Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks (WaPo) or socially distance in most settings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced.

The new guidance is the agency’s broadest easing of pandemic restrictions (WSJ) so far, a testament to the efficacy of vaccines and an indication that a return to a semblance of normalcy could be imminent. Masks will still be required when traveling on planes, trains, and buses, and people will still have to abide by state, local, and business regulations, the CDC said. Although the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths has fallen considerably (NYT) in the United States, the vaccination rate is slowing, and millions of Americans are still unvaccinated. Meanwhile, the pandemic is still raging in other parts of the world, including India and Southeast Asia, raising concerns about the spread of virus variants. 

Taiwan’s election commission approved three new referendums (Reuters) for an August vote that could affect U.S.-Taiwan relations and Taiwan’s energy security. Voters will decide whether to lift a ban on a pork additive that has been a long-standing irritant in the U.S.-Taiwan trade relationship. Ending the ban could help smooth the path to a free trade agreement. Voters will also consider changing the location of a planned natural gas terminal to protect the environment.

This Backgrounder unpacks Taiwan’s relationships with China and the United States.

South Korea: President Moon Jae-in appointed a new prime minister (Yonhap), Kim Boo-kyum, as well as new science and land ministers. The three were chosen as part of a cabinet reshuffle last month following the ruling party’s defeat in by-elections.

Myanmar’s military junta released a freelance Japanese reporter (Kyodo) in what it called a gesture of friendship toward Japan. The reporter, Yuki Kitazumi, was arrested in April for allegedly supporting civil disobedience and riots. Dozens of journalists have been arrested during the military’s crackdown on anti-coup protests.

India: The country’s first dose of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine was administered in Hyderabad (ThePrint) as part of a limited pilot program. The government said two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses will be made available in India between August and December.

For Think Global Health, Judy Stone, Joshua P. Cohen, and Madhukar Pai explain why U.S. vaccine nationalism hurts India.

Israel’s military continues to carry out air and ground strikes (Haaretz) in Gaza in retaliation for rocket attacks by Hamas and other militant groups, and the country is considering mounting a ground invasion (AP). At least 119 Gazans, including 31 children and 19 women, have been killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. At least eight people in Israel have been killed, including one child and one woman. The UN Security Council is slated to discuss the situation on Sunday, after the United States objected to meeting today.

CFR’s Steven A. Cook explains how evictions in Jerusalem spurred the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence in years.

Lebanon: A Turkish energy company that supplies about a quarter of Lebanon’s electricity shut off its generators (BBC). The company said it has not been paid in eighteen months and that it is owed more than $100 million.

Kenya’s High Court ruled that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s efforts to amend the country’s constitution are illegal (Al Jazeera). Critics say the proposed amendments are designed to constrain Kenyatta’s deputy, William Ruto, by making it easier to form a coalition to oppose him. The government has said it will appeal the court’s decision.

South Africa: Ace Magashule filed a lawsuit challenging his ouster (Mail and Guardian) as secretary-general of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Magashule was suspended from the party as part of its effort to crack down on corruption.

Armenia accused Azerbaijan (RFE/RL) of sending troops across its southern border, escalating tensions between the countries that fought a war last year over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan denied the claims. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for both countries to abide by the terms of the Moscow-brokered cease-fire agreement, while French President Emmanuel Macron demanded that Azerbaijan withdraw its forces.

Ireland: Hospitals were forced to cancel appointments and shut down IT systems due to a ransomware attack (Politico) on Ireland’s health-care system, the Health Service Executive. COVID-19 vaccination appointments were not affected.

Canada’s federal ethics watchdog cleared Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (CBC) of wrongdoing after he was accused of violating conflict-of-interest laws when a charity with ties to his family was allowed to run a student grant program. However, the commission found that former Finance Minister Bill Morneau did violate the law by giving the charity preferential treatment.

Argentina: President Alberto Fernandez met with Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, its prime minister, Mario Draghi, and Pope Francis yesterday (MercoPress) during his Europe tour. Fernandez is slated to meet with the head of the International Monetary Fund today.