French agriculture minister Julien Denormandie announces the declaration of a national "agricultural disaster" in response to unseasonal spring frost. He says economic assistance will be made available to affected farms. (Phys.org)
India reports a record 126,789 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 12,928,574. (The Times of India)
Insurgency in Egypt (2013-present) An Egyptian court sentences former acting Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ezzat to life imprisonment for murder and terror offences connected to 2013 clashes in Cairo. (The Times of Israel)
Iran reports 22,586 cases, a record for the third consecutive day. In the process, the country has surpassed two million cases of COVID-19. (AP)
Nicaragua says that they have slowly started vaccinations for people over 60 using an AstraZeneca vaccine that was made in India. (The Independent)
Phillip Adams, a former player with the National Football League, kills five people and injures a sixth person in a mass shooting at a home before committing suicide at his parents' home. (AP)
Poland reports a record 954 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which also includes the total number of deaths from Good Friday until Easter Monday, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 56,659. (The First News)
Terrorism in the Netherlands, COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands A 37-year-old man is arrested for allegedly planning a terrorist bombing against a Covid-19 vaccination site in Den Helder. (NLTimes) (Dutch News)
The Food and Drug Administration suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine by people under 60 years old following reports of a possible link with cases of blood clots. (ABS-CBN News)
The Netherlands officially suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine by people under 60 years old due to concerns over reports of severe blood clotting. (NL Times)
Tunisia approves the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Al Arabiya)
Turkey reports a record 54,941 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Reuters)
2021 Djiboutian presidential election Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is re-elected as the President of Djibouti for a fifth term, receiving more than 98 percent of the vote. (Al Arabiya)
2017–18 Spanish constitutional crisis Former member of the Catalan parliament's bureau Joan Josep Nuet is condemned to eight months of disqualification for committing a crime of serious disobedience to the Spanish Constitutional Court for voting in favor of the processing of the unconstitutional Law on the Referendum on Self-determination of Catalonia. (El Mundo)
2021 Myanmar protests Troops shoot and kill at least 83 people in Bago, Myanmar, as junta spokesman General Zaw Min Tun says that the country is "returning to normal" as protests are "dwindling," and that government ministries and banks would resume full operations soon. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera)
A 17-year-old boy appears in court to deny neo-Nazi terror offences. Prosecutors allege that he was planning an attack using 3D printed firearms. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The government designates Tokyo, Kyoto, and nine other cities in Okinawa for stricter measures, which include closing businesses at 8:00 p.m., in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. These measures will be in effect from April 15 until May 5 for Kyoto and Okinawa and until May 11 for Tokyo. (The Japan Times)
Eleven Nigerian Army troops, including an officer, are killed in an ambush while on patrol in Benue State. It is unclear who carried out the attack. (MSN)
Far-right terrorism in the United Kingdom A 17-year-old boy appears in court to deny neo-Nazi terror offences. Prosecutors allege that he was planning an attack using 3D printed firearms. (The Independent)
Former member of the Catalan parliament's bureau Joan Josep Nuet is condemned to eight months of disqualification for committing a crime of serious disobedience to the Spanish Constitutional Court for voting in favor of the processing of the unconstitutional Law on the Referendum on Self-determination of Catalonia. (El Mundo)
Indonesia increases security measures nationwide in response to recent terror attacks and announces plans to reopen Bali, Banten, and Bintan to foreign tourists as part of their plan to recover tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. (TTG Asia)
Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria Eleven Nigerian Army troops, including an officer, are killed in an ambush while on patrol in Benue State. It is unclear who carried out the attack. (MSN)
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is re-elected as the President of Djibouti for a fifth term, receiving more than 98 percent of the vote. (Al Arabiya)
Russo-Ukrainian War, War in Donbass, Russia–NATO relations Russia deploys more troops to the Russia–Ukraine border as tensions escalate between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. (The New York Times)
The government designates Tokyo, Kyoto, and nine other cities in Okinawa for stricter measures, which include closing businesses at 8:00 p.m., in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. These measures will be in effect from April 15 until May 5 for Kyoto and Okinawa and until May 11 for Tokyo. (The Japan Times)
Troops shoot and kill at least 83 people in Bago, Myanmar, as junta spokesman General Zaw Min Tun says that the country is "returning to normal" as protests are "dwindling," and that government ministries and banks would resume full operations soon. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera)
A Turkish court in İzmir sentences Gülen movement member Yusuf Bekmezci to 17 years and four months in prison after finding him guilty of managing an armed terrorist organisation. (Anadolu Agency)
Argentina reports 24,130 new cases of COVID-19, a record for the fourth consecutive day, thereby bringing the total cases to nearly 2.5 million. (Página 12)
Cambodia reports a record 576 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,604. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports 24,130 new cases of COVID-19, a record for the fourth consecutive day, thereby bringing the total cases to nearly 2.5 million. (Página 12)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia reports a record 576 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,604. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece restricts the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 30 years old following reports of a possible link with rare blood clotting cases. (Ekathimerini) COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary surpasses 700,000 cases of COVID-19. (Daily News Hungary)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece restricts the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 30 years old following reports of a possible link with rare blood clotting cases. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary surpasses 700,000 cases of COVID-19. (Daily News Hungary)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 131,968 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 13 million. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer urges the state to halt in-person classes, indoor dining, and youth sports for two weeks due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Detroit Free Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada, Lineage P.1 Nevada reports its first three cases of the Lineage P.1 variant, which originated from Brazil. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy receive their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Murphy also signs legislation providing $35 million in federal aid to restaurants, bars, and other businesses. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan The Drug Regulatory Authority grants Emergency Use Authorization for Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (Geo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces the closure of nightclubs, bars, and other nightly entertainment facilities in the Seoul Capital Area and Busan beginning April 15, along with the extension of social distancing measures for three weeks due to concerns about a fourth wave of the pandemic. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the United States has vaccinated 20% of their population. (U.S. News & World Report)
