In a blow to the Jordanian royal family’s veneer of stability, authorities yesterday accused Prince Hamzah bin Hussein and other officials of plotting with “foreign parties” to “destabilize Jordan.” Up to sixteen high-level officials have been arrested (Reuters) in connection with the alleged plot. Prince Hamzah—the half brother of King Abdullah II and former heir to the throne—said in a video that he was placed under house arrest. The prince, who has a history of criticizing the ruling class (AP), denied involvement in a plot against the king.

Rifts within the royal family rarely become public (NYT). But the government frequently cracks down on dissent, and insulting the king is illegal. The United States and Gulf powers including Saudi Arabia were among the countries that expressed support (Al Jazeera) for King Abdullah and for efforts to ensure stability.

Aides to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte issued some of his government’s strongest criticisms yet (Reuters) about the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels in parts of the South China Sea claimed by China and the Philippines. Separately, Japan sent a destroyer and patrol aircraft to monitor Chinese vessels (SCMP), including an aircraft carrier, passing through the waterway between the Okinawa and Miyako Islands.

Vietnam: The country’s parliament elected Pham Minh Chinh, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Organization Committee, to serve as prime minister (Nikkei). Former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will become president, a largely ceremonial role.

India’s Health Ministry reported 103,558 new COVID-19 cases (AP) today, making it the only country besides the United States to ever record more than 100,000 cases in one day. More than half of India’s total cases in the past two weeks have been reported in the state of Maharashtra, which is imposing new restrictions.

A new report by CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick examines how COVID-19 damaged democracy in five countries, including India.

Afghanistan: President Ashraf Ghani is expected to publicly share the details of a three-part plan for peace between the Afghan government and the Taliban next week, sources told TOLOnews. Ghani has rejected a U.S. peace plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial for charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust restarted today (Times of Israel). The hearing comes as President Reuven Rivlin meets with lawmakers to discuss whether to recommend that Netanyahu remain as prime minister following last month’s deadlocked election.

Mohamed Bazoum was sworn in as Niger’s president (Al Jazeera) on Friday—just days after the government said it foiled a coup attempt—and pledged to improve security and education in the country, one of the world’s poorest. Bazoum appointed Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, a former finance and mining minister, to serve as prime minister (Africanews) and lead his cabinet.

Somalia: The militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for attacks on two military bases on Saturday. At least fifteen people were killed, officials told the Associated Press.

Vjosa Osmani, a reformist lawyer who was serving as interim president, was elected as president (RFE/RL) for a five-year term. She is the second woman to serve as Kosovo’s president.

CFR’s Women’s Power Index looks at where women hold political power around the world.

Bulgaria: Prime Minister Boyko Borissov won Sunday’s election (FT), according to exit polls, but could struggle to form a coalition because his party is projected to win just over a quarter of the vote and rival parties have pledged not to join his government.

President Alberto Fernandez tweeted that he tested positive for COVID-19 (NYT) on Saturday and was experiencing mild symptoms. His announcement came shortly after Argentina tightened travel restrictions to curb the virus’s spread as cases surge in nearby countries, including Brazil.

Venezuela: Officials will ask for UN assistance in removing landmines (Reuters) near the country’s border with Colombia, President Nicolas Maduro announced. Last week, two soldiers were killed by a landmine while conducting military operations against armed groups, Maduro’s government said. 

President Joe Biden lifted sanctions (Bloomberg) on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials enacted by the Donald Trump administration over the ICC’s investigation of possible U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and its potential inquiry into Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

This CFR Backgrounder explains the role of the ICC.

Discussions about the global response to COVID-19, including vaccine distribution and aid to struggling countries, are expected to dominate the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings (WSJ) that begin today.