World 2021 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Jul
23
Politics / Government

2021 Taliban offensive Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing to past failed attem

2021 Taliban offensive Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing to past failed attempts by countries to do so. Shaheen also says that women's rights under the Taliban would now be respected, although women would still need to wear a headscarf or hijab and have a male relative as a companion in order to leave their house. Shaheen also accused President Ashraf Ghani of being a "warmonger" and said that "no one wants a civil war in Afghanistan". (Al Jazeera)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Madagascar officials announce that two French citizens arrested over a plot to kill President Andry Rajoelina are former members of the French Armed Forces.

Madagascar officials announce that two French citizens arrested over a plot to kill President Andry Rajoelina are former members of the French Armed Forces. The Government of France says that it is working with its consulate in Madagascar as the French military says that it has no comments on the arrests. (Reuters)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing t

Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing to past failed attempts by countries to do so. Shaheen also says that women's rights under the Taliban would now be respected, although women would still need to wear a headscarf or hijab and have a male relative as a companion in order to leave their house. Shaheen also accused President Ashraf Ghani of being a "warmonger" and said that "no one wants a civil war in Afghanistan". (Al Jazeera)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing to past failed attempts by countries to do

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing to past failed attempts by countries to do so. Shaheen also says that women's rights under the Taliban would now be respected, although women would still need to wear a headscarf or hijab and have a male relative as a companion in order to leave their house. Shaheen also accused President Ashraf Ghani of being a "warmonger" and said that "no one wants a civil war in Afghanistan". (Al Jazeera)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afgh

War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says that the Islamist group "does not want to monopolize" Afghanistan, pointing to past failed attempts by countries to do so. Shaheen also says that women's rights under the Taliban would now be respected, although women would still need to wear a headscarf or hijab and have a male relative as a companion in order to leave their house. Shaheen also accused President Ashraf Ghani of being a "warmonger" and said that "no one wants a civil war in Afghanistan". (Al Jazeera)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care facilities New York COVID-19 nursing home scandal The U.S.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care facilities New York COVID-19 nursing home scandal The U.S. Department of Justice announces that it will not open a civil rights investigation into government-run nursing homes in New York. Similar letters were sent to officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania. (ABC News)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Burundian Minister for Mining Ibrahim Uwizeye suspends the operations of several international mining companies, including one running the only rare-earth mine

Burundian Minister for Mining Ibrahim Uwizeye suspends the operations of several international mining companies, including one running the only rare-earth mine in Africa, saying they were not properly sharing the profits and that the mining contracts signed were "unbalanced". (Africanews) (Xinhua)

Jul
24
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, COVID-19 vaccination in Tanzania Tanzania receives its first shipment of 1 million doses of the Johns

COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, COVID-19 vaccination in Tanzania Tanzania receives its first shipment of 1 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine donated by the U.S. government. (Bloomberg) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia reports a record 799 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 18,369. (Anadolu Agency)

Jul
25
Politics / Government

2021 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian President Kais Saied, in a televised speech, announces the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspensio

2021 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian President Kais Saied, in a televised speech, announces the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, and also assumes executive authority. The opposition calls the actions a coup d'état. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)

Jul
25
Politics / Government

Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reports that the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces are advancing in Cabo Delgado Province and gaining

Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reports that the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces are advancing in Cabo Delgado Province and gaining territory previously held by Daesh-affiliated groups. The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths as well as monetary losses Mozambique's economy, primarily in the gas and oil industries. (Reuters)

Jul
25
Politics / Government

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reports that the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces are advancing in Cabo Delgado Province and gaining territory previously held

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reports that the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces are advancing in Cabo Delgado Province and gaining territory previously held by Daesh-affiliated groups. The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths as well as monetary losses Mozambique's economy, primarily in the gas and oil industries. (Reuters)

Jul
25
Politics / Government

Tunisian President Kais Saied, in a televised speech, announces the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of the Assembly of the Repres

