Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The U.N. chief said foreign fighters and mercenaries remain in Libya in violation of last October’s cease-fire agreement and called for their withdrawal and an end to violations of the U.N. arms embargo, saying these are “critical elements” for lasting peace.
- AMERICAS: Confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in Colombia surpassed 80,000 with intensive care units almost full in the biggest cities, where people have been gathering for anti-government protests.
- ASIA: India’s largest cities Delhi and Mumbai have reported a decrease in daily infections, but the government is warning that the devastating surge is spreading in rural areas, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s 1.4 billion people live.
- EUROPE: Spain saw its hottest year on record last year, a day after parliament passed a keynote bill to combat climate change.
- MIDDLE EAST: Iran’s hardline judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, has registered for a presidential run.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed that the lander carrying its first Mars rover has successfully reached the red planet.
Top Story
- Israel-Palestine: Fighting between Israelis and Palestinians continues amidst work on a possible ceasefire.
- A US envoy has arrived in Tel Aviv for de-escalation talks as clashes between Israel and the Palestinians continue.
- Israeli fighter jets have hit targets in central Gaza, the military reported, and Palestinian militants fired rockets in retaliation after a day of deadly violence rocked the West Bank and unrest persisted inside Israel.
- In the city of Lod, south-east of Tel Aviv, confrontations broke out again despite a curfew; police said a suspect was shot in the leg and arrested after they were pelted with two petrol bombs.
- Palestinian medics said at least 12 people were killed overnight in air strikes throughout Gaza and Health officials said a family of 10 were among the dead after their house was struck in a refugee camp.
- Reporting: BBC, The Guardian, DPA, Telegraph
Africa
- Libya: The U.N. chief said foreign fighters and mercenaries remain in the nation in violation of last October’s cease-fire agreement and called for their withdrawal and an end to violations of the U.N. arms embargo, saying these are “critical elements” for lasting peace. (AP)
- Mali: AK47 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition are among a hoard of suspected Islamic State weapons that have been taken by UK troops in Mali. (BBC)
- Senegal: The nation received more Sinopharm vaccines from China. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Colombia: Confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the nation surpassed 80,000 with intensive care units almost full in the biggest cities, where people have been gathering for anti-government protests. (Reuters)
- United States: A day after Philadelphia’s health commissioner was forced to quit over the cremation of partial remains belonging to victims of a 1985 bombing of the headquarters of a Black organization, the city now says those remains were never destroyed. (AP)
- United States: The Smithsonian Institution re-opened several of its buildings as a symbol of a return to normality as the nation gradually emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. (EFE)
- United States: The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered an oil refinery in the US Virgin Islands to cease all operations, citing “at least four incidents” in which the facility significantly affected St Croix residents. (The Guardian)
Asia
- India: The nation’s largest cities Delhi and Mumbai have reported a decrease in daily infections, but the government is warning that the devastating surge is spreading in rural areas, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s 1.4 billion people live. (AP)
- Myanmar: The army battled local militia fighters in the northwestern town of Mindat to squash a rebellion that has sprung up to oppose the junta that seized power in the Southeast Asian country. (Reuters)
- South Korea: Daily new COVID-19 cases fell below 700 as authorities expressed concerns about another increase in additional cases amid a growing number of travelers that can lead to more sporadic cluster infections. (YNA)
- Taiwan: The nation raised its COVID-19 alert level for the capital Taipei, and New Taipei City, causing a two-week clampdown on gatherings as well as the closure of many venues, while announcing 180 new domestic infections. (Reuters)
Europe
- France: President Emmanuel Macron said the murder of teacher Samuel Paty will be remembered as he called for democracies to find solutions at a summit on the international fight against online extremism. (DPA)
- Spain: The nation saw its hottest year on record last year, a day after parliament passed a keynote bill to combat climate change. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: The former speaker of parliament Ali Larijani, registered as a candidate in the Islamic Republic’s upcoming presidential election. (AP)
- Iran: The nation’s hard-line judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, has registered for a presidential run. (AP)
- Palestinian Territories: King Mohammed VI of Morocco ordered 40 tons of aid for Palestinians to be shipped to the West Bank and Gaza because of recent violence. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Space: The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed that the lander carrying its first Mars rover has successfully reached the red planet. (Xinhua)
World
- Cyclones:
- Tropical Cyclone Tauktae
- Location:13.5N 73.3E
- Movement: NNE
- Wind:65 mph
- Map
- Tropical Cyclone Tauktae
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 15MAY21)
- Confirmed cases:161,927,626
- Total recovered cases: 140,483,252
- Deaths: 3,358,518
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 09MAY21)
- Confirmed cases: 16
- Deaths: 12
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 15MAY21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (16MAY21)
- Chile: Constitutional Assembly, governor, mayoral and municipal elections continue.
- Croatia: Local Elections.
- Saudi Arabia: Organization of Islamic Cooperation emergency meeting on Palestine.
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