Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that as of June 26, it will no longer be mandatory to wear a face mask outdoors. (La Vanguardia)
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (La Vanguardia)
War in Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani names Bismillah Khan Mohammadi as his new defense minister and Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal as the new interior minister, replacing their respective predecessors amid a deteriorating security situation, with foreign forces withdrawing from the country and the Taliban gaining territory, capturing six more districts. (DW)
2021 Brazilian protests As Brazil reaches 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19, demonstrations are held in hundreds of Brazilian cities and by Brazilians abroad. Protestors are critical of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic and demand his impeachment. (The Guardian)
2021 Peruvian general election Supporters of Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori gather following the election. Castillo supporters call for his win to be upheld, while Fujimori supporters call for the results to be overturned. (Al Jazeera)
As Brazil reaches 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19, demonstrations are held in hundreds of Brazilian cities and by Brazilians abroad. Protestors are critical of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic and demand his impeachment. (The Guardian)
President Ashraf Ghani names Bismillah Khan Mohammadi as his new defense minister and Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal as the new interior minister, replacing their respective predecessors amid a deteriorating security situation, with foreign forces withdrawing from the country and the Taliban gaining territory, capturing six more districts. (DW)
Supporters of Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori gather following the election. Castillo supporters call for his win to be upheld, while Fujimori supporters call for the results to be overturned. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Armenian parliamentary election In a parliamentary snap election, former and acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract wins the majority of seats of the National Assembly, but 16 fewer than it did in 2018. (Reuters)
2021 French regional elections In a series of elections seen as a major bellwether for next year's presidential election, exit polls show left-wing parties and the right-wing Republicans as the main winners, obtaining 34% and 29% of the total votes respectively. The far-right National Rally and the ruling centrist La République En Marche! receive disappointing results, with the former receiving 19% of the total votes, and the latter receiving only 10.9% and not even qualifying for the second round in some regions. (Politico.eu)
In a parliamentary snap election, former and acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract wins the majority of seats of the National Assembly, but 16 fewer than it did in 2018. (Reuters)
In a series of elections seen as a major bellwether for next year's presidential election, exit polls show left-wing parties and the right-wing Republicans as the main winners, obtaining 34% and 29% of the total votes respectively. The far-right National Rally and the ruling centrist La République En Marche! receive disappointing results, with the former receiving 19% of the total votes, and the latter receiving only 10.9% and not even qualifying for the second round in some regions. (Politico.eu)
Diplomats meet in Vienna to negotiate and restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an agreement signed in 2015. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns against rejoining the deal and calls for allies to "wake up" to the threat of Iran. (U.S. News & World Report) (BBC News)
Prime Minister of the provisional Libyan government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh announces the reopening of a major coastal road connecting the western city of Misrata and the eastern city of Sirte, declaring it a major step in restoring stability in the country. However, a media unit connected to the Libyan National Army disputes this, saying that the road remains closed. (Al Jazeera)
The government signs an agreement to purchase 40 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. It is the largest COVID-19 vaccine deal in the Philippines. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in China surpasses one billion. (CNN)
The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in China surpasses one billion. (CNN)
2021 Ethiopian general election Ethiopian voters head to the polls to elect a new session to the House of Peoples' Representatives after months of delays. The election occurs in the midst of multiple problems affecting the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, deteriorating conditions in the Tigray Region brought on by the Tigray War, and the jailing of multiple oppositional figures. (CNN)
2021 Swedish government crisis Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's government collapses after a vote of no-confidence is adopted by the Riksdag. Löfven has one week to either resign or call a snap election. (CNN)
Ethiopian voters head to the polls to elect a new session to the House of Peoples' Representatives after months of delays. The election occurs in the midst of multiple problems affecting the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, deteriorating conditions in the Tigray Region brought on by the Tigray War, and the jailing of multiple oppositional figures. (CNN)
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's government collapses after a vote of no-confidence is adopted by the Riksdag. Löfven has one week to either resign or call a snap election. (CNN)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that the nine Catalan separatist leaders involved in the unsuccessful 2017 independence bid will be pardoned tomorrow, saying that this is needed to ease tensions with Catalonia. President of the Catalan Government Pere Aragonès welcomes the pardons but says that they will pursue more concessions, such as a new authorized independence referendum. The Spanish oppositional parties subsequently announce that they will try to reverse the pardons. (Reuters)
The Australian National Party undergoes a leadership spill, replacing Michael McCormack with New England Representative Barnaby Joyce. Joyce previously lead the Nationals from 2016 to 2018 and was replaced by McCormack following sexual harassment allegations. As per the party's coalition agreement with the Australian Liberal Party, Joyce is set to replace McCormack as Deputy Prime Minister. Many Nationals have been critical of the Morrison Government's move towards carbon neutrality and hope that Joyce will counter this. (ABC News Australia)
