Fiji records its second community transmission case in the daughter of a woman who works at a quarantine facility and who previously tested positive for COVID-19. (Radio New Zealand)
Greenfield University kidnapping A group of gunmen kidnap students from Greenfield University in Kaduna, Nigeria. (Al Jazeera)
Hundreds of Chelsea fans protest against the club's involvement in The Super League outside the club's stadium Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea supporters' trust denounces the proposed breakaway as the "ultimate betrayal", and "unforgivable". (The Guardian)
India reports a record 1,761 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 180,530. (Firstpost)
Nepal grants a conditional emergency use approval for the Russian Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. (The Kathmandu Post)
Quebec ban on religious symbols The Quebec Superior Court overturns certain provisions of Bill 21, which prohibits public sector employees in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols, on the basis that it violates Sections 3 and 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, the Court upholds most of the legislation. (Al Jazeera English)
Romania reports a record 237 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 26,618. (Romania Insider)
The European Medicines Agency publishes a report suggesting a "possible link" between usage of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine candidate and rare blood clots. The agency maintains, however, that the overall benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of side effects. (U.S. News & World Report via MSN)
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will resume rollouts in Europe. (MarketWatch)
The number of intensive care patients with COVID-19 in France reaches a high of 5,984 patients. (U.S. News & World Report)
The Quebec Superior Court overturns certain provisions of Bill 21, which prohibits public sector employees in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols, on the basis that it violates Sections 3 and 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, the Court upholds most of the legislation. (Al Jazeera English)
Yemen begins their COVID-19 vaccination campaign using the vaccine produced by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. (Reuters)
Russia–Ukraine relations, War in Donbas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invites his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to a face-to-face meeting on the front line in the war-torn Donbas to negotiate an end to the conflict. (Daily Sabah)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invites his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to a face-to-face meeting on the front line in the war-torn Donbas to negotiate an end to the conflict. (Daily Sabah)
Belarus–United States relations U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Julie D. Fisher visits Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the eve of a meeting between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Lineage B.1.617 The French government announces that the country will lift its domestic travel restrictions and ease a nationwide curfew in May amidst an expectation that the number of COVID-19 cases will be reduced. The government also announces that they will impose a 10-day quarantine on all travelers from India in order to prevent the spread of the Lineage B.1.617 variant. (ABC News) (Mint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic The Bundestag votes 342–250 to approve the proposed Infection Protection Act that will give Angela Merkel's government to impose uniform restrictions in areas where infection rate is very high. 152 people are arrested in demonstrations against the controversial law. (Euronews) (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Laos The Government of Laos announces a 14-day lockdown in the capital Vientiane following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during the Lao New Year. (Radio Free Asia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra In Nashik, 24 COVID-19 patients die after an oxygen tanker leaks outside a hospital in the city, causing the supply of medical oxygen to be disrupted for around 30 minutes. (NDTV) Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra state government announces new restrictions across the state beginning tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. until May 1 at 7:00 a.m. IST. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States U.S. President Joe Biden announces that the country has administered over 200 million doses. (Politico) COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 800,000 confirmed cases and 17,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (WEYI-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota, Lineage P.1 South Dakota confirms their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in Pennington County. (Argus Leader)
Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhánek issues Russia with an ultimatum to return all of the Czech diplomats it had expelled from the Czech embassy in Moscow, following a series of reciprocal moves between the two countries since April 17 to expel each other's diplomats after the Czechs discovered Russian intelligence involvement in the 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions. Kulhánek threatens to expel more diplomats from the Russian embassy in Prague if the ultimatum is not met. (The Moscow Times)
Czech Republic–Russia relations Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhánek issues Russia with an ultimatum to return all of the Czech diplomats it had expelled from the Czech embassy in Moscow, following a series of reciprocal moves between the two countries since April 17 to expel each other's diplomats after the Czechs discovered Russian intelligence involvement in the 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouses explosions. Kulhánek threatens to expel more diplomats from the Russian embassy in Prague if the ultimatum is not met. (The Moscow Times)
Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra state government announces new restrictions across the state beginning tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. until May 1 at 7:00 a.m. IST. (Hindustan Times)
Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war Israeli Air Force warplanes launch airstrikes against Syria after a S-200 missile landed 30 kilometres (19 mi) away from the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center in Southern Israel. The IDF says the missile was launched from southern Syria. Residents in both central Israel and the West Bank report loud explosions. (The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli Air Force warplanes launch airstrikes against Syria after a S-200 missile landed 30 kilometres (19 mi) away from the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center in Southern Israel. The IDF says the missile was launched from southern Syria. Residents in both central Israel and the West Bank report loud explosions. (The Jerusalem Post)
Northern Chad offensive Rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) threaten to press on and reach Chad's capital N'Djamena following the killing of President Idriss Déby. In the capital, many civilians choose to stay home as fears grow. FACT rebels reject the military junta led by Déby's son, Mahamat Déby Itno, and opposition politicians also call for a civilian transition. (Reuters)
Rebels of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) threaten to press on and reach Chad's capital N'Djamena following the killing of President Idriss Déby. In the capital, many civilians choose to stay home as fears grow. FACT rebels reject the military junta led by Déby's son, Mahamat Déby Itno, and opposition politicians also call for a civilian transition. (Reuters)
The Bundestag votes 342–250 to approve the proposed Infection Protection Act that will give Angela Merkel's government to impose uniform restrictions in areas where infection rate is very high. 152 people are arrested in demonstrations against the controversial law. (Euronews) (U.S. News & World Report)
