At least four people are killed in Chittagong, Bangladesh, when police open fire at protesters during a demonstration against a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 3,650 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Rio Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia The Colombian National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (El Periódico)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle) The Biden administration announces that the United States is expected to receive 11 million doses of the vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson. (Reuters)
The Biden administration announces that the United States is expected to receive 11 million doses of the vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson. (Reuters)
The Suez Canal Authority accepts an offer from the United States Navy to deploy an assessment team of dredging experts to assist in efforts to remove the stranded Ultra Large Container Vessel Ever Given. The Suez Canal has now been blocked for four consecutive days. (CNN)
Voter suppression in the United States, 2020–21 Georgia state elections Changes to Georgia voting laws which have been called voter suppression results in the MLB looking to proposals to move the MLB All-Star Game this July in Atlanta. Civil rights groups also urged the PGA to pull the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Newsweek)
War in Afghanistan Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process United States envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visits Turkey in an effort to encourage parties to accelerate negotiations and end the conflict. (Voice of America)
A series of shootings occur on the oceanfront of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Friday night. They consist of a mass shooting that left eight people injured; a subsequent, fatal shooting by a police officer; and an unrelated fatal shooting that occurred nearby. (CNN)
Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process United States envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visits Turkey in an effort to encourage parties to accelerate negotiations and end the conflict. (Voice of America)
China–United States relations, Canada–China relations China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs places sanctions against the chair and vice-chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Canadian MP Michael Chong. Beijing’s sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada earlier this week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Reuters)
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs places sanctions against the chair and vice-chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Canadian MP Michael Chong. Beijing’s sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada earlier this week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Reuters)
List of mass shootings in the United States in 2021, Crime in Virginia A series of shootings occur on the oceanfront of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Friday night. They consist of a mass shooting that left eight people injured; a subsequent, fatal shooting by a police officer; and an unrelated fatal shooting that occurred nearby. (CNN)
United States envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visits Turkey in an effort to encourage parties to accelerate negotiations and end the conflict. (Voice of America)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 2021 Afghanistan attacks Two guards are killed at a water dam near the Pashtun Kot, Faryab, by the Taliban. (Hindustan Times) Over 20 civilians are killed in an operation launched by Afghan security forces against the Taliban. (Anadolu Agency) Three police officers are killed in a roadside bomb blast in Laghman. (Xinhuanet) Five pro-government militia men are killed in an overnight attack in the Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan. (The News International)
2021 Afghanistan attacks Two guards are killed at a water dam near the Pashtun Kot, Faryab, by the Taliban. (Hindustan Times) Over 20 civilians are killed in an operation launched by Afghan security forces against the Taliban. (Anadolu Agency) Three police officers are killed in a roadside bomb blast in Laghman. (Xinhuanet) Five pro-government militia men are killed in an overnight attack in the Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan. (The News International)
2021 Myanmar protests Myanmar's security forces open fire on a funeral being held for a person killed in Yangon, with no casualties reported. The Kachin Independence Army also attacks a police station, prompting the military to conduct airstrikes. (Reuters)
Janikhel incident Thousands of protesters in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province break through police barricades and attempt to march to Bannu, and eventually reach Islamabad, in order to demand a government probe into the deaths of four youths near Janikhel. The protesters allege that the youths were tortured and killed by security forces. (Reuters)
Myanmar's security forces open fire on a funeral being held for a person killed in Yangon, with no casualties reported. The Kachin Independence Army also attacks a police station, prompting the military to conduct airstrikes. (Reuters)
Thousands of protesters in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province break through police barricades and attempt to march to Bannu, and eventually reach Islamabad, in order to demand a government probe into the deaths of four youths near Janikhel. The protesters allege that the youths were tortured and killed by security forces. (Reuters)
Dianne Feinstein becomes the longest serving U.S. Senator from California, surpassing Hiram Johnson. (Los Angeles Times)
Tencent Music announces that, starting tomorrow, it will repurchase up to US$1 billion of its own stock over the next year in response to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission tightening its auditing standards for foreign firms listed on American stock exchanges. (Reuters)
Three police officers are killed in a roadside bomb blast in Laghman. (Xinhuanet)
2021–2022 Myanmar protests The United States suspends its diplomatic trade engagement with Myanmar, which sought to help integrate the country into the global economy, following an escalation in violence perpetrated by the Burmese military against anti-coup protesters, until what Katherine Tai says would be "the return of a democratically elected government." (CNN)
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan removes Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in light of rising inflation and Shaikh's defeat in the recent Senate elections. Minister of Industries and Production Hammad Azhar is selected to replace him. (Reuters)
