COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record 8,019 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 671,792. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States Clinical trials for the vaccine produced by Oxford and AstraZeneca show that it is 79% effective against COVID-19. (The New York Times)
Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict, Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Saudi Arabia proposes a ceasefire in Yemen to end the conflict against the Houthi movement. (Al Jazeera)
Hungary grants emergency use approval for the CanSino Biologics Convidecia and Indian Covishield COVID-19 vaccines. (Daily News Hungary)
India reports 46,951 new cases and 212 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest daily case total since November and also the highest daily death total since January. (The Times of India)
Jordan reports a record 109 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 5,985. (Roya News)
Premier Su Tseng-chang receives a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as the country begins its vaccination campaign. (The Straits Times)
Saudi Arabia proposes a ceasefire in Yemen to end the conflict against the Houthi movement. (Al Jazeera)
Swissmedic approves the use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Swiss Info)
The European Union imposes sanctions against several officials in China for human rights abuses in Xinjiang. These sanctions are Europe's first since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. (Reuters)
The Ministry of Health orders private sector doctors to assist public hospitals as the public health system becomes overwhelmed by an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. (AP)
The Philippines reports a record 8,019 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 671,792. (ABS-CBN News)
Two Taiwanese F-5E fighter jets collide with each other during a training exercise, with one pilot being declared dead and another missing. (UPI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia President Vladimir Putin receives a dose of a domestically-produced COVID-19 vaccine; it is unknown which of Russia's current three vaccine candidates was administered. Earlier in the day, the government had announced this ambiguity was deliberate, before noting that "all three Russian-made vaccines are absolutely reliable and effective." (Reuters via MSN)
President Vladimir Putin receives a dose of a domestically-produced COVID-19 vaccine; it is unknown which of Russia's current three vaccine candidates was administered. Earlier in the day, the government had announced this ambiguity was deliberate, before noting that "all three Russian-made vaccines are absolutely reliable and effective." (Reuters via MSN)
2021 Israeli legislative election Israelis go to the polls for the fourth time in less than two years. (BBC News)
At least five security personnel and a driver are killed when Naxalites attack their bus with an IED as it crossed a bridge over a culvert in Chhattisgarh, India. This is the biggest Naxalite attack of the year so far in the region. (Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea President Moon Jae-in receives a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in preparation for a visit to the United Kingdom to attend the G7 summit in June. (The Hill) COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan Tajikistan begins their vaccination campaign against COVID-19 on the orders of President Emomali Rahmon. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. It was found in a resident in Newton County. (WMAZ-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea President Moon Jae-in receives a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in preparation for a visit to the United Kingdom to attend the G7 summit in June. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan Tajikistan begins their vaccination campaign against COVID-19 on the orders of President Emomali Rahmon. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. It was found in a resident in Newton County. (WMAZ-TV)
Georgia reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. It was found in a resident in Newton County. (WMAZ-TV)
Naxalite insurgency At least five security personnel and a driver are killed when Naxalites attack their bus with an IED as it crossed a bridge over a culvert in Chhattisgarh, India. This is the biggest Naxalite attack of the year so far in the region. (Times of India)
President Moon Jae-in receives a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in preparation for a visit to the United Kingdom to attend the G7 summit in June. (The Hill)
Tajikistan begins their vaccination campaign against COVID-19 on the orders of President Emomali Rahmon. (AKIPress)
United Nations special envoy on Afghanistan Deborah Lyons says that efforts by the United States and Russia should be "focused and coherent" and complement peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. She also urges an end to the violence in the country. (Reuters) (ReliefWeb)
2021 Boulder shooting The suspect in yesterday's mass shooting at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in the deaths of ten people, is charged with ten counts of murder. (CNN)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état During a news conference in Naypyidaw, the Tatmadaw defended the reimposition of the junta and claimed that ousted national leader Aung San Suu Kyi was corrupt, tantamount to graft. No supporting evidence for these allegations was offered outside of the taped testimony of a former colleague of Aung San Suu Kyi, Phyo Min Thein, who has been detained by the military since the coup began. (AP)
2021 Suez Canal obstruction: The Suez Canal is blocked in both directions after the Panamanian-flagged container ship Ever Given runs aground north of Egypt's Suez Port. (BBC News)
Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar says that China is working closely with the country to restore peace there. He also urges India to play a role in restoring peace in the country. (The New Indian Express) (The Economic Times)
Agnès Callamard, Special Rapporteur appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, reveals that a senior Saudi Arabian official twice threatened to have her "taken care of" if the UN did not obstruct her investigation of the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, who had been critical of the al-Saud dynasty, was murdered and dismembered by Saudi agents in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018 under what is believed to be the direct orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (The Guardian)
Brazil reports a record 3,251 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 298,843. It is the first time that Brazil has recorded more than 3,000 deaths from COVID-19 in a single day. (France 24)
Chancellor Angela Merkel announces that the country imposes an "emergency brake" and extends their nationwide lockdown until April 18, which including the closure of shops from April 1 to April 5, amidst a spike of the COVID-19 cases. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 3,251 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 298,843. It is the first time that Brazil has recorded more than 3,000 deaths from COVID-19 in a single day. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel announces that the country imposes an "emergency brake" and extends their nationwide lockdown until April 18, which including the closure of shops from April 1 to April 5, amidst a spike of the COVID-19 cases. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports 551 new deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day figure since January, thus bringing the nationwide death toll to 105,879. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 333 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 30,431. (Kyiv Post)
COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer says that they plan to develop new vaccines for other viruses following the success of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate. (CNBC)
