A call for a specific law against honour killings begins in India, after a father in Uttar Pradesh beheaded his daughter two days ago, after opposing her relationship with a man. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi Malawi receives its first shipment of 360,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (VOA) COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi Malawi receives its first shipment of 360,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (VOA)
Malawi receives its first shipment of 360,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (VOA)
A fire occurs at a detention center for migrants in Sanaa, Yemen, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 170 others. (ABC News)
European migrant crisis At least 39 people are dead while 165 others are rescued when two boats sink off the coast of Tunisia while trying to reach Lampedusa, Italy. (Al Jazeera)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 U.S. President Joe Biden signs the $1.9 trillion relief package into law. (CNBC)
An upper court in Hong Kong denies bail for a second time to 11 of the 47 defendants in the case, citing national security risks. Among those who were again denied bail are prominent activists and politicians such as Leung Kwok-hung, Claudia Mo, Jimmy Sham, Lester Shum, and Fergus Leung. The remaining defendants either withdrew their bail application or remain in custody under other circumstances. (South China Morning Post)
Hong Kong national security law, 2021 arrests of Hong Kong pro-democracy primaries participants An upper court in Hong Kong denies bail for a second time to 11 of the 47 defendants in the case, citing national security risks. Among those who were again denied bail are prominent activists and politicians such as Leung Kwok-hung, Claudia Mo, Jimmy Sham, Lester Shum, and Fergus Leung. The remaining defendants either withdrew their bail application or remain in custody under other circumstances. (South China Morning Post)
2021 Myanmar protests Twenty anti-coup protesters are gunned down by soldiers. (Reuters) The military junta expands the provisions of Myanmar's martial law, which is perceived as an attempt to legitimize their violent pushback against anti-coup protesters. (AP)
Legality of euthanasia Portugal's Constitutional Court rejects a bill legalizing assisted suicide for terminally ill patients as unconstitutional. (Reuters)
Portugal's Constitutional Court rejects a bill legalizing assisted suicide for terminally ill patients as unconstitutional. (Reuters)
The military junta expands the provisions of Myanmar's martial law, which is perceived as an attempt to legitimize their violent pushback against anti-coup protesters. (AP)
Integrated Review, United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the UK's nuclear weapon arsenal will increase from 180 to 260 warheads, and that the UK will shift its foreign policy focus to the Indo-Pacific region, while remaining committed to NATO. The government's review also identifies Russia as the "most acute threat" to British security. (BBC News)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the UK's nuclear weapon arsenal will increase from 180 to 260 warheads, and that the UK will shift its foreign policy focus to the Indo-Pacific region, while remaining committed to NATO. The government's review also identifies Russia as the "most acute threat" to British security. (BBC News)
2021 Myanmar protests Thousands of residents flee Hlaingthaya Township in western Yangon amidst fears of a massacre by the military after martial law was declared in the industrial suburb. (Reuters)
Thousands of residents flee Hlaingthaya Township in western Yangon amidst fears of a massacre by the military after martial law was declared in the industrial suburb. (Reuters)
Same-sex marriage in Japan The Sapporo district court rules that prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. (Al Jazeera)
The Sapporo district court rules that prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. (Al Jazeera)
Mexican drug war Gunmen ambush a police convoy in Coatepec Harinas, State of Mexico, killing eight police officers and five prosecution investigators. It is the deadliest attack on law enforcement in the country since October 2019. The National Guard has been deployed to search for the killers. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
Syrian civil war Russian–Syrian hospital bombing campaign Seven civilians are killed and 16 others are wounded in a Syrian government airstrike on a hospital in Atareb, Aleppo Governorate. (Al Jazeera) Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war Russian jets strike gas facilities in the town of Sarmada, Idlib Governorate, near the border with Turkey, and strike Qah with a surface-to-surface missile, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. Turkey says it has sent a statement to Russia asking for the attacks to stop immediately. (Reuters)
Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war Russian jets strike gas facilities in the town of Sarmada, Idlib Governorate, near the border with Turkey, and strike Qah with a surface-to-surface missile, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. Turkey says it has sent a statement to Russia asking for the attacks to stop immediately. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines The government places the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under the "general community quarantine" and bans all mass gatherings and cross-border travel in those provinces from tomorrow until April 4. (Rappler)
