Biden: get vaccinated or wear a mask

Anyone who is fully vaccinated in the United States can now participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or physical distancing, president Joe Biden announced on Thursday. Speaking from the Rose Garden in The White House, the president said it was a “great day for America” after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the new advice. “The rule is now simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do. The choice is yours,” he said. In an earlier briefing, CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said: “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.” Meanwhile, as Pfizer's vaccine has now been approved for children aged 12 to 15, the president of the American Federation of Teachers has called for schools throughout the US to reopen fully in the autumn. The Washington Post, NBC, The New York Times and the BBC have more

Israel denies ground troops in Gaza

Israel has backtracked on an announcement that it had sent ground forces to attack Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Haaretz reporter Anshel Pfeffer said via Twitter that the Israeli Defense Forces had issued a series of contradicting briefings. Meanwhile, United Nations secretary general António Guterres has called for “an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities…out of respect for the spirit of Eid.” Over 100 people have been killed in Gaza and seven have died in Israel since the new violence began at the start of the week. Escalating intercommunal violence in Israel towns and cities is also causing authorities concern, with president, Reuven Rivlin saying a civil war would be “a danger to our existence, more than all the dangers we have from the outside”. The Guardian, Reuters and The Times of Israel report.

Colonial paid ransom to cybercriminals

Reports in the media suggest that oil supplier Colonial Pipeline paid a ransom of nearly $5 million to the cybercriminals who shut down much of its pipeline system last week. News of the payment was first published by Bloomberg, but CNBC and CNN have also had the story confirmed by sources familiar with the matter. President Jo Biden declined to comment, but White House press secretary Jen Pskai told reporters that federal government policy is to not pay ransoms.

Disney shares fall on disappointing subscriber news

The Disney+ streaming service had reached 103.6 million subscribers at the end of the first quarter of 2021, which is well below the 109 million analysts has forecast. The news saw shares in Disney fall by some 4% in after-hours trading. But Disney CEO Bob Chapek remained upbeat and said that “every single market has exceeded expectations”. CNBC and Bloomberg have details.

Paris unveils through traffic ban plans

Through traffic will be banned in central Paris by 2022 if new plans unveiled on Thursday go ahead. The no-go zone stretches from Bastille to Tuileries and includes both banks of the Seine. The plan is to give priority to cyclists, pedestrians, and public transport. The move follows the introduction of significant new cycle infrastructure over the past year. The BBC and Forbes have more.

Glaswegians stop immigration grab

Two men detained by UK Immigration Enforcement in a dawn raid in Glasgow were released after around 200 protesters prevented a van from driving them away. The protestors chanted “these are our neighbours, let them go” and one man lay down underneath the Immigration Enforcement van for eight hours during the standoff. The Guardian and Sky News and The Daily Record has a picture gallery.

Something for the weekend

Friday 14 May-Sunday 16 May: Visit the Street Photography Luxembourg exhibition, which runs through Sunday at Rotondes. Saturday 15 May & Sunday 16 May: shop for stylish fashion at the Vintage Kilo pop up store at Luxexpo over the weekend. Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 May: The annual Museum Days weekend sees 45 museums around the grand duchy open their doors for free and put on special shows. Sunday 16 May: Local singer-songwriter Hannah Ida performs at Rotondes at 8pm.

Borussia Dortmund win German cup

Following a disappointing season in the Bundesliga, where Champions League qualification hangs in the balance, Borussia Dortmund claimed silverware in Berlin on Thursday by beating RB Leipzig 4-1 in the DFB Pokal final. Jadon Sancho and the irrepressible Erling Braut Haaland scored two goals each. The Daily Mail and BBC have reports.

Friends reunion date announced

Hit TV sitcom Friends returns on 27 May with a one-off reunion special. All six original cast members feature in “The One Where They Get Back Together”, which will be streamed on HBO Max. A host of celebrities including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and David Beckham are scheduled to make guest appearances. CNN and Forbes have more.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts