Turkey reports a record 297 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 35,031. (Reuters)
Artemis program NASA awards SpaceX a contract to build its next-generation Human Landing System to return American astronauts to the lunar surface during this decade. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The government designates Aichi, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures for tougher measures that would require restaurants and bars to close at 8:00 p.m. between April 20 and May 15. (The Mainichi)
NASA awards SpaceX a contract to build its next-generation Human Landing System to return American astronauts to the lunar surface during this decade. (BBC News)
The government designates Aichi, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures for tougher measures that would require restaurants and bars to close at 8:00 p.m. between April 20 and May 15. (The Mainichi)
Argentina reports a record 29,472 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total to 2,658,574 cases. (Clarín)
Bangladesh reports a record 101 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 10,181. (The National Herald)
British Columbia Premier John Horgan receives his first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Vancouver Sun)
Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 29,472 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total to 2,658,574 cases. (Clarín)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 101 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 10,181. (The National Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia British Columbia Premier John Horgan receives his first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Vancouver Sun)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 217,353 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 14.29 million. The country also reports 1,185 deaths, which is the highest daily total since September, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 174,308. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan extends its restrictions on gatherings and dining to May 24 due to an increase in the number of cases. The state also expands its mask mandate to children. (Detroit Free Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a six-week extension of the stay-at-home order with new restrictions until May 20, including a ban of outdoor gatherings outside the household, as the COVID-19 cases remain high. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia COVID-19 vaccination in Russia The number of Russians vaccinated against COVID-19 surpasses eight million. (Interfax)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland relaxes its COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing non-essential travel around the country and some social gatherings. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand announces the closure of educational institutions, pubs, bars, karaoke shops, and massage parlours; a ban on alcohol sales at restaurants; and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people for at least two weeks, beginning April 18, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland relaxes its COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing non-essential travel around the country and some social gatherings. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tonga Salote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita, Princess of Tonga, received her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, thereby becoming the first person to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the disease-free country. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 63,082 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,150,039. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine receives 117,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (UNICEF)
COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, Lineage P.1 Virginia reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (AP)
COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Pfizer will double the amounts of vaccine that are being shipped to Canada. He also announces that the Canadian Red Cross will be deployed to Ontario to help with COVID-19 vaccinations. (AP)
COVID-19 vaccination in Russia The number of Russians vaccinated against COVID-19 surpasses eight million. (Interfax)
Declassified documents released by the National Security Archive show that the Central Intelligence Agency was involved in a plot to assassinate Raúl Castro in 1960. (CNA)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural heritage, COVID-19 pandemic in India The Archaeological Survey of India closes all monuments, museums, and protected sites until May 15 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Times of India)
India reports a record 217,353 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 14.29 million. The country also reports 1,185 deaths, which is the highest daily total since September, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 174,308. (Hindustan Times)
Michigan extends its restrictions on gatherings and dining to May 24 due to an increase in the number of cases. The state also expands its mask mandate to children. (Detroit Free Press)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a six-week extension of the stay-at-home order with new restrictions until May 20, including a ban of outdoor gatherings outside the household, as the COVID-19 cases remain high. (CBC)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Pfizer will double the amounts of vaccine that are being shipped to Canada. He also announces that the Canadian Red Cross will be deployed to Ontario to help with COVID-19 vaccinations. (AP)
Salote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita, Princess of Tonga, received her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, thereby becoming the first person to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the disease-free country. (RNZ)
Scotland relaxes its COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing non-essential travel around the country and some social gatherings. (BBC News)
Thailand announces the closure of educational institutions, pubs, bars, karaoke shops, and massage parlours; a ban on alcohol sales at restaurants; and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people for at least two weeks, beginning April 18, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Bangkok Post)
The Archaeological Survey of India closes all monuments, museums, and protected sites until May 15 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Times of India)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. (Bloomberg.com)
The number of Russians vaccinated against COVID-19 surpasses eight million. (Interfax)
The Turkish Central Bank bans transactions using cryptocurrencies and crypto assets, citing possible "irreparable damage" and transaction risks to customers. (Al Jazeera)
Turkey reports a record 63,082 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 4,150,039. (Reuters)
