COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra The government announces that they will receive 3,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from France. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan receives their first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Focus Taiwan) COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Government of Catalonia announces that 79,000 vaccinated persons were mistakenly recorded as COVID-19 cases. (El Periódico)
COVID-19 vaccination in India President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
Freedom House, in its annual Freedom in the World report, downgrades India from "free" to "partially free". The report cites the rise in mob violence against Muslims, increased government interference in the judiciary, increased intimidation against journalists and activists, and the government's heavy-handed approach to COVID-19 lockdowns that left millions of migrants stranded as the main reasons for the downgrade. (France 24) (BBC News)
German intelligence agency Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution formally places far-right oppositional party Alternative for Germany under surveillance, accusing it of aiming to subvert the constitution. It is the first time that a major political party has been placed under surveillance since the end of World War II. (The New York Times)
President Ram Nath Kovind receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
Second Libyan Civil War The bodies of four Filipinos, an Austrian, and a Czech, all oil workers who were kidnapped and then murdered in Libya in 2015 by Islamic State terrorists, are found at a cemetery. (Arab News)
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)
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)
Tigray War Following pressure from the international community, Ethiopia releases three reporters working for the BBC, AFP, and Financial Times, alongside two local news reporters and two translators, without charge. No reason was given for their arrest, and it is still unclear if four other journalists have been released. (BBC News)
A pipe bomb explodes outside a COVID-19 test centre in Bovenkarspel, Netherlands, causing minor damage. No one is wounded in the explosion. (Al Jazeera)
Aftermath of the Zamfara kidnapping Three people are shot after armed forces open fire at a reunion of students, kidnapped in Zamfara a week ago, and their parents in Jangebe, Nigeria, while the parents protest the kidnapping. (BBC News)
China confirms an outbreak of African swine fever in domestic pigs being illegally transported through Funing County in Yunnan province. (The Straits Times)
Colombian conflict Ten FARC dissidents are killed and three others are wounded when the Colombian Army bombs a base housing them in Calamar, Guaviare. (Al Jazeera)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark, Lineage P.1 Denmark reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil in a person from the Capital Region. (CPH Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro Montenegro receives 30,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine donated by China. (See News)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, variants of SARS-CoV-2 New Jersey reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant in Hudson County and 34 cases of a New York variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the northeastern part of the state. (NJ.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Polish biotechnology company Mabion S.A. signs an agreement with Novavax to begin commercial-scale production trials for Novavax's future vaccine. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Rwanda receives its first shipment of 240,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (New Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal Senegal receives 324,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia imposes an overnight curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The curfew will last until at least March 19. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan Sudan receives over 800,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine at the Khartoum International Airport through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative, becoming the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to receive it. (UNICEF)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan receives their first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Focus Taiwan)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, variants of SARS-CoV-2 New Jersey reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant in Hudson County and 34 cases of a New York variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the northeastern part of the state. (NJ.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (AKIPress)
Denmark reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil in a person from the Capital Region. (CPH Post)
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)
Following pressure from the international community, Ethiopia releases three reporters working for the BBC, AFP, and Financial Times, alongside two local news reporters and two translators, without charge. No reason was given for their arrest, and it is still unclear if four other journalists have been released. (BBC News)
France bans far-right Identitarian nationalist group Génération Identitaire. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin says the movement incites "discrimination, hatred and violence". (France 24)
Montenegro receives 30,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine donated by China. (See News)
Polish biotechnology company Mabion S.A. signs an agreement with Novavax to begin commercial-scale production trials for Novavax's future vaccine. (Bloomberg)
Rwanda receives its first shipment of 240,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (New Times)
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)
Senegal receives 324,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Reuters)
Slovakia imposes an overnight curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The curfew will last until at least March 19. (MedicalXpress)
Sudan receives over 800,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine at the Khartoum International Airport through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative, becoming the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to receive it. (UNICEF)
Taiwan receives their first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Focus Taiwan)
Ten FARC dissidents are killed and three others are wounded when the Colombian Army bombs a base housing them in Calamar, Guaviare. (Al Jazeera)
Ten people are killed in a plane crash in Jonglei State, South Sudan. (Al Jazeera)
The Australian GDP contracted 1.1% in 2020 amid restrictions related to the pandemic. (The Guardian)
The bodies of four Filipinos, an Austrian, and a Czech, all oil workers who were kidnapped and then murdered in Libya in 2015 by Islamic State terrorists, are found at a cemetery. (Arab News)
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)
Three people are shot after armed forces open fire at a reunion of students, kidnapped in Zamfara a week ago, and their parents in Jangebe, Nigeria, while the parents protest the kidnapping. (BBC News)
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)
The United Nations calls on Ethiopia to grant them access to the Tigray region to investigate reports of mass murders and sexual violence that may amount to war crimes. (Al Jazeera)
Tigray War The United Nations calls on Ethiopia to grant them access to the Tigray region to investigate reports of mass murders and sexual violence that may amount to war crimes. (Al Jazeera)
2021 TAF AS532 crash An army helicopter crashes in Bitlis, Turkey, killing 11 military personnel and injuring two others. (Al Jazeera)
An army helicopter crashes in Bitlis, Turkey, killing 11 military personnel and injuring two others. (Al Jazeera)
Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia of Turin, Italy announces that for the second time, the Shroud of Turin will be exposed for veneration on social media and websites on Holy Saturday, April 3. (Catholic News Agency)
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 Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho Lesotho receives its first shipment of 36,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (SowetanLIVE) COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe becomes the first country in Africa to approve India's Covaxin vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech. (Hindustan Times)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in California Nine great apes in San Diego Zoo becomes the first non-human primates to receive an experimental COVID-19 vaccine. (The Los Angeles Times)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany The Robert Koch Institute's Standing Committee on Vaccination officially approves the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged over 65. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait Kuwait's Cabinet decides to impose a curfew from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time for the next month but will allow salons, gyms, and other commercial activities to reopen on March 7 subject to operating restrictions. (Gulf News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho Lesotho receives its first shipment of 36,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (SowetanLIVE)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, 501.V2 variant Maine reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant that originated in South Africa. (WCSH-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's National Medicines Regulatory Authority approves the use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the second vaccine to be made available for the general public. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines receives its first shipment of 487,200 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied by the COVAX initiative. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California Nine great apes in San Diego Zoo becomes the first non-human primates to receive an experimental COVID-19 vaccine. (The Los Angeles Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, 501.V2 variant Maine reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant that originated in South Africa. (WCSH-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine, Lineage B.1.1.7 Ukraine reports its first cases of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in two people from Ivano-Frankivsk. (UNIAN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe becomes the first country in Africa to approve India's Covaxin vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech. (Hindustan Times)
European Commission–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine dispute, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy invokes the European Union powers to block shipment of 250,700 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia amid escalations between the bloc and AstraZeneca. The European Commission endorses the move. (CNN)
