Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Reyes Maroto receives an envelope containing a bloody knife, thereby becoming the second minister and the fourth senior politician to receive death threats. (Reuters)
2021 Albanian parliamentary election Prime Minister Edi Rama claims victory for his Socialist Party, making Rama the first Albanian prime minister to win three consecutive parliamentary elections. (CNA)
Prime Minister Edi Rama claims victory for his Socialist Party, making Rama the first Albanian prime minister to win three consecutive parliamentary elections. (CNA)
Brexit, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU The European Parliament ratifies the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom by a 660–5 vote, with 32 MEPs abstaining. (BBC News)
Postal workers of Spanish Correos intercept a letter with bullets mailed to Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso. (Reuters)
The European Parliament ratifies the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom by a 660–5 vote, with 32 MEPs abstaining. (BBC News)
Canadian Army general Dany Fortin, the person in charge of Canada's vaccination campaign, receives his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec reports Canada's first death from a vaccination. The death has been linked to a blood clot after a 54-year-old woman received the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and died due to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. (Global News) COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Canadian Army general Dany Fortin, the person in charge of Canada's vaccination campaign, receives his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden COVID-19 vaccination in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Canadian Army general Dany Fortin, the person in charge of Canada's vaccination campaign, receives his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (CTV News)
COVID-19 vaccination in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte approves the extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Greater Manila Area until May 14. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte approves the extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Greater Manila Area until May 14. (ABS-CBN News)
President Rodrigo Duterte approves the extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Greater Manila Area until May 14. (ABS-CBN News)
2021 Northern Ireland riots Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster announces her resignation after losing the support of her Democratic Unionist Party in the aftermath of the riots. (UrduPoint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces an easing of the country's lockdown restrictions after a decrease in the number of new cases, which will allow shopping malls and museums to reopen on May 4, hotels to reopen on May 8, and restaurants and cafés to serve people on outdoor terraces beginning on May 15. (The First News)
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster announces her resignation after losing the support of her Democratic Unionist Party in the aftermath of the riots. (UrduPoint)
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces an easing of the country's lockdown restrictions after a decrease in the number of new cases, which will allow shopping malls and museums to reopen on May 4, hotels to reopen on May 8, and restaurants and cafés to serve people on outdoor terraces beginning on May 15. (The First News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Lineage B.1.617 Nouvelle-Aquitaine reports France's first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in a person who travelled from India. (MedicalXpress) President Emmanuel Macron unveils a gradual easing of lockdown. He said schools would reopen on May 3, followed by the reopening of museums, cinemas, shops, and cafés on May 19. In the second week of June, cafés and restaurants will be allowed to serve inside and the curfew will be scrapped on June 30 after it pushes back to 9:00 p.m. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announces the city government's intent to lift all pandemic-related restrictions and "fully reopen" by July 1. (CBS News)
Cyprus dispute President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades says that the two-state solution proposed by Turkish Cypriots will never be accepted and claims that it violates United Nations resolutions. Greek Cypriots advocate a federal united country, whereas the Turkish side supports a two-state solution. (Reuters)
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announces the city government's intent to lift all pandemic-related restrictions and "fully reopen" by July 1. (CBS News)
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades says that the two-state solution proposed by Turkish Cypriots will never be accepted and claims that it violates United Nations resolutions. Greek Cypriots advocate a federal united country, whereas the Turkish side supports a two-state solution. (Reuters)
2021 Palestinian legislative election, Israeli–Palestinian conflict President Mahmoud Abbas postpones the election scheduled for May 22 until further notice, after the government of Israel allegedly rejected the holding of the election in East Jerusalem. Abbas says that the election cannot be held without the participation of the disputed area. (Xinhuanet)
President Mahmoud Abbas postpones the election scheduled for May 22 until further notice, after the government of Israel allegedly rejected the holding of the election in East Jerusalem. Abbas says that the election cannot be held without the participation of the disputed area. (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Family and friends of Brazilian Workers' Party activist Rodrigo Pilha, who has been imprisoned for over a month after displaying a banner calling President Jair Bolsonaro "genocidal" over poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic, say that he was beaten and tortured in prison by wardens. (Forum)
