COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 289 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 28,986. (UNIAN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan receives its first shipment of 660,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and distributed through the COVAX initiative. (AKI Press)
Hungary reports a record 195 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 17,421. (Hungary Today)
Internal conflict in Myanmar Nearly 200 civilians, mostly Catholics, are forced to flee their villages due to renewed fighting between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Myanmar’s conflict-stricken Kachin state. (UCA News)
Kazakhstan suspends talks with AstraZeneca for purchasing its vaccine amidst fears of blood clots in many countries. (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Lebanon suspends the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine pending a review from the international health agencies following fears of blood clots in vaccinated people. (Naharnet)
Nearly 200 civilians, mostly Catholics, are forced to flee their villages due to renewed fighting between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Myanmar’s conflict-stricken Kachin state. (UCA News)
Same-sex marriage in Japan The Sapporo district court rules that prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. (Al Jazeera)
The Palestinian National Authority receives 61,440 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 37,440 of the doses are the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the other 24,000 doses are the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Times of Israel)
The Sapporo district court rules that prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. (Al Jazeera)
Ukraine reports a record 289 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 28,986. (UNIAN)
UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay is expected to be reelected as head of the agency after no other candidates were nominated. (Reuters)
Mexican drug war Gunmen ambush a police convoy in Coatepec Harinas, State of Mexico, killing eight police officers and five prosecution investigators. It is the deadliest attack on law enforcement in the country since October 2019. The National Guard has been deployed to search for the killers. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
2021 Dutch general election Annemarie Jorritsma of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and Kajsa Ollongren of the Democrats 66 party are appointed as scouts (informateur) for the next cabinet formation. (DutchNews.nl)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 25,833 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (NDTV) COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces that the government will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Greater Tokyo Area on March 21 after approval from an expert panel due to a decrease in the number of cases. (Kyodo News) COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan receives his first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (ANI News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces that the government will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Greater Tokyo Area on March 21 after approval from an expert panel due to a decrease in the number of cases. (Kyodo News)
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces that the government will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Greater Tokyo Area on March 21 after approval from an expert panel due to a decrease in the number of cases. (Kyodo News)
Andalusia reports its first case of the A.23.1 COVID-19 variant that originated in Uganda. (ABC.es)
Annemarie Jorritsma of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and Kajsa Ollongren of the Democrats 66 party are appointed as scouts (informateur) for the next cabinet formation. (DutchNews.nl)
Chile reports a record 6,200 cases in the past 24 hours, which is the largest single-day total since June. (T13)
COVID-19 pandemic in Antarctica The Chilean Air Force announces that part of its staff in Antarctica has been vaccinated against COVID-19, making them the first people on the continent to receive a vaccine. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil São Paulo Senator Major Olímpio dies from COVID-19, becoming the third member of the Brazilian Senate to die from the virus. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria The Bulgarian Ministry of Health announces that it will ban gatherings of more than 15 people and will close theatres, cinemas, and gyms on March 22 as well as kindergartens, schools, and most non-essential shopping malls due to an increase in deaths from COVID-19. (Bulgarian News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile reports a record 6,200 cases in the past 24 hours, which is the largest single-day total since June. (T13) Due to the large number of cases, several cities are put under lockdown, including downtown Santiago. Almost 9 million people will be under quarantine as of March 27. (La Tercera)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces a new month-long lockdown in 16 departments across the country, including Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and parts of Normandy, beginning tomorrow night, in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Gibraltar UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that Gibraltar has vaccinated its entire adult population against COVID-19, thus becoming the first in the world to do so. (ITV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 25,833 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 25,833 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan receives his first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (ANI News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil São Paulo Senator Major Olímpio dies from COVID-19, becoming the third member of the Brazilian Senate to die from the virus. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile reports a record 6,200 cases in the past 24 hours, which is the largest single-day total since June. (T13) Due to the large number of cases, several cities are put under lockdown, including downtown Santiago. Almost 9 million people will be under quarantine as of March 27. (La Tercera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Andalusia reports its first case of the A.23.1 COVID-19 variant that originated in Uganda. (ABC.es)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announces a three-week lockdown in the city beginning on March 20 which will close all cultural institutions and many non-essential shopping and entertainment malls due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. (Ukrinform)
Due to the large number of cases, several cities are put under lockdown, including downtown Santiago. Almost 9 million people will be under quarantine as of March 27. (La Tercera)
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announces a three-week lockdown in the city beginning on March 20 which will close all cultural institutions and many non-essential shopping and entertainment malls due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. (Ukrinform)
Legality of euthanasia The Spanish Congress of Deputies votes 202–141 to definitively approve the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with serious and incurable diseases who want to end their lives, making Spain the fourth country in the European Union to do so. (RTE)
Maharashtra reports a record 25,833 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. (NDTV)
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan receives his first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (ANI News)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces a new month-long lockdown in 16 departments across the country, including Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and parts of Normandy, beginning tomorrow night, in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (The Independent)
