Sunday,  May 3rd, 2020

Fauci blocked from testifying before House committee The White House confirmed Friday it is blocking Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease who has taken on a prominent role in the Trump administration’s coronavirus response, from testifying before the Democrat-led House Appropriations Committee about the pandemic next week. White House spokesman Judd Deere said “it is counterproductive” to have someone like Fauci, who is heavily involved in the government’s efforts to re-open the American economy and expedite a coronavirus vaccine, step away from those tasks and testify. Deere did say the White House would work with Congress to find a more “appropriate time” for Fauci to testify. Fauci, who at times has dissented from President Trump on certain coronavirus-related matters, will reportedly appear before the Republican-led Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee the following week. Source:  CNN

European countries begin to ease some coronavirus restrictions Coronavirus restrictions continued to ease Saturday in some European countries, including Spain, one of the world’s hardest-hit nations. Adults were allowed outside to exercise for the first time in seven weeks, prompting runners and cyclists to hit the pavement, though social distancing guidelines remain in place. In Madrid, a field hospital set up by the military at a convention center was closed, as was a makeshift morgue established at an ice rink. Spain has more than 213,000 cases of COVID-19 with 24,543 deaths. Elsewhere, museums, zoos, and playgrounds were permitted to open for the first time in several weeks in Germany. Italy will begin loosening some restrictions Monday. Source: BBC

Newsom says California could ease restrictions in a matter of days Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles, on Friday to protest California Gov. Newsom’s (D) decision to close beaches throughout the state as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, claiming the measure was a breach of individual liberties. Many of the protesters were reportedly not wearing masks. But during his Friday press conference, Newsom said he is hopefully just “days” away from lifting some restrictions in California’s stay-at-home order, which is one of the strictest in the country. The governor hinted that restaurants may soon be able to re-open for table service with some safety measures, but people will need to continue to shelter at home in the meantime before any changes come to fruition. Source: Reuters

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reports that leader Kim Jong-un attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a fertilizer plant today, in his first official appearance since his disappearance last month. (Reuters)

North and South Korean soldiers exchange gunfire at a South Korean guard post, but no injuries are reported. (Reuters)

At least 10 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces are killed by ISIL militants in attacks in the town of Mekeeshfa and the city of Balad. Iraq and the paramilitary forces’ official media report that scores of others were wounded. (Al Jazeera)

President of Palau Thomas Remengesau Jr. condemns the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Organization, saying that it “endangers, not only Taiwanese people, but people everywhere”. Palau remains one of Taiwan’s few political allies in the Pacific. (RNZ)

Inmates take seven guards hostage at a prison in Manaus, Brazil, during an attempted escape. A raid later frees the guards and ends the prisoner’s rebellion. (Global News)

 

Saturday,  May 2nd, 2020

The government of Sudan criminalises female genital mutilation. (The New York Times)

A riot over food shortages at the overcrowded Los Llanos prison in Guanare, Portuguesa, Venezuela, leaves at least 46 people dead and dozens more injured, including the prison’s director, according to the military. (BBC)

Syrian businessman and Syriatel owner Rami Makhlouf makes an “unprecedented” public appeal to his cousin, President Bashar al-Assad, on Facebook, saying a “cadre of officials” are seeking to seize his assets. Makhlouf, who was a part of President al-Assad’s inner circle, says he will pay the President himself but not the state. (The Washington Post)