Palestine reports their first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in 139 people from the West Bank. (Anadolu Agency)
Lockdown restrictions are eased in Victoria as contact tracers are confident that all cases linked to a recent outbreak are self-isolating. People are permitted to leave their homes for non-essential reasons but are required to wear a mask when they are indoors. Private gatherings of up to five people and public gatherings of up to 20 people are once again permitted. Non-essential businesses and on-campus learning have been reopened, and businesses that were working from home can have up to 50% of their employees return to the office. (The Guardian)
Bitcoin reaches a US$1 trillion market cap for the first time. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccine Johnson & Johnson submits an application of its experimental single-dose vaccine to the World Health Organization for emergency authorization. (Marketwatch)
Johnson & Johnson submits an application of its experimental single-dose vaccine to the World Health Organization for emergency authorization. (Marketwatch)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel reopens many sectors of their economy as part of an easing of lockdown restrictions. However, while shops are open to all residents, access to leisure sites is limited to people who have received a vaccine or who have recovered from COVID-19. (France 24)
Israel reopens many sectors of their economy as part of an easing of lockdown restrictions. However, while shops are open to all residents, access to leisure sites is limited to people who have received a vaccine or who have recovered from COVID-19. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra imposes a ban on all political, social, and religious gatherings, as well as all processions and public demonstrations in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Business Today) India surpasses 11 million cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy extends their ban on non-essential travel between regions with the exception of business trips and emergencies until March 27 due to the spread of COVID-19 infections. (The Brussels Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra imposes a ban on all political, social, and religious gatherings, as well as all processions and public demonstrations in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Business Today)
Italy extends their ban on non-essential travel between regions with the exception of business trips and emergencies until March 27 due to the spread of COVID-19 infections. (The Brussels Times)
Maharashtra imposes a ban on all political, social, and religious gatherings, as well as all processions and public demonstrations in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Business Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oman, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Oman announces a ban on all travelers from 10 countries for 15 days beginning February 25 with the exception of Omani citizens, diplomats and health workers. (Gulf Business)
Oman announces a ban on all travelers from 10 countries for 15 days beginning February 25 with the exception of Omani citizens, diplomats and health workers. (Gulf Business)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan, Lineage B.1.1.7 The cabinet extends the curfew to 10:00 p.m., and orders all businesses to close at 9:00 p.m. local time beginning tomorrow due to the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. The cabinet also re-imposes a Friday lockdown. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan lifts their COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing indoor dining and wedding ceremonies to resume on March 15. Time limits for shopping centres, markets, and amusement parks are also lifted. (Geo News)
Pakistan lifts their COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing indoor dining and wedding ceremonies to resume on March 15. Time limits for shopping centres, markets, and amusement parks are also lifted. (Geo News)
The cabinet extends the curfew to 10:00 p.m., and orders all businesses to close at 9:00 p.m. local time beginning tomorrow due to the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. The cabinet also re-imposes a Friday lockdown. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine The Palestinian National Authority announces new lockdown restrictions in the West Bank for the next 12 days, which include the closure of universities, a ban on gatherings for weddings and funerals and nighttime restrictions on travel and non-essential commerce. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifts the statewide mask requirement and allows businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning March 10. (The Hill)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency Suspected ADF militants kill eight civilians during a shooting attack at a market in Mambelenga, Democratic Republic of the Congo. ADF attacks have increased, with more than 140 people killed by the group since the beginning of the year. (Reuters)
Suspected ADF militants kill eight civilians during a shooting attack at a market in Mambelenga, Democratic Republic of the Congo. ADF attacks have increased, with more than 140 people killed by the group since the beginning of the year. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Economy of Australia The Australian GDP contracted 1.1% in 2020 amid restrictions related to the pandemic. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil São Paulo governor João Doria announces that the entire state will revert to "red phase" restrictions, which means that all malls and non-essential businesses will be closed for two weeks beginning March 6 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Rio Times)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Economy of Australia The Australian GDP contracted 1.1% in 2020 amid restrictions related to the pandemic. (The Guardian) Economy of Brazil The Brazilian GDP contracts 4.1% in 2020 amid disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the country's third worst economic performance after 1981 (-4.25%) and 1990 (-4.35%). (France 24)
Economy of Brazil The Brazilian GDP contracts 4.1% in 2020 amid disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the country's third worst economic performance after 1981 (-4.25%) and 1990 (-4.35%). (France 24)
São Paulo governor João Doria announces that the entire state will revert to "red phase" restrictions, which means that all malls and non-essential businesses will be closed for two weeks beginning March 6 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Rio Times)
The Australian GDP contracted 1.1% in 2020 amid restrictions related to the pandemic. (The Guardian)
The Brazilian GDP contracts 4.1% in 2020 amid disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the country's third worst economic performance after 1981 (-4.25%) and 1990 (-4.35%). (France 24)
Brazil reports a record 1,910 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 259,271. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 1,910 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 259,271. (Business Standard)
A Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil crashes in Normandy, France, killing National Assembly member and businessman Olivier Dassault and the aircraft's pilot. (The Guardian)
The European Commission grants the approval of single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for general use. It comes after the European Medicines Agency recommends the conditional marketing authorisation for the vaccine. (The Brussels Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The French Haute Autorité de Santé approves the use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (U.S. News & World Report) France surpasses four million cases and 90,000 deaths of COVID-19. (Business Standard)
France surpasses four million cases and 90,000 deaths of COVID-19. (Business Standard)
Brexit The European Union notifies the United Kingdom of its intent to start an infringement procedure. According to the EU, the UK breached the Northern Ireland Protocol by unilaterally extending the grace period related to trade on the island of Ireland beyond April 1. (Al Jazeera)
