Discoveries of exoplanets Scientists discover WASP-76b, an exotic planet that has a 100% chance of having hot liquid iron.
2020 in archosaur paleontology "Oculudentavis khaungraae", the world's smallest dinosaur, is discovered by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases American film producer Harvey Weinstein is sentenced to 23 years in prison for two felony sex crimes.
COVID-19 pandemic Guyana confirms its first death from COVID-19, a woman in her 50s who recently traveled from New York.
The Government declares the national emergency after reporting a third case and presidential election rallies suspended.
President Alberto Fernández issues an order saying that all people coming from hard-hit countries will have to self-quarantine for 14 days; failure to do so will be considered a crime. In addition, he analyses the possibility of banning all mass gatherings.
The University of Colorado Boulder's Conference on World Affairs and the Frozen Dead Guy Days event in Nederland are canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declares a state of emergency in preparation for the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson confirms the state's first presumptive case of COVID-19 in Pine Bluff.
President Donald Trump gives a prime-time statement about the coronavirus during which he announces a 30-day ban on travel from European countries with the exception of the United Kingdom.
The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reports their first case of COVID-19 in a female Vincentian who returned from the United Kingdom on March 7.
British MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Health Ministry Nadine Dorries becomes the first UK MP to test positive for COVID-19.
Ukraine bans mass gatherings and closes all schools for three weeks in response to the global coronavirus outbreak. The government says some sporting events might still go ahead but without any spectators.
Spanish Ministry of Culture orders in Madrid the closing of all ministry dependent centers, including the museums of El Prado, Reina Sofía, Royal Palace, National Library and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Second Vice President of the Congress of Deputies, former Speaker and former Minister Ana Pastor had tested positive for COVID-19 and becomes the highest-ranking official infected.
Moldova suspends all schools, universities and colleges for two weeks in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
The death toll in Italy rises to 827, as nearly two-hundred more people were confirmed dead today, the largest daily increase in deaths since the outbreak began, while the number of confirmed cases rises to 12,462, according to Protezione Civile.
The index case in Italy has been identified as a man from Germany who arrived in the country at the end of January.
Ireland reports its first death from COVID-19, an elderly woman with underlying health conditions at a hospital in Dublin.
Hungary declares a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, closing all university campuses and banning large gatherings, while anyone from Italy, China, South Korea, and Iran will be refused entry into the country. Senior minister Gergely Gulyás says "These measures are unprecedented in the three decades since the fall of communism".
Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen orders the closing of all education centers for two weeks.
Belgium reports its first death resulting from COVID-19; a government statement said the patient was 90 years old.
Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education reports 958 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 63 more deaths, the highest number of deaths in a single 24-hour period in the country to date. All Iranians are now warned to stay indoors. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cancels his annual speech marking the Iranian new year on March 20.
Video game company The world's largest annual video game industry event E3 2020 is officially cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus. The highly anticipated event was scheduled to take place on June 9, ahead of major console launches for Microsoft and Sony.
COVID-19 pandemic The bond market falls, in the first time since the financial crisis of 2007–08 that the stock and bond markets moved in the same direction, indicating a massive sell-off of portfolios as investors seek cash.
2020 Camp Taji attack A rocket attack on Camp Taji, Baghdad Governorate, housing coalition and Iraqi troops, kills two Americans and a British service member; 12 other people are injured.
War in Afghanistan The Taliban rejects the government's conditional prisoner release order announced by President Ashraf Ghani. The Taliban demand 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the government be released before intra-Afghan dialogue can be initiated.