The French government announces that the country will lift its domestic travel restrictions and ease a nationwide curfew in May amidst an expectation that the number of COVID-19 cases will be reduced. The government also announces that they will impose a 10-day quarantine on all travelers from India in order to prevent the spread of the Lineage B.1.617 variant. (ABC News) (Mint)
The Government of Laos announces a 14-day lockdown in the capital Vientiane following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during the Lao New Year. (Radio Free Asia)
The Indonesian government reports the disappearance of the submarine KRI Nanggala during a torpedo live fire exercise, requesting search and rescue assistance from Singapore and Australia. (Reuters)
The Sri Lankan government expels an Antigua-registered cargo ship docked at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port after authorities discovered undeclared uranium hexafluoride bound for China. The government pledges to take legal action against the ship's owner. (France 24)
War in Afghanistan Afghan peace process Germany announces that it will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by early July. (The Economic Times)
A car bomb is detonated in a hotel parking lot in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, killing four people and injuring eleven others. (Al Jazeera)
Afghan peace process Germany announces that it will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by early July. (The Economic Times)
At least four soldiers are killed in an ambush in the Sanmatenga Province of Burkina Faso. (News24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Lineage B.1.617 Quebec reports its first eight cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (CFCF-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat Gujarat reports a record 12,553 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Devdiscourse) Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani receives his first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Daily News & Analysis)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Osaka Prefecture reports a record 1,242 new cases in the past 24 hours. (The Asahi Shimbun)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta, Lineage P.1 Malta reports its first three cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil. (Times of Malta)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 800,000 confirmed cases and 17,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (WEYI-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea surpasses 10,000 cases of COVID-19. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Lineage B.1.617 Quebec reports its first eight cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (CFCF-DT)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota, Lineage P.1 South Dakota confirms their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in Pennington County. (Argus Leader)
COVID-19 pandemic in Syria Syrian opposition-controlled Idlib receives 54,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Wales, Lineage B.1.617 Wales reports its first eight cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (ITV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 362 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 36,975. (Al Arabiya English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wales, Lineage B.1.617 Wales reports its first eight cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (ITV News)
COVID-19 vaccine France's Valneva SE vaccine enters phase 3 of clinical trials. (PR Newswire)
Following the withdrawal of most of its founding member clubs, The Super League announces that it is suspending the project, three days after it was officially announced. (ESPN)
France's Valneva SE vaccine enters phase 3 of clinical trials. (PR Newswire)
Germany announces that it will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by early July. (The Economic Times)
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani receives his first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Daily News & Analysis)
Gujarat reports a record 12,553 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Devdiscourse)
In Nashik, 24 COVID-19 patients die after an oxygen tanker leaks outside a hospital in the city, causing the supply of medical oxygen to be disrupted for around 30 minutes. (NDTV)
India reports a record 295,041 new cases and 2,023 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 15.6 million and the nationwide death toll to 182,553. (Anadolu Agency)
Insurgency in the Maghreb At least four soldiers are killed in an ambush in the Sanmatenga Province of Burkina Faso. (News24)
Malta reports its first three cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil. (Times of Malta)
Michigan surpasses 800,000 confirmed cases and 17,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (WEYI-TV)
Osaka Prefecture reports a record 1,242 new cases in the past 24 hours. (The Asahi Shimbun)
Papua New Guinea surpasses 10,000 cases of COVID-19. (CNA)
Qamishli clashes (2021) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports clashes from yesterday evening until this morning, resulting in the deaths of an Asayish commander and five NDF militiamen in the city of Qamishli, al-Hasakah. Fighting has ceased while Russian mediation is ongoing. (Star Tribune)
Quebec reports its first eight cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (CFCF-DT)
Quetta Serena Hotel bombing A car bomb is detonated in a hotel parking lot in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, killing four people and injuring eleven others. (Al Jazeera)
South Dakota confirms their first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in Pennington County. (Argus Leader)
Syrian opposition-controlled Idlib receives 54,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Reuters)
The Super League Following the withdrawal of most of its founding member clubs, The Super League announces that it is suspending the project, three days after it was officially announced. (ESPN)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports clashes from yesterday evening until this morning, resulting in the deaths of an Asayish commander and five NDF militiamen in the city of Qamishli, al-Hasakah. Fighting has ceased while Russian mediation is ongoing. (Star Tribune)
Turkey reports a record 362 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 36,975. (Al Arabiya English)
Wales reports its first eight cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India. (ITV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signs into law changes to the Infectious Diseases Protection Act that will give the federal government the power to impose "emergency brake" measures in areas where the infection rate exceeds certain levels. The signing comes after the Bundesrat gave its final approval for the controversial law. (DW)
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signs into law changes to the Infectious Diseases Protection Act that will give the federal government the power to impose "emergency brake" measures in areas where the infection rate exceeds certain levels. The signing comes after the Bundesrat gave its final approval for the controversial law. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage B.1.617 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that fuelled surge in India in a returning inter-provincial traveler. (CBC) Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian government announces that the country will ban all travel from India and Pakistan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage B.1.617 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant that fuelled surge in India in a returning inter-provincial traveler. (CBC) Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian government announces that the country will ban all travel from India and Pakistan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. (CBC) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The U.S. surpasses 32 million cases of COVID-19. (KNSD)
The Canadian government announces that the country will ban all travel from India and Pakistan due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. (CBC)
