World 2021 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Apr
20
Politics / Government

Following a massive negative backlash from UEFA, FIFA, national football associations and football fans alike, all six English Premier League clubs involved in

Following a massive negative backlash from UEFA, FIFA, national football associations and football fans alike, all six English Premier League clubs involved in the project – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – officially withdraw from The Super League, while FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta states that the club will not join the proposed competition without support from its registered members. Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward announces his resignation. (Daily Express) (BBC Sport)

Apr
20
Politics / Government

Chadian President Idriss Déby dies from wounds sustained while commanding forces against rebels in the northern portion of the country.

Chadian President Idriss Déby dies from wounds sustained while commanding forces against rebels in the northern portion of the country. The Constitution is suspended, and a Transitional Military Council headed by Déby's son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, will rule the country for an estimated 18 months. (The Africa Report)

Apr
20
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The government announces that it will ease strict COVID-19 restrictions, including ending the controversial curfew and allo

COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The government announces that it will ease strict COVID-19 restrictions, including ending the controversial curfew and allowing cafés to serve in outdoor terraces with a maximum of 50 people beginning April 28. In addition, people will also be allowed to have two guests at home per day. (France 24)

Apr
20
Politics / Government

Northern Chad offensive Chadian President Idriss Déby dies from wounds sustained while commanding forces against rebels in the northern portion of the country.

Northern Chad offensive Chadian President Idriss Déby dies from wounds sustained while commanding forces against rebels in the northern portion of the country. The Constitution is suspended, and a Transitional Military Council headed by Déby's son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, will rule the country for an estimated 18 months. (The Africa Report)

Apr
20
Politics / Government

The government announces that it will ease strict COVID-19 restrictions, including ending the controversial curfew and allowing cafés to serve in outdoor terrac

The government announces that it will ease strict COVID-19 restrictions, including ending the controversial curfew and allowing cafés to serve in outdoor terraces with a maximum of 50 people beginning April 28. In addition, people will also be allowed to have two guests at home per day. (France 24)

Apr
20
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 1,761 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide dea

COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 1,761 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 180,530. (Firstpost) COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal grants a conditional emergency use approval for the Russian Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. (The Kathmandu Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen Yemen begins their COVID-19 vaccination campaign using the vaccine produced by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. (Reuters)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

Belarus–United States relations U.S.

Belarus–United States relations U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Julie D. Fisher visits Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the eve of a meeting between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (U.S. News & World Report)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in France, Lineage B.1.617 The French government announces that the country will lift its domestic travel restrictions and ease a nationwide c

COVID-19 pandemic in France, Lineage B.1.617 The French government announces that the country will lift its domestic travel restrictions and ease a nationwide curfew in May amidst an expectation that the number of COVID-19 cases will be reduced. The government also announces that they will impose a 10-day quarantine on all travelers from India in order to prevent the spread of the Lineage B.1.617 variant. (ABC News) (Mint)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra In Nashik, 24 COVID-19 patients die after an oxygen tanker leaks outside a hospital in the city, causing the supply of medical

COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra In Nashik, 24 COVID-19 patients die after an oxygen tanker leaks outside a hospital in the city, causing the supply of medical oxygen to be disrupted for around 30 minutes. (NDTV) Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra state government announces new restrictions across the state beginning tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. until May 1 at 7:00 a.m. IST. (Hindustan Times)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States U.S.

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States U.S. President Joe Biden announces that the country has administered over 200 million doses. (Politico) COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 800,000 confirmed cases and 17,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (WEYI-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota, Lineage P.1 South Dakota confirms their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in Pennington County. (Argus Leader)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhánek issues Russia with an ultimatum to return all of the Czech diplomats it had expelled from the Czech embassy in Moscow, fol

Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhánek issues Russia with an ultimatum to return all of the Czech diplomats it had expelled from the Czech embassy in Moscow, following a series of reciprocal moves between the two countries since April 17 to expel each other's diplomats after the Czechs discovered Russian intelligence involvement in the 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions. Kulhánek threatens to expel more diplomats from the Russian embassy in Prague if the ultimatum is not met. (The Moscow Times)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

Czech Republic–Russia relations Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhánek issues Russia with an ultimatum to return all of the Czech diplomats it had expelled from

