2021 Dutch general election Annemarie Jorritsma of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and Kajsa Ollongren of the Democrats 66 party are appointed as scouts "(informateur)" for the next cabinet formation.
Legalizing The Spanish Congress of Deputies votes 202–141 to definitively approve the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with serious and incurable diseases who want to end their lives, making Spain the fourth country in the European Union to do so.
Malaysia–North Korea relations North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will sever ties with Malaysia after a Malaysian court ruled a North Korean national, Mun Chol Myong, could be extradited to the United States to face charges of money laundering.
North Korea–United States relations North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hu says his country will continue to reject talks with the United States until the latter stops "its hostile policy".
China–United States relations Representatives from China and the U.S. meet in Anchorage, Alaska, for diplomatic talks.
Russia–United States relations Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachyov says Russia wants an apology or explanation from the United States after President Joe Biden referred to Vladimir Putin as a soulless killer and may retaliate with a reasonable next step unless it gets one.
COVID-19 pandemic The Chilean Air Force announces that part of its staff in Antarctica has been vaccinated against COVID-19, making them the first people on the continent to receive a vaccine.
Due to the large number of cases, several cities are put under lockdown, including downtown Santiago. Almost 9 million people will be under quarantine as of March 27.
Chile reports a record 6,200 cases in the past 24 hours, which is the largest single-day total since June.
São Paulo Senator Major Olímpio dies from COVID-19, becoming the third member of the Brazilian Senate to die from the virus.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announces a three-week lockdown in the city beginning on March 20 which will close all cultural institutions and many non-essential shopping and entertainment malls due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that Gibraltar has vaccinated its entire adult population against COVID-19, thus becoming the first in the world to do so.
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces a new month-long lockdown in 16 departments across the country, including Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and parts of Normandy, beginning tomorrow night, in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Health announces that it will ban gatherings of more than 15 people and will close theatres, cinemas, and gyms on March 22 as well as kindergartens, schools, and most non-essential shopping malls due to an increase in deaths from COVID-19.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces that the government will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency in the Greater Tokyo Area on March 21 after approval from an expert panel due to a decrease in the number of cases.
Mexican drug war Gunmen ambush a police convoy in Coatepec Harinas, State of Mexico, killing eight police officers and five prosecution investigators. It is the deadliest attack on law enforcement in the country since October 2019. The National Guard has been deployed to search for the killers.