A massive fire at the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Bangladesh, leaves at least 15 people dead, 550 injured, 400 missing, and 45,000 homeless. (Reuters)
Balukhali fire A massive fire at the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Bangladesh, leaves at least 15 people dead, 550 injured, 400 missing, and 45,000 homeless. (Reuters)
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed admits for the first time that Eritrean troops entered Ethiopia's Tigray Region and fought the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front, and that they may have been involved in war crimes. Abiy says that Eritrean forces promised to leave the region as soon as Ethiopia's military was able to "control the border". (Al Jazeera)
Tigray War Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed admits for the first time that Eritrean troops entered Ethiopia's Tigray Region and fought the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front, and that they may have been involved in war crimes. Abiy says that Eritrean forces promised to leave the region as soon as Ethiopia's military was able to "control the border". (Al Jazeera)
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)
2021 Makassar cathedral bombing Twenty people are wounded in a double suicide bombing outside the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (CNA)
Terrorism in Indonesia 2021 Makassar cathedral bombing Twenty people are wounded in a double suicide bombing outside the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (CNA)
Twenty people are wounded in a double suicide bombing outside the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in England Lockdown restrictions in England are relaxed as new COVID-19 laws enter force, formally ending the government's "stay at home" order, allowing the resumption of outdoor sports, and allowing people to meet in groups of up to six outdoors. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England Lockdown restrictions in England are relaxed as new COVID-19 laws enter force, formally ending the government's "stay at home" order, allowing the resumption of outdoor sports, and allowing people to meet in groups of up to six outdoors. (Sky News)
Lockdown restrictions in England are relaxed as new COVID-19 laws enter force, formally ending the government's "stay at home" order, allowing the resumption of outdoor sports, and allowing people to meet in groups of up to six outdoors. (Sky News)
A court in Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany, sentences a 52-year-old man to nine years and 10 months in prison for removing several screws from high-speed rail tracks in a failed attempt to cause trains to derail. His motive was not established. (DW)
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)
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)
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)
2019–20 Hong Kong protests A Hong Kong court convicts nine activists of the opposition pro-democracy camp for organizing and participating in an "unlawful assembly". Among those convicted are politicians Martin Lee, Leung Kwok-hung, and Margaret Ng, and entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
A Hong Kong court convicts nine activists of the opposition pro-democracy camp for organizing and participating in an "unlawful assembly". Among those convicted are politicians Martin Lee, Leung Kwok-hung, and Margaret Ng, and entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
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)
2021 alleged Jordanian coup d'état attempt Jordanian authorities arrest 20 people, including royal family member Hassan bin Zaid and former royal court head Bassem Awadallah, for a plot to topple King Abdullah II. Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah is also told by security personnel to "cease any movement and activities that could be used to target the security and stability of Jordan". (CNN) (The Jerusalem Post)
Jordanian authorities arrest 20 people, including royal family member Hassan bin Zaid and former royal court head Bassem Awadallah, for a plot to topple King Abdullah II. Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah is also told by security personnel to "cease any movement and activities that could be used to target the security and stability of Jordan". (CNN) (The Jerusalem Post)
A relative of Red Crescent worker Abdulrahman al-Sadhan says the Saudi Arabian Specialised Criminal Court has sentenced al-Sadhan to 20 years imprisonment, followed by a 20-year travel ban, in a secret trial. Rights groups allege the sentence is connected to an anonymous Twitter account on which al-Sadhan questioned Saudi positions on human rights issues. (Middle East Eye)
Ukraine–NATO relations, War in Donbass Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calls on NATO to hasten the country's accession to the military alliance in response to a growing build-up of Russian troops and military hardware on its borders, and to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Donbas with pro-Russian separatists. (The Guardian)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calls on NATO to hasten the country's accession to the military alliance in response to a growing build-up of Russian troops and military hardware on its borders, and to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Donbas with pro-Russian separatists. (The Guardian)
Israel–Sudan relations The cabinet of Sudan repeals a 1958 law that prohibits establishing relations with Israel, nearly five months after the two countries agreed to normalize ties. (Radio France Internationale)
