5 things you need to know this morning: March 5, 2021

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Pope arrives in Iraq for historic visit

The Pope has arrived in Iraq, the first ever papal visit to the beleaguered country. He called for an end to violence in Iraq, which has suffered for decades as a consequence of Saddam Hussein's autocratic regime, Islamic terrorism and the US-led invasion and occupation. Iraq's dwindling but ancient Christian community is estimated to number about 250,000, an enormous decline since the turn of the millennium.

I come as a penitent, asking forgiveness from Heaven and our brothers for so much destruction and cruelty; a pilgrim of peace, in the name of Christ, Prince of Peace. How we have prayed, in these years, for peace in #Iraq! God always listens. It is up to us to walk His paths.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 5, 2021

2. Apes at San Diego Zoo given experimental COVID-19 vaccine

Four orangutans and five bonobos at San Diego Zoo have been given an experimental COVID-19 vaccine designed for animals. It comes after eight gorillas tested positive for the virus in January. Conservations are worried about the possibility of the virus spreading among great apes, many of which are threatened by poachers and human expansion.

Nine great apes at San Diego Zoo get COVID jabs in world-first https://t.co/Y1MTwgItkr

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 5, 2021

3. YouTube chief says Trump may be allowed back on platform

YouTube has said it might allow former president Donald Trump to return to the platform if the threat of "real-world violence" associated with him decreases. The company's CEO, Susan Wojcicki, said it's "pretty clear" that there is an "elevated risk of violence" in the wake of the Capitol riots earlier this year.

YouTube’s CEO said the company still sees a risk of violence in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot and that it would only lift its suspension of former President Donald Trump once it determines “the risk of violence has decreased” https://t.co/FAfUIxVYQE

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 4, 2021

4. President of Brazil tells citizens to 'stop whining' about COVID-19

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has told his compatriots to "stop whining" about COVID-19. He made the comment a day after Brazil saw a record rise in deaths associated with the pandemic. Bolsonaro also criticized COVID-19 restrictions in the country, which has so far recorded over 260,000 deaths linked to the virus.

Bolsonaro tells Brazilians to ‘stop whining’ after record Covid-19 deaths https://t.co/xzifARlEgC pic.twitter.com/WFfBrpifnF

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) March 5, 2021

5. Mirage makes ship appear to be floating in the air

A "superior mirage" has been caught on camera in England, making a ship appear to be floating above the sea. The optical illusion was photographed near Falmouth in Cornwall, which is in the southwest of the country. A BBC meteorologist said the illusion was created by "special atmospheric conditions that bend light".

Images of 'floating ship' captured as result of optical illusion off the coast of Englandhttps://t.co/ceDCHUY9SN

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 5, 2021