Portal:Current events/2020 March 26

March 26, 2020 (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Kabul gurdwara attack
- A bomb explodes near a Sikh crematorium in Kabul, wounding a child and disrupting funerals for 25 people bombed and shot the day prior. (Times of India)
Mali War
- Malian opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé and six others are taken hostage by jihadists in the northern Tombouctou Region. Cissé's bodyguard was killed and two others injured in the ambush. (Reuters)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - The death toll from COVID-19 in the U.S. reaches 1,200. The total number of cases in the country is 83,097. The U.S. has surpassed China in number of active cases, making it the country with the most cases in the world. (Worldometer)
    - U.S. state and local government response to the COVID-19 pandemic
      - COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado
        Colorado Governor Jared Polis issues a stay-at-home order until April 11. (Chicago Suntimes)
      - COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire
        New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu issues a stay-at-home order until May 4. (WMUR)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Samoa
    - Samoa begins a national lockdown announced by the Prime Minister. Those who do not comply with the lockdown's requirements will be fined. (RNZ)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - The Congress of Deputies approves extending the Alarm Status until 12 April. (El País)
    - Spain's Ministry of Health reports 655 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the country's death toll to over 4,000. (Reuters)
    - Real Madrid CF's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is to be used to store medical materials. (The Guardian)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The Department of Health and Social Care reports 103 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing the death toll in the United Kingdom to 578 and 11,658 confirmed cases. (BBC News)
    - An 84-year-old inmate at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire has become the first UK prisoner to die from COVID-19, according to the Ministry of Justice. (The Guardian)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
    - The Republic of Ireland reports 255 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 10 more deaths, doubling the country's death toll to 19. The median age of the 19 patients who have died is 79 years old. (Metro)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France reports 365 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the country's total to 1,696. French health authorities say 3,375 people with the virus remain in serious condition requiring life support. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia
    - Ministry of Health confirms the first death in the country from COVID-19. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
    - China announces that travel will be suspended to the country as imported cases increase. (Newsweek)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
    - The United Arab Emirates is expected to impose night curfew to tackle COVID-19 as the country begins a nationwide disinfection campaign. (Middle East Eye)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan
    - Afghanistan is to release 10,000 prisoners over the age of 55 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Those released will not include members of the Taliban and ISIL. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Nicaragua
    - Nicaragua reports the country's first death from COVID-19, a patient with HIV/AIDS. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela
    - Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reports the country's first death from COVID-19. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia
    - Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde pardons more than 4,000 prisoners in an attempt to prevent coronavirus spread. (CNN)

International relations

Iran–United States relations, Iraq–United States relations
- The United States Treasury Secretary imposes fresh sanctions on Iran, blacklisting 20 Iran- and Iraq-linked companies and individuals. (Reuters)
2020 G20 Riyadh summit
- World leaders convene virtually to coordinate a response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (ABC News)
United States–Venezuela relations
- The United States Justice Department announces charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for drug trafficking, offering up to a $15 million award for his arrest. (CBS News) (Reuters)

Law and crime

Christchurch mosque shootings
- Brenton Tarrant pleads guilty to murdering 51 people and attempting to murder 40 as well as a terrorism charge in relation to two mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. (BBC News)
A Texas man is arrested for making death threats to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats on Facebook. (New York Times)

Science and technology

The United States Space Force launches its first satellite into space aboard an Atlas V rocket. (CBS News)

Sports

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
- 2020 WNBA draft
  - The WNBA draft will go as planned on April 17, but will be a virtual event due to the coronavirus. (Reuters)
- The 2020 Indianapolis 500 will be delayed until August 23, marking the first time in history that the event will not be held in May. (Indianapolis Star)
- The Candidates Tournament 2020 is suspended after seven of 14 matches, following Russia's closure of international air traffic. (chess24.com)