08MAY21 Global Overnight Overwatch Report

Key Storylines

AFRICA: The eldest son of South Africa’s late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has been chosen as successor to the throne, ending a family dispute.
AMERICAS: The U.S. federally funded space-focused research and development center said the remains of China’s largest rocket launched last week are expected to land back through the atmosphere late Saturday or early Sunday.
ASIA: India recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths in a day for the first time and more states imposed lockdowns in a desperate bid to halt the devastating new wave.
EUROPE: UK Labour leader Keir Starmer is expected to reorganize his team and conduct a policy review as he seeks to reassert his leadership after a few embarrassing losses in the “Super Thursday” elections.
MIDDLE EAST: An attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system hit the Ain al-Asad air base in Western Iraq which hosts U.S. and other international forces but caused no injuries.
TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Leading U.S. fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has shut its entire network after a cyber-attack.

Top Story

Israel: Clashes intensity in Jerusalem over expected evictions of Palestinian Familes form a neighborhood
- A total of 205 Palestinians have been injured, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported, which set up a field hospital on the site to provide the injured with medical assistance.
- The United States demanded de-escalation in annexed east Jerusalem and warned against enforcing a threatened eviction of Palestinian families that has sent tensions soaring
- In an interview with a Hamas-run TV station, the organization’s leader Ismail Haniyeh addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by name, warning him not to “play with fire.”
- Iran called on the United Nations Saturday to condemn the actions of the Israeli police in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in annexed east Jerusalem, saying it was a “war crime.”
- Reporting: Xinhua, AFP, AP, AFP

Africa

Ethiopia: The nation recorded 778 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 261,580. (Xinhua)
Libya: The UN Support Mission located in the nation (UNSMIL) welcomed the release of detainees captured by the eastern-based army. (Xinhua)
South Africa: The eldest son of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has been chosen as successor to the throne, ending a family dispute. (BBC)

Americas

Brazil: A deadly police operation in the city of Rio de Janeiro targeting drug gang suspects prompted shock and outrage from the United Nations and Amnesty International, while the police defended their actions. (DPA)
Mexico: Mexico City is relaxing its restrictions on public life, despite few people getting vaccinated against COVID-19. (DPA)
United States: The federally funded space-focused research and development center said the remains of China’s largest rocket launched last week are expected to land back through the atmosphere late Saturday or early Sunday. (Reuters)
United States: The Virginian Republican Party is having what it is calling an “unassembled convention” to choose its nominees in this year’s race for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. (AP)

Asia

India: The nation recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths in a day for the first time and more states imposed lockdowns in a desperate bid to halt the devastating new wave. (AFP)
Kiribati: China is working with the tiny Pacific island nation to explore the possibility of improving an airstrip on one of its remote islands. (Reuters)
Maldives: Former president Mohamed Nasheed remained in intensive care as security services increased the hunt for the attackers, who allegedly used a remote control bomb on the democracy advocate and climate activist. (AFP)
Philippines: Dozens of Muslim insurgents occupied a public market overnight in the south before fleeing after a tense standoff with the military. (AP)

Europe

Germany: The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the nation increased by 15,685 to 3,507,673, with the reported death toll increasing by 238 to 84,648. (Reuters)
Latvia: The health ministry has ordered expert workgroups to urgently prepare proposals for dealing with an increase in COVID-19 cases. (Xinhua)
United Kingdom: Labour leader Keir Starmer is expected to reorganize his team and conduct a policy review as he seeks to reassert his leadership after a few embarrassing losses in the “Super Thursday” elections. (The Guar dian)

Middle East

Iraq: An attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system hit the Ain al-Asad air base which hosts U.S. and other international forces but caused no injuries. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom signed agreements with Pakistan to improve ties, after months of strained relations between the close allies over the disputed region of Kashmir. (Reuters)

Tech & Communications

Cybersecurity: Leading U.S. fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has shut its entire network after a cyber-attack. (Reuters)

World

Cyclones: Nothing to report.
Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 08MAY21)
  - Confirmed cases: 156,919,303
  - Total recovered cases: 93,046,030
  - Deaths: 3,270,397
  - Countries with confirmed cases: 192
  - Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 02MAY21)
  - Confirmed cases: 16
  - Deaths: 12
  - Sourcing: WHO

Tomorrow’s Outlook (09MAY21)

END