COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 45 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,947. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Saudi Arabia eases an international travel ban for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, citizens from 20 countries remain banned from entering the country and Saudi citizens are banned from travelling to 13 high-risk countries, either directly or indirectly. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan reports a record 335 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, 333 of which are locally transmitted cases. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,017. (Taiwan News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 9,635 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes 6,853 cases among prisoners from jail clusters. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 111,082. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Lockdown restrictions are eased in England, Wales, and Scotland with museums, cinemas, children's play areas, and hotels reopening. Pubs, bars, and restaurants can now serve customers indoors again with social distancing rules in place. In England, people can now gather in groups of 30 outdoors and meet indoors in groups of up to six. A ban on international travel is also lifted. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey begins to gradually lift its COVID-19 restrictions, including the 17-day full lockdown, which will end at 5:00 a.m. as the number of infections has declined. This gradual normalization will last until June 1. (Anadolu Agency)
Darwin's Arch collapses in the Galapagos Islands. (CNN)
Hong Kong and Singapore postpone the start date of their air travel bubble agreement, which was initially scheduled to begin on May 26, due to an increase in the number of unlinked community cases of COVID-19 in Singapore. (CNBC)
In the first global study of its kind, the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization find that working more than 55 hours a week can lead to higher risks of strokes and ischemic heart disease. The study, which was conducted between 2000 and 2016, also found that people living in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions, as well as men that are at least middle-aged, are particularly susceptible to risks from overworking. (Reuters)
Indonesian digital payment firm Gojek announces a merger with e-commerce site Tokopedia to form GoTo Group. Aiming for an IPO of between US$35 and 40 billion, Gojek claims that it is the country's largest business deal. (CNBC)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to continue strikes in Gaza, including Hamas targets. (Times of Israel)
Lockdown restrictions are eased in England, Wales, and Scotland with museums, cinemas, children's play areas, and hotels reopening. Pubs, bars, and restaurants can now serve customers indoors again with social distancing rules in place. In England, people can now gather in groups of 30 outdoors and meet indoors in groups of up to six. A ban on international travel is also lifted. (BBC News)
Malaysia reports a record 45 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,947. (The Star)
Namibia bans all imports of poultry and poultry products from South Africa due to an outbreak of avian influenza that was detected there. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia eases an international travel ban for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, citizens from 20 countries remain banned from entering the country and Saudi citizens are banned from travelling to 13 high-risk countries, either directly or indirectly. (The Independent)
Taiwan reports a record 335 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, 333 of which are locally transmitted cases. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,017. (Taiwan News)
Thailand reports a record 9,635 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes 6,853 cases among prisoners from jail clusters. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 111,082. (The Straits Times)
The death toll in Gaza from the Israeli airstrikes rises to 212 people, including 61 children. (Al Jazeera)
The Israeli military shells southern Lebanon after several Grad-type rockets were fired at Israel. (Deutsche Welle)
Turkey begins to gradually lift its COVID-19 restrictions, including the 17-day full lockdown, which will end at 5:00 a.m. as the number of infections has declined. This gradual normalization will last until June 1. (Anadolu Agency)
International protests over the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Arab Americans in Dearborn, Michigan, stage a protest across the city during a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden to the Ford River Rouge Complex over the United States' support of Israel's response to attacks from Gaza. (Detroit Free Press) Indonesians gather at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to stand in solidarity with Palestine and demand an end to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. (AP)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte issues a gag order that forbids his cabinet from publicly discussing the South China Sea dispute, which comes after some of his secretaries criticized the government of China over the presence of Chinese vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. (Al Jazeera)
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte issues a gag order that forbids his cabinet from publicly discussing the South China Sea dispute, which comes after some of his secretaries criticized the government of China over the presence of Chinese vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. (Al Jazeera)
Austria announces that they will phase out the Oxford-AstraZeneca from its vaccination programme because of delivery problems and wariness among the population following reports of the vaccine's rare side-effects. (The Local Austria)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria announces that they will phase out the Oxford-AstraZeneca from its vaccination programme because of delivery problems and wariness among the population following reports of the vaccine's rare side-effects. (The Local Austria)
Libya–Tunisia relations Tunisia's flag carrier Tunisair announces that it has resumed services to Libya in light of the UN-sponsored peace agreement, becoming the first foreign airline to connect to the country since the outbreak of the Second Libyan Civil War seven years ago. Yesterday, the airline flew its first flights to Benghazi and Tripoli, and it has scheduled five flights to both cities each week. (Al Jazeera)
The mayor-president of Ceuta Juan Jesús Vivas calls the situation an "invasion" and announces the suspension of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 for Wednesday as the city is experiencing a "state of emergency atmosphere". (20 minutos)
Tunisia's flag carrier Tunisair announces that it has resumed services to Libya in light of the UN-sponsored peace agreement, becoming the first foreign airline to connect to the country since the outbreak of the Second Libyan Civil War seven years ago. Yesterday, the airline flew its first flights to Benghazi and Tripoli, and it has scheduled five flights to both cities each week. (Al Jazeera)
Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic The U.S. House of Representatives votes 364–62 to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. The bill, which would expedite anti-Asian hate crime reviews to the U.S. Justice Department, will head to U.S. President Joe Biden for his signature. (ABC News)
A Hamas rocket kills two Thai workers and injures ten others in southern Israel, thereby bringing the death toll in the country to 12. (Times of Israel)
Argentina reports records of 35,543 new cases of COVID-19 and 745 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total number of cases to 3.37 million and the death toll to 71,771. (Minuto Uno)
