The International Criminal Court overturns on appeal a previous decision to block an investigation into war crimes allegedly committed by U.S. troops, the Taliban and the Afghan government. (BBC News)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) The International Criminal Court overturns on appeal a previous decision to block an investigation into war crimes allegedly committed by U.S. troops, the Taliban and the Afghan government. (BBC News)
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit confirms a 2016 ruling that Led Zeppelin's 1971 song "Stairway to Heaven" was not unlawfully copied from Spirit's instrumental "Taurus", overturning the so-called inverse ratio rule test. (UPI)
Member of the Congress of Deputies and Madrid's city councilor Javier Ortega Smith becomes the first of Spain's high profile infected by the coronavirus. He participated in a political event on Sunday with 9000 people. The Board of the Congress suspends this week's plenary activity after the 52 lawmakers of Vox are called to stay at home. (La Vanguardia) (El Periódico)
After 10 cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in Washington, D.C., the U.S. government closes the White House, the Capitol building, and the U.S. Supreme Court Building to visitors until the end of the month. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C. After 10 cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in Washington, D.C., the U.S. government closes the White House, the Capitol building, and the U.S. Supreme Court Building to visitors until the end of the month. (U.S. News and World Report) United States Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz announce that they will temporarily close their offices. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia orders the closure of all its borders to non-residents, while closing all international airports and schools to prevent the spread of the virus. (Reuters)
Slovakia orders the closure of all its borders to non-residents, while closing all international airports and schools to prevent the spread of the virus. (Reuters)
Spanish Minister of Territorial Policy and Civil Service Carolina Darias and Santiago Abascal, Deputy and leader of the third political force Vox, had tested positive in the disease. (ABC.es)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in France The Louvre museum in Paris closes until further notice. (U.S. News & World Report) COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal The Nepalese government suspends climbing of Mount Everest for tourists and halts visas for visitors until April 30. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiadis, in a special televised appearance, announces the closing of all borders except for nationals for 15 days since 15 March. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal The Nepalese government suspends climbing of Mount Everest for tourists and halts visas for visitors until April 30. (BBC News)
President Nikos Anastasiadis, in a special televised appearance, announces the closing of all borders except for nationals for 15 days since 15 March. (Reuters)
The Nepalese government suspends climbing of Mount Everest for tourists and halts visas for visitors until April 30. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco closes its border with Spain. (La Vanguardia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oman Oman suspends tourist visas, sporting events, and non-class student activities to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (Gulf Business)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan closes all land borders, shuts down schools for three weeks, limits international flights, and discourages any large public gatherings in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (National Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic declares a state of emergency and announces the closure of its borders to all foreigners starting from midnight on March 16, while Czech citizens will no longer be allowed to leave the country for at least 30 days. (Prague Morning)
Morocco closes its border with Spain. (La Vanguardia)
Oman suspends tourist visas, sporting events, and non-class student activities to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (Gulf Business)
Pakistan closes all land borders, shuts down schools for three weeks, limits international flights, and discourages any large public gatherings in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (National Post)
The Czech Republic declares a state of emergency and announces the closure of its borders to all foreigners starting from midnight on March 16, while Czech citizens will no longer be allowed to leave the country for at least 30 days. (Prague Morning)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina President Alberto Fernández reinforces security at the borders and bans all travelers from hard-hit countries that spent at least 14 days there. In addition, he says he is considering a national quarantine and suspension of school classes. (Buenos Aires Times)
President Alberto Fernández reinforces security at the borders and bans all travelers from hard-hit countries that spent at least 14 days there. In addition, he says he is considering a national quarantine and suspension of school classes. (Buenos Aires Times)
Canada's public health agency posts an advert for nurses, citing "an urgent need". Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he does not rule out the possibility of closing the borders. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Canada's public health agency posts an advert for nurses, citing "an urgent need". Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he does not rule out the possibility of closing the borders. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany closes its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg. (BBC News)
European migrant crisis Malta's Navy rescues 112 migrants from a sinking boat in the Mediterranean Sea. (New York Times)
Germany closes its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg. (BBC News)
Malta's Navy rescues 112 migrants from a sinking boat in the Mediterranean Sea. (New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, 2020 Spain coronavirus lockdown Regional presidents of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and Catalonia, Quim Torra, test positive for COVID-19, as both regions are the most affected by the pandemic in the country. (RTVE) The Spanish government takes control of all private hospitals to help the country's healthcare system cope with the virus pandemic. (Business Insider) Basque and Galician elections, both scheduled for 5 April are postponed until the crisis is overcome. (El País) The Ministry of the Interior closes all borders. (El País)