Czech Republic–Russia relations Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhánek issues Russia with an ultimatum to return all of the Czech diplomats it had expelled from the Czech embassy in Moscow, following a series of reciprocal moves between the two countries since April 17 to expel each other's diplomats after the Czechs discovered Russian intelligence involvement in the 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions. Kulhánek threatens to expel more diplomats from the Russian embassy in Prague if the ultimatum is not met. (The Moscow Times)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

Northern Chad offensive Rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) threaten to press on and reach Chad's capital N'Djamena following the killing

Northern Chad offensive Rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) threaten to press on and reach Chad's capital N'Djamena following the killing of President Idriss Déby. In the capital, many civilians choose to stay home as fears grow. FACT rebels reject the military junta led by Déby's son, Mahamat Déby Itno, and opposition politicians also call for a civilian transition. (Reuters)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

Rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) threaten to press on and reach Chad's capital N'Djamena following the killing of President Idriss Déby

Rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) threaten to press on and reach Chad's capital N'Djamena following the killing of President Idriss Déby. In the capital, many civilians choose to stay home as fears grow. FACT rebels reject the military junta led by Déby's son, Mahamat Déby Itno, and opposition politicians also call for a civilian transition. (Reuters)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

The French government announces that the country will lift its domestic travel restrictions and ease a nationwide curfew in May amidst an expectation that the n

The French government announces that the country will lift its domestic travel restrictions and ease a nationwide curfew in May amidst an expectation that the number of COVID-19 cases will be reduced. The government also announces that they will impose a 10-day quarantine on all travelers from India in order to prevent the spread of the Lineage B.1.617 variant. (ABC News) (Mint)

Apr
21
Politics / Government

The Sri Lankan government expels an Antigua-registered cargo ship docked at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port after authorities discovered undeclared uranium

The Sri Lankan government expels an Antigua-registered cargo ship docked at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port after authorities discovered undeclared uranium hexafluoride bound for China. The government pledges to take legal action against the ship's owner. (France 24)

Apr
22
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage B.1.617 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that fuelled surge in In

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage B.1.617 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that fuelled surge in India in a returning inter-provincial traveler. (CBC) Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian government announces that the country will ban all travel from India and Pakistan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. (CBC)

Apr
22
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage B.1.617 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.6

COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage B.1.617 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that fuelled surge in India in a returning inter-provincial traveler. (CBC) Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian government announces that the country will ban all travel from India and Pakistan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. (CBC) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The U.S. surpasses 32 million cases of COVID-19. (KNSD)

Apr
22
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will begin its COVID-19 vaccination ca

COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will begin its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with around 60,000 doses arriving in Goma. This comes after the country's announcement that it will kick off uts own vaccination campaign by using AstraZeneca's vaccine. (Africanews)

Apr
22
Politics / Government

Letters with CETME rifle bullets are received by the Spanish Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the leader of Podemos Pablo Iglesias and the gen

Letters with CETME rifle bullets are received by the Spanish Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the leader of Podemos Pablo Iglesias and the general director of the Civil Guard María Gámez. The death threats are condemned by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. (Barron's)

Apr
22
Politics / Government

The North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will begin its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with around 60,000 doses arriving in Goma.

The North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will begin its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with around 60,000 doses arriving in Goma. This comes after the country's announcement that it will kick off uts own vaccination campaign by using AstraZeneca's vaccine. (Africanews)

Apr
22
Politics / Government

Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic The United States Senate votes 94–1 to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act with bipartisan changes.

Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic The United States Senate votes 94–1 to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act with bipartisan changes. The bill, which would expedite anti-Asian hate crime reviews to the U.S. Justice Department, will next head to the United States House of Representatives. (USA Today)

Apr
23
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Lineage B.1.617 Ontario reports 36 cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India.

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Lineage B.1.617 Ontario reports 36 cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (Global News) COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau receive their first doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (CTV News)

Apr
23
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declares a third state of emergency for Hyogo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, including new measures that wou

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declares a third state of emergency for Hyogo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, including new measures that would reduce the operation of public transportation, close establishments that serve alcohol as well as commercial facilities such as theme parks and department stores, and ban spectators at large sporting events. These measures will be in effect from April 25 until May 11. (AP) (The New York Times)

Apr
23
Politics / Government

The University of Oxford announces a major breakthrough in the vaccination campaign against malaria.