At least 26 people are dead and 53 more are missing after an ONGC barge P305 sailing off the coast of Mumbai, India sank during severe weather. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports records of 35,543 new cases of COVID-19 and 745 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total number of cases to 3.37 million and the death toll to 71,771. (Minuto Uno)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 4,329 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 278,719. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 47 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,994. (Free Malaysia Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore The Singaporean Health Sciences Authority approves the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education Taipei and New Taipei City close all elementary, middle, and high schools until May 28 amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Kyodo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 35 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 649. (CNA)
Cyclone Tauktae At least 26 people are dead and 53 more are missing after an ONGC barge P305 sailing off the coast of Mumbai, India sank during severe weather. (BBC News)
Gunmen storm a church during a baptism in a village in Burkina Faso and open fire, killing 15 people. (Reuters)
India reports a record 4,329 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 278,719. (The Times of India)
Insurgency in the Maghreb Gunmen storm a church during a baptism in a village in Burkina Faso and open fire, killing 15 people. (Reuters)
Lebanon–Saudi Arabia relations, Lebanon–United Arab Emirates relations Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates both summon their Lebanese ambassadors after Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe accused the Gulf States of playing a role in the rise of ISIL in a heated exchange with a Saudi guest during an interview yesterday. Wehbe has since apologized for his remarks. (Al Jazeera)
Malaysia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 47 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,994. (Free Malaysia Today)
One Palestinian is killed and dozens more are wounded after Israeli security forces open fire on protesters marching at a military checkpoint in the Beit El settlement in the West Bank. Further clashes are also reported in Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Budrus. (Al Jazeera)
Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and communities inside Israel hold a general strike to protest Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip and the evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. The Central Committee of Fatah calls it a "day of rage". (Middle East Eye)
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates both summon their Lebanese ambassadors after Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe accused the Gulf States of playing a role in the rise of ISIL in a heated exchange with a Saudi guest during an interview yesterday. Wehbe has since apologized for his remarks. (Al Jazeera)
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha González Laya summons the Moroccan ambassador, who is later recalled to Rabat for consultations. Ambassador Karima Benyaich advises that "there are actions that have consequences, and they have to be assumed", referring to the fact that the Polisario leader is receiving treatment for COVID-19 in Spain. (Europa Press) (BBC News)
Taipei and New Taipei City close all elementary, middle, and high schools until May 28 amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Kyodo News)
Thailand reports a record 35 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 649. (CNA)
The death toll from the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza rise to at least 217 Palestinians killed, including 63 children. About 1,500 others have been wounded. Gaza's main COVID-19 laboratory is destroyed by a strike, stopping all COVID-19 tests as a result. Four more protesters are also killed in the West Bank. (Al Jazeera)
The first semifinal round of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 takes place in Rotterdam. (Eurovision.tv)
The French Rugby Federation allows trans women players to feature in top-level women's rugby union in the country starting next season, overturning World Rugby's advice against this. (CNN)
The IDF reports the death of 160 Hamas and Islamic Jihad members. However, the deaths are not confirmed by either the groups or Palestinian authorities, who reported a lower number of militants killed. (Jerusalem Post)
The Singaporean Health Sciences Authority approves the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (CNBC)
Three Chinese industry associations announce in a joint statement that financial institutions and payment firms are banned from offering services related to cryptocurrency transactions, highlighting their high volatility. China had previously banned or restricted access to cryptocurrency exchanges, and blocked websites that had initial coin offerings. (Reuters)
Transgender people in sports The French Rugby Federation allows trans women players to feature in top-level women's rugby union in the country starting next season, overturning World Rugby's advice against this. (CNN)
2021 Qatari general election The Qatari cabinet approves a draft law scheduling elections to the Shura Council for October, after several years of delays. The law also provides guidelines for voter registration and campaigning, such as allowing government employees to run and limiting expenditures to QAR2 million per candidate. (Al Jazeera English)
The Qatari cabinet approves a draft law scheduling elections to the Shura Council for October, after several years of delays. The law also provides guidelines for voter registration and campaigning, such as allowing government employees to run and limiting expenditures to QAR2 million per candidate. (Al Jazeera English)
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian officials say that fighting between Israel and Palestine will continue while working toward a ceasefire. (Reuters) 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)
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)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian officials say that fighting between Israel and Palestine will continue while working toward a ceasefire. (Reuters)
Spillover of the Somali Civil War Al-Shabaab militants ambush a patrol in Lamu County, Kenya, killing seven soldiers. (The Washington Post)
A manhunt is ongoing for a far-right extremist, identified as a soldier, in Dilsen-Stokkem, Limburg, Belgium, after threatening virologist Marc Van Ranst. The suspect is heavily armed and considered as a serious threat. Four rocket launchers were found in his car. (BBC News)
An anti-fungal drug, Amphotericin B, used in the treatment of a rare infection called mucormycosis, or "black fungus", is in short supply across states in India. Immunity to this infection can be reduced by the use of steroids in severely ill COVID-19 patients. (BBC News)
Argentina reports 39,652 new cases of COVID-19, a record for the second consecutive day. This subsequently brings the national total to 3.4 million. (Big News Network)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports 39,652 new cases of COVID-19, a record for the second consecutive day. This subsequently brings the national total to 3.4 million. (Big News Network)
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 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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 6,075 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 485,496. (Free Malaysia Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan raises its COVID-19 alert level to level 3 nationwide, which is the same level as Taipei and New Taipei City, where masks are required to be worn at all times and gatherings of more than five people indoors and ten people outdoors are banned amid an increase in the number of locally transmitted cases. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, Lineage B.1.617 Zimbabwe reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant. The variant had been detected among a group of people in the central town of Kwekwe after a student returned from India on April 29. (Reuters)
Cyprus reports its first four cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India. (Cyprus Mail)
In Kuwait, protesters burn Israeli flags and rally in support of Palestine. Protesters also reject normalization agreements signed by Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. (Reuters)
