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)
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)
Sudan begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 beginning with medical workers. (Al Arabiya English)
At an extraordinary session in Sirte, the Libyan parliament votes 121 to 11 to approve a new Government of National Unity led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The new interim unity government will govern Libya until a general election is held in December. (Al Jazeera)
Libyan Crisis Libyan peace process At an extraordinary session in Sirte, the Libyan parliament votes 121 to 11 to approve a new Government of National Unity led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The new interim unity government will govern Libya until a general election is held in December. (Al Jazeera)
Libyan peace process At an extraordinary session in Sirte, the Libyan parliament votes 121 to 11 to approve a new Government of National Unity led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The new interim unity government will govern Libya until a general election is held in December. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Armenian coup d'état attempt The government says a decree by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissing the Chief of the General Staff Onik Gasparyan is now legally effective despite President Armen Sarksyan refusing to sign the decree into force. (Reuters)
Australian frontier wars The Victoria State Government announces the establishment of a truth commission into genocidal violence against the state's Indigenous population from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, as part of a process towards developing a treaty. (The Guardian)
The government says a decree by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissing the Chief of the General Staff Onik Gasparyan is now legally effective despite President Armen Sarksyan refusing to sign the decree into force. (Reuters)
The Victoria State Government announces the establishment of a truth commission into genocidal violence against the state's Indigenous population from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, as part of a process towards developing a treaty. (The Guardian)
An overnight fire at an OVHcloud server farm in Strasbourg destroys a data center and damages another, taking millions of .fr websites offline in France, including government websites, banks, online shops, and news websites. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta The Government of Malta announces that, due to record numbers of new cases, all theatres, museums, and gyms will be closed, all organised sports and religious activities will be banned, and gatherings will be limited to four people. The government also announces that all educational institutions will be closed as of March 15 and travel to Gozo will be restricted to residents and essential activities. (The Malta Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the COVAX initiative. Ten frontline workers are the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Fiji Sun) COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea The government of Papua New Guinea approves the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Prime Minister James Marape says that vaccination will not be compulsory and will initially be directed at health workers, people over 50 years of age and people with underlying health conditions. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea The government of Papua New Guinea approves the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Prime Minister James Marape says that vaccination will not be compulsory and will initially be directed at health workers, people over 50 years of age and people with underlying health conditions. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania The President of Tanzania John Magufuli has not been seen in public since February 27. Opposition leaders call for the release of information as rumors grow that he is on a ventilator at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. (Yahoo! News) (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States House of Representatives votes 220–211 to pass the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which extends weekly jobless benefit payments of $300 until September, sends $1,400 checks to individuals, and funds other coronavirus relief programs for states and businesses. The stimulus bill will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. (The Wall Street Journal) (BBC News)
The Government of Malta announces that, due to record numbers of new cases, all theatres, museums, and gyms will be closed, all organised sports and religious activities will be banned, and gatherings will be limited to four people. The government also announces that all educational institutions will be closed as of March 15 and travel to Gozo will be restricted to residents and essential activities. (The Malta Independent)
The government of Papua New Guinea approves the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Prime Minister James Marape says that vaccination will not be compulsory and will initially be directed at health workers, people over 50 years of age and people with underlying health conditions. (RNZ)
The President of Tanzania John Magufuli has not been seen in public since February 27. Opposition leaders call for the release of information as rumors grow that he is on a ventilator at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. (Yahoo! News) (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji Fiji begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the COVAX initiative. Ten frontline workers are the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Fiji Sun)
COVID-19 pandemic in Togo Togo begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbé is the first person to receive the vaccine. (Togo First)
Fiji begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the COVAX initiative. Ten frontline workers are the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Fiji Sun)
Ivorian Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko dies of cancer at a private hospital in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (France 24)
Togo begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbé is the first person to receive the vaccine. (Togo First)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Benin Benin receives a shipment of 144,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Ecofin Agency) COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini Eswatini receives a shipment of 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Anadolu Agency) COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwandan President Paul Kagame becomes the first head of state in East Africa to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Africanews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwandan President Paul Kagame becomes the first head of state in East Africa to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Africanews)
Rwandan President Paul Kagame becomes the first head of state in East Africa to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Africanews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announces that kindergartens, hair salons, bookshops, libraries, pre-schools and primary schools will be allowed to reopen March 15, as a part of the country's gradual easing of its two-month lockdown. (U.S. News & World Report)
Economy of Brazil, COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The National Congress of Brazil approves an $8 billion spending package to help deal with the second wave of the pandemic in the country. (Financial Times)
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announces that kindergartens, hair salons, bookshops, libraries, pre-schools and primary schools will be allowed to reopen March 15, as a part of the country's gradual easing of its two-month lockdown. (U.S. News & World Report)
The National Congress of Brazil approves an $8 billion spending package to help deal with the second wave of the pandemic in the country. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria COVID-19 vaccination in Bulgaria Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announces the suspension of the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following the death of a 57-year-old woman from Plovdiv after she received her dose. (Euractiv)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand postpones the public vaccination of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of side-effects in some vaccinated people. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Lineage P.1 Arizona reports its first three case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which originated in Brazil. (The Arizona Republic) COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul receives a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Catholic Health in Buffalo. (USA Today) COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States surpasses 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been administered. (CNBC)
