South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung wins Best Supporting Actress for Minari, becoming the first Korean to win in any of the acting categories. (The Korean Herald)
Thailand reports a record 11 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 140. (Bangkok Post)
The Fijian Health Ministry announces the introduction of containment zones in Lami, Suva, and Nausori beginning tomorrow at 4:00 a.m. for 14 days after four community cases were detected. (Fiji Times)
Thousands of people march in protest in Paris and several other cities around the world after the French Court of Cassation announces that the accused murderer of Lucie Attal, also known as Sarah Halimi, would not be taken to trial, as they judged that the incident had occurred while the suspect was in the midst of a cannabis-induced "delusional fit", which therefore rendered them not culpable in the killing. (The Guardian)
A court in Russia orders the Anti-Corruption Foundation, linked to opposition leader and activist Alexei Navalny, to cease its activities. Navalny's ally Leonid Volkov explains that the ruling forbids the Foundation from publishing anything online, taking part in elections, and organizing protests. The ruling comes after prosecutors sought to label the group as "extremists". (Deutsche Welle)
A Turkish government spokesman says they are working on improving ties with the Egyptian government in order to boost efforts in the Libyan peace process. Relations between the two countries have been strained since the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état due to close relations between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood. (Reuters)
At least 18 civilians are killed after militants attack the village of Yattakou, in Burkina Faso. (Al Jazeera)
Boko Haram insurgency Mainok attack ISWAP jihadists attack an army convoy and base in Mainok, Borno State, Nigeria, killing at least 31 soldiers. (The Guardian)
British Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is sentenced to one year in prison and is barred from leaving Iran for a further year over propaganda activities against the government. (Radio France Internationale)
COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka, COVID-19 lockdown in India The state government announces a two week lockdown across Karnataka from April 27 at 9:00 p.m. until May 12 at 6:00 a.m. IST. Additionally, only essential shops would be allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Under the new restrictions, all workplaces, except for those excluded by the Interior Ministry, will be closed, intercity travel will be subject to permission and public transportation will operate at only 50% capacity. (Anadolu Agency)
Egypt–Turkey relations, Libyan peace process A Turkish government spokesman says they are working on improving ties with the Egyptian government in order to boost efforts in the Libyan peace process. Relations between the two countries have been strained since the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état due to close relations between Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood. (Reuters)
Insurgency in the Maghreb Two Spanish journalists and an Irish campaigner are killed after their convoy is attacked in eastern Burkina Faso. Two Burkinabe soldiers are wounded. (Al Jazeera) At least 18 civilians are killed after militants attack the village of Yattakou, in Burkina Faso. (Al Jazeera)
ISWAP jihadists attack an army convoy and base in Mainok, Borno State, Nigeria, killing at least 31 soldiers. (The Guardian)
Mainok attack ISWAP jihadists attack an army convoy and base in Mainok, Borno State, Nigeria, killing at least 31 soldiers. (The Guardian)
More than 1,300 prisoners in Burundi are released after President Évariste Ndayishimiye pardoned nearly 5,000 prisoners in March to reduce the overcrowding of the country's prisons. (Channels TV)
The state government announces a two week lockdown across Karnataka from April 27 at 9:00 p.m. until May 12 at 6:00 a.m. IST. Additionally, only essential shops would be allowed to operate from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. (The Hindu)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Under the new restrictions, all workplaces, except for those excluded by the Interior Ministry, will be closed, intercity travel will be subject to permission and public transportation will operate at only 50% capacity. (Anadolu Agency)
Two Spanish journalists and an Irish campaigner are killed after their convoy is attacked in eastern Burkina Faso. Two Burkinabe soldiers are wounded. (Al Jazeera)
Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, states that the Armenian genocide is a ‘stain’ of evil on all humanity. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the genocide. (Catholic News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick, Lineage B.1.617 New Brunswick reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was originally detected in India. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education Nursery and primary schools reopens in France after a three-week closure in the first step of the partial lockdown easing. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 496 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 70,070. (Tasnim News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reopens bars, restaurants, cinemas, and concert halls as three-quarters of the regions are placed in the low-risk "yellow zone" categories. (Euractiv)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan surpasses 10,000 deaths of COVID-19. (Kyodo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick, Lineage B.1.617 New Brunswick reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was originally detected in India. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Norway Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan surpasses 800,000 cases of COVID-19. (The News International)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Netherlands bans all passenger flights from India until May 1 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in India. (DutchNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (ABS-CBN News)
Gunmen kidnap students from the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. (The Guardian)
India reports 352,991 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a world record for the fifth consecutive day, and thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 17.3 million. The country also reports a record 2,812 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 195,123. (CBS News)
Iran reports a record 496 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 70,070. (Tasnim News Agency)
Italy reopens bars, restaurants, cinemas, and concert halls as three-quarters of the regions are placed in the low-risk "yellow zone" categories. (Euractiv)
Makurdi kidnapping Gunmen kidnap students from the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. (The Guardian)
New Brunswick reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant, which was originally detected in India. (Global News)
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Reuters)