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa calls on all members of the ruling African National Congress that are facing charges of corruption or other serious crimes to resign from their positions within 30 days and threatens to suspend those who do not comply. (Reuters)
The United States suspends its diplomatic trade engagement with Myanmar, which sought to help integrate the country into the global economy, following an escalation in violence perpetrated by the Burmese military against anti-coup protesters, until what Katherine Tai says would be "the return of a democratically elected government." (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will expand their vaccine eligibility to adults 30 and older beginning tomorrow, and to anyone aged 16 and older beginning on April 6. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas expands their vaccine eligibility to all adults. (KTBC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will expand their vaccine eligibility to adults 30 and older beginning tomorrow, and to anyone aged 16 and older beginning on April 6. (The New York Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas expands their vaccine eligibility to all adults. (KTBC-TV)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will expand their vaccine eligibility to adults 30 and older beginning tomorrow, and to anyone aged 16 and older beginning on April 6. (The New York Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas expands their vaccine eligibility to all adults. (KTBC-TV)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that the state will expand their vaccine eligibility to adults 30 and older beginning tomorrow, and to anyone aged 16 and older beginning on April 6. (The New York Times)
State v. Chauvin, Killing of George Floyd, George Floyd protests The murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for his involvement in the killing of George Floyd begins in Hennepin County, Minnesota. A series of protests in the United States and around the world occurred in 2020 in response to the killing. (The Washington Post)
Texas expands their vaccine eligibility to all adults. (KTBC-TV)
The murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for his involvement in the killing of George Floyd begins in Hennepin County, Minnesota. A series of protests in the United States and around the world occurred in 2020 in response to the killing. (The Washington Post)
2021 Hong Kong electoral reform China's National People's Congress Standing Committee members vote in favor of amendments of the Hong Kong Basic Law Annex I and II to overhaul the electoral system. The amendments are widely seen as a move to further reduce the influence of the opposition pro-democracy camp in the wake of the widespread anti-government protests of 2019 and the electoral landslide of the 2019 District Council election. (Hong Kong Free Press)
China's National People's Congress Standing Committee members vote in favor of amendments of the Hong Kong Basic Law Annex I and II to overhaul the electoral system. The amendments are widely seen as a move to further reduce the influence of the opposition pro-democracy camp in the wake of the widespread anti-government protests of 2019 and the electoral landslide of the 2019 District Council election. (Hong Kong Free Press)
A 65-year-old woman from the Philippines is critically wounded after being assaulted by a man during a racist attack in New York City. The perpetrator, a man in his 30s who was previously in prison for murdering his mother, is charged with hate crime assault. (Reuters)
Brazil's health regulator Anvisa said Bharat Biotech's Covaxin did not meet its manufacturing standards. The Brazilian government previously signed a contract to buy 20 million doses. Bharat said in a statement that they would appeal the decision. (The Rio Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 3,780 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the nationwide death toll to 317,646. (Anadolu Agency) Brazil's health regulator Anvisa said Bharat Biotech's Covaxin did not meet its manufacturing standards. The Brazilian government previously signed a contract to buy 20 million doses. Bharat said in a statement that they would appeal the decision. (The Rio Times)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States President Joe Biden signs the PPP Extension Act of 2021, a bill that would extend the Paycheck Protection Program deadline from March 31 to May 31. (CBS News)
President Joe Biden signs the PPP Extension Act of 2021, a bill that would extend the Paycheck Protection Program deadline from March 31 to May 31. (CBS News)
An investigation is opened into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R–FL) over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and violated federal sex trafficking laws by allegedly paying her to travel with him. Gaetz denied the allegations. (The New York Times)
Sex trafficking in the United States An investigation is opened into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R–FL) over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and violated federal sex trafficking laws by allegedly paying her to travel with him. Gaetz denied the allegations. (The New York Times)
1973 Chilean coup d'état Newly declassified documents released by the US National Security Archive shows that Brazil supported the coup d'état that overthrew Chilean President Salvador Allende, and raised power to dictator Augusto Pinochet. (The Rio Times)
2021 Dutch general election The new members of the House of Representatives are installed by Speaker Khadija Arib. (NOS)
2021 Orange, California office shooting At least four people are killed and another injured during a mass shooting at an office building in Orange, California, United States. The attacker is shot and wounded by responding security forces. (CNN)
At least four people are killed and another injured during a mass shooting at an office building in Orange, California, United States. The attacker is shot and wounded by responding security forces. (CNN)
Internal conflict in Myanmar Kachin conflict The Kachin Independence Army says that it attacked a police station in Kyaukgyi village-tract in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, injuring at least one officer. They claim that the police there are involved in killing civilians during the ongoing protests. (Irrawaddy)
Kachin conflict The Kachin Independence Army says that it attacked a police station in Kyaukgyi village-tract in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, injuring at least one officer. They claim that the police there are involved in killing civilians during the ongoing protests. (Irrawaddy)