The University of Oxford announces a major breakthrough in the vaccination campaign against malaria. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine has been administered to over 450 children in Burkina Faso and proved to have a "high-level efficacy" of around 77%. Malaria currently kills an estimated 400,000 people per year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. (BBC News)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and former industry minister Rishad Bathiudeen is arrested, along with his brother, under the Pre

2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and former industry minister Rishad Bathiudeen is arrested, along with his brother, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for having connections with the perpetrators of the 2019 attack. (Arab News)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

2021 Louisiana's 2nd congressional district special election Democratic state senator Troy Carter wins the runoff election for a special election for Louisiana'

2021 Louisiana's 2nd congressional district special election Democratic state senator Troy Carter wins the runoff election for a special election for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district to replace Representative Cedric Richmond, who had left his position to work for President Joe Biden. (AP)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

Turkey–United States relations, Armenian Genocide recognition In a statement commemorating Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, U.S.

Turkey–United States relations, Armenian Genocide recognition In a statement commemorating Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, U.S. President Joe Biden formally acknowledges the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as a genocide. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu denounces Biden's statement as "political opportunism" and "based on populism". (CNN)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

Insurgency in Northern Chad Northern Chad offensive Spokesperson for the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) Sharfadine Galmaye said that FACT was "will

Insurgency in Northern Chad Northern Chad offensive Spokesperson for the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) Sharfadine Galmaye said that FACT was "willing to negotiate with the government to spare Chad further conflict". The rebel group is asking Mahamat Déby Itno to step down and for "an independent person who would be acceptable by all people to rule" to take his place. (The Guardian)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

Northern Chad offensive Spokesperson for the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) Sharfadine Galmaye said that FACT was "willing to negotiate with the go

Northern Chad offensive Spokesperson for the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) Sharfadine Galmaye said that FACT was "willing to negotiate with the government to spare Chad further conflict". The rebel group is asking Mahamat Déby Itno to step down and for "an independent person who would be acceptable by all people to rule" to take his place. (The Guardian)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

Spokesperson for the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) Sharfadine Galmaye said that FACT was "willing to negotiate with the government to spare Chad f

Spokesperson for the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) Sharfadine Galmaye said that FACT was "willing to negotiate with the government to spare Chad further conflict". The rebel group is asking Mahamat Déby Itno to step down and for "an independent person who would be acceptable by all people to rule" to take his place. (The Guardian)

Apr
25
Politics / Government

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy The Italian government signs a large package of investment and reforms that will be finance

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy The Italian government signs a large package of investment and reforms that will be financed by the European Union’s €800 billion recovery fund, of which the country received €191.5 billion including €69 billion of grants. (Bloomberg News)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

A Turkish government spokesman says they are working on improving ties with the Egyptian government in order to boost efforts in the Libyan peace process.

A Turkish government spokesman says they are working on improving ties with the Egyptian government in order to boost efforts in the Libyan peace process. Relations between the two countries have been strained since the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état due to close relations between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood. (Reuters)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka, COVID-19 lockdown in India The state government announces a two week lockdown across Karnataka from April 27 at 9:00 p.m.

COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka, COVID-19 lockdown in India The state government announces a two week lockdown across Karnataka from April 27 at 9:00 p.m. until May 12 at 6:00 a.m. IST. Additionally, only essential shops would be allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. (The Hindu)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 in an attempt to reduce the spread of CO

COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Under the new restrictions, all workplaces, except for those excluded by the Interior Ministry, will be closed, intercity travel will be subject to permission and public transportation will operate at only 50% capacity. (Anadolu Agency)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

Egypt–Turkey relations, Libyan peace process A Turkish government spokesman says they are working on improving ties with the Egyptian government in order to boo

Egypt–Turkey relations, Libyan peace process A Turkish government spokesman says they are working on improving ties with the Egyptian government in order to boost efforts in the Libyan peace process. Relations between the two countries have been strained since the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état due to close relations between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood. (Reuters)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

Insurgency in the Maghreb Two Spanish journalists and an Irish campaigner are killed after their convoy is attacked in eastern Burkina Faso.

Insurgency in the Maghreb Two Spanish journalists and an Irish campaigner are killed after their convoy is attacked in eastern Burkina Faso. Two Burkinabe soldiers are wounded. (Al Jazeera) At least 18 civilians are killed after militants attack the village of Yattakou, in Burkina Faso. (Al Jazeera)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Under the new restrictions, all workplaces, except for those excluded by the Interior Ministry, will be closed, intercity travel will be subject to permission and public transportation will operate at only 50% capacity. (Anadolu Agency)

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