Tunisian President Kais Saied, in a televised speech, announces the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, and also assumes executive authority. The opposition calls the actions a coup d'état. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)

Jul
25
Politics / Government

Police in Fiji carry out a crackdown on opposition politicians and human rights activists who are opposed to a newly proposed land bill and who criticized the h

Police in Fiji carry out a crackdown on opposition politicians and human rights activists who are opposed to a newly proposed land bill and who criticized the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Among those arrested are opposition politicians Biman Prasad, Lynda Tabuya and Litia Qionibaravi as well as former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. (RNZ)

Jul
26
Politics / Government

Foreign relations of Equatorial Guinea The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea announces the closure of the country's embassy in London, United Kingdom after

Foreign relations of Equatorial Guinea The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea announces the closure of the country's embassy in London, United Kingdom after the British government sanctioned Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue over his "lavish lifestyle". The Minister said that Equatorial Guinea "will not allow interference in internal affairs". (Reuters)

Jul
26
Politics / Government

The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea announces the closure of the country's embassy in London, United Kingdom after the British government sanctioned Vice-

The Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea announces the closure of the country's embassy in London, United Kingdom after the British government sanctioned Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue over his "lavish lifestyle". The Minister said that Equatorial Guinea "will not allow interference in internal affairs". (Reuters)

Jul
26
Politics / Government

2020–21 Malaysian political crisis, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics The Parliament of Malaysia reopens for the first time after a seven-month suspen

2020–21 Malaysian political crisis, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics The Parliament of Malaysia reopens for the first time after a seven-month suspension due to the COVID-19-related state of emergency, which will expire on August 1. (Nikkei Asia)

Jul
26
Politics / Government

United Nations representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons implores the Afghan government and the Taliban to protect civilians as a UN report shows a sharp inc

United Nations representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons implores the Afghan government and the Taliban to protect civilians as a UN report shows a sharp increase in civilians being killed. 1,300 civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far this year. (DW)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

According to the government of Ethiopia's Somali Region, militants from the Afar Region attack for the fourth day the Somali town of Garbaiisa, killing up to 30

According to the government of Ethiopia's Somali Region, militants from the Afar Region attack for the fourth day the Somali town of Garbaiisa, killing up to 300 people. In response, protesters set up roadblocks along a highway leading to Djibouti and damaged parts of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, threatening Ethiopia's economy. This comes after multiple days of fighting between Afar and Somali militants in Garbaiisa. (Reuters) (Bloomberg)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

Afar–Somali clashes According to the government of Ethiopia's Somali Region, militants from the Afar Region attack for the fourth day the Somali town of Garbaii

Afar–Somali clashes According to the government of Ethiopia's Somali Region, militants from the Afar Region attack for the fourth day the Somali town of Garbaiisa, killing up to 300 people. In response, protesters set up roadblocks along a highway leading to Djibouti and damaged parts of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, threatening Ethiopia's economy. This comes after multiple days of fighting between Afar and Somali militants in Garbaiisa. (Reuters) (Bloomberg)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

North and South Korea restore hotlines between the two countries, more than a year after Pyongyang cut ties in June 2020.

North and South Korea restore hotlines between the two countries, more than a year after Pyongyang cut ties in June 2020. The move comes after months of correspondence by letters of negotiations between South Korean president Moon Jae-in and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in an attempt to improve relations between the two countries. (Reuters)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

North Korea–South Korea relations North and South Korea restore hotlines between the two countries, more than a year after Pyongyang cut ties in June 2020.