Armenia declares a state of emergency lasting until April 14 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The emergency measures include the closure of all educational institutions, closing the borders with Georgia and Iran, banning gatherings with over 20 people, and postponing the 2020 Armenian constitutional referendum. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Armenia declares a state of emergency lasting until April 14 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The emergency measures include the closure of all educational institutions, closing the borders with Georgia and Iran, banning gatherings with over 20 people, and postponing the 2020 Armenian constitutional referendum. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that Canada will close its borders to all foreign travelers due to the pandemic, effective on Wednesday. Exceptions will be made for air crews, diplomats, immediate family members and U.S. citizens. Only four airports will continue to receive international flights: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montréal–Trudeau, and Calgary. Domestic flights and flights from the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as foreign commerce and trade, will not be affected. (Global News)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that Canada will close its borders to all foreign travelers due to the pandemic, effective on Wednesday. Exceptions will be made for air crews, diplomats, immediate family members and U.S. citizens. Only four airports will continue to receive international flights: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montréal–Trudeau, and Calgary. Domestic flights and flights from the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as foreign commerce and trade, will not be affected. (Global News)
The Ministry of the Interior closes all borders. (El País)
2020 coronavirus pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina declares a state of emergency over COVID-19. The Bosnian military is directed to set up tent quarantines on the border with Republika Srpska, which itself has declared a state of emergency. (Reuters)
Bosnia and Herzegovina declares a state of emergency over COVID-19. The Bosnian military is directed to set up tent quarantines on the border with Republika Srpska, which itself has declared a state of emergency. (Reuters)
The European Union closes its external border for first time in its history. (CNN)
President Trump signs the Families First Coronavirus Response Act into law to provide economic relief to families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. (ABC News)
While educational facilities close across the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education tells educators that online learning must comply with civil rights laws, including making sure learning tools are available to students. However, as not every student has access to the internet, many students will be unable to participate, prompting some public school systems to implement "enrichment" policies. Under these policies, coursework completed under online learning will not officially count towards advancing to the next academic term. (The Wall Street Journal)
Australia closes its borders to all non-Australian residents. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia closes its borders to all non-Australian residents. (Reuters) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says about A$100 billion will be injected into the Australian economy to support it during the coronavirus pandemic. (MSN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia closes its borders to all non-Australian residents. (Reuters) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says about A$100 billion will be injected into the Australian economy to support it during the coronavirus pandemic. (MSN) COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji reports its first confirmed case of COVID-19, a male patient in Lautoka. (The New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal In a special TV address, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announces the suspension of all international flights until 31 March and internal long-distance public bus routes, while orders the closure of all non-essential public and private office until 3 April. (Reuters) The Supreme Court stops all non-urgent legal proceedings at all levels across the country. The National Assembly also suspends its activity indefinitely. (The Himalayan Times) (My Republica)
The Supreme Court stops all non-urgent legal proceedings at all levels across the country. The National Assembly also suspends its activity indefinitely. (The Himalayan Times) (My Republica)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania Papua New Guinea reports its first confirmed case of COVID-19, a male patient from Spain currently being isolated in Lae. The country will also close its borders. (Papua New Guinea Today) (Radio New Zealand)
Papua New Guinea reports its first confirmed case of COVID-19, a male patient from Spain currently being isolated in Lae. The country will also close its borders. (Papua New Guinea Today) (Radio New Zealand)
Albania's government deploys troops to enforce a 40-hour nationwide curfew. Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albanians "will stay inside after 13:00", and that police and the armed forces "will use force against whoever breaks the law, including pensioners, and will use water canons and tear gas if need be." (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Albania Albania's government deploys troops to enforce a 40-hour nationwide curfew. Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albanians "will stay inside after 13:00", and that police and the armed forces "will use force against whoever breaks the law, including pensioners, and will use water canons and tear gas if need be." (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The 2020 AFL season has been postponed to May 31 after South Australia and Western Australia close their borders to all non-essential travelers, and both New South Wales and Victoria engage a total lockdown. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Palestinian territories The Palestinian National Authority confirms the first cases of COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip. Both patients are Palestinian men in their 30s who recently returned from Egypt. They are being held in quarantine in the border town of Rafah. (Haaretz)
The 2020 AFL season has been postponed to May 31 after South Australia and Western Australia close their borders to all non-essential travelers, and both New South Wales and Victoria engage a total lockdown. (News.com.au)
The Palestinian National Authority confirms the first cases of COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip. Both patients are Palestinian men in their 30s who recently returned from Egypt. They are being held in quarantine in the border town of Rafah. (Haaretz)