The cabinet of Sudan repeals a 1958 law that prohibits establishing relations with Israel, nearly five months after the two countries agreed to normalize ties. (Radio France Internationale)
Censorship in Italy The government formally repeals a 1913 law, which allows the government to censor or ban films, effectively outlawing film censorship in the country. (Variety)
The government formally repeals a 1913 law, which allows the government to censor or ban films, effectively outlawing film censorship in the country. (Variety)
An Egyptian court sentences former acting Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ezzat to life imprisonment for murder and terror offences connected to 2013 clashes in Cairo. (The Times of Israel)
Insurgency in Egypt (2013-present) An Egyptian court sentences former acting Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ezzat to life imprisonment for murder and terror offences connected to 2013 clashes in Cairo. (The Times of Israel)
2017–18 Spanish constitutional crisis Former member of the Catalan parliament's bureau Joan Josep Nuet is condemned to eight months of disqualification for committing a crime of serious disobedience to the Spanish Constitutional Court for voting in favor of the processing of the unconstitutional Law on the Referendum on Self-determination of Catalonia. (El Mundo)
A 17-year-old boy appears in court to deny neo-Nazi terror offences. Prosecutors allege that he was planning an attack using 3D printed firearms. (The Independent)
Far-right terrorism in the United Kingdom A 17-year-old boy appears in court to deny neo-Nazi terror offences. Prosecutors allege that he was planning an attack using 3D printed firearms. (The Independent)
Former member of the Catalan parliament's bureau Joan Josep Nuet is condemned to eight months of disqualification for committing a crime of serious disobedience to the Spanish Constitutional Court for voting in favor of the processing of the unconstitutional Law on the Referendum on Self-determination of Catalonia. (El Mundo)
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)
A Turkish court in İzmir sentences Gülen movement member Yusuf Bekmezci to 17 years and four months in prison after finding him guilty of managing an armed terrorist organisation. (Anadolu Agency)
Rai News, Domani, and The Guardian jointly allege Italian prosecutors wiretapped thousands of confidential conversations between human rights lawyers and clients. The claims relate to prosecutions against charity officials for running migrant rescue boats. (The Guardian)
Anti Monopoly Law of China China's State Administration for Market Regulation issues a CN¥18.2 billion ($2.78 billion) fine against technology company Alibaba over anti-competitive practices which forced merchants to choose one of two platforms, rather than being able to work with both. (CNBC)
An Egyptian court sentences university student Ahmed Bassam Zaki to an additional eight years in prison for sexually assaulting and blackmailing at least three women between 2016 and 2020. The case led to a public debate about sexual harassment and abuse within the country. Zaki was previously sentenced to three years in prison by a different court in December. (Reuters)
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)
French lawmakers vote to ban airlines from offering domestic flights if the same journey could be made by train in less than two and a half hours. (The Guardian)
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)
A court sentences terror convict Sahayb Abu to life imprisonment with a minimum term of nineteen years for plotting a gun and knife attack in Dagenham, London. (BBC News)
A military court in Burkina Faso indicts (in absentia) ex-President Blaise Compaoré, who is charged with the 1987 murder of his immediate predecessor Thomas Sankara. Compaoré ruled the nation for 27 years following Sankara's assassination before resigning in the face of protests in 2014 and fleeing into exile in Ivory Coast. The court indicts thirteen other Burkinabé ex-officials accused of various crimes including murder. (Al Jazeera)
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)
Terrorism in England, Crime in London A court sentences terror convict Sahayb Abu to life imprisonment with a minimum term of nineteen years for plotting a gun and knife attack in Dagenham, London. (BBC News)
2021 Suez Canal obstruction A court in Ismailia grants the Egyptian Suez Canal Authority's request to seize CS Ever Given pending payment of a compensation claim of over US$900 million. (Bloomberg)
A court in Ismailia grants the Egyptian Suez Canal Authority's request to seize CS Ever Given pending payment of a compensation claim of over US$900 million. (Bloomberg)
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)
The French National Assembly votes unanimously to amend an existing age of consent law in order to officially recognize sex with children under the age of 15 as rape and making it punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Previously, the law allowed an adult to claim the consent of a child in court. The bill also classifies incestuous sex with a minor under the age of 18 as rape. (Reuters)
A court in Sicily orders former Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to stand trial accused of dereliction of duty and kidnapping for his role in a standoff with a Spanish-flagged migrant rescue ship operated by Proactiva Open Arms that he refused to allow to dock for nineteen days in 2019. A court order allowed the ship to dock after some migrants jumped overboard. (The Guardian)