North Korea–South Korea relations North and South Korea restore hotlines between the two countries, more than a year after Pyongyang cut ties in June 2020. The move comes after months of correspondence by letters of negotiations between South Korean president Moon Jae-in and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in an attempt to improve relations between the two countries. (Reuters)

Jul
28
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in France The French government announces that beginning on August 9, the parliament-approved "Health Pass" will be compulsory for people who

COVID-19 pandemic in France The French government announces that beginning on August 9, the parliament-approved "Health Pass" will be compulsory for people who want to visit a café, gym, bar or other public place, as well as travel on an airplane or by inter-city rail. However, the legislation needs to be validated by the Constitutional Council on August 5. (Connexion France)

Jul
28
Politics / Government

The French government announces that beginning on August 9, the parliament-approved "Health Pass" will be compulsory for people who want to visit a café, gym, b

The French government announces that beginning on August 9, the parliament-approved "Health Pass" will be compulsory for people who want to visit a café, gym, bar or other public place, as well as travel on an airplane or by inter-city rail. However, the legislation needs to be validated by the Constitutional Council on August 5. (Connexion France)

Jul
28
Politics / Government

2021 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks Mohamed al-Dahach as head of the national television network and installs a temporary replace

2021 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks Mohamed al-Dahach as head of the national television network and installs a temporary replacement, following an incident in the afternoon when al-Dahach forbade a group of journalists and human rights advocates from appearing on a show allegedly on orders from the military. (Reuters)

Jul
28
Politics / Government

Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks Mohamed al-Dahach as head of the national television network and installs a temporary replacement, following an incident in

Tunisian President Kais Saied sacks Mohamed al-Dahach as head of the national television network and installs a temporary replacement, following an incident in the afternoon when al-Dahach forbade a group of journalists and human rights advocates from appearing on a show allegedly on orders from the military. (Reuters)

Jul
28
Politics / Government

Argentina announces that they will pay $250 million to the Paris Club and $350 million to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid default.

Argentina announces that they will pay $250 million to the Paris Club and $350 million to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid default. Economy minister Martín Guzmán asks both entities to restructure the debts in order to make payment viable. The IMF has expressed its willingness for the payment after months of negotiations on a $45 billion debt acquired by the previous administration. (Ámbito Financiero)

Jul
29
Politics / Government

War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive A U.S.

War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive A U.S. government watchdog charged with monitoring events on the ground says that the Afghan government will be "fighting for its life" and could fall under the control of the Taliban once the withdrawal of foreign troops is completed. The report states that Afghan "unprepared forces" are facing an "existential crisis" in response to the increasing Taliban attacks. (Voice of America)

Jul
29
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan announces that they will ban air travel for unvaccinated people, as well as entry to schools for both staff and students

COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan announces that they will ban air travel for unvaccinated people, as well as entry to schools for both staff and students over the age of 18 beginning on August 1 and will also require public sector workers, public transport workers and retail staff to get vaccinated beginning on August 31 or risk a ban on entry to shopping malls, restaurants, and government offices. (U.S. News and World Report)

Jul
29
Politics / Government

Pakistan announces that they will ban air travel for unvaccinated people, as well as entry to schools for both staff and students over the age of 18 beginning o

Pakistan announces that they will ban air travel for unvaccinated people, as well as entry to schools for both staff and students over the age of 18 beginning on August 1 and will also require public sector workers, public transport workers and retail staff to get vaccinated beginning on August 31 or risk a ban on entry to shopping malls, restaurants, and government offices. (U.S. News and World Report)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of

War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, according to a provincial government spokesman, who reported heavy fighting between government forces and the Islamist group as civilians flee the city. (Reuters)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, according to a provincial g

2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, according to a provincial government spokesman, who reported heavy fighting between government forces and the Islamist group as civilians flee the city. (Reuters)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenya bans all public gatherings and in-person meetings, as well as extends the nationwide curfe] to from

COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenya bans all public gatherings and in-person meetings, as well as extends the nationwide curfe] to from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Al Jazeera) COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni eases its second nationwide lockdown that allow some business hubs, private and public transport to reopen and operated with restricted capacity limits due to drop of positivity rate of COVID-19 in the country. (Bloomberg)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israel begins the world's first third-dose vaccination campaign for people over 60 years old, with p

COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israel begins the world's first third-dose vaccination campaign for people over 60 years old, with president Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal receiving a third dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Haaretz)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura says that the country has entered an "extremely frightening" stage of the pandemic as the nu

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura says that the country has entered an "extremely frightening" stage of the pandemic as the number of cases increases in Tokyo. The government also extends the state of emergency in the capital and expands it to three surrounding prefectures and the city of Osaka from August 2 to August 31. (BBC News)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni eases its second nationwide lockdown that allow some business hubs, private and public transport t

COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni eases its second nationwide lockdown that allow some business hubs, private and public transport to reopen and operated with restricted capacity limits due to drop of positivity rate of COVID-19 in the country. (Bloomberg)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura says that the country has entered an "extremely frightening" stage of the pandemic as the number of cases increases in

Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura says that the country has entered an "extremely frightening" stage of the pandemic as the number of cases increases in Tokyo. The government also extends the state of emergency in the capital and expands it to three surrounding prefectures and the city of Osaka from August 2 to August 31. (BBC News)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, accordin

Taliban insurgency 2021 Taliban offensive The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, according to a provincial government spokesman, who reported heavy fighting between government forces and the Islamist group as civilians flee the city. (Reuters)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, according to a provincial government spokesman, wh

The Taliban enters Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand Province, capturing large areas of the city, according to a provincial government spokesman, who reported heavy fighting between government forces and the Islamist group as civilians flee the city. (Reuters)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

Two supporters of the Zambian political-leading party Patriotic Front are stabbed to death by supporters of the opposition party National Development in the cap

Two supporters of the Zambian political-leading party Patriotic Front are stabbed to death by supporters of the opposition party National Development in the capital Lusaka, amid an increasing tension over the imminent elections. Four people are arrested. (Al Jazeera)

Jul
31
Politics / Government

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina calls on the military to take "responsibility for threats to national sovereignty and threats to national security" after a

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina calls on the military to take "responsibility for threats to national sovereignty and threats to national security" after a plot to assassinate him was foiled last week. Rajoelina called on the new military graduates to uphold democracy. (Madagascar Tribune)

Jul
31
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina Health minister Carla Vizzotti reports that Argentina has applied nearly 32 million doses of t

COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina Health minister Carla Vizzotti reports that Argentina has applied nearly 32 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Argentina has so far reported 4.9 million cases and over 105,000 deaths from COVID-19. (CNDigital)

Aug
01
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria Nigeria receives four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine fr

COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria Nigeria receives four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from U.S. government. (Africanews) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, COVID-19 vaccination in Tunisia Tunisia receives 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from Italy. (Al Arabiya)

Aug
01
Politics / Government

Saudi Arabia lifts its travel restrictions for the first time since March 2020 for tourists who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 using government-approved

Saudi Arabia lifts its travel restrictions for the first time since March 2020 for tourists who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 using government-approved vaccines. Vaccinated travelers must register themselves on the data registration portal introduced by the Ministry of Tourism, which also requires a negative PCR test from the previous 72 hours. (Hindustan Times)

Aug
01
Politics / Government

2021 Myanmar coup d'état On the six-month anniversary of the coup, military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing names himself Prime Minister "in order to perform the c

2021 Myanmar coup d'état On the six-month anniversary of the coup, military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing names himself Prime Minister "in order to perform the country’s duties fast, easily and effectively", according to the ruling State Administration Council. (Reuters)

Aug
02
Politics / Government

2020–21 Malaysian political crisis, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia The Dewan Rakyat suspends their special parliamentary meeting for tw

2020–21 Malaysian political crisis, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia The Dewan Rakyat suspends their special parliamentary meeting for two weeks after COVID-19 cases were detected in the parliament. Malaysian opposition MPs, including Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad, gathered in Merdeka Square after being blocked by police from entering the parliament to protest the suspension. The MPs demanded for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign. (CNA)

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