Family and friends of Brazilian Workers' Party activist Rodrigo Pilha, who has been imprisoned for over a month after displaying a banner calling President Jair Bolsonaro "genocidal" over poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic, say that he was beaten and tortured in prison by wardens. (Forum)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea President Moon Jae-in receives his second dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Yonhap News Agency)
Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi declares a "state of siege" in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu due to a spate of violence from armed groups in those areas. (News24)
Ituri conflict Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi declares a "state of siege" in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu due to a spate of violence from armed groups in those areas. (News24)
Kivu conflict Ituri conflict Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi declares a "state of siege" in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu due to a spate of violence from armed groups in those areas. (News24)
President Moon Jae-in receives his second dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Albania COVID-19 vaccination in Albania Albania approves the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany administers a record 1.1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours. (Bloomberg) COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 394 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 40,131. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany administers a record 1.1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours. (Bloomberg)
Germany administers a record 1.1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta lifts the lockdown imposed in Nairobi and surrounding counties, allowing bars, restaurants, schools, and religious services to reopen and revising the evening curfew to 10:00 p.m. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism Italian cruise line Costa Cruises returns to service for the first time in nearly five months following a ban of cruises by the Italian government due to the pandemic. Several Costa ships had reported cases on board in the previous year. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta lifts the lockdown imposed in Nairobi and surrounding counties, allowing bars, restaurants, schools, and religious services to reopen and revising the evening curfew to 10:00 p.m. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore The Singaporean government bans all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have been in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the last two weeks from entering or transiting through the country. It also tightens its social distancing rules in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism Italian cruise line Costa Cruises returns to service for the first time in nearly five months following a ban of cruises by the Italian government due to the pandemic. Several Costa ships had reported cases on board in the previous year. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Italian cruise line Costa Cruises returns to service for the first time in nearly five months following a ban of cruises by the Italian government due to the pandemic. Several Costa ships had reported cases on board in the previous year. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta lifts the lockdown imposed in Nairobi and surrounding counties, allowing bars, restaurants, schools, and religious services to reopen and revising the evening curfew to 10:00 p.m. (U.S. News & World Report)
The Singaporean government bans all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have been in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the last two weeks from entering or transiting through the country. It also tightens its social distancing rules in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
War in Afghanistan Afghan peace process The United States formally begins withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan to mark the final phase of the end to its longest war. Additionally, NATO also starts withdrawing their troops. (AP) Taliban insurgents overrun an Afghan National Army base in Ghazni Province, capturing dozens of troops and killing a "number of others". Acting Defense Minister General Yasin Zia confirms the fall of the security installation to the Taliban. (VOA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Syria Syria's rebel-held Idlib Governorate begins its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with a 45-year-old nurse receiving the first dose. (Arab News)
Syria's rebel-held Idlib Governorate begins its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with a 45-year-old nurse receiving the first dose. (Arab News)
Taliban insurgents overrun an Afghan National Army base in Ghazni Province, capturing dozens of troops and killing a "number of others". Acting Defense Minister General Yasin Zia confirms the fall of the security installation to the Taliban. (VOA)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad signs a decree that grants amnesty and reduces sentences for prisoners ahead of an election on May 26. (Middle East Eye)
2021 Colombian protests Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez says that he is withdrawing a controversial tax reform proposal after thousands of predominantly working-class people took to the streets to protest against the plans, which they say unfairly target the poor. Seventeen people were killed in the protests. (BBC News)
Authorities in Delhi request help from the Indian Armed Forces amidst shortages of medical oxygen and a lack of beds in intensive care units in the city's overwhelmed hospitals. The local government wants the army to formally take over the administration of COVID-19 care facilities and intensive care units. (BBC News)
Bavarian minister-president Markus Söder announces that the annual Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich, scheduled for late September to October, will be cancelled for a second consecutive year due to the pandemic. (ABS-CBN News)
Cafés, restaurants, and bars in Greece reopen for the first time in six months as the government begins to ease its COVID-19 restrictions. A nightly 9:00 p.m. curfew is also changed to 11:00 p.m. (AP)
Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez says that he is withdrawing a controversial tax reform proposal after thousands of predominantly working-class people took to the streets to protest against the plans, which they say unfairly target the poor. Seventeen people were killed in the protests. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi Authorities in Delhi request help from the Indian Armed Forces amidst shortages of medical oxygen and a lack of beds in intensive care units in the city's overwhelmed hospitals. The local government wants the army to formally take over the administration of COVID-19 care facilities and intensive care units. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Denmark becomes the first country to exclude the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from its vaccination programme over a potential link to a rare but serious form of thrombosis. (The Copenhagen Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Cafés, restaurants, and bars in Greece reopen for the first time in six months as the government begins to ease its COVID-19 restrictions. A nightly 9:00 p.m. curfew is also changed to 11:00 p.m. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Cafés, restaurants, and bars in Greece reopen for the first time in six months as the government begins to ease its COVID-19 restrictions. A nightly 9:00 p.m. curfew is also changed to 11:00 p.m. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte receives his first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (CNBC)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte receives his first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (CNBC)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural heritage, COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Bavarian minister-president Markus Söder announces that the annual Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich, scheduled for late September to October, will be cancelled for a second consecutive year due to the pandemic. (ABS-CBN News)
Kyrgyzs in Germany and the United Kingdom organize rallies and protests at Tajik embassies. Additionally, citizens living in San Francisco protest in support of the residents of Batken and call for international institutions to "bring Tajik President Rahmon to justice". (Kabar)
President Rodrigo Duterte receives his first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (CNBC)
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon orders that all residential buildings destroyed in Chorkuh be restored. (Asia-Plus)
2021 Madrilenian regional election The Assembly of Madrid holds a snap election after the ruling coalition of the People's Party and Ciudadanos breaks down. The People's Party, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, receives a landslide win in the election, doubling their number of seats, though falling four seats short of an absolute majority. (The Guardian) (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta The Alberta government introduces tougher public health restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19, including moving all kindergarten to Grade 12 students to online learning, closing restaurants and bars to in-person dining, closing down personal care services such as hair salons, limiting outdoor gatherings to five people, and increasing fines for those violating public health measures. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta The Alberta government introduces tougher public health restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19, including moving all kindergarten to Grade 12 students to online learning, closing restaurants and bars to in-person dining, closing down personal care services such as hair salons, limiting outdoor gatherings to five people, and increasing fines for those violating public health measures. (CBC)
The Alberta government introduces tougher public health restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19, including moving all kindergarten to Grade 12 students to online learning, closing restaurants and bars to in-person dining, closing down personal care services such as hair salons, limiting outdoor gatherings to five people, and increasing fines for those violating public health measures. (CBC)
The Assembly of Madrid holds a snap election after the ruling coalition of the People's Party and Ciudadanos breaks down. The People's Party, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, receives a landslide win in the election, doubling their number of seats, though falling four seats short of an absolute majority. (The Guardian) (BBC News)
French maritime minister Annick Girardin says that France is prepared to impose "retaliation measures" against the United Kingdom over its new guidelines on requiring French fishing vessels to obtain permits to sail by the Channel Islands. (S&P Global)
Post-Brexit United Kingdom relations with the European Union French maritime minister Annick Girardin says that France is prepared to impose "retaliation measures" against the United Kingdom over its new guidelines on requiring French fishing vessels to obtain permits to sail by the Channel Islands. (S&P Global)
2019–2021 Israeli political crisis Israeli President Reuven Rivlin taps Yair Lapid, leader of the oppositional centrist party Yesh Atid, to form a new government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form one yesterday. (Al Jazeera)
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin taps Yair Lapid, leader of the oppositional centrist party Yesh Atid, to form a new government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form one yesterday. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Colombian protests Watchdog organization NetBlocks reports Internet connection disruptions in Cali, Colombia, amidst the ongoing anti-government protests. (Newsweek)
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov signs a decree approving the new constitution, which was approved following a referendum on April 11. (TASS)
Watchdog organization NetBlocks reports Internet connection disruptions in Cali, Colombia, amidst the ongoing anti-government protests. (Newsweek)