Australia announces a nationwide lockdown, outlawing all travel interstate and overseas, and closing the nation's borders. Schools remain open in some locations. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia announces a nationwide lockdown, outlawing all travel interstate and overseas, and closing the nation's borders. Schools remain open in some locations. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand New Zealand reports 40 new cases of coronavirus. (Stuff NZ) COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia announces a nationwide lockdown, outlawing all travel interstate and overseas, and closing the nation's borders. Schools remain open in some locations. (News.com.au)
2020 Hubei lockdowns Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic first started, starts lifting its two-month lockdown by restarting some metro services and reopening borders to returning residents, though outbound traffic is still restricted until April 8. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China 2020 Hubei lockdowns Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic first started, starts lifting its two-month lockdown by restarting some metro services and reopening borders to returning residents, though outbound traffic is still restricted until April 8. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia announces that all borders will be closed effective March 30 to counter the spread of COVID-19. The new measure will not apply to Russian diplomats or drivers of freight trucks, among others. (Reuters) In Kabardino-Balkaria, registry offices ask newlyweds to confine the number of guests at the wedding ceremony to 10 people or to postpone the wedding since four cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in the republic. (Vestnik Kavkaza)
Russia announces that all borders will be closed effective March 30 to counter the spread of COVID-19. The new measure will not apply to Russian diplomats or drivers of freight trucks, among others. (Reuters)
Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic first started, starts lifting its two-month lockdown by restarting some metro services and reopening borders to returning residents, though outbound traffic is still restricted until April 8. (Reuters)
In a policy shift, the United States proposes a "Democratic Transition Framework" which includes that both disputed Presidents, Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó, step aside from the office. (Reuters)
United States–Venezuela relations, Venezuelan presidential crisis In a policy shift, the United States proposes a "Democratic Transition Framework" which includes that both disputed Presidents, Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó, step aside from the office. (Reuters)
Following criticism by the US government, the government of Sindh prevents the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and three other men. Yesterday, the Sindh High Court overturned their convictions for the murder of Daniel Pearl. The Pakistani Foreign Minister says the "[release] order shall be challenged at a higher forum". (Outlook India)
Pakistan-United States relations Following criticism by the US government, the government of Sindh prevents the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and three other men. Yesterday, the Sindh High Court overturned their convictions for the murder of Daniel Pearl. The Pakistani Foreign Minister says the "[release] order shall be challenged at a higher forum". (Outlook India)
Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic YouTube says it will remove videos promoting a conspiracy theory linking 5G to COVID-19, while "borderline content" will be removed from search results. The decision comes after four more mobile phone masts are set on fire, and broadband engineers have received threats, in several UK cities. (The Guardian)
YouTube says it will remove videos promoting a conspiracy theory linking 5G to COVID-19, while "borderline content" will be removed from search results. The decision comes after four more mobile phone masts are set on fire, and broadband engineers have received threats, in several UK cities. (The Guardian)
Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin tenders resignation over disagreement with the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party as to the upcoming presidential election. He stated at a press conference that the election scheduled for May 10, should be postponed, while the government pushes for the election amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gowin also resigns as Minister of Science and Higher Education. (Radio Poland)
2020 Wisconsin Democratic primary, 2020 Wisconsin Republican primary, COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns Governor Tony Evers's order to postpone tomorrow's primary elections. Furthermore, the Supreme Court of the United States rules 5–4 in favor of the Republican National Committee to overturn a lower court decision extending absentee ballot eligibility in the Wisconsin primary election to those ballots postmarked by April 13, ruling that ballots postmarked after April 7 will be invalidated. (Politico) (CNBC)
The Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns Governor Tony Evers's order to postpone tomorrow's primary elections. Furthermore, the Supreme Court of the United States rules 5–4 in favor of the Republican National Committee to overturn a lower court decision extending absentee ballot eligibility in the Wisconsin primary election to those ballots postmarked by April 13, ruling that ballots postmarked after April 7 will be invalidated. (Politico) (CNBC)
Boko Haram insurgency Chad reportedly ends its military participation with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) countering Boko Haram, saying Chadian ground forces will no longer operate outside its borders. (Reuters)
Chad reportedly ends its military participation with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) countering Boko Haram, saying Chadian ground forces will no longer operate outside its borders. (Reuters)
Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign U.S. President Donald Trump's re-election campaign files a defamation lawsuit against Wisconsin TV station WJFW-TV for airing an advertisement by Priorities USA Action which criticizes Trump's response to COVID-19. (International Business Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in India Tablighi Jamaat leader Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi is charged with manslaughter after a gathering the organization held in Delhi on March 3 was linked to 1,023 coronavirus cases across 17 Indian states. Police say he ignored two notices to end the religious event at a mosque in Delhi, though he denies any wrongdoing. (BBC News)