Nursery and primary schools reopens in France after a three-week closure in the first step of the partial lockdown easing. (France 24)
Pakistan surpasses 800,000 cases of COVID-19. (The News International)
Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Reyes Maroto receives an envelope containing a bloody knife, thereby becoming the second minister and the fourth senior politician to receive death threats. (Reuters)
The Netherlands bans all passenger flights from India until May 1 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in India. (DutchNews)
The Philippines surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (ABS-CBN News)
2021 Albanian parliamentary election Prime Minister Edi Rama claims victory for his Socialist Party, making Rama the first Albanian prime minister to win three consecutive parliamentary elections. (CNA)
Prime Minister Edi Rama claims victory for his Socialist Party, making Rama the first Albanian prime minister to win three consecutive parliamentary elections. (CNA)
Brexit, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU The European Parliament ratifies the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom by a 660–5 vote, with 32 MEPs abstaining. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, Lineage B.1.351 Iran reports its first three cases of the Lineage B.1.351 variant first discovered in South Africa. The Health Ministry warns of "harder days ahead" as it is predicted that the number of deaths due to COVID-19 will increase. (Anadolu Agency)
Iran reports its first three cases of the Lineage B.1.351 variant first discovered in South Africa. The Health Ministry warns of "harder days ahead" as it is predicted that the number of deaths due to COVID-19 will increase. (Anadolu Agency)
Postal workers of Spanish Correos intercept a letter with bullets mailed to Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso. (Reuters)
The European Parliament ratifies the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom by a 660–5 vote, with 32 MEPs abstaining. (BBC News)
The United States Navy says that three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol boats approach the USS Firebolt at "an unnecessarily close range with unknown intent" and retreat after warning shots are fired. (Fox News)
War in Afghanistan Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process The U.S. State Department orders a portion of their staff to leave the Kabul embassy as a step of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. (AP)
2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines The Philippines celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan, where Filipino natives led by chieftain Lapulapu killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. (The Philippine Star)
A report published by Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of committing a crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people. (AP)
Australia suspends flights from India until May 15 amidst a surge of the COVID-19 cases. (9 News)
Bangladesh grants an emergency use authorization for the Sputnik V vaccine. (Dhaka Tribune)
Canadian Army general Dany Fortin, the person in charge of Canada's vaccination campaign, receives his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (CTV News)
Colorado surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Denver Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Lockdown restrictions are lifted in Perth, Western Australia, after no new community transmissions are reported. However, some indoor venues will remain closed, and the mask mandate will continue. (ABC Australia) Australia suspends flights from India until May 15 amidst a surge of the COVID-19 cases. (9 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh grants an emergency use authorization for the Sputnik V vaccine. (Dhaka Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec reports Canada's first death from a vaccination. The death has been linked to a blood clot after a 54-year-old woman received the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and died due to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. (Global News) COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Canadian Army general Dany Fortin, the person in charge of Canada's vaccination campaign, receives his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado Colorado surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Denver Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji, Lineage B.1.617 Fiji reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant originally detected in India. (TVNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Iceland bans unnecessary travel from high-risk areas in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections. This ban applies to all international travelers and will be in effect until May 31. (Iceland Monitor)
COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (WWLP-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Lockdown restrictions are lifted in Perth, Western Australia, after no new community transmissions are reported. However, some indoor venues will remain closed, and the mask mandate will continue. (ABC Australia) Australia suspends flights from India until May 15 amidst a surge of the COVID-19 cases. (9 News) COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji, Lineage B.1.617 Fiji reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant originally detected in India. (TVNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre announces a ban on all tourism between May 8 and May 16 following a third wave of COVID-19. The country also bans all intercity and interprovincial travel during the Eid al-Fitr holidays, with the exception of travel within Gilgit-Baltistan. (The News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, Lineage B.1.617 Portugal reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant originally detected in India. (The Portugal News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec reports Canada's first death from a vaccination. The death has been linked to a blood clot after a 54-year-old woman received the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and died due to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden COVID-19 vaccination in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 15 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 163. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Canadian Army general Dany Fortin, the person in charge of Canada's vaccination campaign, receives his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (CTV News)
COVID-19 vaccination in Sweden Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The CDC says that fully vaccinated Americans can go outside without wearing a mask unless they are in large crowds. (AP)
Fiji reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant originally detected in India. (TVNZ)
Iceland bans unnecessary travel from high-risk areas in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections. This ban applies to all international travelers and will be in effect until May 31. (Iceland Monitor)
