5 things you need to know this morning: May 3, 2021

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

Five things you need to know

1. Indian PM's party loses election amid COVID-19 crisis

A critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held onto power in West Bengal as the country continues to struggle with COVID-19. Mamata Banerjee's win came despite Modi's BJP investing significant time and resources into the election in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party on Sunday lost big in an important election in West Bengal, a populous state that it desperately wanted to win. The loss came amid criticism of how Modi has handled the coronavirus surge in India. https://t.co/o4HmdB4N1E

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 3, 2021

2. Colosseum getting an upgrade

The Colosseum is getting an upgrade. The Italian government has pledged to spend US$22.2 million to build a retractable wooden floor inside the millennia-old arena in Rome.

🇮🇹 Italy has approved plans for a new lightweight arena inside Rome’s Colosseum.

⚔️ This sets the stage for cultural events to once again be held in the iconic wonder of the world

https://t.co/yfWnFvXGHs

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 3, 2021

3. Arrests in Germany and Paraguay as part of raid on child porn network

Three men have been arrested in Germany and one in Paraguay amid a raid on what police said is one of the world's largest online child pornography networks. The international investigation targeted a dark net platform called Boystown.

Prosecutors in Germany make arrests and take down international porn ring on darknet containing "images of most severe sexual abuse of toddlers". https://t.co/UWs0ej9htl

— euronews (@euronews) May 3, 2021

4. EU discussing plan to allow in vaccinated tourists

The European Union is gearing up for the tourist season. The bloc has announced plans to allow in anyone who has received at least one dose of an EU-approved COVID-19 vaccine two weeks before their arrival date. The plans will be discussed on Tuesday.

Time to revive 🇪🇺 tourism industry & for cross-border friendships to rekindle - safely.

We propose to welcome again vaccinated visitors & those from countries with a good health situation.

But if variants emerge we have to act fast: we propose an EU emergency brake mechanism.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 3, 2021

5. At least 4 dead after suspected human trafficking boat encounters trouble off San Diego

Four people have died and dozens have been injured after a suspected human trafficking boat got into trouble off the coast of San Diego. The captain of the vessel has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling.

'MASS CASUALTY': Death toll rises in sea smuggling operation off the San Diego coast https://t.co/ko9OaRhIRp pic.twitter.com/UC1LBqfZIN

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 2, 2021