Newly declassified documents released by the US National Security Archive shows that Brazil supported the coup d'état that overthrew Chilean President Salvador Allende, and raised power to dictator Augusto Pinochet. (The Rio Times)
The Kachin Independence Army says that it attacked a police station in Kyaukgyi village-tract in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, injuring at least one officer. They claim that the police there are involved in killing civilians during the ongoing protests. (Irrawaddy)
A woman opens fire at the Indonesian National Police headquarters in Jakarta before being shot dead by police. A male accomplice flees the scene. No other casualties are reported. (Al Jazeera)
Brazil's health regulator Anvisa approves the emergency use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (The Brazilian Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil For the second consecutive day, Brazil reports a record total of 3,950 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, thereby bringing the number of deaths to 321,515. The total of 66,868 deaths in the past 31 days marked the most lethal month in the country for the duration of the pandemic. (G1) Brazil's health regulator Anvisa approves the emergency use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (The Brazilian Report)
Indonesian National Police headquarters shooting A woman opens fire at the Indonesian National Police headquarters in Jakarta before being shot dead by police. A male accomplice flees the scene. No other casualties are reported. (Al Jazeera)
Myanmar–United States relations, 2021 Myanmar protests The U.S. State Department orders all "non-emergency" diplomats and their families to leave Myanmar amid worsening violence in the country. (France 24)
The new members of the House of Representatives are installed by Speaker Khadija Arib. (NOS)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 2021 Afghanistan attacks A female police officer is killed by gunmen in the city of Jalalabad, Nangarhar, during an increase of targeted killings of women in the city. (Reuters)
2021 Afghanistan attacks A female police officer is killed by gunmen in the city of Jalalabad, Nangarhar, during an increase of targeted killings of women in the city. (Reuters)
After surpassing one million cases, the government announces several new restrictions. Borders will be closed for 30 days; the curfew will start one hour earlier; work permits during quarantine will be given only for essential activities; and sales will be permitted only for food, medicine, and hygiene products. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile After surpassing one million cases, the government announces several new restrictions. Borders will be closed for 30 days; the curfew will start one hour earlier; work permits during quarantine will be given only for essential activities; and sales will be permitted only for food, medicine, and hygiene products. (CNA)
Russia–United States relations Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov warns of a rising "anti-White" racism in the United States, saying that political correctness was being "taken to the extreme". Lavrov also accuses the U.S. of attempting to spread a cultural revolution around the world. (The Moscow Times)
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov warns of a rising "anti-White" racism in the United States, saying that political correctness was being "taken to the extreme". Lavrov also accuses the U.S. of attempting to spread a cultural revolution around the world. (The Moscow Times)
Taiwan–United States relations U.S. ambassador to Palau John Hennessey-Niland becomes the first sitting American envoy to visit Taiwan since the U.S. cut formal ties in 1979. The visit coincided with the opening of a COVID-19 "travel bubble" between Taiwan and Palau. The highest level visit in 42 years prompted anger from China, who warned the U.S. against "crossing its red line". (The Diplomat) (The Independent)
2021 Apure clashes Two Venezuelan Army troops are killed and nine others are wounded by a land mine, near the border with Colombia, during operations against FARC dissidents and other "irregular armed groups". (Reuters)
A female police officer is killed by gunmen in the city of Jalalabad, Nangarhar, during an increase of targeted killings of women in the city. (Reuters)
California Governor Gavin Newsom receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California Governor Gavin Newsom receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California California Governor Gavin Newsom receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle) COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, Lineage P.1 Michigan reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a person from Bay County. (Detroit News)
Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Three Belgian police officers are injured and four people are arrested, after a crowd of around 2,000 people at the Bois de la Cambre park in Brussels is charged for violating social distancing measures by organizing and participating in a coronavirus party marketed as an April Fools' Day prank. (The Bangkok Post)
Spillover of the Colombian conflict 2021 Apure clashes Two Venezuelan Army troops are killed and nine others are wounded by a land mine, near the border with Colombia, during operations against FARC dissidents and other "irregular armed groups". (Reuters)
Three Belgian police officers are injured and four people are arrested, after a crowd of around 2,000 people at the Bois de la Cambre park in Brussels is charged for violating social distancing measures by organizing and participating in a coronavirus party marketed as an April Fools' Day prank. (The Bangkok Post)
Two Venezuelan Army troops are killed and nine others are wounded by a land mine, near the border with Colombia, during operations against FARC dissidents and other "irregular armed groups". (Reuters)
The Biden administration lifts sanctions that targeted several members of the International Criminal Court, such as Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and human rights lawyer Phakiso Mochochoko. They were sanctioned last year by former U.S. President Donald Trump for investigating allegations of war crimes committed in Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. The administration maintains that the ICC lacked jurisdiction in both cases, as neither the U.S. nor Israel are member states. (Al Jazeera)
A Capitol Police officer is killed and another is wounded after being struck by a vehicle outside Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The attacker is shot dead after lunging at the officers with a knife. (BBC News)