British chocolate maker Thorntons announces it will be permanently closing down all of its stores, with the loss of about 600 jobs, thereby ending its 110-year presence on the high street. The company says it has been massively hit by the pandemic lockdowns and adds that high street conditions are too severe to continue. The company will continue sales online and through supermarkets. (BBC News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom British chocolate maker Thorntons announces it will be permanently closing down all of its stores, with the loss of about 600 jobs, thereby ending its 110-year presence on the high street. The company says it has been massively hit by the pandemic lockdowns and adds that high street conditions are too severe to continue. The company will continue sales online and through supermarkets. (BBC News)
The European Union notifies the United Kingdom of its intent to start an infringement procedure. According to the EU, the UK breached the Northern Ireland Protocol by unilaterally extending the grace period related to trade on the island of Ireland beyond April 1. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Tillabéri attacks Gunmen in Niger kill at least 58 people after ambushing a convoy returning from a market and then attacking a nearby village. (Al Jazeera)
Gunmen in Niger kill at least 58 people after ambushing a convoy returning from a market and then attacking a nearby village. (Al Jazeera)
Insurgency in the Maghreb 2021 Tillabéri attacks Gunmen in Niger kill at least 58 people after ambushing a convoy returning from a market and then attacking a nearby village. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. It was found in a resident in Newton County. (WMAZ-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. It was found in a resident in Newton County. (WMAZ-TV)
Georgia reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. It was found in a resident in Newton County. (WMAZ-TV)
2021 Boulder shooting The suspect in yesterday's mass shooting at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in the deaths of ten people, is charged with ten counts of murder. (CNN)
The suspect in yesterday's mass shooting at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in the deaths of ten people, is charged with ten counts of murder. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland will close barbers, hairdressers, and beauty shops from March 27 until April 9, as well as kindergartens and nurseries, while restricting the capacity at essential shops, churches, public markets, and post offices amidst the rising number of the COVID-19 cases. (The First News)
Poland will close barbers, hairdressers, and beauty shops from March 27 until April 9, as well as kindergartens and nurseries, while restricting the capacity at essential shops, churches, public markets, and post offices amidst the rising number of the COVID-19 cases. (The First News)
The 2021 redesign of the £50 note, featuring British mathematician Alan Turing on the reverse, is officially unveiled by the Bank of England. It is slated to enter circulation on June 23, Turing's birthday. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary reports a record 11,265 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 614,612. (Budapest Business Journal)
Hungary reports a record 11,265 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 614,612. (Budapest Business Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia surpasses 7,000 cases of COVID-19. (Marketwatch)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka receives 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine from China. Vaccination of Chinese nationals could commence first as the Medicines Regulatory Authority says that the vaccination of Sri Lankans will begin after a study by a committee of experts. (Lanka Business Online)
Sri Lanka receives 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine from China. Vaccination of Chinese nationals could commence first as the Medicines Regulatory Authority says that the vaccination of Sri Lankans will begin after a study by a committee of experts. (Lanka Business Online)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Phnom Penh imposes a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time that suspends all non-essential business activities and gatherings for two weeks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves the general use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Business Tech)
Phnom Penh imposes a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time that suspends all non-essential business activities and gatherings for two weeks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Khmer Times)
Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Three Belgian police officers are injured and four people are arrested, after a crowd of around 2,000 people at the Bois de la Cambre park in Brussels is charged for violating social distancing measures by organizing and participating in a coronavirus party marketed as an April Fools' Day prank. (The Bangkok Post)
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approves the general use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Business Tech)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 100 million people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Insider) (Forbes) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issues an executive order banning the state from issuing vaccine passports. (Orlando Sentinel)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 100 million people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Insider) (Forbes)
South Korean electronics company LG says that it will discontinue producing smartphones, citing poor sales and stiff competition from both flagship and budget brands. It becomes the first major smartphone brand to exit the market. (BusinessWorld)
Bangladesh reports a record 7,213 new confirmed cases and 66 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 651,652 and the nationwide death toll to 9,384. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 7,213 new confirmed cases and 66 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 651,652 and the nationwide death toll to 9,384. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy receive their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Murphy also signs legislation providing $35 million in federal aid to restaurants, bars, and other businesses. (AP)
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy receive their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Murphy also signs legislation providing $35 million in federal aid to restaurants, bars, and other businesses. (AP)
China's State Administration for Market Regulation issues a CN¥18.2 billion ($2.78 billion) fine against technology company Alibaba over anti-competitive practices which forced merchants to choose one of two platforms, rather than being able to work with both. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports 152,879 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, a record for the sixth consecutive day. The country also reports 839 deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the highest daily total since October 18. (Business Standard) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare bans the export of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir, and the ingredients used to make it, following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Reuters)
India reports 152,879 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, a record for the sixth consecutive day. The country also reports 839 deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the highest daily total since October 18. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa voluntarily suspends its rollout of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended temporarily suspending use of the vaccine due to rare cases of blood clots. (Business Tech)
At least four people are killed and 17 others are wounded in a car bomb attack at a market in Sadr City, Baghdad. (Al Jazeera)
ISIL insurgency in Iraq At least four people are killed and 17 others are wounded in a car bomb attack at a market in Sadr City, Baghdad. (Al Jazeera)
The Turkish Central Bank bans transactions using cryptocurrencies and crypto assets, citing possible "irreparable damage" and transaction risks to customers. (Al Jazeera)
Myanmar's State Administration Council pardons and releases more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the Burmese New Year. Those released include an Australian businessman sentenced to 13 years in prison for drug possession, and three members of the Generation Wave pro-democracy movement. (The Guardian)
