The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry rejects an Arab League resolution calling for the UN Security Council to intervene in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on behalf of Egypt and Sudan. (Al Jazeera)
The Israel Defense Forces carry out airstrikes on Khan Yunis and Gaza City in the Gaza Strip in the early morning, in response to incendiary balloons being flown from Gaza, putting the ceasefire in jeopardy. This comes after the Dance of Flags march was held in East Jerusalem. (Middle East Eye) (Times of Israel)
The Taj Mahal reopens to tourists after a two-month closure due to the second wave of the pandemic in India. (Hindustan Times)
The United Kingdom reports 9,055 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total since February 25. (Sky News)
Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo returns to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for the first time in nearly 10 years, after the International Criminal Court upheld his acquittal for his role in the violence committed in the aftermath of the 2010 presidential elections earlier this year. The government of current president Alassane Ouattara supported his return as necessary for reconciliation, but did not comment if he will be imprisoned for misappropriating funds from a regional bank, for which he was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November 2019. (Al Jazeera)
Elections in the United Kingdom, 2021 Chesham and Amersham by-election The Liberal Democrats gains the Chesham and Amersham seat in a shock defeat to the ruling Conservative government. The Conservatives suffers a swing of 25.2% away from them in a by-election billed as a sign of further realignment in British politics. This is the first time that a non-Conservative MP represents the constituency. (The Guardian)
Repeal of the 2002 AUMF The United States House of Representatives votes 268–161 to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, a resolution that granted U.S. presidents the authority to engage in war with Iraq. The bill will now head to the United States Senate. (NPR)
The Liberal Democrats gains the Chesham and Amersham seat in a shock defeat to the ruling Conservative government. The Conservatives suffers a swing of 25.2% away from them in a by-election billed as a sign of further realignment in British politics. This is the first time that a non-Conservative MP represents the constituency. (The Guardian)
The United States House of Representatives votes 268–161 to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, a resolution that granted U.S. presidents the authority to engage in war with Iraq. The bill will now head to the United States Senate. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia The Australian federal government restricts the usage of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people over the age of 60 following a new recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces that the state of emergency will be lifted in nine prefectures on June 21. However, the government will maintain its quasi-emergency measures in seven prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 vaccination in Australia The Australian federal government restricts the usage of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people over the age of 60 following a new recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. (ABC Australia) COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record 121 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, as new clusters are discovered, thereby bringing the national total to 1,443. (RNZ) (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia Zambian authorities order the closure of schools for the next 21 days and also suspend election campaigns for the general election in August after reporting the highest number of deaths due to COVID-19 in one day. At the same time, the authorities restrict activities in religious sites to meetings only twice a week and for only one hour per day. (Europa Press)
Hong Kong national security law Police in Hong Kong arrest five executives of the Apple Daily newspaper as the newspaper warns that press freedom in the city is "hanging by a thread". It is the latest raid on the Beijing-critical newspaper which has already seen its chief Jimmy Lai convicted under various charges, including unlawful assembly, and who currently faces a national security law case along with 46 other activists. (France 24)
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces that the state of emergency will be lifted in nine prefectures on June 21. However, the government will maintain its quasi-emergency measures in seven prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka. (The Japan Times)
Police in Hong Kong arrest five executives of the Apple Daily newspaper as the newspaper warns that press freedom in the city is "hanging by a thread". It is the latest raid on the Beijing-critical newspaper which has already seen its chief Jimmy Lai convicted under various charges, including unlawful assembly, and who currently faces a national security law case along with 46 other activists. (France 24)
The Australian federal government restricts the usage of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to people over the age of 60 following a new recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. (ABC Australia)
Tigray War The African Union (AU) launches an official commission to investigate allegations of human rights abuses committed in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry rejects the commission as "misguided" and without legal basis, saying that a joint probe by the AU and Ethiopia should be used instead. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis Further airstrikes by the IDF are conducted at sites north of Beit Lahia and in Gaza City belonging to armed militia groups, as well as a civil administration building in Jabalia and an agriculture field near Khan Yunis. Hamas media outlet Al-Aqsa TV says Hamas downed an Israeli drone. No casualties are reported. (Al Jazeera)
