COVID-19 pandemic in California California Governor Gavin Newsom receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Phnom Penh imposes a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time that suspends all non-essential business activities and gatherings for two weeks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces a ban of alcoholic drinks in parks and outdoor public spaces in France as part of the limited nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, 501.V2 variant Malaysia reports nine locally transmitted cases of the 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was originally detected in South Africa. (Malaysiakini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, Lineage P.1 Michigan reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a person from Bay County. (Detroit News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova Moldova enters a 60-day state of emergency to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi says that the rate of infection has increased to 635 per 100,000 people. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves the general use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Business Tech)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain breaks vaccination record with 306,000 doses injected in one day. (El País)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California California Governor Gavin Newsom receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle) COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, Lineage P.1 Michigan reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a person from Bay County. (Detroit News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 40,806 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3.3 million. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam receives the first batch consisting 811,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through COVAX scheme. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer announces a revised efficacy rating of 91.3% for its vaccine candidate, down from its original rating of 95%, and affirms that protection afforded by the vaccine lasts for at least six months. Pfizer also announces that the vaccine appeared to provide protection against the 501.V2 variant in 100% of cases during its South African trial run. (CNBC)
Gian Carlo Venturini and Marco Nicolini are sworn in as the new Captains Regent of San Marino, succeeding Alessandro Cardelli and Mirko Dolcini. (San Marino RTV)
Lockdown restrictions are eased in Queensland, including Brisbane, after a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Nine News)
Malaysia reports nine locally transmitted cases of the 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was originally detected in South Africa. (Malaysiakini)
Michigan reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a person from Bay County. (Detroit News)
Minimum wage in New Zealand New Zealand raises its minimum wage to $20 per hour, increasing the average income of 175,500 citizens by $44 per week, while income tax on those earning over $180,000 rises to 39 percent. Welfare spending, student allowances, and support for first time home buyers are also increased. (The Independent)
Moldova enters a 60-day state of emergency to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi says that the rate of infection has increased to 635 per 100,000 people. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
New Zealand raises its minimum wage to $20 per hour, increasing the average income of 175,500 citizens by $44 per week, while income tax on those earning over $180,000 rises to 39 percent. Welfare spending, student allowances, and support for first time home buyers are also increased. (The Independent)
Pfizer announces a revised efficacy rating of 91.3% for its vaccine candidate, down from its original rating of 95%, and affirms that protection afforded by the vaccine lasts for at least six months. Pfizer also announces that the vaccine appeared to provide protection against the 501.V2 variant in 100% of cases during its South African trial run. (CNBC)
Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer announces a revised efficacy rating of 91.3% for its vaccine candidate, down from its original rating of 95%, and affirms that protection afforded by the vaccine lasts for at least six months. Pfizer also announces that the vaccine appeared to provide protection against the 501.V2 variant in 100% of cases during its South African trial run. (CNBC)
Phnom Penh imposes a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time that suspends all non-essential business activities and gatherings for two weeks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Khmer Times)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces a ban of alcoholic drinks in parks and outdoor public spaces in France as part of the limited nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. (The Straits Times)
Six auxiliaries of the Burkina Faso Armed Forces are killed in an ambush during an operation in Dablo, Sanmatenga. (Barron's)
Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Three Belgian police officers are injured and four people are arrested, after a crowd of around 2,000 people at the Bois de la Cambre park in Brussels is charged for violating social distancing measures by organizing and participating in a coronavirus party marketed as an April Fools' Day prank. (The Bangkok Post)
Spain breaks vaccination record with 306,000 doses injected in one day. (El País)
Terrorism in Burkina Faso Six auxiliaries of the Burkina Faso Armed Forces are killed in an ambush during an operation in Dablo, Sanmatenga. (Barron's)
The S&P 500 closes its trading day at 4,019.87, the first time it ended at above 4,000. (The Straits Times)
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves the general use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Business Tech)
The United Kingdom places sanctions on Burmese conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation for funding the junta and for associating with military officials. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accuses the junta of "sinking to a new low with the wanton killing of innocent people, including children". (Reuters)
Turkey reports a record 40,806 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3.3 million. (Anadolu Agency)
Vietnam receives the first batch consisting 811,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through COVAX scheme. (Reuters)
Mali War Four Chadian soldiers are killed and many more are wounded when their base is attacked by jihadists in Aguelhok, Kidal, Mali. (Al Jazeera)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina President Alberto Fernández tests positive for COVID-19. (The Courier)
Four Chadian soldiers are killed and many more are wounded when their base is attacked by jihadists in Aguelhok, Kidal, Mali. (Al Jazeera)
President Alberto Fernández tests positive for COVID-19. (The Courier)
2021 Hualien train derailment At least 50 people are killed and 156 others are wounded when a Taroko Express train, headed for the celebration of the Tomb Sweeping festival, derails in Hualien, Taiwan. (BBC News)
