The United Kingdom's Home Office grants political asylum to Hong Kong opposition activist and protest leader Nathan Law. (Reuters)
Russo-Ukrainian War, War in Donbass, Russia–NATO relations Russia deploys more troops to the Russia–Ukraine border as tensions escalate between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. (The New York Times)
Russia deploys more troops to the Russia–Ukraine border as tensions escalate between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. (The New York Times)
War in Donbass, Ukraine–NATO relations Ukraine triggers Article 15 of the Charter on a Special Partnership, initiating an emergency meeting with NATO to discuss the Russian escalation in Donbass and the build-up of Russian forces on its border. The article was last triggered in 2018 during the Kerch Strait incident. (Ukranews)
Ukraine triggers Article 15 of the Charter on a Special Partnership, initiating an emergency meeting with NATO to discuss the Russian escalation in Donbass and the build-up of Russian forces on its border. The article was last triggered in 2018 during the Kerch Strait incident. (Ukranews)
Eleven alleged members of Gruppe S, an alleged far-right terror cell plotting anti-immigration attacks, go on trial in Stuttgart. A policeman accused of assisting the group also goes on trial. (BBC News)
Terrorism in Germany 2020 Dresden knife attack An alleged ISIL recruiter goes on trial for stabbing two gay men in Dresden, killing one of them, because they were holding hands. The suspect has admitted to the attack and is charged with murder and attempted murder. (Pink News) Eleven alleged members of Gruppe S, an alleged far-right terror cell plotting anti-immigration attacks, go on trial in Stuttgart. A policeman accused of assisting the group also goes on trial. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Syria Kurdish authorities impose a ten-day curfew in northeast Syria after a rapid increase of cases of COVID-19 in the region. The U.S.-backed Kurdish authorities also close all borders of its Syrian Democratic Forces territories with those controlled by the government and insurgent groups. (AP)
Kurdish authorities impose a ten-day curfew in northeast Syria after a rapid increase of cases of COVID-19 in the region. The U.S.-backed Kurdish authorities also close all borders of its Syrian Democratic Forces territories with those controlled by the government and insurgent groups. (AP)
Brexit The United Kingdom says that it has requested to respond to a European Union notification of intent to start legal proceedings over the UK's alleged breaching of the Northern Ireland Protocol by mid-May. The UK says that its unilateral delay of the introduction of new Irish Sea border checks on food, parcels and pets is lawful. (Politico.eu)
The United Kingdom says that it has requested to respond to a European Union notification of intent to start legal proceedings over the UK's alleged breaching of the Northern Ireland Protocol by mid-May. The UK says that its unilateral delay of the introduction of new Irish Sea border checks on food, parcels and pets is lawful. (Politico.eu)
The French National Assembly approves a controversial global security law proposal that extends police powers and makes it a crime to help identify on-duty police officers "with the obvious intent of harming". Amnesty International denounces the law's "generalized surveillance practices" and "vague provisions". (AP via Daily Sabah)
Australia and New Zealand reopen their borders to tourists from either country for quarantine-free travel. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Australia and New Zealand reopen their borders to tourists from either country for quarantine-free travel. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji's two cities of Lautoka and Nadi enter into a lockdown after the country records its first community transmission in 12 months. (FBC News) All schools will be closed for the next three weeks due to the lockdown. (FBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Australia and New Zealand reopen their borders to tourists from either country for quarantine-free travel. (News.com.au)
Canada–United States relations, Deployment of COVID-19 vaccines North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announces that the state will offer COVID-19 vaccines to Manitoba truck drivers across the border. (CBC News)
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announces that the state will offer COVID-19 vaccines to Manitoba truck drivers across the border. (CBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic The Bundestag votes 342–250 to approve the proposed Infection Protection Act that will give Angela Merkel's government to impose uniform restrictions in areas where infection rate is very high. 152 people are arrested in demonstrations against the controversial law. (Euronews) (U.S. News & World Report)
The Bundestag votes 342–250 to approve the proposed Infection Protection Act that will give Angela Merkel's government to impose uniform restrictions in areas where infection rate is very high. 152 people are arrested in demonstrations against the controversial law. (Euronews) (U.S. News & World Report)
2020–2021 Minneapolis–Saint Paul racial justice protests, George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announces that the Department of Justice will investigate whether the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in a "pattern or practice of unconstitutional, unlawful policing". (ABC News)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest 2020–2021 Minneapolis–Saint Paul racial justice protests, George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announces that the Department of Justice will investigate whether the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in a "pattern or practice of unconstitutional, unlawful policing". (ABC News)
Russia–Ukraine relations The Russian Defense Ministry announces that it will move its forces away from the Ukrainian border beginning tomorrow. Ukraine and its western allies accused Russia of trying to provoke conflict by moving troops to the border, while Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu claimed that it was only to conduct drills. (Al Jazeera)
The Russian Defense Ministry announces that it will move its forces away from the Ukrainian border beginning tomorrow. Ukraine and its western allies accused Russia of trying to provoke conflict by moving troops to the border, while Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu claimed that it was only to conduct drills. (Al Jazeera)
