Israel–Palestine relations A report published by Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of committing a crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people. (AP)
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)
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (WWLP-TV)
More than 27,000 barrels containing DDT insecticide are discovered in a 36,000 acre "dump-site" in the Gulf of Santa Catalina. Usage of DDT has been banned worldwide since 1972 due to the chemical's catastrophic effect on human and environmental health. (NBC News)
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)
Portugal reports its first six cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant originally detected in India. (The Portugal News)
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)
Saudi Arabia says that it detected and destroyed an incoming remote-controlled ship containing explosives in the Red Sea. (The Independent)
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
Thailand reports a record 15 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 163. (Bangkok Post)
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 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam, part of Meghalaya, and part of Bangladesh, causing damage to houses and buildings. Two people die from heart attacks, while ten others are wounded by the earthquake itself. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte approves the extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Greater Manila Area until May 14. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte approves the extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Greater Manila Area until May 14. (ABS-CBN News)
President Rodrigo Duterte approves the extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Greater Manila Area until May 14. (ABS-CBN News)
Two children are killed and 16 more are wounded during a mass stabbing attack at a kindergarten in Beiliu, Guangxi, China. The attacker has been arrested. (BBC News)
2021 Northern Ireland riots Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster announces her resignation after losing the support of her Democratic Unionist Party in the aftermath of the riots. (UrduPoint)
A gunman kills two of his family members and two responding sheriff's deputies during a 13-hour standoff in Boone, North Carolina. The perpetrator later commits suicide at the scene. (AP)
Albania surpasses 10,000 seniors who have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (TV Klan)
Cambodia reports a record 698 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide number of cases to 11,761. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisian authorities announce that they will impose a mandatory quarantine on all travelers for a week beginning on May 3 and continue to suspend schools until May 16 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Al-Arabiya) COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa South Africa resumes its use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to healthcare workers after a pause of more than two weeks, following the drug authority decision that the vaccine is safe. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Albania Albania surpasses 10,000 seniors who have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (TV Klan)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia reports a record 698 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide number of cases to 11,761. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins a COVID-19 vaccine registration for those over the age of 18. (The Hindu) India surpasses 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 after a record 3,293 deaths are reported in the past 24 hours, subsequently becoming the fourth country to do so. The country also reports a new global record of 360,960 new cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 17.9 million. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan reports a record 201 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 17,530. (Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces an easing of the country's lockdown restrictions after a decrease in the number of new cases, which will allow shopping malls and museums to reopen on May 4, hotels to reopen on May 8, and restaurants and cafés to serve people on outdoor terraces beginning on May 15. (The First News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa South Africa resumes its use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to healthcare workers after a pause of more than two weeks, following the drug authority decision that the vaccine is safe. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisian authorities announce that they will impose a mandatory quarantine on all travelers for a week beginning on May 3 and continue to suspend schools until May 16 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey signs an agreement to purchase 50 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins a COVID-19 vaccine registration for those over the age of 18. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa South Africa resumes its use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to healthcare workers after a pause of more than two weeks, following the drug authority decision that the vaccine is safe. (AP)
Eight people are killed and nine others wounded in a fire at an illegal hostel in Riga, Latvia. (BBC News)
Federal prosecutors lay out additional charges for three men suspected of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The new charges, which include conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, relate to an alleged related plot by the men to detonate explosives at a bridge in order to slow down responding law enforcement. (CNN) (Detroit Free-Press)
Five former members of the Italian far-left group Red Brigades, the co-founder of Lotta Continua, and another far-left militant are arrested in Paris, France. (Ansa)
Four people are killed and another is wounded during a mass stabbing at a hospital in Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany. The perpetrator, identified as a female hospital's employee, is arrested. The victims are all patients. (Reuters)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot Federal prosecutors lay out additional charges for three men suspected of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The new charges, which include conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, relate to an alleged related plot by the men to detonate explosives at a bridge in order to slow down responding law enforcement. (CNN) (Detroit Free-Press)
India begins a COVID-19 vaccine registration for those over the age of 18. (The Hindu)
India surpasses 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 after a record 3,293 deaths are reported in the past 24 hours, subsequently becoming the fourth country to do so. The country also reports a new global record of 360,960 new cases, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 17.9 million. (NBC News)
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster announces her resignation after losing the support of her Democratic Unionist Party in the aftermath of the riots. (UrduPoint)
Pakistan reports a record 201 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 17,530. (Tribune)
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces an easing of the country's lockdown restrictions after a decrease in the number of new cases, which will allow shopping malls and museums to reopen on May 4, hotels to reopen on May 8, and restaurants and cafés to serve people on outdoor terraces beginning on May 15. (The First News)