A sealed copy of the 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Mario Bros. sells at auction for US$660,000, the most ever paid for a single video game. (KSL-TV)
Aftermath of the Battle of Palma French energy company Total SE ceases operations and evacuates all of its staff from its power plant in the Cabo Delgado Province, after IS-CAP insurgents infiltrate a security perimeter surrounding the liquefied natural gas reserves where the plant is located. (TRT World)
At least 50 people are killed and 156 others are wounded when a Taroko Express train, headed for the celebration of the Tomb Sweeping festival, derails in Hualien, Taiwan. (BBC News)
At least four civilians were injured in anti-Indian protests against the killing of three suspected rebels by Indian soldiers in Kashmir. (Al Jazeera0
Bangladesh reports a record 6,830 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 624,594. The country also reports its highest ever seven-day moving average of deaths with 50. (Dhaka Tribune)
Bosnia and Herzegovina reports a record 2,154 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the first time that daily cases surpassed 2,000 in the country. (The National Herald)
Canadian airlines Air Canada and Air Transat mutually terminate a planned merger deal after failing to secure an approval from the European Commission. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 6,830 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 624,594. The country also reports its highest ever seven-day moving average of deaths with 50. (Dhaka Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina reports a record 2,154 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the first time that daily cases surpassed 2,000 in the country. (The National Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issues an executive order banning the state from issuing vaccine passports. (Orlando Sentinel)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India reports a new single-day record of 3.67 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (Livemint) COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 47,827 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, a former Iraq judge who presided during the trial of former dictator Saddam Hussein, dies from COVID-19 at the age of 52. (Al Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 47,827 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Netherlands suspends the administration of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 60 years old following the death of a woman who had received the vaccine. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record 15,310 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes 3,709 cases that were not reported since March 31. This brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 771,497. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 100 million people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Insider) (Forbes) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issues an executive order banning the state from issuing vaccine passports. (Orlando Sentinel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 42,308 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3.4 million. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 19,893 new confirmed cases and 433 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.71 million and the nationwide death toll to 33,679. (Kyiv Post)
COVID-19 vaccination in India India reports a new single-day record of 3.67 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (Livemint)
French energy company Total SE ceases operations and evacuates all of its staff from its power plant in the Cabo Delgado Province, after IS-CAP insurgents infiltrate a security perimeter surrounding the liquefied natural gas reserves where the plant is located. (TRT World)
Governor Ron DeSantis issues an executive order banning the state from issuing vaccine passports. (Orlando Sentinel)
India reports a new single-day record of 3.67 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (Livemint)
Kashmir conflict At least four civilians were injured in anti-Indian protests against the killing of three suspected rebels by Indian soldiers in Kashmir. (Al Jazeera0
Maharashtra reports a record 47,827 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Times of India)
Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, a former Iraq judge who presided during the trial of former dictator Saddam Hussein, dies from COVID-19 at the age of 52. (Al Arabiya)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 100 million people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Insider) (Forbes)
The Netherlands suspends the administration of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 60 years old following the death of a woman who had received the vaccine. (The Independent)
The Philippines reports a record 15,310 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes 3,709 cases that were not reported since March 31. This brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 771,497. (ABS-CBN News)
Turkey reports a record 42,308 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3.4 million. (Daily Sabah)
Ukraine reports a record 19,893 new confirmed cases and 433 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.71 million and the nationwide death toll to 33,679. (Kyiv Post)
Somali Civil War Ten people are killed and four more are wounded after a suicide bomber detonates his device near makeshift kiosks in Mogadishu. (Reuters) Al-Shabaab militants attack two military bases in Lower Shabelle with suicide car bombings and mortar shells. Nine Somali soldiers are killed and eleven others are injured. An army general says 76 militants are killed in retaliation, and ten captured. (VOA)
Al-Shabaab militants attack two military bases in Lower Shabelle with suicide car bombings and mortar shells. Nine Somali soldiers are killed and eleven others are injured. An army general says 76 militants are killed in retaliation, and ten captured. (VOA)
COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines The government extends the enhanced community quarantine imposed on the Greater Manila Area until April 11, following the report of a record 15,310 new confirmed cases the previous day. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh The government announces a one-week nationwide lockdown beginning April 5 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Factory, utility, and emergency services are exempt from the lockdown. (The Economic Times)
The government announces a one-week nationwide lockdown beginning April 5 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Factory, utility, and emergency services are exempt from the lockdown. (The Economic Times)
The government extends the enhanced community quarantine imposed on the Greater Manila Area until April 11, following the report of a record 15,310 new confirmed cases the previous day. (CNA)
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)
