May 2020 Current Events: World News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the world news events you need to know so far for May 2020:
- Coronavirus Updates
- Gun Restrictions in Canada
- Kim Jong Un Appearance
- Coronavirus Updates (2)
- Anti-Government Protests in Slovenia
- Coronavirus Updates (3)
- Care Home Fire in Moscow
- Afghanistan to Resume Offensive Operations
- Hong Kong Protests Resume
- Iran Naval Accident
- Coronavirus Updates (4)
- Protests in Chile
- Controversial Security Law in China
- Pakistan Plane Crash
- Coronavirus Updates (5)
- Attack in Burkina Faso
Coronavirus Updates
On May 1, it was reported that Australia has almost completely flattened its curve, reporting just 16 new cases in 24 hours. Australia’s government will be meeting soon to discuss lifting the lockdown restrictions. On May 4, New Zealand announced that there were 0 new cases in the last 24 hours. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres
Gun Restrictions in Canada
On May 1, a few weeks after one of the country’s worst mass shootings, Prime Minister Trudeau announced an assault rifle ban in Canada. The new rules make it illegal to make, sell, or purchase over 1,500 types of ARs. (BBC)
Photo Source: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Kim Jong Un Appearance
On May 2, North Korean state-run media reported that Kim Jong Un made an appearance at a May Day celebration, laughing and smoking a cigarette. The state-run media released a video where Kim Jong Un can be seen walking and sitting at the event. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Coronavirus Updates (2)
On May 5, doctors in Paris revealed that a patient admitted to the hospital in December had COVID-19, meaning the virus was in France weeks before previously thought. On May 5, three Russian doctors fighting coronavirus mysteriously fell out of hospital windows. Two died and one remains hospitalized as questions about Russia’s hospital conditions arise. On May 6, UK epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, who was one of the lead advisors on coronavirus, resigned. Ferguson resigned after it was revealed that he broke lockdown rules on that basis that he thought he was immune. On May 9, China’s President Xi Jinping said he received a message from Kim Jong-un congratulating China on their handling of coronavirus. Xi Jingping went on to say he is worried for North Korea, which has said they have no confirmed cases at all, but health officials think that is unlikely. (CNN/BBC)
Photo Source: Naohiko Hatta/Pool Photo via AP
Anti-Government Protests in Slovenia
On May 8, cyclists cycled through Slovenia’s capital to protest the government. The protesters are accusing Prime Minister Janez Jansa of using the coronavirus pandemic as a way to increase police powers and restrict personal freedoms. The protesters also claim Jansa has shown hatred towards migrants and has made personal attacks on journalists. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo
Coronavirus Updates (3)
On May 11, after deciding to loosen restrictions, both China and South Korea face new cases. South Korea has seen a new cluster of cases, causing the country to reinforce some restrictions that had been lifted. Two cities in China have seen 11 new cases, causing China to add more restrictions due to fear of a second wave. On May 13, Russia’s coronavirus situation worsened as a hospital fire killed 5 people and forced another 150 to evacuate. After this occurred, President Putin’s spokesperson was hospitalized for coronavirus. On May 15, Italy announced it will open for in and out travel starting June 3. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
Care Home Fire in Moscow
On May 11, a Moscow care home caught fire, killing at least 9 people and injuring many others. Officials don’t know the cause of the blaze, but they were able to extinguish it within an hour and save many of the residents. (BBC)
Photo Source: Denis Voronin, Moscow News Agency photo via AP
Afghanistan to Resume Offensive Operations
On May 12, despite Trump’s peace deal with the Taliban, the Afghan government announced they will resume offensive operations. The decision comes after some deadly terrorist attacks, one that killed 13 people, two of whom were newborn babies, at a maternity ward. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul
Hong Kong Protests Resume
On May 13, after nearly 5 months of isolation due to coronavirus, many Hong Kong citizens took to the streets to resume protests without waiting for the last of restrictions to be lifted. Officials arrested 230 people for breaking social distancing and assembly laws. Protests are expected to only increase during the summer. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Kin Cheung
Iran Naval Accident
On May 18, nineteen people died and fifteen were injured after an Iranian naval exercise resulted in an accident in the Gulf of Oman. Officials originally stated the accident was due to a misdirected missile attack, but they later revised their statement. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Marcos Moreno
Coronavirus Updates (4)
On May 18, scientists revealed that there is an expected increase in rainfall for England this summer. Excessive flooding could potentially affect the amount of coronavirus care given to rural areas. On May 19, France’s administrative court announced that the country has 8 days to lift the ban on meetings at places of worship. The judge stated that gatherings of less than 10 people are now allowed. On May 20, Brazil became the country with the third highest number of coronavirus cases. So far, the country has had 1,179 deaths and 17,408 confirmed cases. President Trump has stated that he’s considering a travel ban on Brazil until the numbers decrease. On May 22, after President Bolsonaro called coronavirus “a little flu,” the country was reported to have the second highest number of cases (America has still recorded the most). Health officials reported 20,803 new cases on May 22, bringing Brazil’s total to 330,890. On May 23, thousands of citizens in Spain took to the streets to protest the government’s handling of coronavirus. Protesters rode in their cars with Spanish flags hanging out the window, demanding Prime Minister Sanchez resign. (BBC/CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Protests in Chile
On May 19, police and citizens clashed in Santiago as protesters protested the lack of food during coronavirus lockdown. Media showed police using tear gas and water cannons on the protesters. President Pinera has said he will deliver food to those in need. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Esteban Felix
Controversial Security Law in China
On May 22, China announced a controversial security law that may affect Hong Kong as we know it. The law criminalizes "treason, secession, sedition (and) subversion" against the central government, which would bypass Hong Kong legislation. The law allows national security to be in Hong Kong. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Kin Cheung
Pakistan Plane Crash
On May 22, a Pakistani plane carrying 99 passengers and a few crew members crashed after the pilot reported technical difficulties. At least 2 people have survived. This is one of Pakistan’s first flights since the coronavirus lockdown. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad
Coronavirus Updates (5)
On May 25, Rwanda announced that it will be using anti-epidemic robots to fight coronavirus. With 314 confirmed cases in the country, the five robots will perform mass temperature checks, check patient status, and keep coronavirus patient records. On May 30, despite a record-high in daily cases of coronavirus, India announced it will ease lockdown restrictions. The decision comes after the country recorded nearly 8,000 cases in 24 hours. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz
Attack in Burkina Faso
On May 31, at least 20 people were killed at a cattle market in Burkina Faso. Gunmen entered the market on motorbikes. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sam Mednick
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