The Labor Party wins the state election in Western Australia, in one of the biggest landslide victories in the country's history. (ABC Australia)
2021 Myanmar protests Twelve people are killed after soldiers open fire on protesters in Mandalay, Yangon, and Pyay. A 13-year-old child is among those killed, the youngest victim of the unrest to date. (Reuters)
A Kazakh Air Force Antonov An-26 crashes in Almaty, killing four crew members on board and wounding two others. (Reuters)
Australia reports its first local COVID-19 cases in two weeks, when a doctor in Brisbane tests positive. (The Independent)
Avatar retakes its place as the world's highest-grossing film of all time from Avengers: Endgame following a domestic release in China. (CNBC)
China–United Kingdom relations, Hong Kong protests The United Kingdom formally declares China to be in breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, saying that China is now in "a state of ongoing non-compliance" of the treaty. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says that the UK will "continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong". (Financial Times)
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 Australia Australia reports its first local COVID-19 cases in two weeks, when a doctor in Brisbane tests positive. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in California PlainSite public data reveal 450 workers at the Tesla Factory in Fremont have tested positive for COVID-19 since Tesla CEO Elon Musk reopened the building last May. (The New York Times)
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 France France reaches a milestone of five million people having received their first vaccination shot. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (country) Georgia receives 43,200 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Agenda)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary reports a record 9,444 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 507,627. (Hungary Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 169 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,833. (Xinhua News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Lineage P.1 The Philippines reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who travelled from Brazil. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Wales Wales begins to ease their first step of lockdown restrictions, with "stay-at-home" replaced by "stay local". According to new rules, four people from two households can meet outside and outdoor sports can be resumed. (The Daily Telegraph)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California PlainSite public data reveal 450 workers at the Tesla Factory in Fremont have tested positive for COVID-19 since Tesla CEO Elon Musk reopened the building last May. (The New York Times)
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 Wales Wales begins to ease their first step of lockdown restrictions, with "stay-at-home" replaced by "stay local". According to new rules, four people from two households can meet outside and outdoor sports can be resumed. (The Daily Telegraph)
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)
France reaches a milestone of five million people having received their first vaccination shot. (Reuters)
Georgia receives 43,200 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Agenda)
Hungary reports a record 9,444 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 507,627. (Hungary Today)
Jordan receives 144,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Roya News)
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)
Mongolia reports a record 169 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3,833. (Xinhua News Agency)
The Philippines reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who travelled from Brazil. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The United Kingdom formally declares China to be in breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, saying that China is now in "a state of ongoing non-compliance" of the treaty. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says that the UK will "continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong". (Financial Times)
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)
Twelve people are killed after soldiers open fire on protesters in Mandalay, Yangon, and Pyay. A 13-year-old child is among those killed, the youngest victim of the unrest to date. (Reuters)
Wales begins to ease their first step of lockdown restrictions, with "stay-at-home" replaced by "stay local". According to new rules, four people from two households can meet outside and outdoor sports can be resumed. (The Daily Telegraph)
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)
63rd Annual Grammy Awards The 63rd Grammy Awards is held in Los Angeles. (CNN)
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 63rd Grammy Awards is held in Los Angeles. (CNN)
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)
Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (Edmonton Journal)
AstraZeneca provides an update that from more than 17 million people given a vaccination dose in the UK and EU, there is no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or thrombocytopenia, in any defined age group, gender, batch, or in any particular country. (The Guardian)
Bahrain eases some of its COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing restaurants, cafés, swimming pools, and sport facilities to reopen, but restricts gatherings to no more than 30 people. (Gulf Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage P.1 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (Edmonton Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain Bahrain eases some of its COVID-19-related restrictions, allowing restaurants, cafés, swimming pools, and sport facilities to reopen, but restricts gatherings to no more than 30 people. (Gulf Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Lineage P.1 Alberta reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (Edmonton Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Labour minister Élisabeth Borne tests positive for COVID-19. (Le Point)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy COVID-19 vaccination in Italy Piedmont temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine after a teacher in the town of Biella reportedly died after receiving the vaccine. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Netherlands suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine until March 29 following reports of Denmark and Norway regarding possible serious side effects. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 vaccination in Italy Piedmont temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine after a teacher in the town of Biella reportedly died after receiving the vaccine. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca provides an update that from more than 17 million people given a vaccination dose in the UK and EU, there is no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or thrombocytopenia, in any defined age group, gender, batch, or in any particular country. (The Guardian)
Labour minister Élisabeth Borne tests positive for COVID-19. (Le Point)
Piedmont temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine after a teacher in the town of Biella reportedly died after receiving the vaccine. (Euro Weekly News)
The Netherlands suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine until March 29 following reports of Denmark and Norway regarding possible serious side effects. (RTÉ)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency, 2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo attacks At least 15 civilians are killed during a mass stabbing in Beni, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ADF is suspected to be behind the attack. (Al Jazeera)
At least 15 civilians are killed during a mass stabbing in Beni, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ADF is suspected to be behind the attack. (Al Jazeera)
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)
2021 Myanmar protests Twenty anti-coup protesters are gunned down by soldiers. (Reuters) The military junta expands the provisions of Myanmar's martial law, which is perceived as an attempt to legitimize their violent pushback against anti-coup protesters. (AP)
Brazil signs a deal with Pfizer to purchase 100 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil signs a deal with Pfizer to purchase 100 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Cyprus suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine until March 18 pending review from the European Medicines Agency following reports of possible serious side effects among vaccinated people in other EU countries. (Cyprus Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tests positive for COVID-19. (ERR)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The Ministry of Health detects a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a cluster of eight cases in a hospital in Lannion, Brittany. Many of these cases can't be detected by PCR tests. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia The Ministry of Health temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine while awaiting a WHO review amidst reports of cases of blood clots in vaccinated people from several European countries. (Nikkei Asia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan reports a record 9,417 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 486,470. (Roya News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia Latvian health authorities temporarily suspend the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution following reports of blood clot issues among vaccinated people. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal The Directorate-General of Health temporarily suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution following reports of "rare, but severe" suspected side-effects among vaccinated people in other countries. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Slovenia suspends the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution following reports of cases of blood clots in vaccinated people in other countries. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Somalia Somalia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives The Maldives Food and Drug Authority approves the emergency use of the Pfizer–BioNTech and the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccines. (Raajje)
