The Archaeological Survey of India closes all monuments, museums, and protected sites until May 15 due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
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April 16, 2021 (Friday)
2.7 minutes to read
Arts and culture
Business and economy
The Turkish Central Bank bans transactions using cryptocurrencies and crypto assets, citing possible "irreparable damage" and transaction risks to customers.
Health and environment
Bangladesh reports a record 101 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 10,181.
India reports a record 217,353 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 14.29 million. The country also reports 1,185 deaths, which is the highest daily total since September, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 174,308.
Michigan extends its restrictions on gatherings and dining to May 24 due to an increase in the number of cases. The state also expands its mask mandate to children.
The government designates Aichi, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures for tougher measures that would require restaurants and bars to close at 8:00 p.m. between April 20 and May 15.
Thailand announces the closure of educational institutions, pubs, bars, karaoke shops, and massage parlours; a ban on alcohol sales at restaurants; and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people for at least two weeks, beginning April 18, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Salote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita, Princess of Tonga, received her first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, thereby becoming the first person to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the disease-free country.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a six-week extension of the stay-at-home order with new restrictions until May 20, including a ban of outdoor gatherings outside the household, as the COVID-19 cases remain high.
Ukraine receives 117,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Pfizer will double the amounts of vaccine that are being shipped to Canada. He also announces that the Canadian Red Cross will be deployed to Ontario to help with COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
International relations
The Russian Foreign Minister says that Moscow will ask ten U.S. diplomats to leave Russia in retaliation to expulsions of Russian diplomats ordered by the United States yesterday.
Declassified documents released by the National Security Archive show that the Central Intelligence Agency was involved in a plot to assassinate RaĂşl Castro in 1960.
Law and crime
American guitarist and Oath Keepers member Jon Schaffer pleads guilty for his role in the storming of the United States Capitol, thus making him the first participant in the riot to do so.
Politics and elections
In a widely-expected move at the 8th Congress of the Communist Party, RaĂşl Castro officially resigns as First Secretary, the most powerful position in Cuba. Incumbent President Miguel DĂaz-Canel is expected to succeed him.
Science and technology
NASA awards SpaceX a contract to build its next-generation Human Landing System to return American astronauts to the lunar surface during this decade.
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