Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Al Shabaab militants attacked two Somalia National Army military bases.
- AMERICAS: Liberal activists are increasing demands on corporate America to denounce the GOP campaign to expand voting restrictions, putting businesses used to cozy political relationships on notice.
- ASIA: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China and South Korea will seek a process for a “political” resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue, possibly increasing the chances of joint efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea.
- EUROPE: The number of Russian citizens who have died from COVID-19 has surpassed 225,000, the nation’s statistics agency reported.
- MIDDLE EAST: Iran is optimistic about the further course of negotiations of a nuclear deal with world powers, which will continue in Vienna next week.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: The University of California is warning its students and staff that scammers might have stolen and published their data, along with hundreds of other schools, government agencies, and companies nationwide.
Top Story
- United States: Fallout from an attacker killing a capital police officer in a new terrorist incident at the capitol complex.
- The attack in Washington DC has left one police officer dead and another in the hospital with injuries when a car crashed into a security barrier before the driver charged towards the officers with a knife, police said.
- The deadly breach of the U.S. Capitol’s security barrier could delay the gradual reopening of the building’s grounds to the public.
- Multiple media organizations, citing anonymous sources, named the suspect Noah Green, 25, of Newport News, Virginia, whose family noted that he has suffered from paranoia and drug problems.
- Biden, who is currently at Camp David, ordered the US flag to be flown at half-staff at the White House and all federal buildings until sunset on April 6 in honor of slain capitol police officer William Evans.
- Reporting: BBC, AP, Reuters, CNN,
Africa
- Region: The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced that African countries have received over 29.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses both from COVAX and through other agreements beyond COVAX. (Xinhua)
- Ethiopia: The nation recorded 2,353 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 211,314 as of Friday evening. (Xinhua)
- Somalia: Al Shabaab militants attacked two National Army military bases. (Reuters)
Americas
- Argentina: President Alberto Fernández has tested positive for Covid-19 on his birthday, according to his administration. (DPA)
- United States: Two smugglers were sentenced to federal prison for guiding three sisters from Mexico into California, where they froze to death in a blizzard. (AP)
- United States: Sports, theater, and music fans will be able to access indoor facilities as the state’s COVID-19 cases decrease and vaccinations jump. (AP)
- United States: Liberal activists are increasing demands on corporate America to denounce the GOP campaign to expand voting restrictions, putting businesses used to cozy political relationships on notice. (AP)
Asia
- Region: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China and South Korea will seek a process for a “political” resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue, increasing the chances of joint efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea. (YNA)
- India: Daily COVID-19 infections are at their highest tally since September, while daily deaths reached a five-month high. (Reuters)
- Myanmar: The civilian death toll in the crackdown by the ruling junta has reached 550 since the Feb. 1 coup. (AP)
- Myanmar: A rebel group has accused the military of using “excessive force,” saying that constant airstrikes have displaced more than 12,000 unarmed civilians, including children. (AFP)
- Taiwan: Flags were at half-mast in the nation and are set to stay that way for three days to mourn the deaths of at least 50 victims of a fatal train accident. (DPA)
Europe
- The Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s prospects of forming a new government decreased as a coalition partner seen as vital for reaching a parliamentary majority ruled out joining a new administration led by him. (Reuters)
- Kosovo: The opposition has accused Prime Minister Albin Kurti of increasing instability and triggering snap elections by submitting a surprise bill ahead of a presidential vote. (RFE)
- Russia: The number of citizens who have died from COVID-19 has surpassed 225,000. (RFE)
- Ukraine: The nation had a record increase in new COVID-19 cases, with 20,341 additional infections over the past 24 hours. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Egypt: The last ships that were delayed by the grounding of a giant container ship in the Suez Canal should pass through the waterway, according to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). (The Guardian)
- Iran: The nation is optimistic about the further course of negotiations of a nuclear deal with world powers, which will continue in Vienna next week. (DPA)
- Israel: Worshipers are allowed to practice in Jerusalem this Easter weekend as vaccines continue to prove effective. (NYT)
Tech & Communications
- Cybersecurity: The University of California is warning its students and staff that scammers might have stolen and published their personal data, along with hundreds of other schools, government agencies, and companies nationwide. (AP)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 03APR21)
- Confirmed cases: 130,287,985
- Total recovered cases: 73,809,169
- Deaths: 2,838,970
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 28MAR21)
- Confirmed cases: 18
- Deaths: 9
- Sourcing: WHO
- Ebola Virus Disease: DR Congo (as of 28MAR21)
- Confirmed cases: 12
- Deaths: 6
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 03APR21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (04APR21)
- Global: Easter Sunday.
- Europe: Pope holds Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican.
- Bulgaria: Parliamentary Elections.
- Senegal: Independence Day.
END