Ukraine receives 117,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (UNICEF)
Virginia reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (AP)
Yemeni Civil War, Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen The Houthis say they have hit King Khalid Air Base, near the city of Khamis Mushait, in Saudi Arabia, with explosive drones. There is no immediate comment from the Saudi government. (Reuters)
Foreign relations of the Czech Republic, 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announces that the Czech Republic is expelling eighteen Russian embassy diplomats who have been identified as spies in a case related to an ammunition warehouse explosion in 2014. (Euronews)
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announces that the Czech Republic is expelling eighteen Russian embassy diplomats who have been identified as spies in a case related to an ammunition warehouse explosion in 2014. (Euronews)
The Houthis say they have hit King Khalid Air Base, near the city of Khamis Mushait, in Saudi Arabia, with explosive drones. There is no immediate comment from the Saudi government. (Reuters)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état A Thai foreign ministry spokesman announces that Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the next ASEAN Summit on April 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia, thereby marking his first foreign trip since taking power in the February 1 coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. Local junta spokespeople refused to comment. (France 24)
A court in Sicily orders former Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to stand trial accused of dereliction of duty and kidnapping for his role in a standoff with a Spanish-flagged migrant rescue ship operated by Proactiva Open Arms that he refused to allow to dock for nineteen days in 2019. A court order allowed the ship to dock after some migrants jumped overboard. (The Guardian)
A Thai foreign ministry spokesman announces that Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the next ASEAN Summit on April 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia, thereby marking his first foreign trip since taking power in the February 1 coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. Local junta spokespeople refused to comment. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 234,692 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 14.52 million. (Hindustan Times) Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a televised appeal to pilgrims to keep to "symbolic" celebrations and continue to follow safety guidelines as the festival of Kumbh Mela, a pilgrimage traditionally drawing tens of millions of Hindus to the banks of the Ganges every year, begins. (al-Arabiya English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia surpasses 20,000 cases of COVID-19. (Montsame)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand surpasses 40,000 cases of COVID-19. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia announces the closure of all schools and restrictions on movement, which include a 7:00 p.m. curfew for vehicles, until April 30 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters)
European migrant crisis A court in Sicily orders former Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to stand trial accused of dereliction of duty and kidnapping for his role in a standoff with a Spanish-flagged migrant rescue ship operated by Proactiva Open Arms that he refused to allow to dock for nineteen days in 2019. A court order allowed the ship to dock after some migrants jumped overboard. (The Guardian)
India reports a record 234,692 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 14.52 million. (Hindustan Times)
Myanmar's State Administration Council pardons and releases more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the Burmese New Year. Those released include an Australian businessman sentenced to 13 years in prison for drug possession, and three members of the Generation Wave pro-democracy movement. (The Guardian)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a televised appeal to pilgrims to keep to "symbolic" celebrations and continue to follow safety guidelines as the festival of Kumbh Mela, a pilgrimage traditionally drawing tens of millions of Hindus to the banks of the Ganges every year, begins. (al-Arabiya English)
Seven people are killed and five are rescued after a Mil Mi-17 crashes near Megantoni District, La Convención province, Peru. (Aviation Safety Network)
The global death toll from COVID-19 surpasses three million. (NPR)
Tunisia announces the closure of all schools and restrictions on movement, which include a 7:00 p.m. curfew for vehicles, until April 30 to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters)
2021 Cape Verdean parliamentary election Voters in Cape Verde go to the polls to elect new members of the National Assembly. (Africanews)
2021 Niger attacks At least 19 civilians are killed and two are wounded when armed men raid a village in the Tillabéri Region. (Al Jazeera)
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes the Bushehr Province in southern Iran. (Reuters via MSN)
The daughter of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny calls on Russian authorities to allow doctors to check on her father, a day after doctors warned he could "die within days" from cardiac arrest or kidney failure. Navalny has been on a hunger strike since March in protest of prison medical conditions. (Reuters) (BBC News)
2021 Table Mountain fire Mostert's Mill in Cape Town, South Africa, is destroyed by a fire that spread from Table Mountain. (Newzroom Afrika via Twitter) (BBC News)
2021 Toukh train accident A train derailment in Toukh, Qalyubiyya, Egypt, leaves at least 11 people dead and another 98 injured. (Al Arabiya English)
A crash in the Eastern Cape of South Africa kills seven people when their vehicle collides with head on with a bus. (eNCA)
A train derailment in Toukh, Qalyubiyya, Egypt, leaves at least 11 people dead and another 98 injured. (Al Arabiya English)
At least 19 civilians are killed and two are wounded when armed men raid a village in the Tillabéri Region. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a record 261,500 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 14.78 million. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel lifts its outdoor mask mandate and fully reopens schools as the number of COVID-19 cases reduces and the majority of the population is vaccinated. However, masks must still be worn in indoor public spaces. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 1,340 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 21,995. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan reports 149 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total this year. (Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 1,767 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 42,352. The nationwide death toll also surpasses 100. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 318 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 35,926. (AP)
