UK

Republican Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine says awarding $1 million to five Ohioans who have gotten the Covid-19 shots via a lottery is a good way to incentivize people to get vaccinated.

Santa Rosa County schools in Florida have decided to end mask mandates in their district. While some parents favor the district's decision, others are left frustrated. CNN's Leyla Santiago reports.

New, more ambitious targets are setting Germany on course to a greener future – including cutting emissions by 65%, up from 55%, from 1990 levels by the end of this decade. A roadmap approved by Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet includes spending more on renewable energy sources and tougher financial penalties for polluters.

In Syria, the al-Kharrats are one of the largest Damascene families trying to preserve the Sufi whirling ritual often performed in public during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Almost every popular spot in the capital offers some form of dervish performance for customers during this month, but their performances are limited to Syria after the country's conflict stopped them from travelling.

Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has unrolled incentives including a weekly $1 million lottery prize and drawings for college scholarships to encourage people to get vaccinated. (May 13)

Myanmar's Buddhist monks are divided on the military junta which has ruled the country since a coup on February 1, with some swearing opposition to the coup, and other prominent religious leaders defending the new junta.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and Palestinian rocket fire toward Israel continued on Thursday as fighting between Jews and Arabs rages in Israeli cities. (May 13)

Beijing's Muslim community gathers for Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of Ramadan at the Niujie Mosque – the capital city's biggest and oldest mosque.

Frustrated drivers lined up at a North Carolina petrol station in a wake of a gas shortage prompted by the Colonial Pipeline hacking.

New York City has started offering vaccines at some metro stops through a pilot programme. Locals and travellers alike lined up at a walk-in vaccination site at Penn Station on Wednesday to get their COVID jabs without any pre-requirements.

Pro-Israel demonstrators gather in Times Square, New York, to express support for the country amid worsening hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

Students and community activists from New England to the Deep South are demanding their colleges take more ambitious steps to atone for past sins amid the nation's latest racial reckoning. (May 13)