Officials in India’s capital of New Delhi imposed a weeklong lockdown (AP) in an effort to prevent the health-care system from collapsing as COVID-19 cases surge.

The new wave of cases in India, as well as the rise in other countries including Brazil, is driving an increase in global COVID-19 cases and deaths. Indian health authorities reported nearly 1,800 deaths (Al Jazeera) in the past twenty-four hours, the country’s highest daily death toll yet, and more than 250,000 new infections. The surge has forced India, a major producer of COVID-19 vaccines, to delay exports of the shots. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson canceled a visit (BBC) to India next week, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly scrapped plans (Politico) to attend a summit with European leaders in Portugal next month.

Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno died today (AP) of injuries sustained during a fight against rebel forces, the country’s military said. The announcement came shortly after provisional results showed that Deby, who seized power in 1990, won a sixth term (Reuters). The military said that Deby’s son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, will lead an eighteen-month transitional council.

CFR’s John Campbell criticizes Chad’s recent election for the Africa in Transition blog.

Rwanda: A report commissioned by the Rwandan government found that France “bears significant responsibility” (Guardian) for the Rwandan genocide in 1994. A separate report released last month by the French government said that France was not complicit in the genocide but had “overwhelming” responsibility.

In an address at the Boao Forum for Asia’s annual conference, a gathering of business and government leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against unilateralism and called on countries to reject a “new Cold War mentality” (Straits Times). His comments are believed to be aimed at the United States. Xi also called on countries to do more to address climate change and touted China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

This CFR Task Force Report looks at what the Belt and Road Initiative means for the United States.

South Korea: Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said the government is discussing a “vaccine swap” with the United States. Sources told Yonhap that the United States could loan its excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to South Korea, which would return the same amount at a later date. 

The leader of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, whose arrest triggered days of violent protests, was released from prison (Dawn) in Pakistan. The country’s National Assembly is set to vote on expelling France’s ambassador to Pakistan, another demand of the TLP. 

A coalition opposed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won control of the committee (Haaretz) that sets the agenda for the Knesset during the transitional period before a government is formed. Netanyahu, who has two weeks to form a government, proposed direct elections for prime minister (Haaretz) as a way to break the political impasse following deadlocked parliamentary elections. 

Syria: Four nongovernmental organizations said they filed a criminal complaint in Sweden (Al Jazeera) against Syrian government officials for alleged chemical weapons attacks in 2013 and 2017. Swedish police can investigate alleged war crimes wherever they were committed.

The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, warned that Russia’s military buildup on the Ukranian border could “spark” a larger conflict (RFE/RL) but said no new EU sanctions are being considered. Advisors to the leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine have held talks under the so-called Normandy Format. A Ukrainian statement on the talks said all sides reaffirmed commitments to reach a cease-fire in Eastern Ukraine.

Brussels: EU countries expanded sanctions (Politico) against Myanmar’s military junta, targeting ten additional officials and two military-controlled companies. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the bloc’s goal is to force Myanmar’s military leaders to negotiate.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said the number of children arriving in Mexico rose more than ninefold (NYT) between January and March as migration to the United States climbed. Nearly three hundred children were reported entering Mexico every day on average. The UN agency called for increased aid to Mexico and Central America, a region which many of the children are fleeing.

CFR’s Paul Angelo explains the drivers of migration from Central America.

Brazil: Health regulators approved trials (MercoPress) of a new COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sichuan Clover Biopharmaceuticals. 

The State Department announced it will apply its highest travel warning level to roughly 80 percent of countries (WaPo), advising people not to visit them. About 16 percent of countries had the warning yesterday. The move comes as more Americans resume traveling and countries relax pandemic-related border restrictions.