2020 Slovak parliamentary election Voters in Slovakia head to the polls to elect the members of the country's National Council. (DW)
Turkey says it has destroyed a chemical warfare facility at a scientific research center in As-Safira, south of Aleppo with surface-to-surface missiles. Syrian Government said Turkish statement regarding the chemical warfare facility was not true. (SOHR) (Al-Masdar News)
A Turkish soldier is killed and six more are wounded by Syrian government artillery shelling near Taftanaz. (SOHR)
American and Afghan Taliban leaders will meet at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in Doha, Qatar, ahead of a signing ceremony to bring an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan, which is now the longest war in U.S. history. Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani says "everyone is tired of war, it has exhausted everyone", while the longest-serving NATO Commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, describes the situation as a "stalemate". (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The first death from coronavirus in the United States is confirmed after a man dies in a hospital in the Seattle area. (The New York Times) (AP News) The U.S. announces new travel restrictions to Iran and increased warnings against traveling to South Korea and Italy. (NBC News)
Turkish bombing overnight kills 48 Syrian government troops and 14 members of the Lebanese Hezbollah, and also destroys 13 military vehicles. According to local sources, among the killed were 11 officers including a general, a brigadier general, and a colonel. (Haber 7) (SOHR)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Afghan peace process American and Afghan Taliban leaders will meet at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in Doha, Qatar, ahead of a signing ceremony to bring an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan, which is now the longest war in U.S. history. Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani says "everyone is tired of war, it has exhausted everyone", while the longest-serving NATO Commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, describes the situation as a "stalemate". (Al Jazeera) The U.S. and the Taliban sign a deal. (Reuters)
A 78-year-old man evacuated from the Diamond Princess becomes the first death from coronavirus in Australia. (The Guardian)
An elderly woman traveling from Spain becomes the first case of coronavirus in Ecuador. (Reuters)
The first case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Ireland, Qatar and Luxembourg. (RTE.ie) (Reuters) (Al Jazeera)
Turkey releases footage of targeting Syrian equipment including a Pantsir-S1. (The Drive)
Turkish media said that drone and missile strikes targeted Syrian Kuweires and Abu al-Duhur military airbases in Aleppo Governorate, saying a hangar was destroyed. (STAR)
Voters in Slovakia head to the polls to elect the members of the country's National Council. (DW)
European migrant crisis, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–present) Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu says 76,358 migrants have left Turkey from Edirne Province as of this morning towards Europe. (Akşam) Greece deploys its military on the border with Turkey to prevent thousands of migrants from entering the European Union, and suspends all asylum applications for a month while also vowing to deport any migrants who enter Greek territory illegally. (The New York Times)
Foreign relations of Syria Syria and Libya's Tobruk-based government led by Aguila Saleh Issa agree to establish diplomatic relations following a high level visit to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. Both governments agree to counter "Turkish aggression" in the region. (Xinhuanet)
Luis Lacalle Pou is sworn in as the new President of Uruguay and succeeds leftist Tabaré Vázquez. (Al Jazeera)
Syria and Libya's Tobruk-based government led by Aguila Saleh Issa agree to establish diplomatic relations following a high level visit to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. Both governments agree to counter "Turkish aggression" in the region. (Xinhuanet)
Turkish drone strikes kill 19 Syrian Government troops in the past 24 hours, raising the total killed by Turkey in the past 3 days to 93 Syrian Government troops and 14 Hezbollah fighters. (SOHR)
Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu says 76,358 migrants have left Turkey from Edirne Province as of this morning towards Europe. (Akşam)
2020 Malaysian political crisis Muhyiddin Yassin is sworn in as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, succeeding Mahathir Mohamad. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Armenia confirms its first case. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea halts religious services and closes churches as the infected toll surpass 3,700. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia Armenia confirms its first case. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic confirms its first three cases. COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland confirms its first case of COVID-19. (The Telegraph) COVID-19 pandemic in San Marino San Marino reports its first death. (Corriere Romagna)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Florida confirms its first two cases, and Governor Ron DeSantis declares a public health emergency. (WESH)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state) A nursing home in Kirkland, Washington locks down due to fears of COVID-19. (The New York Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Florida confirms its first two cases, and Governor Ron DeSantis declares a public health emergency. (WESH) COVID-19 pandemic in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic confirms its first case. (Dominican Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in San Marino San Marino reports its first death. (Corriere Romagna)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland confirms its first case of COVID-19. (The Telegraph)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea halts religious services and closes churches as the infected toll surpass 3,700. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic confirms its first three cases.
COVID-19 pandemic in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic confirms its first case. (Dominican Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scotland confirms its first case of COVID-19. (The Telegraph)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state) A nursing home in Kirkland, Washington locks down due to fears of COVID-19. (The New York Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Florida confirms its first two cases, and Governor Ron DeSantis declares a public health emergency. (WESH)
COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state) A nursing home in Kirkland, Washington locks down due to fears of COVID-19. (The New York Times)
Greece deploys its military on the border with Turkey to prevent thousands of migrants from entering the European Union, and suspends all asylum applications for a month while also vowing to deport any migrants who enter Greek territory illegally. (The New York Times)
Muhyiddin Yassin is sworn in as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, succeeding Mahathir Mohamad. (CNA)
San Marino reports its first death. (Corriere Romagna)
Scotland confirms its first case of COVID-19. (The Telegraph)
South Korea halts religious services and closes churches as the infected toll surpass 3,700. (BBC News)
Syrian state media says the Syrian Air Defense Force has downed three Turkish drones used to hit Syrian Army and air bases. (Reuters)
The Czech Republic confirms its first three cases.