Pope Francis accepts the resignations of Ecuadorian Bishop Julio Parrilla Díaz and Monsignor Gerardo Miguel Nieves Loja of the Diocese of Riobamba after reports of poor governance, financial mismanagement and moral failings. (AP)
Riga hostel fire Eight people are killed and nine others wounded in a fire at an illegal hostel in Riga, Latvia. (BBC News)
South Africa resumes its use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to healthcare workers after a pause of more than two weeks, following the drug authority decision that the vaccine is safe. (AP)
Tunisian authorities announce that they will impose a mandatory quarantine on all travelers for a week beginning on May 3 and continue to suspend schools until May 16 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Al-Arabiya)
Turkey signs an agreement to purchase 50 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Lineage B.1.617 Nouvelle-Aquitaine reports France's first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in a person who travelled from India. (MedicalXpress) President Emmanuel Macron unveils a gradual easing of lockdown. He said schools would reopen on May 3, followed by the reopening of museums, cinemas, shops, and cafés on May 19. In the second week of June, cafés and restaurants will be allowed to serve inside and the curfew will be scrapped on June 30 after it pushes back to 9:00 p.m. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announces the city government's intent to lift all pandemic-related restrictions and "fully reopen" by July 1. (CBS News)
Cyprus dispute President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades says that the two-state solution proposed by Turkish Cypriots will never be accepted and claims that it violates United Nations resolutions. Greek Cypriots advocate a federal united country, whereas the Turkish side supports a two-state solution. (Reuters)
Indonesian authorities formally designate West Papuan separatists as "terrorists", after a call on Sunday from President Joko Widodo to crack down on them. The Chief Security Minister cites a 2018 counter-terrorism law to back the measure whereas a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army rejects the move. (Reuters)
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announces the city government's intent to lift all pandemic-related restrictions and "fully reopen" by July 1. (CBS News)
Papua conflict Indonesian authorities formally designate West Papuan separatists as "terrorists", after a call on Sunday from President Joko Widodo to crack down on them. The Chief Security Minister cites a 2018 counter-terrorism law to back the measure whereas a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army rejects the move. (Reuters)
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades says that the two-state solution proposed by Turkish Cypriots will never be accepted and claims that it violates United Nations resolutions. Greek Cypriots advocate a federal united country, whereas the Turkish side supports a two-state solution. (Reuters)
2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict A clash between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan forces on the border between the two countries results in four deaths and dozens of injuries. (The Guardian) The foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan say they have agreed to a ceasefire at the border. (TASS)
Argentina reports a record 561 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 63,508. (Perfil)
China reports a new outbreak of the African Swine Fever in Inner Mongolia, where 343 of 432 pigs died on a farm near Baotou. (Reuters)
Costa Rica announces new COVID-19 restrictions on driving and businesses amidst a rise of new cases. (The Tico Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo announces that it will redeploy several of their AstraZeneca vaccines to other Africa countries. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, Lineage B.1.617 Uganda reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in people who travelled from India to Kampala. (The Independent Uganda)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 561 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 63,508. (Perfil)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 400,000 COVID-19 deaths, becoming the second country to do so after the United States. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica Costa Rica announces new COVID-19 restrictions on driving and businesses amidst a rise of new cases. (The Tico Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong reopens bars and nightclubs to those who have received at least one vaccine dose. These venues will also be allowed to stay open until 2:00 a.m. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports a new global record of 379,257 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 18.38 million. The country also reports a record 3,645 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 204,832. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy surpasses four million cases of COVID-19. (ANSA in English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana, Lineage P.1 Louisiana reports their first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant that originated in Brazil. (The Times-Picayune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, Lineage B.1.617 Romania reports its first case of the Lineage B.1.617 variant first detected in India in a person from Brașov County. (Romania Insider)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 561 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 63,508. (Perfil) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 400,000 COVID-19 deaths, becoming the second country to do so after the United States. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo announces that it will redeploy several of their AstraZeneca vaccines to other Africa countries. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, Lineage B.1.617 Uganda reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.617 variant in people who travelled from India to Kampala. (The Independent Uganda)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam reports its first locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in 35 days, in four members of a family from Hà Nam Province and one person from Ho Chi Minh City. (The Straits Times)
Cross-Strait relations, Economy of Taiwan The Taiwanese Ministry of Labor bans both domestic and foreign companies from advertising jobs located in China, especially ones related to the integrated circuit and semiconductor industries. The move comes in light of both increased tensions between the two countries, and China aggressively recruiting Taiwanese workers to build up its own semiconductor industry. (Nikkei Asia)
Hong Kong reopens bars and nightclubs to those who have received at least one vaccine dose. These venues will also be allowed to stay open until 2:00 a.m. (Euronews)
India reports a new global record of 379,257 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 18.38 million. The country also reports a record 3,645 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 204,832. (CNA)
Italy surpasses four million cases of COVID-19. (ANSA in English)
Louisiana reports their first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant that originated in Brazil. (The Times-Picayune)
