Russia–Spain relations Spanish police seize a superyacht at the Port of Barcelona which is owned by Russian oligarch Sergey Chemezov, after Chemezov was sanctioned by the European Union. (Reuters)
Russian troops storm the Mariupol regional intensive care hospital and take around 400 people hostage. Local authorities confirm that the damaged hospital is now under Russian control. (BBC News)
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff tests positive for COVID-19. (NPR)
Siege of Mariupol Around 2,000 private cars have left Mariupol since a humanitarian corridor was imposed, with another 2,000 cars waiting to leave. (Deccan Herald) Russian troops storm the Mariupol regional intensive care hospital and take around 400 people hostage. Local authorities confirm that the damaged hospital is now under Russian control. (BBC News)
Spanish police seize a superyacht at the Port of Barcelona which is owned by Russian oligarch Sergey Chemezov, after Chemezov was sanctioned by the European Union. (Reuters)
The fourth round of talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations resumes a day after talks were suspended for technical reasons. (The Quint) (CBS News)
The Russian Defence Ministry says that its forces have taken full control of Ukraine's Kherson Oblast and that they destroyed six Ukrainian Air Force jets, seven helicopters, and 13 UAVs in the last 24 hours. (The Nation)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says that over three million people have now fled Ukraine since the invasion began. (The Independent)
Ukrainian refugee crisis The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says that over three million people have now fled Ukraine since the invasion began. (The Independent)
2022 Fukushima earthquake A 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes off Fukushima, Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and causing power outages for millions of people in Tokyo. At least four people are killed and 94 others are injured. (Al Jazeera) (NDTV)
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes off Fukushima, Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and causing power outages for millions of people in Tokyo. At least four people are killed and 94 others are injured. (Al Jazeera) (NDTV)
Foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says that the UK has begun supplying Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden announces a further $800 million in "security assistance" to Ukraine, including 800 anti-aircraft systems, and thousands of anti-tank missiles and armed combat drones to counter Russia's invasion. (Reuters)
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposes a series of reforms to the national parliament, including re-establishing the Constitutional Court, reducing the membership requirement for establishing political parties from 20,000 to 5,000, reducing the number of parliament deputies appointed by the president, and restoring three regions that were merged during the 1990s. He says that the purpose of these reforms is to move the current political system from "superpresidential" rule to a presidential republic with a strong parliament. (Reuters)
Prosecutors for the U.S. Justice Department accuse five people working on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security of conspiring to spy on and intimidate several dissidents living in the United States, such as the father of Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, and Tiananmen Square protest leader and current congressional candidate Xiong Yan. The department says it is the first time that federal elections in the country have been interfered with in this manner. Three have been arrested while two remain at large. (The Guardian) (BBC News)
Iran–United Kingdom relations Iranian-British dual citizens Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori are released from prison in Iran and return to the United Kingdom after spending 5 years and 11 months, and 2 years and 7 months, respectively, in prison for suspected espionage. (BBC News) The British government releases US$500 million of sanctioned Iranian assets after Iran releases the prisoners. (BBC News)
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses his ministers on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the Russian economy, saying that Russian "traitors" and "scum" would be "spat out like a midge that accidentally flew into their mouths", and also accuses a so-called "fifth column" of attempting to destroy the country from within. (Reuters)
The British government releases US$500 million of sanctioned Iranian assets after Iran releases the prisoners. (BBC News)
2021–2022 North Korean missile tests The South Korean military says that North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from Pyongyang International Airport, which exploded prematurely in mid-air. (Reuters)
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine The International Court of Justice orders Russia to immediately halt its invasion of Ukraine. (Reuters)
A compromise is reached regarding a COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property waiver for developing countries. According to the compromise, developing countries which have exported less than 10% of the world's COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021 do not need to seek consent from the owner of the patent before authorising the vaccine. The patent waiver does not apply to other COVID-19-related pharmaceutical products. (Politico)
Battle of Melitopol Captured Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov is freed in exchange for nine Russian POWs. (Ukrinform)
Belarus–Canada relations Canada bans Belarusian aircraft from its airspace due to Belarus's support of Russia in the invasion. (The Hill)
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says that the UK has begun supplying Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters)
Canada bans Belarusian aircraft from its airspace due to Belarus's support of Russia in the invasion. (The Hill)
