Lebanon's mosques and churches reopened for worshippers with the announcement from Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmy that, starting 8 May, they can operate at 30 percent capacity with adherence to sanitary conditions. Measures include social distancing, disinfecting mist passageways, temperature checks, mandatory masks, and personal prayer mats. The country is in the second phase of easing lockdown restrictions, but faces the threat of a resurgence in coronavirus cases, with the possibility of reinstating a lockdown.

Nearly three weeks after Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner rebellion, the Kremlin is struggling to maintain a façade of resilience. Putin faces a power struggle against Prigozhin's forces, military discontents, and a public influenced by nationalist sentiment. Prigozhin remains a symbol of defiance, with his Wagner Group operating autonomously and his commercial empire being dismantled, yet he still claims significant assets. The Kremlin's messaging is contradictory, and Prigozhin's influence continues despite a supposed pledge of loyalty to the government. The Wagner rebellion has exposed internal divisions and potential insider support for Prigozhin, leading to speculation of a military purge prioritizing loyalty to Putin. Public support for Wagner, although fluctuating, remains significant, challenging Putin's narrative of depoliticized Russian people. The article suggests that the Wagner rebellion may be a turning point, potentially leading to further coups and instability in Russia.

Rana Dimassi, from Tripoli, Lebanon, is grieving the death of her son, Fawwaz Fouad al-Samman, who was shot by the Lebanese Army during riots on April 27. Tripoli, known as Lebanon's second largest and poorest city, has a long history of suffering, which is now compounded by this tragic event.