During a news conference in Naypyidaw, the Tatmadaw defended the reimposition of the junta and claimed that ousted national leader Aung San Suu Kyi was corrupt, tantamount to graft. No supporting evidence for these allegations was offered outside of the taped testimony of a former colleague of Aung San Suu Kyi, Phyo Min Thein, who has been detained by the military since the coup began. (AP)
Israelis go to the polls for the fourth time in less than two years. (BBC News)
Italy reports 551 new deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day figure since January, thus bringing the nationwide death toll to 105,879. (Anadolu Agency)
Killing of Jamal Khashoggi Agnès Callamard, Special Rapporteur appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, reveals that a senior Saudi Arabian official twice threatened to have her "taken care of" if the UN did not obstruct her investigation of the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, who had been critical of the al-Saud dynasty, was murdered and dismembered by Saudi agents in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018 under what is believed to be the direct orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (The Guardian)
Pfizer says that they plan to develop new vaccines for other viruses following the success of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate. (CNBC)
The Suez Canal is blocked in both directions after the Panamanian-flagged container ship Ever Given runs aground north of Egypt's Suez Port. (BBC News)
The suspect in yesterday's mass shooting at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in the deaths of ten people, is charged with ten counts of murder. (CNN)
Ukraine reports a record 333 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 30,431. (Kyiv Post)
2021 Niger attacks At least 10 people are killed during attacks at two villages in the Tillabéri Region, Niger. (Reuters)
Aftermath of the Second Libyan Civil War Mahmoud al-Werfalli, a commander loyal to Khalifa Haftar, is killed alongside his cousin after unknown gunmen open fire on their vehicle in Benghazi. (Al Jazeera)
At least 10 people are killed during attacks at two villages in the Tillabéri Region, Niger. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot becomes the second member of the government to be admitted to a hospital with COVID-19 after Élisabeth Borne, who has already been discharged. (Politico.eu)
Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot becomes the second member of the government to be admitted to a hospital with COVID-19 after Élisabeth Borne, who has already been discharged. (Politico.eu)
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed admits for the first time that Eritrean troops entered Ethiopia's Tigray Region and fought the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front, and that they may have been involved in war crimes. Abiy says that Eritrean forces promised to leave the region as soon as Ethiopia's military was able to "control the border". (Al Jazeera)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok resigns amid a wave of mass resignations after President Zuzana Čaputová demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Igor Matovič over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The education minister also resigned. (DW)
Insurgency in the Maghreb 2021 Niger attacks At least 10 people are killed during attacks at two villages in the Tillabéri Region, Niger. (Reuters)
Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok resigns amid a wave of mass resignations after President Zuzana Čaputová demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Igor Matovič over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The education minister also resigned. (DW)
Tigray War Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed admits for the first time that Eritrean troops entered Ethiopia's Tigray Region and fought the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front, and that they may have been involved in war crimes. Abiy says that Eritrean forces promised to leave the region as soon as Ethiopia's military was able to "control the border". (Al Jazeera)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Afghanistan–United States relations The Defense Inspector General releases a report accusing the United States for failing to charge partner nations for the use of American military aircraft. The report also says that the Department of Defense had no way of knowing how many dollars have been lost. (Air Force Times)
2021 Suez Canal obstruction The Suez Canal remains blocked for a second consecutive day after the container ship Ever Given got stuck during a dust storm. The Suez Canal Authority says that tugboats are continuing to try to move the 220,000-ton ship as more than 100 cargo ships wait to pass. (The Guardian)
Alberta reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil linked in a community transmission. (Global News)
Bárcenas affair, Corruption in Spain Former Prime Ministers José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy testify as witnesses at the National Audience in a corruption trial affecting the People's Party. The main defendant, Luis Bárcenas, claims that Rajoy and Aznar received cash payments from a slush fund, which they deny. (Euronews)
Belgium announces new strict lockdown measures, which will close schools and non-medical contact professions such as hairdressers, restrict operation of non-essential shops, and ban outdoor gatherings of more than four people. These measures will begin on March 26 and will last for at least four weeks. (The Brussels Times)
Bulgaria reports a record 4,851 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 312,741. (Bulgarian News Agency)
Chancellor Angela Merkel announces that yesterday's decision to impose a five-day nationwide shutdown has been reversed. She says that the plan was a "mistake" and apologizes for it. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil linked in a community transmission. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgium announces new strict lockdown measures, which will close schools and non-medical contact professions such as hairdressers, restrict operation of non-essential shops, and ban outdoor gatherings of more than four people. These measures will begin on March 26 and will last for at least four weeks. (The Brussels Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses 300,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the U.S. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports a record 4,851 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 312,741. (Bulgarian News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil linked in a community transmission. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel announces that yesterday's decision to impose a five-day nationwide shutdown has been reversed. She says that the plan was a "mistake" and apologizes for it. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland Iceland will close schools, swimming pools, gyms, and bars at midnight and lower the limit on gatherings from 50 people to 10 people. These measures will be enforced for the next three weeks following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Iceland Review)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 218 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5,610. (Montsame)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta reports its first two cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil linked in a community transmission. (Global News) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The U.S. surpasses 30 million cases of COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a record 29,978 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,160,671. The country also surpasses 50,000 deaths from COVID-19. (TVN24 English)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The U.S. surpasses 30 million cases of COVID-19. (Reuters)
