COVID-19 pandemic Despite continuous records of new cases, the government rules out any possibility of a nationwide lockdown adding that their directive would be on targeted lockdowns instead.
As cases soar in the country, the Ministry of Health announces that more than 260,000 Fijians have received the first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, equivalent to 45% of the target population whereas 27,000 already received the two doses.
Cowessess First Nation 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.
John McAfee American businessman John McAfee is found dead in his Barcelona prison cell, believed to be caused by suicide after the Spanish High Court authorized an extradition request for tax evasion earlier in the day.
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".
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.
Trial of Catalonia independence leaders The nine Catalan separatists pardoned on Tuesday leave prison after their pardons were ratified by King Felipe VI and after the Supreme Court set their imminent release.
Aftermath of the 2021 United States Capitol attack 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.
An Indiana woman is sentenced to three years probation for her role in the attack on the United States Capitol, making her the first person to be sentenced in the riot.
China–United States relations The U.S. Department of Commerce places sanctions on five Chinese companies, some of them major producers of solar panel parts, for using forced Uyghur labor.
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 Defender 6 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.
COVID-19 pandemic San Francisco will require all 35,000 of their city employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ukraine reports its first two cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a woman and a teenager who travelled from Russia.
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.
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.
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.
India surpasses 30 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States.
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.
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.
Tigray War Doctors and medical workers in the Tigray Region say that more than 80 civilians have been killed and dozens more have been wounded 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.
British 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.
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.
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.
Iran–United States relations The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Industry and Security seize control of several Iranian websites, including those of Press TV and Al-Alam News Network, as well as the Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV.
Foreign relations of 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".
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.
COVID-19 pandemic 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.
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.
Argentina reports a record 792 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, and surpasses 90,000 deaths from COVID-19.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Japanese government 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.
Martín Guzmán 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.
South Sudan 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.
War in Afghanistan (2001–present) The Taliban seizes control of Shir Khan Bandar, a town that contains Afghanistan's main border crossing into Tajikistan.
Internal conflict in Myanmar 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.