May 16, 2021 (Sunday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis
- Israel continues airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, killing several more people, including 42 in Gaza City, which is the deadliest single attack in the past week. The total death toll there rises to 192 people, including 58 children and 34 women. (Al Jazeera)
- Hamas fires over 190 rockets at towns and cities in southern Israel, damaging numerous buildings, including a synagogue. Approximately 3,000 rockets have been fired in the past week. (Times of Israel)
- The Israeli Air Force destroys the office and home of Yahya Sinwar, the most senior Hamas official in Gaza. (Al Jazeera)
- Afghan peace process
- After discussions in Qatar and Pakistan, Taliban representatives have reportedly agreed to substantive talks with the Afghan Republic team in Doha, and to attend a summit in Istanbul that they initially refused to attend. (TOLO News)
Arts and culture
- Miss Universe 2020
- In Hollywood, Florida, United States, Andrea Meza of Mexico is crowned Miss Universe. (GMA News Online)
Disasters and accidents
- Two people are killed and at least 100 others are injured when a tiered seating structure collapses at a partly-built synagogue in Giv'at Ze'ev, in the West Bank. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia
- The Ministry of Health suspends the distribution of around 450,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from batch CTMAV547 for toxicity and sterility tests following the death of a 22-year-old man who received the vaccine 11 days ago. (Jakarta Globe)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education
- The Singaporean Ministry of Education announces that they will close all schools and shift all primary, secondary, and junior college students to full home-based learning beginning May 19 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community. (The Straits Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
- Taiwan reports a record 207 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, 206 of which are locally transmitted cases. This subsequently brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,682. (The Guardian)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
- Thailand surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Thai PBS World)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, Lineage B.1.617
- Maine reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that originated in India. (Bangor Daily News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, Lineage B.1.617
- COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom
- The number of people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United Kingdom surpasses 20 million. (Sky News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
International relations
- Holy See–Myanmar relations
- Pope Francis condemns the violence and repression in Myanmar and again condemns the coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. He tells protesters to not despair "in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided". (Reuters)
Law and crime
- International protests over the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis
- A convoy covered with Palestinian flags drives through North London shouting antisemitic language. Four people are arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offenses. (The Jewish Chronicle) (Times of Israel)
- In Berlin, violent confrontations break out during a protest against Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, with an Israeli TV reporter being attacked. (Euronews)
- Montreal Police deploy tear gas to disperse a protest in downtown Montreal, which saw pro-Israeli protesters clash with pro-Palestinian protesters. (CBC)
Politics and elections
- 2021 Chilean Constitutional Convention election
- Chileans are summoned to a second consecutive day of voting to elect the 155 members of the Constitutional Convention to change its Pinochet-era constitution. The results show a majority victory for the center-left, with a very important role for independent candidates. (El País)
Sports
- 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League
- Barcelona wins the team's first Champions League after beating Chelsea in the final match at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden. (BBC Sport)