Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reports no new community transmissions of COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic began, effectively eliminating the spread of the virus. (BBC News)
The number of worldwide cases of COVID-19 surpasses three million. The United States accounts for more than a third of the total cases. (Reuters)
2020 Afrin bombing A suicide bombing, using a fuel tanker, detonates at a busy market killing at least 53 civilians, including 11 children, in Turkish-occupied Afrin, Syria. The Turkish defense ministry accused the People's Protection Units (YPG) of "carrying out the attack." (Rudaw) (Al Jazeera)
A suicide bombing, using a fuel tanker, detonates at a busy market killing at least 53 civilians, including 11 children, in Turkish-occupied Afrin, Syria. The Turkish defense ministry accused the People's Protection Units (YPG) of "carrying out the attack." (Rudaw) (Al Jazeera)
American movie theater chain AMC Theatres states it will no longer host movies produced by Universal Studios, in response to The Wall Street Journal reporting that NBCUniversal plans to release its movies simultaneously in cinemas and streaming moving forward. (Reuters)
Czech Republic–Russia relations Mayor of Prague's sixth municipal district Ondřej Kolář announces on Prima televize that he is under police protection after a Russian man made attempts on his life, possibly due to his removal of a statue of World War II-era Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev from the city's square. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš condemns this as foreign interference, while Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov dismisses allegations of Russian involvement as "another hoax". (Reuters)
Mayor of Prague's sixth municipal district Ondřej Kolář announces on Prima televize that he is under police protection after a Russian man made attempts on his life, possibly due to his removal of a statue of World War II-era Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev from the city's square. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš condemns this as foreign interference, while Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov dismisses allegations of Russian involvement as "another hoax". (Reuters)
2019–2020 Lebanese protests Protests erupt in major cities across Lebanon for the second day over the country's continuing economic problems. Banks and vehicles are set on fire, and clashes between the protestors and the army in Tripoli leave around 40 soldiers injured. (Reuters)
A fast radio burst is detected from the Magnetar SGR 1935+2154, the first ever detected inside the Milky Way, and the first to be linked to a known source. (Astronomer's Telegram)
A prison riot at the Lurigancho jail over demands for better sanitary measures and COVID-19 medical care in San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru, leaves nine inmates dead, according to the National Penitentiary Institute. (Reuters)
Bolivia and Chile agree on a deal to return home hundreds of Bolivian migrants stranded at a makeshift camp in Santiago. The migrants will be transported to Iquique where they will spend 14 days in quarantine before finally returning to Bolivia. (Reuters)
Bolivia–Chile relations Bolivia and Chile agree on a deal to return home hundreds of Bolivian migrants stranded at a makeshift camp in Santiago. The migrants will be transported to Iquique where they will spend 14 days in quarantine before finally returning to Bolivia. (Reuters)
Colombia formalizes its membership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), becoming the 37th nation in the organization. (OECD)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (CNN) COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina A pug in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, becomes the first dog in the United States to test positive for COVID-19. Three of the humans it lives with have also tested positive for the disease. (WRAL-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina A pug in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, becomes the first dog in the United States to test positive for COVID-19. Three of the humans it lives with have also tested positive for the disease. (WRAL-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (CNN) COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina A pug in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, becomes the first dog in the United States to test positive for COVID-19. Three of the humans it lives with have also tested positive for the disease. (WRAL-TV)
France officially ends the 2019–20 Ligue 1 and 2019–20 Ligue 2 football seasons after banning all sporting events in the country until September. It is not yet known whether the governing body Ligue de Football Professionnel will void the seasons. (BBC News)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prisons A prison riot at the Lurigancho jail over demands for better sanitary measures and COVID-19 medical care in San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru, leaves nine inmates dead, according to the National Penitentiary Institute. (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, COVID-19 pandemic in France France officially ends the 2019–20 Ligue 1 and 2019–20 Ligue 2 football seasons after banning all sporting events in the country until September. It is not yet known whether the governing body Ligue de Football Professionnel will void the seasons. (BBC News)
India–United States relations The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemns the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom after the Commission in its annual report recommends placing India on the "countries of particular concern" blacklist over the Citizenship Amendment Act, the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, and controversial comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah, among others. (Al Jazeera)
Protests erupt in major cities across Lebanon for the second day over the country's continuing economic problems. Banks and vehicles are set on fire, and clashes between the protestors and the army in Tripoli leave around 40 soldiers injured. (Reuters)
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemns the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom after the Commission in its annual report recommends placing India on the "countries of particular concern" blacklist over the Citizenship Amendment Act, the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, and controversial comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah, among others. (Al Jazeera)
