holding referendums on the same day as general elections, and whether to change the location of a planned new liquefied natural gas terminal to protect the maritime environment. (Reuters)
The Taipei City Government announces the indefinite closure of entertainment venues and multiple public facilities such as libraries and sports centres beginning tomorrow after Taiwan reports a record 29 new locally transmitted cases in the past 24 hours. (France 24)
The Turkish Grand Prix, originally scheduled for June, is canceled due to the recent upgrading by the British government of pandemic-related travel restrictions on Turkey. (Arab News)
Twelve people, including an imam, are killed and 15 others are wounded when a bomb explodes inside a mosque in the Shakardara District on the outskirts of Kabul. The Taliban condemns the attack, for which nobody has so far claimed responsibility. (Reuters)
A court in France bans pro-Palestinian protests planned in Paris. However, activists say that protests will go as planned. (France 24)
Andorran minister of Finances Èric Jover becomes re-infected with COVID-19, becoming the second minister in the past week to test positive for the virus after Minister of Economy Jordi Gallardo on May 12. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Andorran minister of Finances Èric Jover becomes re-infected with COVID-19, becoming the second minister in the past week to test positive for the virus after Minister of Economy Jordi Gallardo on May 12. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, Lineage B.1.617 Saskatchewan reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (CKCK-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia surpasses 80,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism Greece officially reopens its borders to all visitors who present a proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test result, or a document certifying a recent recovery from the COVID-19 as tourism season begins, hoping to revive the sector badly affected by the pandemic. (Balkan Insight)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza signs a decree that will remove quarantine rules for travelers from the European Union, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, and Israel, as long as they have tested negative for COVID-19. The decree will take effect on May 16. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Japan, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extends the state of emergency to Hokkaido, Okayama, and Hiroshima prefectures from May 16 until the end of this month. He alsos declare a quasi-state of emergency in Gunma, Ishikawa, and Kumamoto prefectures from May 16 until June 13. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, Lineage B.1.617 Saskatchewan reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (CKCK-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore The Singaporean Health Ministry announces that it will impose the strictest curbs since the circuit breaker last year, including limiting social gatherings to two people, making work from home default, and banning dining at restaurants. The new restrictions will be in effect from May 16 until June 13. (The Straits Times) (Forbes)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam The Vietnamese health ministry says the country will receive 31 million Pfizer vaccine doses this year and also register to buy about 10 million additional doses through COVAX. (Bloomberg)
Cyclone Tauktae India's western state of Gujarat braces for cyclone Tauktae, reported to be the strongest storm to hit the region since 1998. (BBC News)
Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Japan, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extends the state of emergency to Hokkaido, Okayama, and Hiroshima prefectures from May 16 until the end of this month. He alsos declare a quasi-state of emergency in Gunma, Ishikawa, and Kumamoto prefectures from May 16 until June 13. (The Japan Times)
Greece officially reopens its borders to all visitors who present a proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test result, or a document certifying a recent recovery from the COVID-19 as tourism season begins, hoping to revive the sector badly affected by the pandemic. (Balkan Insight)
India's western state of Gujarat braces for cyclone Tauktae, reported to be the strongest storm to hit the region since 1998. (BBC News)
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza signs a decree that will remove quarantine rules for travelers from the European Union, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, and Israel, as long as they have tested negative for COVID-19. The decree will take effect on May 16. (Barron's)
Pro-Palestinian protesters storm the Queensway tunnel in the United Kingdom, disrupting traffic. (Birmingham Mail)
Saskatchewan reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (CKCK-DT)
The Singaporean Health Ministry announces that it will impose the strictest curbs since the circuit breaker last year, including limiting social gatherings to two people, making work from home default, and banning dining at restaurants. The new restrictions will be in effect from May 16 until June 13. (The Straits Times) (Forbes)
The Vietnamese health ministry says the country will receive 31 million Pfizer vaccine doses this year and also register to buy about 10 million additional doses through COVAX. (Bloomberg)
Venezuelan authorities seize the headquarters of oppositional newspaper El Nacional for failing to pay a US$13 million fine for allegedly defaming United Socialist Party of Venezuela assemblyman Diosdado Cabello. (DW)