Afghanistan reports a record 515 new cases and 101 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Times of India)
Canada MPs in the House of Commons votes to censure Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan over his handling of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. (Global News)
China launches the Shenzhou 12 spacecraft carrying three astronauts on the first flight to the Tianhe core module. (El País)
COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan COVID-19 lockdowns, Afghanistan–United States relations The U.S. Embassy in Kabul orders a lockdown on the building amid a rise of cases. (Army Times) Afghanistan reports a record 515 new cases and 101 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Portuguese authorities announce that travel in and out of the Lisbon metropolitan area will be banned on weekends from Friday at 3:00 p.m. until Monday at 6:00 a.m. amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a new single-day record of 76,538 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record 121 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, as new clusters are discovered, thereby bringing the national total to 1,443. (RNZ) (Xinhuanet)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on The Walt Disney Company Disneyland Paris, Europe's most visited amusement park, reopens for the second time with enhanced health and safety measures after being closed for eight months due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the first time that all Disney-owned and licensed theme parks have been open since January 2020. (France Bleu) (USA Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States Illinois becomes the first state in the Midwest to vaccinate 70% of adults. (WQAD-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh detects their first case of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in Bhopal. (India Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan receives a shipment of 80,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. (24.kg) Kyrgyzstan reports a record of 787 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Kabar)
COVID-19 pandemic in Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh detects their first case of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in Bhopal. (India Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Portuguese authorities announce that travel in and out of the Lisbon metropolitan area will be banned on weekends from Friday at 3:00 p.m. until Monday at 6:00 a.m. amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka reports its first community case of the highly transmissible Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in five patients. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States Illinois becomes the first state in the Midwest to vaccinate 70% of adults. (WQAD-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a new single-day record of 76,538 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam reports a record of 515 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 12,014. (CNA)
Disneyland Paris, Europe's most visited amusement park, reopens for the second time with enhanced health and safety measures after being closed for eight months due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the first time that all Disney-owned and licensed theme parks have been open since January 2020. (France Bleu) (USA Today)
Fiji reports a record 121 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, as new clusters are discovered, thereby bringing the national total to 1,443. (RNZ) (Xinhuanet)
French scientists announce in a Current Biology paper that coelacanths are capable of living up to 100 years, contrary to the long-held belief that they only live up to 20 years. (The Guardian)
Further airstrikes by the IDF are conducted at sites north of Beit Lahia and in Gaza City belonging to armed militia groups, as well as a civil administration building in Jabalia and an agriculture field near Khan Yunis. Hamas media outlet Al-Aqsa TV says Hamas downed an Israeli drone. No casualties are reported. (Al Jazeera)
Illinois becomes the first state in the Midwest to vaccinate 70% of adults. (WQAD-TV)
Kyrgyzstan receives a shipment of 80,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. (24.kg)
Kyrgyzstan reports a record of 787 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Kabar)
Madhya Pradesh detects their first case of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in Bhopal. (India Today)
Portuguese authorities announce that travel in and out of the Lisbon metropolitan area will be banned on weekends from Friday at 3:00 p.m. until Monday at 6:00 a.m. amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ABC News)
Sri Lanka reports its first community case of the highly transmissible Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant in five patients. (The Hindu)
The African Union (AU) launches an official commission to investigate allegations of human rights abuses committed in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry rejects the commission as "misguided" and without legal basis, saying that a joint probe by the AU and Ethiopia should be used instead. (Al Jazeera)
Ukraine reports a new single-day record of 76,538 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (Reuters)
Vietnam reports a record of 515 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 12,014. (CNA)
2021 Peruvian general election Interim President Francisco Sagasti condemns a letter signed by retired military officers that urges the Peruvian Armed Forces not to recognize Pedro Castillo as President. Sagasti also announces that an investigation is launched into the retired officers. (Reuters)
A driver intentionally rams his truck into a crowd of workers protesting outside a Lidl supermarket in Novara, Piedmont, Italy, killing one of the workers and injuring two others. The suspected attacker is arrested near the scene. The incident came after a series of violent attacks and assaults against workers' protests in Italy in the past few weeks. (Fanpage)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda President Yoweri Museveni announces that the country has imposed new restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19, including a ban on vehicular movements except for essential workers. (Reuters)