Internal conflict in Myanmar Northern Rakhine State clashes Yanghee Lee, the United Nations special rapporteur, accuses the Myanmar Armed Forces of intensifying their attacks on civilians in Rakhine and Chin states. The Myanmar government blames Rohingya insurgents and the separatist Arakan Army for the violence. (Reuters)
Northern Rakhine State clashes Yanghee Lee, the United Nations special rapporteur, accuses the Myanmar Armed Forces of intensifying their attacks on civilians in Rakhine and Chin states. The Myanmar government blames Rohingya insurgents and the separatist Arakan Army for the violence. (Reuters)
Terrorism in Russia The Federal Security Service carries out an anti-terrorist raid near Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast, to thwart planned attacks in the city. Three suspects, reportedly linked to ISIL, are killed in an exchange of gunfire. (Meduza)
The Federal Security Service carries out an anti-terrorist raid near Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast, to thwart planned attacks in the city. Three suspects, reportedly linked to ISIL, are killed in an exchange of gunfire. (Meduza)
Yanghee Lee, the United Nations special rapporteur, accuses the Myanmar Armed Forces of intensifying their attacks on civilians in Rakhine and Chin states. The Myanmar government blames Rohingya insurgents and the separatist Arakan Army for the violence. (Reuters)
2020 Icheon fire A fire at a four-story warehouse under construction in Icheon, South Korea, kills 38 construction workers and injures 10 others. An additional 40 people remain unaccounted for. The fire is the most deadly in the country since 2003. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
A fire at a four-story warehouse under construction in Icheon, South Korea, kills 38 construction workers and injures 10 others. An additional 40 people remain unaccounted for. The fire is the most deadly in the country since 2003. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
War in Afghanistan A suicide bombing in Char Asiab, Kabul Province, kills three civilians and injures 15. No group has claimed responsibility yet. (Reuters)
(52768) 1998 OR2, a near-Earth asteroid that is 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) wide, makes a close approach of 0.042 AU (6.3 million km; 16 LD) to Earth. It will not approach closer than this until 2079. (Sky News)
A Canadian CH-148 Cyclone helicopter vanishes while flying over the Ionian Sea during a NATO mission. One body is recovered, while the five other persons on board remain missing. (BBC News) (The Straits Times)
A suicide bombing in Char Asiab, Kabul Province, kills three civilians and injures 15. No group has claimed responsibility yet. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia, Venezuela–Colombia migrant crisis Over 500 Venezuelan migrants block a major toll road in northern Bogotá, Colombia, demanding they be allowed to return home after the coronavirus pandemic caused economic opportunities to dry up. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen Yemeni authorities in Aden report five cases of COVID-19, the highest total to date, amid fears that the disease could be spreading undetected in a country where millions face famine and lack medical care. (Reuters)
Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, incumbent Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta dies from cancer at the age of 75. Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas succees him as Lieutenant ad interim of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. (ABC News)
Over 500 Venezuelan migrants block a major toll road in northern Bogotá, Colombia, demanding they be allowed to return home after the coronavirus pandemic caused economic opportunities to dry up. (Reuters)
Yemeni authorities in Aden report five cases of COVID-19, the highest total to date, amid fears that the disease could be spreading undetected in a country where millions face famine and lack medical care. (Reuters)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports, COVID-19 pandemic in France The Ligue de Football Professionnel awards Paris Saint-Germain F.C. the 2019–20 Ligue 1 title after ending the season early. It is PSG's ninth Ligue 1 title. Amiens SC and Toulouse FC are subsequently relegated to Ligue 2. (BBC Sport)
The Ligue de Football Professionnel awards Paris Saint-Germain F.C. the 2019–20 Ligue 1 title after ending the season early. It is PSG's ninth Ligue 1 title. Amiens SC and Toulouse FC are subsequently relegated to Ligue 2. (BBC Sport)
2020 United States anti-lockdown protests COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Armed protesters storm the House chamber of the Michigan State Capitol to demand that Governor Gretchen Whitmer lifts the stay-at-home order. (Forbes) (New York Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen Officials in Yemen report the country's first deaths from COVID-19 in the port city of Aden. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan Tajikistan reports its first confirmed cases of COVID-19. Five people have tested positive for the virus in the capital Dushanbe, and 10 others in the northern Sughd Region, according to the state-run news agency Khovar. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen Officials in Yemen report the country's first deaths from COVID-19 in the port city of Aden. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan Tajikistan reports its first confirmed cases of COVID-19. Five people have tested positive for the virus in the capital Dushanbe, and 10 others in the northern Sughd Region, according to the state-run news agency Khovar. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Armed protesters storm the House chamber of the Michigan State Capitol to demand that Governor Gretchen Whitmer lifts the stay-at-home order. (Forbes) (New York Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin temporarily steps down after being diagnosed with COVID-19; he will be replaced by Andrey Belousov. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan Tajikistan reports its first confirmed cases of COVID-19. Five people have tested positive for the virus in the capital Dushanbe, and 10 others in the northern Sughd Region, according to the state-run news agency Khovar. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen Officials in Yemen report the country's first deaths from COVID-19 in the port city of Aden. (BBC News)
