COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand Medsafe grants a provisional approval for the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (NZ Herald)
COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand Medsafe grants a provisional approval for the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (NZ Herald)
Cuba says that the Abdala vaccine is proven to be 92% effective against COVID-19. (Reuters)
Indonesia surpasses two million cases of COVID-19 after reporting a record 14,536 new cases in the past 24 hours. (detikHealth)
Kerala reports their first two cases of the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant. (New Indian Express)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib becomes the first active National Football League player to come out as gay. (NPR)
Medsafe grants a provisional approval for the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (NZ Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte threatens to arrest those who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and tells them to leave the country if they will not cooperate with efforts to end a public health emergency. (AP)
President Rodrigo Duterte threatens to arrest those who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and tells them to leave the country if they will not cooperate with efforts to end a public health emergency. (AP)
The Japanese government, in its annual economic policy guidelines, recommends that companies employ a four-day workweek, saying it will improve work-life balance, encourage skill development, and will cause workers to spend more to boost the economy. (DW)
The Spanish government pardons the nine jailed Catalan separatists convicted for their roles in the failed 2017 declaration of independence. (Euronews)
The United Kingdom begins testing its new emergency alert system with some mobile phone users receiving a siren-like sound informing them of the alert test. When the alert service goes live, it will issue warnings to the public about terrorist incidents, flooding and public health emergencies. (Wales Online)
Trial of Catalonia independence leaders The Spanish government pardons the nine jailed Catalan separatists convicted for their roles in the failed 2017 declaration of independence. (Euronews)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency The Taliban seizes control of Shir Khan Bandar, a town that contains Afghanistan's main border crossing into Tajikistan. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Myanmar protests Tatmadaw forces backed by armoured vehicles and artillery enter the country's second-largest city Mandalay and clash with the newly formed People's Defence Force rebel group which seized parts of the city. Clashes are ongoing. (MSN)
A number of European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, France and Ireland, condemn the recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Hungary which bans the "display and promotion of homosexuality" among under-18s as "grotesque". Luxembourg says that the bill violates human rights and along with Belgium says that the bill is a "flagrant form of discrimination". (Reuters)
Argentina reports a record 792 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, and surpasses 90,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Perfil)
Argentine Economy Minister Martín Guzmán announces that the country will make a voluntary payment to the Paris Club to avoid default. Argentina is also currently negotiating with the International Monetary Fund. (Buenos Aires Times)
Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Merkel received the Moderna vaccine for her second dose rather than the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Euronews)
Climate change in Australia UNESCO recommends changing the World Heritage status of the Great Barrier Reef to "in danger" and urges "accelerated action" from Australia. Australian Environment Minister Sussan Ley says that she "strongly opposes" the recommendation, arguing that it was politically motivated and not following normal process. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 792 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, and surpasses 90,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Perfil)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record 180 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,270. The Ministry of Health also reports two deaths as the disease rapidly spreads across the country. (RNZ) (TVNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 vaccination in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Merkel received the Moderna vaccine for her second dose rather than the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in India The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare declares the "Delta Plus" variant of COVID-19 a Variant of Concern after 22 cases of the variant were reported in India. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 vaccination in Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Draghi received the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for his second dose instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan lifts face mask requirements and capacity restrictions on indoor events. However, masks are still required for nursing homes, prisons, hospitals, schools, funeral directors, and agricultural workers but usage at businesses is optional. (MLive.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports 546 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of deaths since February 11, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 130,347. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan lifts face mask requirements and capacity restrictions on indoor events. However, masks are still required for nursing homes, prisons, hospitals, schools, funeral directors, and agricultural workers but usage at businesses is optional. (MLive.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, COVID-19 vaccine Turkey lowers its vaccination eligibility age to 25 as curfews are expected to end this week. (Anadolu Agency)
Fiji reports a record 180 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,270. The Ministry of Health also reports two deaths as the disease rapidly spreads across the country. (RNZ) (TVNZ)
Foreign relations of Hungary, LGBT rights in Hungary A number of European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, France and Ireland, condemn the recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Hungary which bans the "display and promotion of homosexuality" among under-18s as "grotesque". Luxembourg says that the bill violates human rights and along with Belgium says that the bill is a "flagrant form of discrimination". (Reuters)
Internal conflict in Myanmar 2021 Myanmar protests Tatmadaw forces backed by armoured vehicles and artillery enter the country's second-largest city Mandalay and clash with the newly formed People's Defence Force rebel group which seized parts of the city. Clashes are ongoing. (MSN)
Michigan lifts face mask requirements and capacity restrictions on indoor events. However, masks are still required for nursing homes, prisons, hospitals, schools, funeral directors, and agricultural workers but usage at businesses is optional. (MLive.com)
Prime Minister Mario Draghi receives his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Draghi received the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for his second dose instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Barron's)
Russia reports 546 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total of deaths since February 11, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 130,347. (Al Jazeera)
South Sudan officially resumes the production of crude oil after a 7-year hiatus. The country's Minister of Petroleum says that production has begun at the Block 5A oil field and that the country is seeking a production of 8,000 barrels per day. (The Nation)
Tatmadaw forces backed by armoured vehicles and artillery enter the country's second-largest city Mandalay and clash with the newly formed People's Defence Force rebel group which seized parts of the city. Clashes are ongoing. (MSN)
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare declares the "Delta Plus" variant of COVID-19 a Variant of Concern after 22 cases of the variant were reported in India. (Hindustan Times)
Turkey lowers its vaccination eligibility age to 25 as curfews are expected to end this week. (Anadolu Agency)
