*) Unprecedented public rage in Lebanon grows after blast
Two ministers in Lebanon have resigned over a deadly blast that has unleashed unprecedented public rage against the country's ruling class.
Protesters and police are in running battles in Beirut, the capital, for a second day.
It comes as world leaders pledged $300 million to rebuild the country, but only on the condition that the government commits itself to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people.
*) Hong Kong media tycoon arrested under controversial security law
Hong Kong authorities have arrested media tycoon Jimmy Lai and several other people, under Beijing’s controversial new national security law.
Lai, whose media company publishes local paper Apple Daily, is an outspoken critic of Beijing, which accused him of colluding with foreign forces.
Violators of the law face a jail term of up to 10 years, or life imprisonment for serious offences if found guilty.
*) Clashes after exit polls suggest win for Lukashenko
Protesters in Belarus clashed with the police after polls closed in Sunday's presidential election.
Protests erupted after exit polls suggested incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, who’s seeking a sixth term in office, won about 80 percent of votes.
His main opponent Svetlana Tikhanouskaya apparently only won six percent, in an election the opposition said was rigged.
*) Global Covid-19 cases surpass 20M mark
Over 20 million people around the world are now infected with Covid-19.
The pandemic has also killed almost 740,000 people. The US is the worst affected country followed by Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa.
And finally,
*) Saudi Arabia to begin human trials with Chinese Covid-19 vaccine
Saudi Arabia will soon begin human trials coupled with placebo treatment on 5,000 volunteers.
The vaccine is developed by China’s CanSino, which is also in talks with Russia, Brazil and Chile for more human trials.
Researchers who tested the vaccine recently say it appears to be safe and is inducing an immune response in most human subjects.