Captured Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov is freed in exchange for nine Russian POWs. (Ukrinform)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 400,741 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Korea Herald) COVID-19 vaccine A compromise is reached regarding a COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property waiver for developing countries. According to the compromise, developing countries which have exported less than 10% of the world's COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021 do not need to seek consent from the owner of the patent before authorising the vaccine. The patent waiver does not apply to other COVID-19-related pharmaceutical products. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 400,741 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Korea Herald)
COVID-19 vaccine A compromise is reached regarding a COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property waiver for developing countries. According to the compromise, developing countries which have exported less than 10% of the world's COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021 do not need to seek consent from the owner of the patent before authorising the vaccine. The patent waiver does not apply to other COVID-19-related pharmaceutical products. (Politico)
Eastern Ukraine offensive Siege of Mariupol Mariupol theatre airstrike The Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol, which is currently being used as an air raid shelter holding up to 1,200 civilians, is largely destroyed by bombing. Ukraine accuses Russia of conducting an airstrike targeting the theatre, while Russian authorities deny responsibility, instead accusing the Azov Battalion of having planned and carried out the bombing. (BBC News) (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty)
In a report from the Financial Times, a peace plan is drafted by Ukraine and Russia. The conditions include a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal if Ukraine abandons all attempts of joining NATO and accepts limits on its armed forces. (Naharnet) (Financial Times)
Iranian nuclear program The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announces a new independent branch called the Nuclear Command Corps. (Asriran)
Iranian-British dual citizens Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori are released from prison in Iran and return to the United Kingdom after spending 5 years and 11 months, and 2 years and 7 months, respectively, in prison for suspected espionage. (BBC News)
Japan announces that it will revoke Russia's most favoured nation trade status as part of further sanctions on Russia. (Reuters)
Japan–Russia relations Japan announces that it will revoke Russia's most favoured nation trade status as part of further sanctions on Russia. (Reuters)
Mariupol theatre airstrike The Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol, which is currently being used as an air raid shelter holding up to 1,200 civilians, is largely destroyed by bombing. Ukraine accuses Russia of conducting an airstrike targeting the theatre, while Russian authorities deny responsibility, instead accusing the Azov Battalion of having planned and carried out the bombing. (BBC News) (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty)
Northeastern Ukraine offensive Siege of Chernihiv Russian troops reportedly shoot dead ten people queuing for food in Chernihiv. The Russian Defence Ministry denies Russian forces were behind the killings. (Sky News) (Reuters)
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission bans Russian television networks RT and RT France from Canadian airwaves. (CBC)
Russia in the Council of Europe Russia is expelled from the Council of Europe due to the invasion of Ukraine, although the Russian Foreign Ministry had previously announced that it would be quitting the organisation. (AP)
Russia is expelled from the Council of Europe due to the invasion of Ukraine, although the Russian Foreign Ministry had previously announced that it would be quitting the organisation. (AP)
Russia–Ukraine relations Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that there is hope of reaching a compromise aimed at a ceasefire. (Politico.eu) In a report from the Financial Times, a peace plan is drafted by Ukraine and Russia. The conditions include a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal if Ukraine abandons all attempts of joining NATO and accepts limits on its armed forces. (Naharnet) (Financial Times)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that there is hope of reaching a compromise aimed at a ceasefire. (Politico.eu)
Russian troops reportedly shoot dead ten people queuing for food in Chernihiv. The Russian Defence Ministry denies Russian forces were behind the killings. (Sky News) (Reuters)
Siege of Chernihiv Russian troops reportedly shoot dead ten people queuing for food in Chernihiv. The Russian Defence Ministry denies Russian forces were behind the killings. (Sky News) (Reuters)
Siege of Mariupol Mariupol theatre airstrike The Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol, which is currently being used as an air raid shelter holding up to 1,200 civilians, is largely destroyed by bombing. Ukraine accuses Russia of conducting an airstrike targeting the theatre, while Russian authorities deny responsibility, instead accusing the Azov Battalion of having planned and carried out the bombing. (BBC News) (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty)
South Korea reports a record 400,741 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Korea Herald)
Southern Ukraine offensive Battle of Melitopol Captured Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov is freed in exchange for nine Russian POWs. (Ukrinform)
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission bans Russian television networks RT and RT France from Canadian airwaves. (CBC)
The Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol, which is currently being used as an air raid shelter holding up to 1,200 civilians, is largely destroyed by bombing. Ukraine accuses Russia of conducting an airstrike targeting the theatre, while Russian authorities deny responsibility, instead accusing the Azov Battalion of having planned and carried out the bombing. (BBC News) (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty)
The International Court of Justice orders Russia to immediately halt its invasion of Ukraine. (Reuters)
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announces a new independent branch called the Nuclear Command Corps. (Asriran)
The South Korean military says that North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from Pyongyang International Airport, which exploded prematurely in mid-air. (Reuters)
Russo-Ukrainian War 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin orders the Federal Security Service to arrest Rosgvardiya Deputy Chief General Roman Gavrilov. (Euroweekly News)
According to Ukrainian intelligence information, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledges to supply Russia with 40,000 mercenaries. (The Jerusalem Post)
Economic consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian War Boycott of Russia and Belarus Steam announces that they will stop payments to Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. (PCMag) The U.S. House of Representatives votes 424–8 to suspend trade relations with Russia and Belarus following the invasion. (NBC News)
Panama's maritime authority states that Russia has attacked three Panamanian-flagged civil vessels in the Black Sea since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, causing one of the ships to sink. No deaths have been reported. (Reuters)
An Emirati-flagged ship sinks off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf due to winds exceeding 70 km/h. (IRIBNEWS)
Boycott of Russia and Belarus Steam announces that they will stop payments to Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. (PCMag)
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announces that the UK is deploying a Sky Sabre air defence system to Poland, and 100 troops to operate it as part of NATO's response to Russian military aggression. (Sky News)
Canada announces that they will end their COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated travelers on April 1. (The Buffalo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins to administering its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children aged 12 to 14 years using its homegrown Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine. (Nikkei Asia) COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 621,328 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Yonhap)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic Canada announces that they will end their COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated travelers on April 1. (The Buffalo News) COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Health Canada approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. (CP24)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins to administering its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children aged 12 to 14 years using its homegrown Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine. (Nikkei Asia)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 621,328 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Yonhap)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 drug development The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves the use of antibody-based treatment to preventing infections in adults with poor immune response Evushield developed by AstraZeneca. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in Canada Health Canada approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. (CP24)
COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins to administering its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children aged 12 to 14 years using its homegrown Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine. (Nikkei Asia)
DP World-owned shipping company P&O Ferries fires all 800 crew members across its entire fleet of ferries and replaces them with cheaper agency workers who were bussed in by the company in advance. Many crew members refuse to leave their ships after being made redundant and are forcibly removed. (BBC News)
Health Canada approves the usage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. (CP24)
India begins to administering its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children aged 12 to 14 years using its homegrown Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine. (Nikkei Asia)
P&O sacking of 800 staff DP World-owned shipping company P&O Ferries fires all 800 crew members across its entire fleet of ferries and replaces them with cheaper agency workers who were bussed in by the company in advance. Many crew members refuse to leave their ships after being made redundant and are forcibly removed. (BBC News)
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announces that the UK is deploying a Sky Sabre air defence system to Poland, and 100 troops to operate it as part of NATO's response to Russian military aggression. (Sky News)
South Korea reports a record 621,328 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Yonhap)
Steam announces that they will stop payments to Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. (PCMag)
The Bulgarian Interior Ministry says that former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has been detained by police amid a probe into corruption and the alleged misuse of European Union funds. Former Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov is also arrested as part of the operation. (Reuters)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves the use of antibody-based treatment to preventing infections in adults with poor immune response Evushield developed by AstraZeneca. (Reuters)