Death and funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at home in Windsor Castle aged 99. He was the longest-serving Royal Consort of the United Kingdom. (The Independent)
Forty people are killed during a road accident involving a bus in Kiwawa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thirty-one others are injured and hospitalized. (Reuters)
Giorgos Karaivaz, a notable Greek journalist, is shot dead by two gunmen near his home in Athens. The murder appears to be connected to Karaivaz's investigations. (Al Jazeera)
Greece restricts the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 30 years old following reports of a possible link with rare blood clotting cases. (Ekathimerini)
Hungary surpasses 700,000 cases of COVID-19. (Daily News Hungary)
India reports a record 131,968 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 13 million. (The Times of India)
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer urges the state to halt in-person classes, indoor dining, and youth sports for two weeks due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Detroit Free Press)
Nevada reports its first three cases of the Lineage P.1 variant, which originated from Brazil. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy receive their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Murphy also signs legislation providing $35 million in federal aid to restaurants, bars, and other businesses. (AP)
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces the closure of nightclubs, bars, and other nightly entertainment facilities in the Seoul Capital Area and Busan beginning April 15, along with the extension of social distancing measures for three weeks due to concerns about a fourth wave of the pandemic. (Yonhap News Agency)
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at home in Windsor Castle aged 99. He was the longest-serving Royal Consort of the United Kingdom. (The Independent)
Rai News, Domani, and The Guardian jointly allege Italian prosecutors wiretapped thousands of confidential conversations between human rights lawyers and clients. The claims relate to prosecutions against charity officials for running migrant rescue boats. (The Guardian)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the United States has vaccinated 20% of their population. (U.S. News & World Report)
The Drug Regulatory Authority grants Emergency Use Authorization for Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (Geo News)
The La Soufrière volcano on Saint Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines erupts, prompting the evacuation of 16,000 people. (AP)
2021 Djiboutian presidential election Incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh wins a landslide victory securing over 97% of the votes cast, in an election boycotted by the opposition. The leader of the opposition says that the results are "far from reality". Guelleh will serve his fifth consecutive term. (Reuters)
Incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh wins a landslide victory securing over 97% of the votes cast, in an election boycotted by the opposition. The leader of the opposition says that the results are "far from reality". Guelleh will serve his fifth consecutive term. (Reuters)
2021 East Java earthquake An earthquake kills at least seven people and damages buildings in Java, Indonesia. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Myanmar protests Ten officers are killed by an alliance of rebel groups during an attack at a police station in Naungmon. (Al Jazeera) Myanmar's Ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun calls for the international community to enforce a no-fly zone over his country to protect civilians from airstrikes, and to establish an arms embargo on the junta, saying, "Your collective, strong action is needed immediately." (The Straits Times)
An earthquake kills at least seven people and damages buildings in Java, Indonesia. (Al Jazeera)
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Gao Fu admits at a conference in Chengdu that the vaccines developed by China "don't have very high protection rates", and that the government is considering mixing them to provide the protection needed. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 vaccine Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Gao Fu admits at a conference in Chengdu that the vaccines developed by China "don't have very high protection rates", and that the government is considering mixing them to provide the protection needed. (Al Jazeera)
Four people are killed and four more are wounded after security forces open fire on protesters during election-related violence in West Bengal, India. Another person is killed when unknown gunmen fire at voters at a polling booth. (Al Jazeera)
Somali Civil War A suicide bomber targeting the Somali Bay region's governor kills four people and wounds six others outside a bar in Baidoa. The governor escapes unharmed. (The Washington Post)
2021 Apure clashes The Venezuelan Armed Forces announce the arrest of an unspecified number of Sinaloa Cartel members amidst clashes with FARC dissidents in the state of Apure. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Grand National Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore becomes the first female winner of the Grand National. Another horse, The Grand Mile, suffers a broken leg and is euthanised. (BBC News) (The Manchester Evening News)
2021 Rock Hill shooting The sole survivor of a mass shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina, that killed five others three days earlier has died from his gunshot wounds, according to the local coroner. (AP)
Anti Monopoly Law of China China's State Administration for Market Regulation issues a CN¥18.2 billion ($2.78 billion) fine against technology company Alibaba over anti-competitive practices which forced merchants to choose one of two platforms, rather than being able to work with both. (CNBC)
Bangladesh reports a record 77 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,661. (Bdnews24.com)
Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia executes three soldiers for "high treason" and "cooperating with the enemy" in Najran Province. (Reuters)
China's State Administration for Market Regulation issues a CN¥18.2 billion ($2.78 billion) fine against technology company Alibaba over anti-competitive practices which forced merchants to choose one of two platforms, rather than being able to work with both. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Speaker of the General Council Roser Suñé receives the first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 77 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,661. (Bdnews24.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto Toronto Mayor John Tory receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (CTV News) COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa Ottawa reports a record 325 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (CBC)