São Paulo Senator Major Olímpio dies from COVID-19, becoming the third member of the Brazilian Senate to die from the virus. (Reuters)
The Bulgarian Ministry of Health announces that it will ban gatherings of more than 15 people and will close theatres, cinemas, and gyms on March 22 as well as kindergartens, schools, and most non-essential shopping malls due to an increase in deaths from COVID-19. (Bulgarian News Agency)
The Chilean Air Force announces that part of its staff in Antarctica has been vaccinated against COVID-19, making them the first people on the continent to receive a vaccine. (U.S. News and World Report)
The Spanish Congress of Deputies votes 202–141 to definitively approve the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with serious and incurable diseases who want to end their lives, making Spain the fourth country in the European Union to do so. (RTE)
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that Gibraltar has vaccinated its entire adult population against COVID-19, thus becoming the first in the world to do so. (ITV News)
A volcano erupts south of Fagradalsfjall in Reykjanes, southwestern Iceland, according to the Meteorological Office. The eruption follows 40,000 earthquakes detected in the last month. (Iceland Monitor) (Daily Mirror) (Morgunblaðið)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko names former Interior Minister Yury Karayeu and Health Minister Vladimir Karanik as possible successors to lead the country. (TASS)
The head of the Loyalist Communities Council, David Campbell, says that the 1998 Good Friday Agreement is under threat under the current conditions of Brexit and Northern Ireland. Campbell warns that it could unleash a "political crisis" and says that the Northern Irish Protocol breaches the 1998 accord. (Reuters)
The Troubles The head of the Loyalist Communities Council, David Campbell, says that the 1998 Good Friday Agreement is under threat under the current conditions of Brexit and Northern Ireland. Campbell warns that it could unleash a "political crisis" and says that the Northern Irish Protocol breaches the 1998 accord. (Reuters)
Volcanism in Iceland A volcano erupts south of Fagradalsfjall in Reykjanes, southwestern Iceland, according to the Meteorological Office. The eruption follows 40,000 earthquakes detected in the last month. (Iceland Monitor) (Daily Mirror) (Morgunblaðið)
A 27-year-old nurse dies in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia, from presumed anaphylactic shock following an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine jab. (RFE/RL)
A Houthi drone strike on a Saudi Aramco oil refinery in the capital Riyadh causes a large fire. The Houthis say that they launched six drones at a Saudi Aramco facility and vow to continue operations against Saudi Arabia as long as its aggression against Yemen continues. (Al Jazeera)
Brazil reports a record 90,570 new confirmed cases from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11,871,390. (The Rio Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenya reports a record 28 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,982. (Nation) COVID-19 pandemic in Seychelles Seychelles approves the emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. (UrduPoint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 90,570 new confirmed cases from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11,871,390. (The Rio Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Finland Finland suspends the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after reporting two cases of unusual blood clotting in the brain in vaccinated people. (Yle)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The French National Authority for Health limits the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged over 55 years old after it was discovered that three patients who suffered blood clots are younger than 55 years old. (The New York Times) Prime Minister Jean Castex receives his first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia A 27-year-old nurse dies in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia, from presumed anaphylactic shock following an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine jab. (RFE/RL)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany resumes its use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency declares it to be safe and not associated with an increased risk of blood clots. (The Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary reports a record 213 deaths and 10,759 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 17,841 and the nationwide case total to 549,839. (Hungary Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in India India reports 39,670 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since November 28, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.5 million. (The Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya Kenya reports a record 28 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,982. (Nation)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi, 501.V2 variant Mississippi reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant, which was originally detected in South Africa, in a person in Harrison County. (Mississippi Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal grants emergency use authorization for the Indian Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the third country to do so. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Seychelles Seychelles approves the emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. (UrduPoint)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Food and Drug Administration approves the emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Rappler) The Philippines reports a record 7,103 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 648,066. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson receives his first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Sky News) The United Kingdom reports a new single-day total of 660,276 doses of the vaccine administered. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi, 501.V2 variant Mississippi reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant, which was originally detected in South Africa, in a person in Harrison County. (Mississippi Today)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Food and Drug Administration approves the emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. (Rappler)
Finland suspends the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after reporting two cases of unusual blood clotting in the brain in vaccinated people. (Yle)
Germany resumes its use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency declares it to be safe and not associated with an increased risk of blood clots. (The Los Angeles Times)
Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict A Houthi drone strike on a Saudi Aramco oil refinery in the capital Riyadh causes a large fire. The Houthis say that they launched six drones at a Saudi Aramco facility and vow to continue operations against Saudi Arabia as long as its aggression against Yemen continues. (Al Jazeera)
Hungary reports a record 213 deaths and 10,759 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 17,841 and the nationwide case total to 549,839. (Hungary Today)
India reports 39,670 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since November 28, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 11.5 million. (The Times of India)
Kenya reports a record 28 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,982. (Nation)
Mississippi reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant, which was originally detected in South Africa, in a person in Harrison County. (Mississippi Today)
