COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a new single-day record for the second consecutive day of 343 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 30,773. (Kyiv Post)
COVID-19 recession, COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City Pope Francis issues a decree that cuts the 10% of the cardinals' and other officials' salaries since the Vatican foresees a financial deficit of 50 million euros this year. (BBC News)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Pope Francis issues a decree that cuts the 10% of the cardinals' and other officials' salaries since the Vatican foresees a financial deficit of 50 million euros this year. (BBC News)
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)
Ukraine reports a new single-day record for the second consecutive day of 343 deaths from COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 30,773. (Kyiv Post)
2020–2021 Belarusian protests Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for a "Freedom Day" and renewed protests against President Alexander Lukashenko in order to mount pressure for him to resign amidst a disputed election last year. (Reuters)
Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for a "Freedom Day" and renewed protests against President Alexander Lukashenko in order to mount pressure for him to resign amidst a disputed election last year. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Afghan peace process U.S. President Joe Biden warns that the country will not meet the May 1 deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan. However, he also said that it is unlikely that troops will remain in the country next year. (Reuters) The Bundestag approves a new mandate to let Germany continue to station up to 1,300 Bundeswehr soldiers in Afghanistan until January 31, 2022. (Reuters)
Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Afghan peace process U.S. President Joe Biden warns that the country will not meet the May 1 deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan. However, he also said that it is unlikely that troops will remain in the country next year. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The Government of France extends the partial lockdown to the departments of Rhône, Aube, and Nièvre due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections. The restrictions will begin at midnight tomorrow. (Euronews)
Pfizer and BioNTech begin a clinical trial testing of their COVID-19 vaccine on healthy children between the ages of six months and 11 years, which is considered a crucial step towards vaccinating children. (CNBC)
Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer and BioNTech begin a clinical trial testing of their COVID-19 vaccine on healthy children between the ages of six months and 11 years, which is considered a crucial step towards vaccinating children. (CNBC)
The Government of France extends the partial lockdown to the departments of Rhône, Aube, and Nièvre due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections. The restrictions will begin at midnight tomorrow. (Euronews)
2021 Suez Canal obstruction The Suez Canal Authority suspends navigation through the Suez Canal until the grounded container ship Ever Given can be refloated. The waterway has now been blocked for three consecutive days. (France 24)
Albania receives their first shipment of 192,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (Albanian Daily News)
Andorra–Spain relations King Felipe VI of Spain makes the first ever state visit by a Spanish king to Andorra. (El Periódico)
Brazil reports a record 100,158 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Global News)
Chile reports nearly 50,000 active cases of COVID-19, a new record for the country. The country also announces that the entire Santiago Metropolitan Region will be put under lockdown beginning next Saturday. (BíoBíoChile)
Colombia grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Europa Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Albania Albania receives their first shipment of 192,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (Albanian Daily News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 100,158 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Global News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile reports nearly 50,000 active cases of COVID-19, a new record for the country. The country also announces that the entire Santiago Metropolitan Region will be put under lockdown beginning next Saturday. (BíoBíoChile)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Europa Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary reports a record 272 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 19,224. (Daily News Hungary)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Iraq receives 336,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine sharing initiative. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses 200,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, variants of SARS-CoV-2 Virginia reports its two first cases of the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in California. (U.S. News and World Report) COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses 200,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Peru Peru reports a record 11,260 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,492,519. (The Rio Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland will close barbers, hairdressers, and beauty shops from March 27 until April 9, as well as kindergartens and nurseries, while restricting the capacity at essential shops, churches, public markets, and post offices amidst the rising number of the COVID-19 cases. (The First News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand The Thailand Food and Drug Administration grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, thereby becoming the third vaccine to be made available for local use. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record 8,773 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 693,048. (ABS-CBN)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, variants of SARS-CoV-2 Virginia reports its two first cases of the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in California. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 16,669 new confirmed cases and 362 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,596,575 and the nationwide death toll to 31,135. (Ukrinform)
COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, variants of SARS-CoV-2 Virginia reports its two first cases of the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in California. (U.S. News and World Report)
Hungary reports a record 272 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 19,224. (Daily News Hungary)
Iraq receives 336,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine distributed through the COVAX vaccine sharing initiative. (Arab News)
