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India coronavirus crisis 

India has logged yet another record daily rise in its coronavirus cases, as it faces severe shortages of medical supplies. The health ministry on Friday registered over 386,400 new cases in 24 hours. That takes India’s total tally to more than 18 million, the second largest in the world. The country has been posting record after record in its daily Covid cases in the past few weeks. That has been blamed on large gatherings as well as people’s reluctance to wear masks. The explosion in infections has caused a severe shortage in hospital beds and supplies of oxygen. A number of countries have pledged aid and assistance to India. The US aid has just arrived there. 

Palestinian elections 

The European Union has condemned a decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to postpone the first Palestinian elections in 15 years. EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell called the decision deeply disappointing. He said a new date should be set without delay. Legislative and presidential elections were due to be held on May 22 and July 31 respectively. But on Friday, Palestinian President Abbas delayed them. He cited a lack of assurances by Israel that voting would take place in east Jerusalem al-Quds. Various Palestinian groups criticized the move. Hamas called the decision a coup against its partnership with Abbas’s party, Fatah. The resistance movement was expected to do better than Fatah in the polls. 

Colombia scuffles 

Colombian protesters and riot police have clashed on the second day of demonstrations against a tax reform package proposed by the government. Clashes broke out in various locations including the city of Cali. Reports say one person died there in what was called an incident related to the demonstration. Colombians took to the streets in major cities Thursday for the second straight day. They defied a court order ruling that the marches should be postponed because of a spike in Covid cases. The government has said it will act against demonstrators breaking the law. The proposed reforms would increase taxes on individuals and businesses and eliminate many exemptions.


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