Marshallese Foreign Minister Casten Nemra says that, despite growing threats to the Marshall Islands due to rising sea levels, the Marshallese government "has no intention to relocate". The comment comes amidst President David Kabua's participation in a United States-sponsored summit on climate change. Nemra says that relocating as "climate refugees" is not an acceptable option for the Marshallese. (RNZ)
Internal conflict in Myanmar, Karen conflict The Karen National Union attacks an army outpost near the Myanmar–Thailand border at dawn. The Myanmar military retaliates with airstrikes as some 450 Thai villagers are moved to safety by the Thai military. There are no immediate reports of casualties. (Reuters)
The Karen National Union attacks an army outpost near the Myanmar–Thailand border at dawn. The Myanmar military retaliates with airstrikes as some 450 Thai villagers are moved to safety by the Thai military. There are no immediate reports of casualties. (Reuters)
2019 Trump–Ukraine scandal Federal investigators raid the home of Rudy Giuliani, the former personal lawyer of former President Donald Trump, for suspected illegal lobbying of the federal government on behalf of Ukrainian officials. (The New York Times)
Federal investigators raid the home of Rudy Giuliani, the former personal lawyer of former President Donald Trump, for suspected illegal lobbying of the federal government on behalf of Ukrainian officials. (The New York Times)
2021 Apure clashes Eight Venezuelan soldiers are killed in clashes with irregular armed groups operating on the Colombian border. The Venezuelan government says that the groups are narcoterrorists connected to Colombian president Ivan Duque while Colombian security sources say that they are FARC dissidents. (Al Jazeera)
Colombian conflict, Venezuelan crisis 2021 Apure clashes Eight Venezuelan soldiers are killed in clashes with irregular armed groups operating on the Colombian border. The Venezuelan government says that the groups are narcoterrorists connected to Colombian president Ivan Duque while Colombian security sources say that they are FARC dissidents. (Al Jazeera)
Eight Venezuelan soldiers are killed in clashes with irregular armed groups operating on the Colombian border. The Venezuelan government says that the groups are narcoterrorists connected to Colombian president Ivan Duque while Colombian security sources say that they are FARC dissidents. (Al Jazeera)
The Mexican Congress passes legislation outlawing revenge porn. It is sent to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for his signature. (Reuters)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict A clash between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan forces on the border between the two countries results in four deaths and dozens of injuries. (The Guardian) The foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan say they have agreed to a ceasefire at the border. (TASS)
2021 NFL season In American football, the National Football League starts its draft for the 2021 season, with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the first pick of the draft. (USA Today) (ESPN)
A clash between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan forces on the border between the two countries results in four deaths and dozens of injuries. (The Guardian)
In American football, the National Football League starts its draft for the 2021 season, with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the first pick of the draft. (USA Today) (ESPN)
The foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan say they have agreed to a ceasefire at the border. (TASS)
A United States Federal court upholds a New Jersey Catholic school’s right to fire a teacher under the Ministerial Exception doctrine. The teacher was terminated from Saint Dominic Academy the day after she returned from a leave due to a motor vehicle accident. (Religion Cause) (Catholic World News)
2021 Salvadoran political crisis The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador votes to remove several judges from the Supreme Court and remove Attorney General Raúl Melara, both of which had been vocal opponents to the presidency of Nayib Bukele. The event is being referred to as a self-coup by the opposition and by news media outlets. (Al Jazeera)
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signs a decree that declares a two-day nationwide mourning effort for those who have died during border clashes with Tajikistan. (TASS)
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador votes to remove several judges from the Supreme Court and remove Attorney General Raúl Melara, both of which had been vocal opponents to the presidency of Nayib Bukele. The event is being referred to as a self-coup by the opposition and by news media outlets. (Al Jazeera)
Kyrgyzstan accuses Tajikistan of building up troops and military equipment on the border. The Kyrgyz side also accuses Tajik forces of opening fire on Kyrgyz vehicles in the area. A Tajik spokesman speaking from Dushanbe says the country was sticking to the ceasefire and withdrawal of troops. (Reuters)
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agree to a new ceasefire following border clashes, which includes withdrawing troops from the border. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urges both countries to honor the agreement. (Al Jazeera) (Trend News Agency)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict The death toll from the conflict increases to 46, with hundreds of people injured and more than 100 buildings destroyed. (BBC News) Over 30,000 Kyrgyz civilians are evacuated from the Batken Region near the border with Tajikistan. (Trend News Agency) The Kyrgyzstan Interior Ministry and Tajikistan both report that the situation at the border is stable and calm. Both countries also agree to withdraw troops from the border. However, an unexploded air missile is discovered at a house in Batken, Kyrgyzstan, near the border. (Rferl.org) (Prensa Latina) (Kabar)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict The Kyrgyzstan Interior Ministry launches 11 criminal probe investigations into the events on the border with Tajikistan. (AKIpress)
Over 30,000 Kyrgyz civilians are evacuated from the Batken Region near the border with Tajikistan. (Trend News Agency)
The Kyrgyzstan Interior Ministry and Tajikistan both report that the situation at the border is stable and calm. Both countries also agree to withdraw troops from the border. However, an unexploded air missile is discovered at a house in Batken, Kyrgyzstan, near the border. (Rferl.org) (Prensa Latina) (Kabar)
The Kyrgyzstan Interior Ministry launches 11 criminal probe investigations into the events on the border with Tajikistan. (AKIpress)