King Felipe VI of Spain makes the first ever state visit by a Spanish king to Andorra. (El Periódico)
Peru reports a record 11,260 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,492,519. (The Rio Times)
Poland will close barbers, hairdressers, and beauty shops from March 27 until April 9, as well as kindergartens and nurseries, while restricting the capacity at essential shops, churches, public markets, and post offices amidst the rising number of the COVID-19 cases. (The First News)
South Korea surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Yonhap News Agency)
The 2021 redesign of the £50 note, featuring British mathematician Alan Turing on the reverse, is officially unveiled by the Bank of England. It is slated to enter circulation on June 23, Turing's birthday. (ABC News)
The Bundestag approves a new mandate to let Germany continue to station up to 1,300 Bundeswehr soldiers in Afghanistan until January 31, 2022. (Reuters)
The Philippines reports a record 8,773 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 693,048. (ABS-CBN)
The Suez Canal Authority suspends navigation through the Suez Canal until the grounded container ship Ever Given can be refloated. The waterway has now been blocked for three consecutive days. (France 24)
The Thailand Food and Drug Administration grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, thereby becoming the third vaccine to be made available for local use. (CNA)
Ukraine reports a record 16,669 new confirmed cases and 362 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,596,575 and the nationwide death toll to 31,135. (Ukrinform)
Virginia reports its two first cases of the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in California. (U.S. News and World Report)
Tigray War Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announces that Eritrean troops will withdraw from the Tigray Region after pressure mounted on them on accusations of human rights violations. The announcement came after a meeting with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. (DW)
War in Donbass Four Ukrainian troops are killed and two others are wounded in a separatist rocket attack on a military position in the Donetsk Oblast. It is the worst loss of life in a single attack for Ukrainian forces since 2019. (Euronews)
Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, 2020–2021 Belarusian protests Belarus is disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest after their entry Galasy ZMesta's song "Ya nauchu tebya (I'll Teach You)" was deemed inappropriate by the European Broadcasting Union due to its "political subtext". Galasy ZMesta has been known for mocking the protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (BBC News)
Belarus is disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest after their entry Galasy ZMesta's song "Ya nauchu tebya (I'll Teach You)" was deemed inappropriate by the European Broadcasting Union due to its "political subtext". Galasy ZMesta has been known for mocking the protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta announces a lockdown and curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Nakuru counties beginning tomorrow due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (RFI) COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritania Mauritania begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 after receiving 500,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine from China. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus The government's spokesman Kyriacos Koushos tests positive for COVID-19. (Cyprus-Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra The Maharashtra state government imposes a night curfew beginning on March 28, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (India Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta announces a lockdown and curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Nakuru counties beginning tomorrow due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (RFI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra The Maharashtra state government imposes a night curfew beginning on March 28, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (India Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Ireland introduces a mandatory hotel quarantine for travellers from 33 high-risk countries, mostly in South America and Africa. Travellers from these countries will be required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility. (The Irish Times)
Cross-Strait relations Taiwan reports the largest ever incursion into its air defence identification zone by People's Liberation Army Air Force warplanes. The fleet of Chinese aircraft, including Xian H-6 strategic bombers and Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, flew south of the island over the Bashi Channel, according to a statement from Taiwan's Defence Ministry. (Reuters)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announces that Eritrean troops will withdraw from the Tigray Region after pressure mounted on them on accusations of human rights violations. The announcement came after a meeting with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. (DW)
Four Ukrainian troops are killed and two others are wounded in a separatist rocket attack on a military position in the Donetsk Oblast. It is the worst loss of life in a single attack for Ukrainian forces since 2019. (Euronews)
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara names Patrick Achi as Prime Minister following the death of Hamed Bakayoko. (Al Jazeera)
President Uhuru Kenyatta announces a lockdown and curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Nakuru counties beginning tomorrow due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (RFI)
Taiwan reports the largest ever incursion into its air defence identification zone by People's Liberation Army Air Force warplanes. The fleet of Chinese aircraft, including Xian H-6 strategic bombers and Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, flew south of the island over the Bashi Channel, according to a statement from Taiwan's Defence Ministry. (Reuters)
The Bucharest Metro stops operating as a result of a strike by the trade union of the metro. The government and Metrorex condemn the strike as illegal. (Digi 24)
The government's spokesman Kyriacos Koushos tests positive for COVID-19. (Cyprus-Mail)
The Maharashtra state government imposes a night curfew beginning on March 28, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (India Today)
Transport in Romania The Bucharest Metro stops operating as a result of a strike by the trade union of the metro. The government and Metrorex condemn the strike as illegal. (Digi 24)
A car bombing in front of the City Hall of the municipality of Corinto, Cauca, Colombia, wounds 16 people and is attributed to drug trafficking terrorism. (El Periódico)
Arizona reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant, which was originally detected in South Africa. (The Arizona Republic)
