Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Nigeria’s military is investigating reports that Boko Haram’s leader may have been killed following clashes with rival jihadists.
- AMERICAS: Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández said the country will enter a nine-day total coronavirus lockdown amid one of the worst phases of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
- ASIA: Japan’s government extended a coronavirus state of emergency after approving the use of Moderna and AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines.
- EUROPE: The retrial of philanthropist Osman Kavala and 15 others for their involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests has started in Turkey.
- MIDDLE EAST: Lebanon’s Parliament will convene today to discuss a letter written by President Michel Aoun claiming that Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri was incapable of forming a government that could help the country resolve its crisis.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: British Justice Minister Robert Buckland said doing nothing about how the BBC operated was “not an option” following revelations around how the BBC secured a 1995 interview with Princess Diana.
Top Story
- Middle East: Israel-Hamas ceasefire begins after 11 days of fighting.
- An Egypt-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Palestine’s militant Hamas group has taken effect.
- Additionally, the United Nations urged Israel and Palestine to resume peace discussions.
- Following the ceasefire announcement, spontaneous celebrations broke out in the Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and across the occupied West Bank.
- The truce ended 11 days of fighting during which more than 240 people were killed, with most of the deaths taking place in Gaza.
- There have currently been no reported violations of the ceasefire.
- Reporting: WaPo, Reuters, AP, DPA, BBC, NYT, WSJ
Africa
- Region: COVID-19 patients in countries across the continent are more likely to die compared to patients in other continents, according to a new study by the Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. (AFP)
- Chad: The African Union urged the country’s civilian and military leaders to share power until new elections following the death of President Idriss Déby are organized. (Reuters)
- Nigeria: The military is investigating reports that Boko Haram’s leader may have been killed following clashes with rival jihadists. (Reuters)
Americas
- Argentina: President Alberto Fernández said the country will enter a nine-day coronavirus lockdown amid one of the worst phases of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. (AFP)
- Brazil: The country reported its first six cases of the coronavirus variant found in India among crew members who arrived aboard a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship. (AFP)
- Nicaragua: Authorities launched a money laundering probe against presidential hopeful Cristiana Chamorro, who plans to challenge the country’s longtime President Daniel Ortega in this year’s elections. (Reuters)
- United States: South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet with President Joe Biden today. (AP)
Asia
- Region: Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo will have to rethink its provision of development aid to Myanmar if the situation in the Southeast Asian country does not improve. (Reuters)
- Australia: Students across the country are holding a strike to push the government to address climate change and halt plans to expand the gas industry. (DPA)
- Japan: The government extended a coronavirus state of emergency after approving the use of Moderna and AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines. (AP)
- Myanmar: The country’s junta-appointed election commission plans to dissolve Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party (NLD). (Reuters)
- Sri Lanka: Parliament approved a law installing the powerful Colombo Port City Economic Commission to administer a Chinese luxury oceanside development next to the port of Colombo. (AP)
Europe
- Region: Serbia and Russia began joint military exercises in Serbia as US-led forces led exercises of their own in neighboring Balkan states. (AP)
- Germany: The country’s public health agency chief said the currently existing coronavirus vaccines could be less effective against the COVID-19 variant found in India. (Reuters)
- Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the government will lift most of its coronavirus restrictions. (AFP)
- Turkey: The retrial of philanthropist Osman Kavala and 15 others for their involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests has started. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: A Canadian court ruled that the country owes damages to suing families after the Revolutionary Guards shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020. (Reuters)
- Lebanon: Parliament will convene today to discuss a letter written by President Michel Aoun claiming that Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri was incapable of forming a government that could help the country resolve its crisis. (Reuters)
- Yemen: The United States imposed sanctions on two Houthi military officials. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Media: British Justice Minister Robert Buckland said doing nothing about how the BBC operated was “not an option” following revelations around how the BBC secured a 1995 interview with Princess Diana. (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 21MAY21)
- Confirmed cases: 165,580,045
- Deaths: 3,431,857
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 16MAY21)
- Confirmed cases: 16
- Deaths: 12
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 21MAY21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (22MAY21)
- Global: Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo will visit France, Belgium, and South Africa. (to 24MAY)
- Europe: The finance ministers of EU countries will hold an informal meeting.
- Argentina: The country will enter a total coronavirus lockdown.
- United States: The government will extend its National Emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq.
- Yemen: Unification Day – 1990
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