At least 19 people are killed and 185 others are injured after two trains collide in Sohag, Egypt. Passengers triggered the emergency brakes on the first train; a second train following on the same track was not stopped. (Al Jazeera)
Brazil reports a record 3,650 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Rio Times)
Colombian conflict 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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, 501.V2 variant Arizona reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant, which was originally detected in South Africa. (The Arizona Republic)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 3,650 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Rio Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia The Colombian National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (El Periódico)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary reports a record 11,265 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 614,612. (Budapest Business Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, Lineage P.1 Maine reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (Central Maine)
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 Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 437 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,332. (AKIPress)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports a record for the third consecutive day of 35,143 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,189,966. (Polskie Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 3,650 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (The Rio Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia The Colombian National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (El Periódico)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Philippines reports a record 9,838 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with the country surpassing 100,000 total active cases. This also brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 702,856. (Rappler)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 18,132 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,614,707. (Kyiv Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Wisconsin confirms their first cases of the Lineage P.1 and 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (WBAY-TV) (Madison.com)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle) The Biden administration announces that the United States is expected to receive 11 million doses of the vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson. (Reuters)
Hungary reports a record 11,265 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 614,612. (Budapest Business Journal)
Maine reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. (Central Maine)
Mauritania begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 after receiving 500,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine from China. (Anadolu Agency)
Mongolia reports a record 437 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,332. (AKIPress)
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Poland reports a record for the third consecutive day of 35,143 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,189,966. (Polskie Radio)
Sohag train collision At least 19 people are killed and 185 others are injured after two trains collide in Sohag, Egypt. Passengers triggered the emergency brakes on the first train; a second train following on the same track was not stopped. (Al Jazeera)
The Colombian National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance grants emergency use authorization for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (El Periódico)
The Philippines reports a record 9,838 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with the country surpassing 100,000 total active cases. This also brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 702,856. (Rappler)
Ukraine reports a record 18,132 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,614,707. (Kyiv Post)
Wisconsin confirms their first cases of the Lineage P.1 and 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (WBAY-TV) (Madison.com)
COVID-19 misinformation by governments Facebook blocks the account of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro for spreading fake news related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as alleged miraculous remedies to combat the disease. (El Mundo)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 2021 Afghanistan attacks Three people are killed in a car bombing in Kandahar Province. (Lokmat)
2021 Afghanistan attacks Three people are killed in a car bombing in Kandahar Province. (Lokmat)
2021 Myanmar protests More than 114 anti-coup protesters are killed by the military as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing celebrates Armed Forces Day and promises to "protect people and strive for democracy". The protests erupted across the country despite a warning by state television that protesters could be "shot in the head and back". (Reuters) (WGAU)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon The government announces that the Greater Manila Area will be placed under enhanced community quarantine, which includes a curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, for one week from March 29 to April 4. (Inquirer)
Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon The government announces that the Greater Manila Area will be placed under enhanced community quarantine, which includes a curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, for one week from March 29 to April 4. (Inquirer)
Facebook blocks the account of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro for spreading fake news related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as alleged miraculous remedies to combat the disease. (El Mundo)
In the fourth day of a siege in Palma, Mozambique, several people are killed by ISIL-linked militants. Local civilians are killed in streets and buildings, with reports of beheadings. A South African man and a British citizen are murdered after a hotel and an evacuation convoy are attacked; other foreigners are also suspected to have been killed. At least 21 soldiers are shot dead while responding to the hotel attack. (The Times) (The Telegraph)
Islamist militants have taken control of Palma after outnumbered government forces withdraw from the town, according to security forces. (The Guardian)
More than 114 anti-coup protesters are killed by the military as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing celebrates Armed Forces Day and promises to "protect people and strive for democracy". The protests erupted across the country despite a warning by state television that protesters could be "shot in the head and back". (Reuters) (WGAU)
The government announces that the Greater Manila Area will be placed under enhanced community quarantine, which includes a curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, for one week from March 29 to April 4. (Inquirer)
Thousands of women protest in Istanbul over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process United States envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visits Turkey in an effort to encourage parties to accelerate negotiations and end the conflict. (Voice of America)
A Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter crashes into a glacier near Anchorage, Alaska, killing five people, including Czech billionaire Petr Kellner. One crew member survived and has been hospitalized. (Reuters)
At least 18 people are killed and 24 others are injured when an apartment complex building collapses in Cairo, Egypt. (Al Jazeera)
Bhutan launches their largest vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine that was received from India. (CNA)
Cambodia reports a record 179 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,157. (Khmer Times)
