President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
The government announces that they will receive 3,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from France. (Diari d'Andorra)
The Government of Catalonia announces that 79,000 vaccinated persons were mistakenly recorded as COVID-19 cases. (El Periódico)
France bans far-right Identitarian nationalist group Génération Identitaire. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin says the movement incites "discrimination, hatred and violence". (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary The government orders all schools and non-essential shops in Hungary to close from March 8 until March 22 (for non-essential shops) and April 7 (for schools) due to a third wave of COVID-19 infections. (Swiss Info)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela announces that the government will limit indoor gatherings to four households and will ban mass gatherings other than weddings and religious activities beginning tomorrow due to a record increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. The government will also restrict the operation of restaurants and snack bars to only offer takeaway services. (Times of Malta)
Italian Democratic Party secretary Nicola Zingaretti resigns, citing infighting over government posts. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Robert Abela announces that the government will limit indoor gatherings to four households and will ban mass gatherings other than weddings and religious activities beginning tomorrow due to a record increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. The government will also restrict the operation of restaurants and snack bars to only offer takeaway services. (Times of Malta)
The government orders all schools and non-essential shops in Hungary to close from March 8 until March 22 (for non-essential shops) and April 7 (for schools) due to a third wave of COVID-19 infections. (Swiss Info)
The Indian government's Income Tax Department raids the residences of the founders of Phantom Films due to allegations of tax evasion. Those being interrogated include Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee Pannu, Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Madhu Mantena. The incident prompts the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance and Rahul Gandhi to support the film stars who are being interrogated, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party is using all the arms of the government to stifle the voices of those who support the Indian farmers' protest. (NDTV) (NDTV2)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen receives a dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied by the COVAX initiative. (The Washington Post)
The Loyalist Communities Council and other loyalist groups in Northern Ireland inform Prime Minister Boris Johnson that they are withdrawing support for the Good Friday Agreement in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The government extends the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, for the next two weeks until March 21 as the number of new cases have not fallen sufficiently in order to lift the emergency. (The Mainichi Shimbun)
The German government reaches an agreement with energy providers to compensate them up to €2.4 billion for loss in income attributed to the phase-out of nuclear power, ending years of litigation. (DW)
The government extends the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, for the next two weeks until March 21 as the number of new cases have not fallen sufficiently in order to lift the emergency. (The Mainichi Shimbun)
The United States Senate, in a 58–42 vote, rejects an amendment introduced by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders that would raise the minimum wage to $15 after he made efforts to include it in President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India administers 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours, which is the highest number of daily vaccinations since the program began on January 16. (Livemint)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that Auckland will move to alert level 2 and rest of the country to alert level one beginning March 7 at 6:00 p.m. NZT after no new community cases have been reported. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria Nigeria officially launches a vaccination campaign against COVID-19, with a doctor who has spent the past year treating COVID-19 patients becoming the first person to be vaccinated. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwanda begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using 392,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca and Pfizer–BioNTech vaccines. (The East African)
COVID-19 vaccination in India India administers 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours, which is the highest number of daily vaccinations since the program began on January 16. (Livemint)
India administers 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours, which is the highest number of daily vaccinations since the program began on January 16. (Livemint)
Nigeria officially launches a vaccination campaign against COVID-19, with a doctor who has spent the past year treating COVID-19 patients becoming the first person to be vaccinated. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that Auckland will move to alert level 2 and rest of the country to alert level one beginning March 7 at 6:00 p.m. NZT after no new community cases have been reported. (The Guardian)
Rwanda begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using 392,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca and Pfizer–BioNTech vaccines. (The East African)
Yemeni Civil War Ma'rib Campaign Fighting between Houthi forces and pro-government troops in Maʼrib Governorate, Yemen, kills 58 and 32, respectively, in the past 24 hours, according to unnamed military sources. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei The government announces that it will ease their social distancing measures when Brunei enters a "New Normal" phase on March 8 as the country has reported no community cases in the last 300 days. (The Scoop)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines Moderna signs a supply deal with the government to supply 13 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine from mid-2021. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores receive their first doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (France 24)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines Moderna signs a supply deal with the government to supply 13 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine from mid-2021. (CNA)
Fighting between Houthi forces and pro-government troops in Maʼrib Governorate, Yemen, kills 58 and 32, respectively, in the past 24 hours, according to unnamed military sources. (The Hindu)
Ma'rib Campaign Fighting between Houthi forces and pro-government troops in Maʼrib Governorate, Yemen, kills 58 and 32, respectively, in the past 24 hours, according to unnamed military sources. (The Hindu)
Moderna signs a supply deal with the government to supply 13 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine from mid-2021. (CNA)
President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores receive their first doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (France 24)
The government announces that it will ease their social distancing measures when Brunei enters a "New Normal" phase on March 8 as the country has reported no community cases in the last 300 days. (The Scoop)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland COVID-19 vaccination in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reaches a milestone of 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (The Irish Post) COVID-19 pandemic in France French authorities extend their weekend lockdown to the northern region of Pas-de-Calais, prompting hundreds of thousands of people to stay at home on Saturdays and Sundays due to the spread of COVID-19. (RFI)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland COVID-19 vaccination in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reaches a milestone of 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (The Irish Post)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Republic of Ireland Ireland reaches a milestone of 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (The Irish Post)
Ireland reaches a milestone of 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered. (The Irish Post)
Prime Minister Imran Khan wins a vote of confidence in the National Assembly of Pakistan amid boycotts from the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement. (The Hindu)
2021 FC Barcelona presidential election Former FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta wins the club's 14th presidential election with 54.2% of the votes. (Sky Sports)