COVID-19 vaccination in Bulgaria Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announces the suspension of the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following the death of a 57-year-old woman from Plovdiv after she received her dose. (Euractiv)
Greece–United Kingdom relations In an interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Britain is the legitimate and legal owner of the historic 2,500-year-old Elgin Marbles amid growing calls to return the marbles to Greece. (Reuters)
In an interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Britain is the legitimate and legal owner of the historic 2,500-year-old Elgin Marbles amid growing calls to return the marbles to Greece. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announces the suspension of the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following the death of a 57-year-old woman from Plovdiv after she received her dose. (Euractiv)
Thailand postpones the public vaccination of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of side-effects in some vaccinated people. (Financial Times)
2021 Western Australian state election The Labor Party wins the state election in Western Australia, in one of the biggest landslide victories in the country's history. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva receives his first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine. (France 24) Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso member Silvio Favero, known for introducing a bill against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, dies from COVID-19 in Cuiabá, Brazil. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan's health minister resigns after six COVID-19 patients die due to a lack of supplemental oxygen at a hospital ward in Al-Salt. (BBC News) Jordan receives 144,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Roya News)
Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva receives his first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine. (France 24)
Jordan's health minister resigns after six COVID-19 patients die due to a lack of supplemental oxygen at a hospital ward in Al-Salt. (BBC News)
The Labor Party wins the state election in Western Australia, in one of the biggest landslide victories in the country's history. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia Ethiopia begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections, a week after the country received 2.2 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Anadolu Agency) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sputnik V vaccine. Health workers, soldiers, people over age 65, and people with underlying conditions are the first to receive the vaccine. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia Ethiopia begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections, a week after the country received 2.2 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sputnik V vaccine. Health workers, soldiers, people over age 65, and people with underlying conditions are the first to receive the vaccine. (ABC News)
Ethiopia begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections, a week after the country received 2.2 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
Tunisia begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sputnik V vaccine. Health workers, soldiers, people over age 65, and people with underlying conditions are the first to receive the vaccine. (ABC News)
People armed with axes and crowbars attack and set ablaze ten Chinese factories and a hotel in Yangon, resulting in injuries to several Chinese nationals. Some protesters have accused the Chinese government of supporting the Burmese military. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland The Government of Ireland temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following reports from the Norwegian Medicines Agency regarding serious blood clots developing in four people who received the vaccine, one of whom later died. (Irish Examiner)
The Government of Ireland temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine following reports from the Norwegian Medicines Agency regarding serious blood clots developing in four people who received the vaccine, one of whom later died. (Irish Examiner)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Labour minister Élisabeth Borne tests positive for COVID-19. (Le Point)
Labour minister Élisabeth Borne tests positive for COVID-19. (Le Point)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra The Andorran government announces the suspension of the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as of March 16. (Andorra Difusió)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Nine of the 20 regions, as well as the autonomous province of Trentino, enter a strict state of lockdown, in the government's latest attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Two other regions are also currently in lockdown. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan President Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City The Vatican Museums and the Palace of Castel Gandolfo's gardens closes for third time for the duration of the last lockdown decree of the Italian Government. (Vatican News)
Nine of the 20 regions, as well as the autonomous province of Trentino, enter a strict state of lockdown, in the government's latest attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Two other regions are also currently in lockdown. (Euronews)
President Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Tribune)
The Andorran government announces the suspension of the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as of March 16. (Andorra Difusió)
The Vatican Museums and the Palace of Castel Gandolfo's gardens closes for third time for the duration of the last lockdown decree of the Italian Government. (Vatican News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tests positive for COVID-19. (ERR)
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tests positive for COVID-19. (ERR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat The Gujarat state government decides to extend the curfew timing by two hours to 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. IST in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot until March 31. (The Economic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat The Gujarat state government decides to extend the curfew timing by two hours to 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. IST in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot until March 31. (The Economic Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi, 501.V2 variant Delhi reports its first two cases of the 501.V2 variant, which was originally detected in South Africa. The patient is a 33-year old man from Kerala. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine ahead of an April visit to the United States to meet President Joe Biden. (Nikkei Asia)
Protesters storm the Presidential Palace in Aden, Yemen, amidst anger over the lack of services and poor living conditions. (Al Jazeera)
The Gujarat state government decides to extend the curfew timing by two hours to 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. IST in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot until March 31. (The Economic Times)
Yemeni Crisis Protesters storm the Presidential Palace in Aden, Yemen, amidst anger over the lack of services and poor living conditions. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Serbian prime minister Ana Brnabić announces a five-day nationwide lockdown from tomorrow until March 21, which will close all non-essential shops. Students in the lower grades of primary schools will most likely switch to online classes from March 22 for at least one week. (See News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand resumes their vaccination rollout using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after it was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is one of the first people to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. (CNBC)
Serbian prime minister Ana Brnabić announces a five-day nationwide lockdown from tomorrow until March 21, which will close all non-essential shops. Students in the lower grades of primary schools will most likely switch to online classes from March 22 for at least one week. (See News)
Thailand resumes their vaccination rollout using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after it was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is one of the first people to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. (CNBC)
