Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent has now reached 4,167,350.
- AMERICAS: The United States and Canada criticized China for retaliatory actions imposed by Beijing in an ongoing dispute over human rights.
- ASIA: The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, the defense minister announced, as he repeated his demand for the flotilla to leave.
- EUROPE: Police in Belarus arrested more than 200 people in Minsk to prevent new protests on March 27, as the opposition vowed to revitalize the pro-democracy movement after braving months of repression.
- MIDDLE EAST: The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi forces have destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned faction planned to use in an “imminent” attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Australian broadcaster Nine Entertainment was unable to air its news bulletin from its Sydney headquarters because of “technical difficulties,” which a source with knowledge of the matter blamed on a possible cyber-attack.
Top Story
- Myanmar: There is continued fallout from the bloodiest day of the post-coup protests.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused the junta of “a reign of terror” that was “sacrificing the lives of the people to serve the few.”
- The number of deaths due to military and police brutality against civilians in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup now stands at 423, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported.
- The military leaders of a dozen countries, including the United States, Britain, Japan, and South Korea, joined together on Saturday to condemn Myanmar’s use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
- Protesters in Myanmar continue to press their demands for a return to democracy, despite security forces killing more than 100 people on the bloodiest day since last month’s military coup.
- Reporting: BBC, EFE, Reuters, AP,
Africa
- Region: Somalia claims Kenya is politicizing refugee camps, which have housed hundreds of thousands of Somali nationals for three decades, by moving to have them shut down. (Bloomberg)
- Region: The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent has now reached 4,167,350. (Xinhua)
- Ethiopia: The Federal Attorney General Office (FAGO) announced that a legal directive had been decreed to impose up to a three-year prison sentence on those who fail to abide by COVID-19 health precautions. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Region: The United States and Canada criticized China for retaliatory actions imposed by Beijing in an ongoing dispute over human rights. (DPA)
- Canada: A man went on a stabbing spree inside and outside a library, killing one woman and injuring six others in North Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP)
- El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele announced that 1 million Sinovac vaccines would arrive in the Central American nation, the latest assistance against the pandemic to reach Latin America from China. (Reuters)
- Mexico: A small plane traveling to Arizona crashed in the northern border state of Sonora, killing six people, and injuring another. (.AP)
Asia
- Region: The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, the defense minister announced, as he repeated his demand for the flotilla to leave. (Reuters)
- Bangladesh: Five more Islamist activists have died clashing with security forces during the second day of protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Bangladesh. (DPA)
- China: The nation reported eight additional COVID-19 cases, compared with 12 new infections the previous day, the country’s national health authority reported. (Reuters)
- Indonesia: 2 suicide bombers detonated themselves outside a Catholic cathedral on Sulawesi island, wounding several people. (AP)
Europe
- Belarus: Police arrested more than 200 people in Minsk to prevent new protests on March 27, as the opposition vowed to revitalize the pro-democracy movement after braving months of repression. (RFE)
- Germany: The COVID-19 pandemic has led citizens to hoard their money in bank accounts, weakening hopes for booming consumer spending in the near future. (DPA)
- United Kingdom: Boris Johnson, in bold defiance to Beijing and of support for its critics, held a meeting of a cross-party group of MPs and peers sanctioned by China for their stance on human rights abuses in Xinjiang. (The Guardian)
Middle East
- Region: The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned faction planned to use in an “imminent” attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah. (Reuters)
- Saudi Arabia: Daily COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia have risen above 500 for the first time since October, and the health ministry blamed the increase on gatherings and lack of social distancing. (Reuters)
- Syria: Authorities said they have started rationing fuel as the blockage of the Suez Canal heads into a sixth day, delaying vital shipments and worsening the country’s oil shortages. (The Guardian)
Tech & Communications
- Cybersecurity: Australian broadcaster Nine Entertainment was unable to air its news bulletin from its Sydney headquarters because of “technical difficulties,” which a source with knowledge of the matter blamed on a possible cyber-attack. (Reuters)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 28MAR21)
- Confirmed cases: 126,784,465
- Total recovered cases: 71,831,081
- Deaths: 2,778,539
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 21MAR21)
- Confirmed cases: 18
- Deaths: 9
- Sourcing: WHO
- Ebola Virus Disease: DR Congo (as of 21MAR21)
- Confirmed cases: 12
- Deaths: 6
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 28MAR21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (29MAR21)
- Global: G24 Committee of the Whole meeting (virtual).
- Barbuda: local elections.
- Libya: France reopens its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
- Myanmar: Burma Armed Forces Day observed.
- United States: U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Medicaid work requirements.
- United States: Trial begins for former police officer charged in death of George Floyd.
- United States: National Vietnam Veterans Day.
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