UNESCO recommends changing the World Heritage status of the Great Barrier Reef to "in danger" and urges "accelerated action" from Australia. Australian Environment Minister Sussan Ley says that she "strongly opposes" the recommendation, arguing that it was politically motivated and not following normal process. (The Guardian)
War in Afghanistan Suspected Taliban insurgents fire a rocket into a hospital in Kunar, destroying COVID-19 vaccines and setting the hospital on fire. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denies responsibility for the attack as the group gains more territory on the border with Tajikistan. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia New restrictions are imposed in Sydney and surrounding towns as the number of COVID-19 cases increases. Household visits are limited to five people, capacity quotas are introduced at businesses and masks are made mandatory in all non-residential indoor settings. The other states and territories of Australia, as well as New Zealand, close their borders with New South Wales. (NSW Government)
Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Three people are killed and 13 others injured during an explosion near the residence of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the founder of the Islamist terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, in Lahore, Pakistan. Saeed's residence is suspected to be the attack's target. Saeed is serving is serving an 11-year prison sentence. (Al Jazeera)
Russia–United Kingdom relations Russia's Defence Ministry says that a Russian Navy patrol ship fired shots and a Su-24 attack aircraft dropped bombs in the pathway of the British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender after it reportedly entered Russian-claimed territorial waters near Crimea in the Black Sea. The UK MOD said that this was part of a Russian military exercise in the vicinity and rejected Russia's account of the incident denying that any shots or bombs had been directed at the British ship. (BBC News)
Russia's Defence Ministry says that a Russian Navy patrol ship fired shots and a Su-24 attack aircraft dropped bombs in the pathway of the British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender after it reportedly entered Russian-claimed territorial waters near Crimea in the Black Sea. The UK MOD said that this was part of a Russian military exercise in the vicinity and rejected Russia's account of the incident denying that any shots or bombs had been directed at the British ship. (BBC News)
Three people are killed and 13 others injured during an explosion near the residence of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the founder of the Islamist terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, in Lahore, Pakistan. Saeed's residence is suspected to be the attack's target. Saeed is serving is serving an 11-year prison sentence. (Al Jazeera)
Tigray War Togoga airstrike Doctors and medical workers in the Tigray Region say that more than 80 civilians have been killed and dozens more have been injured in an airstrike on a busy market in the village of Togoga. Ethiopian soldiers have reportedly prevented a convoy of ambulances from reaching the village. (AP)
Brazil reports 115,228 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (RTE)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports 115,228 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (RTE)
COVID-19 pandemic in California COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco will require all 35,000 of their city employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports a record for the second consecutive day of 279 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total to 2,549. The Ministry of Health also reports four deaths from COVID-19. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses 30 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 15,308 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.03 million. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (AKI Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand reports a record 51 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,744. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco will require all 35,000 of their city employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco will require all 35,000 of their city employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine. (The New York Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state) Clallam County in Washington reports their first case of the Lineage P.1 Gamma variant in an unvaccinated resident who traveled out of the state. (Peninsula Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a woman and a teenager who travelled from Russia. (Kyiv Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state) Clallam County in Washington reports their first case of the Lineage P.1 Gamma variant in an unvaccinated resident who traveled out of the state. (Peninsula Daily News)
Doctors and medical workers in the Tigray Region say that more than 80 civilians have been killed and dozens more have been injured in an airstrike on a busy market in the village of Togoga. Ethiopian soldiers have reportedly prevented a convoy of ambulances from reaching the village. (AP)
Fiji reports a record for the second consecutive day of 279 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national total to 2,549. The Ministry of Health also reports four deaths from COVID-19. (RNZ)
Graydon Young pleads guilty to conspiracy charges for his role in the Capitol riot, making him the first member of the Oath Keepers to do so. (NPR)
Hong Kong national security law The pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily announces that its final edition will be released on Thursday and that it will later cease activities after five top executives were arrested under the national security law and the newspaper's assets were frozen. Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai is already imprisoned and awaits trial, along with 46 others, on subversion charges. (CNN)
Indonesia reports a record 15,308 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.03 million. (detikHealth)
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado The Southern African Development Community agrees to deploy a "standby force" to northern Mozambique to contain the growing Islamist insurgency in the area. (Al Jazeera)
LGBT rights in Poland Polish education minister Przemysław Czarnek accuses the LGBT community of "insulting public morality" for a march held on Saturday in support of rights for the community. The opposition condemns Czarnek's comments as "language of hate". (Reuters)
Polish education minister Przemysław Czarnek accuses the LGBT community of "insulting public morality" for a march held on Saturday in support of rights for the community. The opposition condemns Czarnek's comments as "language of hate". (Reuters)
Thailand reports a record 51 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,744. (Bangkok Post)
The Cowessess First Nation and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations announce the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, Canada. (CBC News)
The pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily announces that its final edition will be released on Thursday and that it will later cease activities after five top executives were arrested under the national security law and the newspaper's assets were frozen. Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai is already imprisoned and awaits trial, along with 46 others, on subversion charges. (CNN)
The Southern African Development Community agrees to deploy a "standby force" to northern Mozambique to contain the growing Islamist insurgency in the area. (Al Jazeera)
The United Nations votes 184-2 on a resolution ending the embargo on Cuba, with the United States and Israel being the lone no votes. (Reuters)
Togoga airstrike Doctors and medical workers in the Tigray Region say that more than 80 civilians have been killed and dozens more have been injured in an airstrike on a busy market in the village of Togoga. Ethiopian soldiers have reportedly prevented a convoy of ambulances from reaching the village. (AP)
Ukraine reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a woman and a teenager who travelled from Russia. (Kyiv Post)
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pardons 16 Tamil Tigers members, with government officials saying that it is the start of a process to gradually free all individuals who have been charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. (Al Jazeera)