Trial of Catalan independence leaders Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that the nine Catalan separatist leaders involved in the unsuccessful 2017 independence bid will be pardoned tomorrow, saying that this is needed to ease tensions with Catalonia. President of the Catalan Government Pere Aragonès welcomes the pardons but says that they will pursue more concessions, such as a new authorized independence referendum. The Spanish oppositional parties subsequently announce that they will try to reverse the pardons. (Reuters)
A judge in Peru rejects a plea from public prosecutor José Domingo Pérez to send Popular Force party leader and presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori back to prison for allegedly violating her bail conditions over charges of money laundering and corruption. Pérez says that he will appeal the judge's ruling. (DW)
Foreign relations of Nicaragua The Argentinian and Mexican foreign ministries announce in a joint statement that they are withdrawing their respective ambassadors from Nicaragua for consultations in response to President Daniel Ortega's increasing crackdown on dissidents, including the arrest of five potential presidential candidates this month. (Al Jazeera)
The Argentinian and Mexican foreign ministries announce in a joint statement that they are withdrawing their respective ambassadors from Nicaragua for consultations in response to President Daniel Ortega's increasing crackdown on dissidents, including the arrest of five potential presidential candidates this month. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte threatens to arrest those who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and tells them to leave the country if they will not cooperate with efforts to end a public health emergency. (AP)
President Rodrigo Duterte threatens to arrest those who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and tells them to leave the country if they will not cooperate with efforts to end a public health emergency. (AP)
The Spanish government pardons the nine jailed Catalan separatists convicted for their roles in the failed 2017 declaration of independence. (Euronews)
Trial of Catalonia independence leaders The Spanish government pardons the nine jailed Catalan separatists convicted for their roles in the failed 2017 declaration of independence. (Euronews)
Argentine Economy Minister Martín Guzmán announces that the country will make a voluntary payment to the Paris Club to avoid default. Argentina is also currently negotiating with the International Monetary Fund. (Buenos Aires Times)
Climate change in Australia UNESCO recommends changing the World Heritage status of the Great Barrier Reef to "in danger" and urges "accelerated action" from Australia. Australian Environment Minister Sussan Ley says that she "strongly opposes" the recommendation, arguing that it was politically motivated and not following normal process. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 vaccination in Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Draghi received the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for his second dose instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Barron's)
Prime Minister Mario Draghi receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Draghi received the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for his second dose instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Barron's)
South Sudan officially resumes the production of crude oil after a 7-year hiatus. The country's Minister of Petroleum says that production has begun at the Block 5A oil field and that the country is seeking a production of 8,000 barrels per day. (The Nation)
UNESCO recommends changing the World Heritage status of the Great Barrier Reef to "in danger" and urges "accelerated action" from Australia. Australian Environment Minister Sussan Ley says that she "strongly opposes" the recommendation, arguing that it was politically motivated and not following normal process. (The Guardian)
LGBT rights in Poland Polish education minister Przemysław Czarnek accuses the LGBT community of "insulting public morality" for a march held on Saturday in support of rights for the community. The opposition condemns Czarnek's comments as "language of hate". (Reuters)
Polish education minister Przemysław Czarnek accuses the LGBT community of "insulting public morality" for a march held on Saturday in support of rights for the community. The opposition condemns Czarnek's comments as "language of hate". (Reuters)
The United Nations votes 184-2 on a resolution ending the embargo on Cuba, with the United States and Israel being the lone no votes. (Reuters)
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pardons 16 Tamil Tigers members, with government officials saying that it is the start of a process to gradually free all individuals who have been charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. (Al Jazeera)
Thousands of Palestinians protest in Ramallah and Hebron after Nizar Banat, a former Fatah member and critic of the Palestinian National Authority's current leadership, was severely beaten and killed by Palestinian security forces in the early morning. The protestors called for the government, and current President Mahmoud Abbas in particular, to be "overthrown". (Haaretz)
2020–2021 Thai protests Pro-democracy protests resume in Thailand despite COVID-19 restrictions. Protesters demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over his alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and other issues such as monarchy and government reforms. (DW)
Belarusian democracy movement The trial of Belarusian activist Sergei Tikhanovsky begins in Belarus. Tikhanovsky faces charges of inciting the protests against the government of Alexander Lukashenko and could face up to 15 years' imprisonment. (Reuters)
Despite continuous records of new cases, the government rules out any possibility of a nationwide lockdown, adding that their directive would be on targeted lockdowns instead. (FBC News)
Pro-democracy protests resume in Thailand despite COVID-19 restrictions. Protesters demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over his alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and other issues such as monarchy and government reforms. (DW)
The trial of Belarusian activist Sergei Tikhanovsky begins in Belarus. Tikhanovsky faces charges of inciting the protests against the government of Alexander Lukashenko and could face up to 15 years' imprisonment. (Reuters)
UK Public Health Minister Jo Churchill announces that junk food advertisements during daytime television and on the internet will be banned in the United Kingdom by the end of the year, saying it will help fight the growing rates of childhood obesity in the country. (Reuters)
A helicopter carrying Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez and several government ministers, including Defense Minister Diego Molano Aponte, is struck by several bullets while flying to Cúcuta. Nobody was injured in the attack. (Reuters)
Colombian conflict A helicopter carrying Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez and several government ministers, including Defense Minister Diego Molano Aponte, is struck by several bullets while flying to Cúcuta. Nobody was injured in the attack. (Reuters)
Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin is barred from the next elections after being ruled as an "extremist". Yashin says that this is likely because of his support for jailed government critic Alexei Navalny. (Reuters)
Thousands of Palestinians attend the funeral of government critic Nizar Banat in Hebron. Many in attendance reiterate their calls for President Mahmoud Abbas's resignation for the role his security forces played in Banat's death. (Arab News)
The National Penitentiary Institute and Peruvian Navy opens an investigation into former Alberto Fujimori adviser Vladimiro Montesinos after he allegedly made phone calls to the National Jury of Elections from the Callao naval base, where he is being held. (Andina)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi tests positive for COVID-19. (Euronews)
The United States Agency for International Development announces it estimates as many as 900,000 in the Tigray Region are facing a man-made famine, corroborating months-long reports from citizens and international observers that the Ethiopian Army have been obstructing and looting farmers. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed continues to claim there is "no hunger" in Tigray. (Associated Press on MSN)
Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi tests positive for COVID-19. (Euronews)
2021 Peruvian general election Peru prepares for major protests in response to the June 6 election which saw socialist candidate Pedro Castillo of Free Peru winning the presidency by a narrow margin of 44,000 votes. Presidential candidate Fujimori Keiko, who lost to Castillo in the second round, has called for several thousand votes to be blocked, largely from the rural areas, where she alleges that fraud occurred. Castillo's supporters have vowed to call for a general strike if his victory is not confirmed soon. (Reuters)
Peru prepares for major protests in response to the June 6 election which saw socialist candidate Pedro Castillo of Free Peru winning the presidency by a narrow margin of 44,000 votes. Presidential candidate Fujimori Keiko, who lost to Castillo in the second round, has called for several thousand votes to be blocked, largely from the rural areas, where she alleges that fraud occurred. Castillo's supporters have vowed to call for a general strike if his victory is not confirmed soon. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The New South Wales Government imposes a two-week "hard" lockdown in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong until midnight on July 9. Residents are not allowed to leave their homes except for four essential reasons due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the region. In addition, weddings will be cancelled from June 28 until the end of the lockdown. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
The New South Wales Government imposes a two-week "hard" lockdown in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong until midnight on July 9. Residents are not allowed to leave their homes except for four essential reasons due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the region. In addition, weddings will be cancelled from June 28 until the end of the lockdown. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland Iceland becomes the first country in Europe to lift all remaining COVID-19-related restrictions due to a vaccination campaign that saw 88% of the population receive at least one vaccine dose. (MedicalXpress) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Health Secretary Matt Hancock resigns after being caught on CCTV breaking COVID-19 guidance that he had helped to create. Prime Minister Boris Johnson appoints former Chancellor Sajid Javid as his replacement. (GB News) (The Mirror)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland Iceland becomes the first country in Europe to lift all remaining COVID-19-related restrictions due to a vaccination campaign that saw 88% of the population receive at least one vaccine dose. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Health Secretary Matt Hancock resigns after being caught on CCTV breaking COVID-19 guidance that he had helped to create. Prime Minister Boris Johnson appoints former Chancellor Sajid Javid as his replacement. (GB News) (The Mirror)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock resigns after being caught on CCTV breaking COVID-19 guidance that he had helped to create. Prime Minister Boris Johnson appoints former Chancellor Sajid Javid as his replacement. (GB News) (The Mirror)
Iceland becomes the first country in Europe to lift all remaining COVID-19-related restrictions due to a vaccination campaign that saw 88% of the population receive at least one vaccine dose. (MedicalXpress)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency Thousands of people flee the northern Afghan city of Kunduz as heavy fighting between government forces and Taliban insurgents nears the city. Heavy clashes are also reported in Kandahar and Baghlan Provinces. (Al Jazeera)
Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir Two blasts, possibly from armed drones, hit an Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Two IAF personnel suffered minor injuries. The Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba Islamist group is believed to be behind the attack. (DW)
Taliban insurgency Thousands of people flee the northern Afghan city of Kunduz as heavy fighting between government forces and Taliban insurgents nears the city. Heavy clashes are also reported in Kandahar and Baghlan Provinces. (Al Jazeera)
Thousands of people flee the northern Afghan city of Kunduz as heavy fighting between government forces and Taliban insurgents nears the city. Heavy clashes are also reported in Kandahar and Baghlan Provinces. (Al Jazeera)
Two blasts, possibly from armed drones, hit an Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Two IAF personnel suffered minor injuries. The Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba Islamist group is believed to be behind the attack. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Luxembourg Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel tests positive for COVID-19. (Politico.eu)
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel tests positive for COVID-19. (Politico.eu)
Tigray War Tigray Defense Forces capture the regional capital Mekelle after forcing Ethiopian troops to retreat. (The New York Times) The Ethiopian government declares an immediate unilateral ceasefire in Tigray following the withdrawal of troops from Mekelle. (BBC News)
2021 Swedish government crisis Prime Minister Stefan Löfven resigns after he lost a no-confidence vote on June 21. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 8,364 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 896,770. (BDNews24) COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia President Joko Widodo announces that the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority approves the emergency use of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 years old. (detikHealth) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 5,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Malay Mail)