Asylum in the United States U.S. President Joe Biden raises the cap on the number of refugees accepted each year, from 15,000 to 62,500. The move follows criticism from members of his party and refugee agencies over his prior proposal to retain the Trump-era cap. Biden also announces that he plans to further raise the cap to 125,000 next year. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 The Government of Tanzania announces that all travellers will be required to present negative COVID-19 test results at border points in order to reduce the spread of new variants. (Reuters)
The Government of Tanzania announces that all travellers will be required to present negative COVID-19 test results at border points in order to reduce the spread of new variants. (Reuters)
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan complete the withdrawal of their forces from the border. (The Times of Central Asia)
Tajikistan says the border clashes left several people dead on their side. The death toll for Kyrgyzstan reaches 36 following the death of a four-year-old boy. (Al Jazeera) (AKIPress)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict The death toll at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border rises to 55 people. (Anadolu Agency)
At a court in Rwanda, Beatrice Munyenyezi denies the charges against her stemming from the 1994 genocide. Munyenyezi alleges that she was a pregnant teenager at the time and that she could not have been involved in the crimes. She had been previously deported from the United States for lying on her naturalization process. Her husband and mother-in-law Pauline Nyiramasuhuko are already convicted for the genocide. (Reuters)
Four Pakistani soldiers are killed and six others wounded when ambushed by militants near the border with Afghanistan. (DTNext)
Insurgency in Balochistan Four Pakistani soldiers are killed and six others wounded when ambushed by militants near the border with Afghanistan. (DTNext)
Rwandan genocide At a court in Rwanda, Beatrice Munyenyezi denies the charges against her stemming from the 1994 genocide. Munyenyezi alleges that she was a pregnant teenager at the time and that she could not have been involved in the crimes. She had been previously deported from the United States for lying on her naturalization process. Her husband and mother-in-law Pauline Nyiramasuhuko are already convicted for the genocide. (Reuters)
The death toll at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border rises to 55 people. (Anadolu Agency)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that 136 houses and 84 facilities in the Batken region have been destroyed during clashes at the border. (AKIPress) Tajikistan authorities say that 19 people were killed and 87 others were injured during border clashes with Kyrgyzstan. (RFERL)
Tajikistan authorities say that 19 people were killed and 87 others were injured during border clashes with Kyrgyzstan. (RFERL)
The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that 136 houses and 84 facilities in the Batken region have been destroyed during clashes at the border. (AKIPress)
Bangladesh reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was discovered in India, prompting the authorities to extend the land border closure by two weeks. (Dhaka Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, Lineage B.1.617 Bangladesh reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was discovered in India, prompting the authorities to extend the land border closure by two weeks. (Dhaka Tribune)
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis The Israeli Supreme Court agrees to delay its ruling on whether Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood can be evicted to make way for Jewish settlers to later this month, following a series of violent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters over this issue. (The Guardian)
The Israeli Supreme Court agrees to delay its ruling on whether Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood can be evicted to make way for Jewish settlers to later this month, following a series of violent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters over this issue. (The Guardian)
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip including Hamas fire barrages of rockets at Israeli cities and towns near the Gaza border, as well as seven toward Jerusalem, injuring one person. Israel retaliates with airstrikes in Gaza killing 24 people and wounding 103 others. Nine children and a Hamas leader are among the dead. (Al Jazeera)
A court in Paris dismisses the complaint of a French Vietnamese woman against several manufacturers of the Agent Orange chemical used by the United States military during the Vietnam War. The court rules it to be a sovereign case under the jurisdiction of the United States (VnExpress)
Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip including Hamas fire barrages of rockets at Israeli cities and towns near the Gaza border, as well as seven toward Jerusalem, injuring one person. Israel retaliates with airstrikes in Gaza killing 24 people and wounding 103 others. Nine children and a Hamas leader are among the dead. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict Citizens who evacuated from the Batken Region due to clashes at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border return to the area for the first time since the clashes. (AKIPress)
Citizens who evacuated from the Batken Region due to clashes at the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border return to the area for the first time since the clashes. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reopens primary and junior high schools for in-person classes for the first time in months. The courts also restart many activities. (U.S. News and World Report)
Greece reopens primary and junior high schools for in-person classes for the first time in months. The courts also restart many activities. (U.S. News and World Report)
Amazon wins a legal dispute against a European Union order to pay back taxes of €250 million ($303 million). The setback renewed calls from EU lawmakers for a global corporate tax deal and for several to voice their support for the Biden administration's proposed 21% minimum tax rate on multinationals. (Reuters)
The Israel Defense Forces says that it has deployed two infantry units and an armoured unit to the border on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, and that a ground operation inside Gaza will be submitted to military chiefs later today, ahead of a potential approval by the Israeli government. (The Daily Telegraph)