First Liberian Civil War A federal court in Switzerland sentences Alieu Kosiah of the ULIMO rebel group to 20 years in prison for acts of rape, killings and cannibalism. He had been arrested in Switzerland in 2014. (Reuters)
Interim President Francisco Sagasti condemns a letter signed by retired military officers that urges the Peruvian Armed Forces not to recognize Pedro Castillo as President. Sagasti also announces that an investigation is launched into the retired officers. (Reuters)
Novara ramming A driver intentionally rams his truck into a crowd of workers protesting outside a Lidl supermarket in Novara, Piedmont, Italy, killing one of the workers and injuring two others. The suspected attacker is arrested near the scene. The incident came after a series of violent attacks and assaults against workers' protests in Italy in the past few weeks. (Fanpage)
President Yoweri Museveni announces that the country has imposed new restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19, including a ban on vehicular movements except for essential workers. (Reuters)
2021 Israel–Palestine crisis At least 17 Palestinians are injured and 10 arrested after the IDF stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque to break up a rally held in response to videos of far-right marchers insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad during the Dance of Flags on Tuesday. A further 47 are injured when the IDF fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators near Beita in the occupied West Bank protesting the recent establishment of a military outpost near the town. (Al Jazeera)
2021 NBA playoffs In basketball, the Los Angeles Clippers advance to their first NBA Conference Finals after a 131–119 victory against the Utah Jazz in game 6. They will play the Phoenix Suns. During the game, Terance Mann scores a career-high 39 points. (AP)
A federal court in Switzerland sentences Alieu Kosiah of the ULIMO rebel group to 20 years in prison for acts of rape, killings and cannibalism. He had been arrested in Switzerland in 2014. (Reuters)
A kidnapped female student is found dead as the Nigerian Army rescues five other students and two teachers who were kidnapped on Thursday from a school in Kebbi State. (Reuters via SwissInfo)
Antwerp building collapse Five construction workers are killed and nine more injured after a school building site collapse pulling down the scaffolding supporting it, in Antwerp, Belgium. (BBC News)
At least 17 mine workers are killed and 14 others are injured when the bus carrying them to work falls into a ravine in the Department of Ayacucho, Peru. (La Vanguardia)
At least 17 Palestinians are injured and 10 arrested after the IDF stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque to break up a rally held in response to videos of far-right marchers insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad during the Dance of Flags on Tuesday. A further 47 are injured when the IDF fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators near Beita in the occupied West Bank protesting the recent establishment of a military outpost near the town. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Restrictions are eased in Melbourne as the number of cases decreases. Melbournians will now be allowed to travel anywhere in the state of Victoria, public gatherings increase to 20 people and masks are no longer required outdoors. Private gatherings of up to two people will be allowed, gyms and indoor entertainment reopen, and workforce capacities increase. These new restrictions bring Melbourne into line with the rest of Victoria. (9 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports 12,990 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of new cases since late-January. It brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.96 million. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine The Palestinian Authority cancels a planned vaccine exchange with Israel involving at least one million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, saying the first batch of doses Israel was going to send were near expiration. The swap was previously announced earlier in the day. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern receives her first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Stuff.co.nz)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oman Oman speeds up its COVID-19 vaccination as the number of cases increases in the country, which has seen only a small percentage of the population vaccinated. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea receives 146,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from New Zealand, facilitated through the COVAX initiative. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin closes the Euro 2020 fan zone due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Russian capital. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that as of June 26, it will no longer be mandatory to wear a face mask outdoors. (La Vanguardia) Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (La Vanguardia)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expands COVID-19 vaccinations to people aged 18 years and older amidst concerns about the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern receives her first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (Stuff.co.nz)
Five construction workers are killed and nine more injured after a school building site collapse pulling down the scaffolding supporting it, in Antwerp, Belgium. (BBC News)
In basketball, the Los Angeles Clippers advance to their first NBA Conference Finals after a 131–119 victory against the Utah Jazz in game 6. They will play the Phoenix Suns. During the game, Terance Mann scores a career-high 39 points. (AP)
Indonesia reports 12,990 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of new cases since late-January. It brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.96 million. (The Straits Times)
