Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The Tunisian Health Ministry recorded 1,422 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 343,374.
- AMERICAS: According to the Center for Disease Control, the United States is on track to reach a goal calling for 70 percent of adults to have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by July 4.
- ASIA: South Korea is due to receive the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine for 1 million people from the United States this week following Washington’s promise to donate vaccines for Korean troops, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced.
- EUROPE: Belarusian Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya praised the support that has been expressed by people around the world after the nation diverted a commercial jet to Minsk and arrested an opposition journalist on board.
- MIDDLE EAST: Yemen’s Houthi militia ordered a new bomb-laden drone attack on the King Khalid Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern border city of Khamis Mushait.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: China’s cargo spacecraft, holding supplies, equipment, and fuel, docked with the space station’s key module Tianhe.
Top Story
- Vietnam: The nation responds to the discovery of a new COVID variant which has caused a record number of cases in the country.
- Vietnam’s Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long described the latest mutation, which shares traits with the Indian and U.K variant, as “very dangerous.”
- The number of COVID-19 cases has more than doubled this month to more than 6,900, with 47 deaths reported.
- Vietnam so far has vaccinated 1 million people with AstraZeneca shots; it also sealed a deal with Pfizer for 30 million doses, which are scheduled to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
- Vietnam’s business hub Ho Chi Minh City will start social distancing measures for 15 days starting from May 31 to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Reporting: BBC, FT, VOA, Reuters,
Africa
- Nigeria: Arsonists set fire to a police station and two courts in the southeastern state of Imo. (Xinhua)
- Tunisia: The Health Ministry recorded 1,422 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 343,374. (Xinhua)
- Uganda: The nation recorded 690 additional COVID-19 cases over the past day, bringing the nationwide count to 46,621. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Brazil: Citizens took to the streets in dozens of cities to protest against the pandemic policies of President Jair Bolsonaro and his government. (DPA)
- United States: A small jet carrying seven people crashed into a Tennessee lake with no survivors. (AP)
- United States: According to the Center for Disease Control, the nation is on track to reach a goal calling for 70 percent of adults to have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by July 4. (DPA)
- United States: A group of 117 healthcare workers at a Texas hospital filed a lawsuit in state court against their employer’s mandate forcing the staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations. (Reuters)
Asia
- Region: Growing friction with China and how to reopen borders after the pandemic will likely be among the topics discussed by the leaders of Australia and New Zealand in their first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak prompted both countries to close their borders. (AP)
- India: Monsoon rains are likely to hit the southern coast around May 31, (Reuters)
- South Korea: The nation recorded 480 more COVID-19 cases, including 464 local infections, bringing the total caseload to 139,910. (YNA)
- South Korea: The nation is due to receive the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine for 1 million people from the United States this week following Washington’s promise to donate vaccines for Korean troops, (YNA)
Europe
- Belarus: Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya praised the support that has been expressed by people around the world after the nation diverted a commercial jet to Minsk and arrested an opposition journalist on board. (RFE)
- Cyprus: Citizens are heading to the polls to elect a new parliament. (DPA)
- France: An extensive search operation involving elite forces and helicopters is ongoing in the southern Dordogne region after a man was reported having shot at police officers. (Reuters)
- Germany: A clear majority of citizens favor putting a limit on how long a politician can serve as the country’s chancellor, according to a survey. (DPA)
Middle East
- Region: Yemen’s Houthi militia ordered a bomb-laden drone attack on the King Khalid Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern border city of Khamis Mushait. (Xinhua)
- Egypt: The nation announced an intention to use recent archeological discoveries to increase tourism and spur economic development. (AP)
- Israel: The nation is gripped by the political drama over the possible end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s record run as the country’s leader. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Space: China’s cargo spacecraft, holding supplies, equipment, and fuel, docked with the space station’s key module Tianhe. (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 30MAY21)
- Confirmed cases: 169,957,062
- Deaths: 3,533,769
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 23MAY21)
- Confirmed cases: 16
- Deaths: 12
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 30MAY21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (31MAY21)
- Global: NATO chief briefs press ahead of Foreign and Defence Ministers meeting.
- Global: OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria’s term of office ends.
- Global: U.N. Security Council mandates expire.
- Angola: 30th anniversary of civil war deal.
- India: The nation reveals the latest quarterly growth statistics.
- France: The country begins COVID-19 vaccinations for all over 18s.
- Japan: The government is scheduled to ease COVID-19 restrictions unless extended.
- Somalia: Somaliland parliamentary, senate, and municipal elections.
- South Africa: 60th anniversary of the country becoming a republic.
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