Officials in Yemen report the country's first deaths from COVID-19 in the port city of Aden. (BBC News)
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin temporarily steps down after being diagnosed with COVID-19; he will be replaced by Andrey Belousov. (Reuters)
Tajikistan reports its first confirmed cases of COVID-19. Five people have tested positive for the virus in the capital Dushanbe, and 10 others in the northern Sughd Region, according to the state-run news agency Khovar. (Al Jazeera)
Lebanon's banking association rejects a plan proposed by the government to secure emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund, saying they were not consulted and the plan will "further destroy confidence" in the country's financial system. (Reuters)
A riot over food shortages at the overcrowded Los Llanos prison in Guanare, Portuguesa, Venezuela, leaves at least 46 people dead and dozens more injured, including the prison's director, according to the military. (BBC News) (Inquirer)
All five crew members declared missing after the crash of a Canadian CH-148 Cyclone helicopter two days earlier are now presumed dead. (The Guardian)
Gun control in Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces a ban on assault-style weapons, which includes buying, selling, transporting, importing or using the designated weapons. The legislation is said to be motivated by last month's killing spree in Nova Scotia. (Reuters)
ISIL claims responsibility via its Amaq News Agency for a bombing that killed and wounded several Egyptian Army personnel near the city of Bir al-Abd in North Sinai Governorate. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces a ban on assault-style weapons, which includes buying, selling, transporting, importing or using the designated weapons. The legislation is said to be motivated by last month's killing spree in Nova Scotia. (Reuters)
Sinai insurgency ISIL claims responsibility via its Amaq News Agency for a bombing that killed and wounded several Egyptian Army personnel near the city of Bir al-Abd in North Sinai Governorate. (Reuters)
Arif Wazir, a prominent PTM leader, dies of injuries from an attack that was carried out in a drive-by shooting in Wanna, Pakistan, a day earlier. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
At least 10 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces are killed by ISIL militants in attacks in the town of Mekeeshfa and the city of Balad. Iraq and the paramilitary forces' official media report that scores of others were wounded. (Al Jazeera)
Brazil's Supreme Federal Court issues a 10-day injunction against President Jair Bolsonaro's demand that all 30 members of Venezuela's diplomatic team leave the country. (Reuters)
Foreign relations of Palau President of Palau Thomas Remengesau Jr. condemns the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Organization, saying that it "endangers, not only Taiwanese people, but people everywhere". Palau remains one of Taiwan's few political allies in the Pacific. (RNZ)
Iraqi insurgency (2017–present) At least 10 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces are killed by ISIL militants in attacks in the town of Mekeeshfa and the city of Balad. Iraq and the paramilitary forces' official media report that scores of others were wounded. (Al Jazeera)
Mali War, Operation Barkhane A French Foreign Legion soldier dies at a military hospital in Paris, after being wounded in an IED blast, while conducting an operation against Islamist insurgents in Mali. (The Star)
President of Palau Thomas Remengesau Jr. condemns the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Organization, saying that it "endangers, not only Taiwanese people, but people everywhere". Palau remains one of Taiwan's few political allies in the Pacific. (RNZ)
Venezuelan presidential crisis Brazil's Supreme Federal Court issues a 10-day injunction against President Jair Bolsonaro's demand that all 30 members of Venezuela's diplomatic team leave the country. (Reuters)
A French Foreign Legion soldier dies at a military hospital in Paris, after being wounded in an IED blast, while conducting an operation against Islamist insurgents in Mali. (The Star)
Inmates take seven guards hostage at a prison in Manaus, Brazil, during an attempted escape. A raid later frees the guards and ends the prisoners' rebellion. (Global News)
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency reports that leader Kim Jong-un attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a fertilizer plant today, in his first official appearance since his disappearance from public focus last month. (Reuters)
Six people are killed after a Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron crashes near Teniente Jorge Henrich Arauz Airport, Bolivia. (Aviation Safety Network)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 10,633 new cases of COVID-19 and 58 more deaths from the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the country's total cases to 134,686 and 1,280 deaths. Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin says the peak has still not been reached, warning residents to remain indoors. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 10,633 new cases of COVID-19 and 58 more deaths from the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the country's total cases to 134,686 and 1,280 deaths. Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin says the peak has still not been reached, warning residents to remain indoors. (BBC News)
Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea Unidentified forces attack two fishing vessels near the Gabonese capital of Libreville and abduct six crewmen (3 Indonesian, 2 Senegalese, and a South Korean). It is the second pirate attack reported this year off the coast of Gabon. (The Korea Herald)
Russia reports a record 10,633 new cases of COVID-19 and 58 more deaths from the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the country's total cases to 134,686 and 1,280 deaths. Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin says the peak has still not been reached, warning residents to remain indoors. (BBC News)
Unidentified forces attack two fishing vessels near the Gabonese capital of Libreville and abduct six crewmen (3 Indonesian, 2 Senegalese, and a South Korean). It is the second pirate attack reported this year off the coast of Gabon. (The Korea Herald)
Egypt's military says that 15 of its members were killed or wounded in recent operations in Sinai and that 126 suspected militants had been killed. (Reuters)
