Several European cities saw anti-lockdown protests on Saturday, with some leading to clashes between demonstrators and police.
Why it matters: As case numbers and variants in Europe surge, the vaccine rollout has been sluggish and countries have gone back into lockdown. The protests are part of the rising frustration with COVID-19 restrictions on the continent.
The Israeli domestic security service Shin Bet revoked Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki's VIP status when he returned to the West Bank from Jordan today, Axios has learned from Israeli officials.
Why it matters: According to the officials, the unusual act was retaliation for al-Maliki's push for an investigation against Israel in the International Criminal Court. The card allows easier movement and access inside the West Bank and at border crossings.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled to Afghanistan on Sunday for a previously unannounced visit, where he met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, Politico reports.
Why it matters: Austin's visit comes as the U.S. continues to debate whether to abide by an agreement, brokered by the Trump administration, to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by May 1.
A delegation for the Biden administration "discussed the climate crisis" with Chinese counterparts during talks in Alaska this week, but the two sides did not form a working group on the issue, contrary to a Chinese media report, a State Department spokesperson tells Axios.
Driving the news: The report followed the first face-to-face diplomatic meetings between officials from the U.S. and China since the start of Joe Biden's presidency. The talks indicated Biden does not "plan to wholly abandon the Trump administration’s tough tone in discussions with Beijing" writes NBC News.
Australia's east coast is being hit by record rainfall, with flood warnings issued and a natural disaster declared for parts of the most populous state, New South Wales (NSW).
Details: NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian told a briefing Sunday western Sydney faced a flooding event not seen for half a century, while parts of the Mid North Coast were facing a "one-in-100-year event."
Thousands of protesters rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, Israel, Saturday, calling for an end to his 12-year rule.
Why it matters: Israel is due to hold on Tuesday its fourth election in two years. Israeli media reported about 20,000 people attended the rally. Netanyahu's corruption trial is due to resume after the elections. He's pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Read and sign up for the Axios from Tel Aviv newsletter here.
Poland reintroduced coronavirus lockdown measures starting Saturday to combat the latest surge of cases across the country, closing most of its public venues and non-essential businesses and canceling all in-person classes for three weeks.
Why it matters: Poland's Health Minister Adam Niedzielski attributed the case spike to the coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom that may spread more easily than the original strain of the virus, according to Politico.
Why it matters: The country administered a record 711,1oo doses on Friday and is fourth in the world for total population vaccinated, coming just behind Israel, United Arab Emirates and Chile, according to Reuters.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday encouraged India to rethink its planned purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system to avoid U.S. sanctions, according to Reuters.
Why it matters: No Russian air defense systems have been delivered to India and sanctions are not currently being discussed, Austin told reporters, though the U.S. sanctioned its NATO ally Turkey late last year in response to its 2017 purchase of the defense system.
A volcano that had been inactive for roughly 6,000 years erupted on Friday night on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, according to AP.
Why it matters: The eruption — which is relatively small for now — is the area's first in 781 years, the glow from which could be seen up to 20 miles away in Reykjavík, the country's capital. Iceland's Department of Emergency Management does not expect to issue evacuations since the Fagradals Mountain volcano is located in a remote area.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres pressed the United States in a CNN interview on Friday to lead the way in countering the "international threat" of extremism.
Why it matters: Guterres' call to action against extremist groups came two days after the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report warning that violent extremists motivated by political or racial bias pose an "elevated threat" to the U.S. this year.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating with a mild cough and fever, Health Minister Faisal Sultan said in a tweet on Saturday.
The big picture: The news comes two days after Khan received his first dose of the vaccine, likely China's Sinopharm which is the only shot available in Pakistan and takes a few weeks to build immunity, per Reuters.
Why it matters: The decision highlights "the realities of COVID-19 even as [the organizers] forged ahead with plans to hold the world’s largest sporting event," the New York Times writes.