Changes to Georgia voting laws which have been called voter suppression results in the MLB looking to proposals to move the MLB All-Star Game this July in Atlanta. Civil rights groups also urged the PGA to pull the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Newsweek)
China and Iran sign a 25-year cooperation agreement at a live televised ceremony in Tehran, following a two-day state visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The accord is expected to significantly increase Chinese investment in Iran, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors. (Reuters)
China–Iran relations Iran–China 25-year Cooperation Program China and Iran sign a 25-year cooperation agreement at a live televised ceremony in Tehran, following a two-day state visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The accord is expected to significantly increase Chinese investment in Iran, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors. (Reuters)
China–United States relations, Canada–China relations China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs places sanctions against the chair and vice-chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Canadian MP Michael Chong. Beijing’s sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada earlier this week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Reuters)
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs places sanctions against the chair and vice-chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Canadian MP Michael Chong. Beijing’s sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada earlier this week for what they say are violations of the rights of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Reuters)
Colombian Defense Minister Diego Molano accuses FARC splinter group Dagoberto Ramos Mobile Column of being responsible for yesterday's car bombing in Corinto, Cauca Department, that injured 43 people, eleven of whom were public officials. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bhutan Bhutan launches their largest vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine that was received from India. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia reports a record 179 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,157. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster receives her first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Irish Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster receives her first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Irish Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Wales Wales lifts their "stay local" rules that have been imposed since December, allowing people to travel freely within the country. They also allow up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors, as well as resumption of organised outdoor activities and sports for people under the age of 18. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports 30,021 new cases in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total this year, thereby bringing its cumulative case total to 3,179,115. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wales Wales lifts their "stay local" rules that have been imposed since December, allowing people to travel freely within the country. They also allow up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors, as well as resumption of organised outdoor activities and sports for people under the age of 18. (The Independent)
First Minister Arlene Foster receives her first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Irish Times)
Iran–China 25-year Cooperation Program China and Iran sign a 25-year cooperation agreement at a live televised ceremony in Tehran, following a two-day state visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The accord is expected to significantly increase Chinese investment in Iran, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors. (Reuters)
One person is killed and six others are wounded in a mass stabbing in and around a public library in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (CBC News)
Scottish National Party MP Kenny MacAskill defects to the newly formed Scottish nationalist Alba Party, becoming the party's first MP in the House of Commons. (BBC News)
Three people are killed in a car bombing in Kandahar Province. (Lokmat)
Turkey reports 30,021 new cases in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total this year, thereby bringing its cumulative case total to 3,179,115. (Arab News)
Wales lifts their "stay local" rules that have been imposed since December, allowing people to travel freely within the country. They also allow up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors, as well as resumption of organised outdoor activities and sports for people under the age of 18. (The Independent)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 2021 Afghanistan attacks Two guards are killed at a water dam near the Pashtun Kot, Faryab, by the Taliban. (Hindustan Times) Over 20 civilians are killed in an operation launched by Afghan security forces against the Taliban. (Anadolu Agency) Three police officers are killed in a roadside bomb blast in Laghman. (Xinhuanet) Five pro-government militia men are killed in an overnight attack in the Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan. (The News International)
2021 Afghanistan attacks Two guards are killed at a water dam near the Pashtun Kot, Faryab, by the Taliban. (Hindustan Times) Over 20 civilians are killed in an operation launched by Afghan security forces against the Taliban. (Anadolu Agency) Three police officers are killed in a roadside bomb blast in Laghman. (Xinhuanet) Five pro-government militia men are killed in an overnight attack in the Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan. (The News International)
Five pro-government militia men are killed in an overnight attack in the Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan. (The News International)
2019–2022 Sudanese transition to democracy The Sudanese transitional government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North sign an agreement in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, holding that the new government will maintain the separation of church and state and uphold the right to worship for all religions. (VOA)
The Sudanese transitional government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North sign an agreement in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, holding that the new government will maintain the separation of church and state and uphold the right to worship for all religions. (VOA)
2021 Makassar cathedral bombing Twenty people are wounded in a double suicide bombing outside the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (CNA)
A lockdown begins across the entirety of Chile, despite its successful vaccination programme, as the hospital occupancy rate reaches 95%. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile A lockdown begins across the entirety of Chile, despite its successful vaccination programme, as the hospital occupancy rate reaches 95%. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 40,414 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours despite a nightly curfew, thereby bringing the total of confirmed cases to 2.71 million. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Maharashtra reports a record 40,414 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours despite a nightly curfew, thereby bringing the total of confirmed cases to 2.71 million. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico publishes revised figures, indicating that the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 is 60% higher than previously reported. The revised total is 321,000, thereby making it the country with the world's second-highest number of deaths. (BBC News) (Al Jazeera)