The Dominican Republic confirms its first case. (Dominican Today)
The Syrian Army launches an operation in the southern city of Al-Sanamayn, Daraa Governorate, after "armed militants" attempted to take over the majority-Sunni city. The operation is reportedly still ongoing as gunmen still hold western parts of the city. (Al-Masdar News)
Turkey launches an operation in Syria's Idlib Governorate codenamed Operation Spring Shield. (Daily Sabah)
Turkish drone and artillery strikes target Aleppo International Airport. (SOHR)
Turkish drone strikes target the Hama Military Airport. (SOHR)
2020 Dominican Republic municipal elections Industrial Associations Federation's president Ramón Porfirio Báez announces the election crisis is beginning to hurt the economy. (Dominican Today) Former Santo Domingo mayor Roberto Salcedo Sr. resigns from the government and the Dominican Liberation Party. (Dominican Today)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Afghan peace process The Taliban say there will be no intra-Afghan talks if about 5,000 of their prisoners are not released. (Reuters) The Taliban announce the end of the period of reduction in violence. They say they will not attack foreign troops, but continue their operations against Kabul government troops. According to Belga news agency, it is unclear what the announcement means for the U.S.–Taliban agreement signed on February 29. (Belga via Het Laatste Nieuws)
Industrial Associations Federation's president Ramón Porfirio Báez announces the election crisis is beginning to hurt the economy. (Dominican Today)
Syrian Civil War, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020) Syrian rebels backed by Turkey recapture four towns and villages from the Syrian government forces in Idlib, raising the number of towns and villages recaptured since February 24 to 30. (SOHR) Syrian government forces backed by Russian airstrikes recapture the city of Saraqib four days after its capture by the rebels. (SOHR)
2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar suspends her presidential campaign, and joins fellow former contenders Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke in announcing their endorsement of Joe Biden. (The New York Times)
2020 Guyanese general election People of Guyana head to the polls to elect the members of their National Assembly. (AlJazeera)
2020 Israeli legislative election Israelis head to the polls for the third time in less than a year. (Reuters)
European migrant crisis Hellenic Police border guards open fire on migrants attempting to illegally enter Greece by crossing the border from Turkey, killing a Syrian man. (France 24) (Middle East Monitor) The Hellenic Army's IV Army Corps announces a 24-hour snap military drill on the border with Turkey, and warns civilians to stay away from the area. (Anadolu Angency)
Former Santo Domingo mayor Roberto Salcedo Sr. resigns from the government and the Dominican Liberation Party. (Dominican Today)
Libyan peace process The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Ghassan Salamé resigns citing stress and health concerns. In a statement on Twitter, Salamé says he has been frustrated with foreign powers, particularly France and Russia for covertly backing Khalifa Haftar's forces in the civil war. (The Guardian)
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar suspends her presidential campaign, and joins fellow former contenders Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke in announcing their endorsement of Joe Biden. (The New York Times)
Syrian government forces backed by Russian airstrikes recapture the city of Saraqib four days after its capture by the rebels. (SOHR)
Syrian rebels backed by Turkey recapture four towns and villages from the Syrian government forces in Idlib, raising the number of towns and villages recaptured since February 24 to 30. (SOHR)
The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Ghassan Salamé resigns citing stress and health concerns. In a statement on Twitter, Salamé says he has been frustrated with foreign powers, particularly France and Russia for covertly backing Khalifa Haftar's forces in the civil war. (The Guardian)
The Hellenic Army's IV Army Corps announces a 24-hour snap military drill on the border with Turkey, and warns civilians to stay away from the area. (Anadolu Angency)
Yemeni Civil War Houthi forces capture the city of Al Hazm, the capital of Al Jawf Governorate in Yemen. (Middle East Monitor) (Al Jazeera)
A hostage situation occurs at the V-Mall in San Juan, Philippines. The suspect, a disgruntled security guard, took about 60 to 70 people hostage and shot and injured another security guard. The crisis is resolved after ten hours, with the suspect being arrested following an official apology and the resignation of his bosses for alleged corruption. (CNN Philippines)
A soldier was killed and two injured after Islamic State-linked militants opened fire against them. Two terrorists were also killed. (Xinhua)
Andorra reports its first case. (El Periódico) (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco reports its first case. (Hespress) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia confirms its first case. (The Punch)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Andorra reports its first case. (El Periódico) (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia reports its first case. (Arab News) COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia confirms its first case of the coronavirus. (Kompas) (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador Ecuador reports its first cases in Guayaquil. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Andorra reports its first case. (El Periódico) (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports its two first cases. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports its first case in Moscow. (Urdu Point)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia confirms its first case of the coronavirus. (Kompas) (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco reports its first case. (Hespress)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state) Two dozen more cases are reported in the U.S., bringing the total number of infected Americans to 102. Four deaths also occur in the state of Washington, bringing the total death toll in the U.S. to six. Washington and Florida issue state emergencies. (CNN) COVID-19 pandemic in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Federation of Municipalities call for all mayors to remain vigilant with the threat of the coronavirus. (HOY DR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports its two first cases. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports its first case in Moscow. (Urdu Point)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia reports its first case. (Arab News)