Former FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta wins the club's 14th presidential election with 54.2% of the votes. (Sky Sports)
2021 Swiss referendums Swiss voters approve a ban on full-facial coverings in public, known popularly as a so-called "burqa ban", and a free trade agreement with Indonesia, while rejecting a government proposal to introduce nationwide electronic IDs, which would be required to open a bank account or request official documents. (NPR)
Swiss voters approve a ban on full-facial coverings in public, known popularly as a so-called "burqa ban", and a free trade agreement with Indonesia, while rejecting a government proposal to introduce nationwide electronic IDs, which would be required to open a bank account or request official documents. (NPR)
At age 95, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad becomes the oldest person in Malaysia to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Langkawi, Kedah. (Malaysiakini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and current Health Minister Greg Hunt receive their first doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Nine News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia At age 95, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad becomes the oldest person in Malaysia to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Langkawi, Kedah. (Malaysiakini)
COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and current Health Minister Greg Hunt receive their first doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Nine News)
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and current Health Minister Greg Hunt receive their first doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Nine News)
Libyan Crisis, Libyan peace process Parliament meets in the central city of Sirte to vote on the approval of the interim Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Voting is expected to take place tomorrow. (Al Jazeera)
Parliament meets in the central city of Sirte to vote on the approval of the interim Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Voting is expected to take place tomorrow. (Al Jazeera)
2019–2021 Lebanese protests Protesters block all major roads leading to the capital Beirut amid continued unrest over the crash of the pound, increase in consumer goods prices, mass unemployment and delay of the formation of a new government. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The government announces a deal with Pfizer to receive 14 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by June, and a total of 99 million doses by the end of the year. (The Rio Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the New Zealand Government has secured 8.5 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, and that they have now secured enough vaccines to vaccinate the entire population of New Zealand. (The New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Syria President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad both test positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from the presidential office. They are both reported to be in good health with "minor symptoms". (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte extends the country's strict lockdown until the end of the month and advises against foreign travel until April 15. The curfew from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. will remain in place through the election on March 17, but those working or visiting a voting booth will not be fined for breaching it. (ABC News)
President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad both test positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from the presidential office. They are both reported to be in good health with "minor symptoms". (Reuters)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that the New Zealand Government has secured 8.5 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, and that they have now secured enough vaccines to vaccinate the entire population of New Zealand. (The New Zealand Herald)
Prime Minister Mark Rutte extends the country's strict lockdown until the end of the month and advises against foreign travel until April 15. The curfew from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. will remain in place through the election on March 17, but those working or visiting a voting booth will not be fined for breaching it. (ABC News)
Protesters block all major roads leading to the capital Beirut amid continued unrest over the crash of the pound, increase in consumer goods prices, mass unemployment and delay of the formation of a new government. (The Independent)
The government announces a deal with Pfizer to receive 14 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by June, and a total of 99 million doses by the end of the year. (The Rio Times)
2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis The European Parliament votes to strip Carles Puigdemont, Toni Comín, and Clara Ponsatí of their parliamentary immunity, allowing Spanish prosecutors to extradite them to Spain and prosecute them for sedition and embezzlement. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia, variants of SARS-CoV-2 The Estonian government approves new measures to lockdown the entire country from March 11 until April 11 due to the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2, which means that non-essential shops will be closed, primary schools will shift to remote learning, and groups of more than two people will be banned. (Eesti Rahvusringhääling)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italian President Sergio Mattarella receives the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Wanted in Rome)
COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev confirms that the government will impose a nationwide curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time from tomorrow until March 22, as well as a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travelers from Africa, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (N1)
Italian President Sergio Mattarella receives the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Wanted in Rome)
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev confirms that the government will impose a nationwide curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time from tomorrow until March 22, as well as a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travelers from Africa, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (N1)
The Estonian government approves new measures to lockdown the entire country from March 11 until April 11 due to the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2, which means that non-essential shops will be closed, primary schools will shift to remote learning, and groups of more than two people will be banned. (Eesti Rahvusringhääling)
The European Parliament votes to strip Carles Puigdemont, Toni Comín, and Clara Ponsatí of their parliamentary immunity, allowing Spanish prosecutors to extradite them to Spain and prosecute them for sedition and embezzlement. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan Sudan begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 beginning with medical workers. (Al Arabiya English) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia receives its first major shipment of 30,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. (Africanews) COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe grants emergency use authorization for four COVID-19 vaccines, including China's CoronaVac and BBIBP-CorV, Russia's Sputnik V, and India's Covaxin. (News24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen orders a temporary closure of the country's civil institutions and reduces their on-site employees by 90% for at least a week, with the exception of military and health workers due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. (The Straits Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority approves the emergency use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Bloomberg News) COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines surpasses 600,000 total COVID-19 cases. (ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen orders a temporary closure of the country's civil institutions and reduces their on-site employees by 90% for at least a week, with the exception of military and health workers due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that four people from two households will be able to meet outdoors from March 12, three days sooner than expected, as part of easing of their national lockdown. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan Sudan begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 beginning with medical workers. (Al Arabiya English)
