View events updated in real time on AFP Agenda For a selection of upcoming events and a preview of our top stories, sign up to our newsletter, AFP Agenda Highlights MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - International Women's Day PICTURE. VIDEO. Asia-Pacific TOKYO (Japan) - Japan GDP for Oct-Dec 2020 (2nd estimate) BANGKOK (Thailand) - State prosecutor decision on lese majeste charge against activists Rung, Mike and Pai (0200 GMT) Europe GERMANY - Easing of some lockdown measures in Germany VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. LONDON (United Kingdom) - England schools set to reopen as virus lockdown eases PICTURE. LIVE VIDEO. THE HAGUE (Netherlands) - PM Rutte press conference on restrictive measures introduced in virus fight (1800 GMT) VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. GENEVA (Switzerland) - 46th regular session of UN Human Rights Council (To March 23) GENEVA (Switzerland) - Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovskaya visits PICTURE. (To 10) FINLAND - Bars, restaurants shut as new Covid restrictions take effect PLESZEW (Poland) - Verdict expected in case of paedophile priest that shocked Poland BRUSSELS (Belgium) - EU Parliament plenary VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. (To 11) WIESBADEN (Germany) - January industrial production data (0700 GMT) BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan) - March to mark International Women's Day (0700 GMT) WARSAW (Poland) - Protest over near-total abortion ban (1300 GMT) ISTANBUL (Turkey) - Protesters plan Women Day's march (1500 GMT) LIVE VIDEO. KARLSRUHE (Germany) - Federal court rules over Audi liability in dieselgate scandal (1300 GMT) MADRID (Spain) - Spanish health authorities give press conference on Covid-19 (1730 GMT) LIVE VIDEO. North America LOS ANGELES (United States) - Prince Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey broadcast on CBS (0100 GMT) MINNEAPOLIS (United States) - Ex-police officer Derek Chauvin goes on trial for murder of African-American George Floyd PICTURE. VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. Middle East and North Africa TRIPOLI (Libya) - Parliament holds session to discuss holding vote of confidence on new unified government Sub-Saharan Africa KAMPALA (Uganda) - Arrival of nearly a million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine VIDEO. (To 11) Latin America BUENOS AIRES (Argentina) - Medical board begins work to determine if there was malpractice in Maradona's medical care (1300 GMT) Sports ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA - Cricket: West Indies v Sri Lanka, 3rd T20 International PICTURE. DUBLIN (Ireland) - Rugby World Cup executive committee meeting ASPEN (United States) - Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships (To 16) NICE (France) - Cycling: World Tour 2021, Paris - Nice 2021 PICTURE. VIDEO. (To 14) AHMEDABAD (India) - India play England in fourth and final cricket Test PICTURE. DOHA (Qatar) - Tennis: ATP tour 2021 - Qatar ExxonMobil Open (To 13) TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 Middle East and North Africa DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - Press conference on Barakah nuclear power plant (0700 GMT) Sports AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - Sailing: America's Cup between Team New Zealand and Italy's Luna Rossa VIDEO. (To 21) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 Asia-Pacific BAMIYAN (Afghanistan) - 20th anniversary of the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues VIDEO. BEIJING (China) - China releases monthly industrial production and consumer price data (0130 GMT) Europe LONDON (United Kingdom) - Boris Johnson answers Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) (1200 GMT) VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. HERZOGENAURACH (Germany) - Adidas 2020 annual results (0600 GMT) MILAN (Italy) - Prada 2020 annual results (1330 GMT) North America AUSTIN (United States) - Texas governor lifts mask mandate, opening state '100 percent' VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. PICTURE. OTTAWA (Canada) - Armed man who broke into PM Trudeau's residence hears sentence WASHINGTON (United States) - Secretary of State Blinken testifies before House committee (1830 GMT) VIDEO. Middle East and North Africa RIYADH (Saudi Arabia) - Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul appears in court for appeal hearing CAIRO (Egypt) - Hearing in trial on terrorism charges of political activists Ramy Shaath and Ziad Eleimy (0900 GMT) Sub-Saharan Africa LUSAKA (Zambia) - Court hearing for ex-minister Emerine Kabanshi, accused of graft Latin America SAN JOSE (Costa Rica) - Inter-American Commission on Human Rights set to hold hearing on El Salvador's criminalisation of abortion (To 11) Sports LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - IOC session, with presidential election on the agenda LIVE VIDEO. (To 12) SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO (Italy) - Cycling: World Tour 2021, Tirreno - Adriatico 2021 (To 16) NORTH SOUND (Antigua and Barbuda) - Cricket: West Indies v Sri Lanka in first ODI PICTURE. LIVERPOOL (United Kingdom) - Football: Champions League - Last 16 Second Leg: Liverpool (ENG) v RB Leipzig (GER) (2000 GMT) PICTURE. PARIS (France) - Football: Champions League - Last 16 Second Leg: Paris SG (FRA) v Barcelona (ESP) (2000 GMT) LIVE VIDEO. THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 Asia-Pacific TOKYO (Japan) - 10th anniversary of Japan's 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster PICTURE. VIDEO. GRAPHIC. LIVE VIDEO. Europe THE HAGUE (Netherlands) - European Medicines Agency to decide on Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine VIDEO. GENEVA (Switzerland) - First anniversary of WHO's declaration of Covid-19 pandemic PICTURE. VIDEO. MOSCOW (Russia) - Aeroflot 2020 annual results (To 12) PARIS (France) - OPEC monthly report LISBON (Portugal) - Government announces plan to lift virus lockdown BRUSSELS (Belgium) - EU justice ministers hold talks (0800 GMT) FRANKFURT AM MAIN (Germany) - ECB press conference on eurozone monetary policy (1330 GMT) MADRID (Spain) - Spanish health authorities give press conference on Covid-19 (1730 GMT) LIVE VIDEO. North America WASHINGTON (United States) - US releases weekly initial jobless claims data (1330 GMT) Middle East and North Africa BEIRUT (Lebanon) - UNICEF press briefing to mark Syria war anniversary (1300 GMT) Sub-Saharan Africa BAMAKO (Mali) - Trial to reopen against former putsch leader Sanogo (1000 GMT) Latin America HAVANA (Cuba) - International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, part 2 (To 21) FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021 Asia-Pacific HONG KONG (China) - Closed-door hearing for Meng Wanzhou's request to demand HSBC documents (0200 GMT) CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand) - Memorial service to mark two years since the Christchurch mosque mass shootings of March 15, 2019 Europe PARIS (France) - Cesar Awards ceremony, France's top film prizes KIEV (Ukraine) - Ukraine Security Council meeting LONDON (United Kingdom) - UK monthly GDP and trade statistics (0600 GMT) BRUSSELS (Belgium) - EU interior ministers hold talks on asylum rules reform (0800 GMT) North America OTTAWA (Canada) - Canada publishes unemployment figures (1330 GMT) Sports SAKHIR (Bahrain) - Auto: Formula One - Pre-season test (To 14) NORTH SOUND (Antigua and Barbuda) - Cricket: West Indies v Sri Lanka in second ODI PICTURE. AHMEDABAD (India) - Cricket: India v England, 1st T20 international (0830 GMT) RABAT (Morocco) - Confederation of African Football elects new president (0900 GMT) VIDEO. SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 Europe DUNBLANE (United Kingdom) - 25th anniversary of the Dunblane school massacre, in which 16 children and their teacher were killed Sports ROME (Italy) - Rugby: Six Nations, day 4: Italy v Wales (1415 GMT) PICTURE. LONDON (United Kingdom) - Rugby: Six Nations, day 4: England v France (1645 GMT) PICTURE. SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2021 Europe STUTTGART (Germany) - Regional elections in Baden-Wurtemberg (0700 GMT) PICTURE. VIDEO. MAINZ (Germany) - Regional elections in Rhineland-Palatinate (0700 GMT) VIDEO. North America LOS ANGELES (United States) - Grammy Awards gala PICTURE. VIDEO. Sub-Saharan Africa CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Second round of parliamentary elections Latin America LIMA (Peru) - Suspension of flights from Brazil set to end Sports NORTH SOUND (Antigua and Barbuda) - Cricket: West Indies v Sri Lanka in third and final ODI PICTURE. AHMEDABAD (India) - Cricket: India v England, 2nd T20 international (0830 GMT) EDINBURGH (United Kingdom) - Rugby: Six Nations, day 4: Scotland v Ireland (1500 GMT) PICTURE. MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 Asia-Pacific BEIJING (China) - China releases key monthly economic data (0200 GMT) Europe THE HAGUE (Netherlands) - Top UN court to hear Somalia-Kenya border dispute (0900 GMT) (To 19) BRUSSELS (Belgium) - Eurozone finance ministers meet THE HAGUE (Netherlands) - Night-time coronavirus curfew due to end LONDON (United Kingdom) - Preliminary hearing in appeal by Johnny Depp against the Sun newspaper (date to be confirmed) KIEV (Ukraine) - Supreme Court examines ban on three pro-Russian television channels (1600 GMT) MADRID (Spain) - Spanish health authorities give press conference on Covid-19 (1730 GMT) North America VANCOUVER (Canada) - Hearing in extradition trial of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou (1700 GMT) (To 19) Middle East and North Africa SYRIA - 10th anniversary of start of revolt against Assad regime PICTURE. VIDEO. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021 Europe GREECE - Covid-19 lockdown in Athens, other Greek areas expected to end FRANKFURT AM MAIN (Germany) - Combat Anti-Semitism Movement, Frankfurt municipality hold online mayors summit against anti-Semitism BRUSSELS (Belgium) - EU finance ministers meet SPAIN - Virus ban on travel from the UK lifted WOLFSBURG (Germany) - Volkswagen 2020 annual results (0630 GMT) North America WASHINGTON (United States) - Federal Reserve holds two-day policy meeting PICTURE. GRAPHIC. (To 17) Middle East and North Africa MOROCCO - Possible lifting of night-time virus curfew Latin America QUITO (Ecuador) - Election campaign begins PICTURE. (To April 8) Sports AHMEDABAD (India) - Cricket: India v England, 3rd T20 international (0830 GMT) MADRID (Spain) - Football: Champions League - Last 16 Second Leg: Real Madrid (ESP) v Atalanta (ITA) (2000 GMT) PICTURE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021 Europe PARIS (France) - Sarkozy trial starts over illegal campaign financing (To April 15) NETHERLANDS - General election PICTURE. VIDEO. OSLO (Norway) - Abel Prize for mathematics MUNICH (Germany) - BMW 2020 annual results, press conference (0630 GMT) MOSCOW (Russia) - Hearing in trial of US, French investors (0700 GMT) PARIS (France) - IEA monthly oil report (0900 GMT) PARIS (France) - IEA oil market report 2021 (0900 GMT) North America WASHINGTON (United States) - Fed Chairman Jerome Powell holds press conference on interest rate decision (1800 GMT) WASHINGTON (United States) - Federal Reserve Chair Powell holds press conference after two-day meeting (1830 GMT) Middle East and North Africa SFAX (Tunisia) - General strike DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - Art Dubai returns for 14th edition (0400 GMT) PICTURE. VIDEO. (To 20) Sub-Saharan Africa CONGO - Security forces start early voting for presidential election PICTURE. VIDEO. KAMPALA (Uganda) - Deadline for Supreme Court to rule on challenge to Museveni's re-election by opposition leader Bobi Wine Sports NORTH SOUND (Antigua and Barbuda) - Cricket West Indies v Sri Lanka 1st Test (To 21) MUNICH (Germany) - Football: Champions League - Last 16 Second Leg: Bayern Munich (GER) v Lazio (ITA) (2000 GMT) PICTURE. LONDON (United Kingdom) - Football: Champions League - Last 16 Second Leg: Chelsea (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP) (2000 GMT) PICTURE. THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021 Asia-Pacific TOKYO (Japan) - Toshiba general assembly Europe MILAN (Italy) - Enel preliminary 2020 annual results COLOGNE (Germany) - Cardinal of Cologne publishes report on sexual abuse in his diocese (0800 GMT) VATICAN CITY (Holy See) - New hearing in trial over alleged sexual abuse in Vatican institution (0830 GMT) ANKARA (Turkey) - Central bank to decide interest rate (1100 GMT) LONDON (United Kingdom) - Bank of England decision on monetary policy (1300 GMT) North America WASHINGTON (United States) - US releases weekly initial jobless claims data (1230 GMT) Sports AHMEDABAD (India) - Cricket: India v England, 4th T20 international (0830 GMT) FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 Europe STUTTGART (Germany) - Porsche annual results (0900 GMT) BERLIN (Germany) - President Steinmeier honors BioNTech scientists Sahin and Tureci with Grand Cross of Merit (1030 GMT) PICTURE. Middle East and North Africa LIBYA - 10th anniversary of start of offensive by NATO-led coalition Sports DUNEDIN (New Zealand) - Cricket: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st ODI SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 Europe ROME (Italy) - Preliminary hearing to determine if Matteo Salvini is to stand trial over migrant rescue ship stand-off KAZAKHSTAN - Launch of first satellite produced entirely by Tunisia (0900 GMT) Sub-Saharan Africa DAKAR (Senegal) - Night-time curfew scheduled to end VIDEO. Sports ITALY - Cycling: World Tour 2021, Milan - Sanremo 2021 AHMEDABAD (India) - Cricket: India v England, 5th and final T20 international (0830 GMT) FRANCE - Rugby: Six Nations, day 5 (1415 GMT) EDINBURGH (United Kingdom) - Rugby: Six Nations, day 5: Scotland v Italy (1415 GMT) PICTURE. DUBLIN (Ireland) - Rugby: Six Nations, day 5: Ireland v England (1645 GMT) PICTURE. SAINT-DENIS (France) - Rugby: Six Nations, day 5: France v Wales (2000 GMT) SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination WORLD - International forests and trees day WORLD - World Down Syndrome Day Middle East and North Africa RIYADH (Saudi Arabia) - Saudi Aramco declares FY 2020 results Sub-Saharan Africa CONGO - Presidential election Latin America QUITO (Ecuador) - Presidential debate ahead of April runoff PICTURE. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - World Water Day Europe BRUSSELS (Belgium) - 5th anniversary of Brussels suicide bombings, Belgium's worst peace-time atrocity MATOSINHOS (Portugal) - EU industrial affairs ministers meet (To 23) BERLIN (Germany) - Merkel meets regional leaders on virus strategy (1300 GMT) Middle East and North Africa RIYADH (Saudi Arabia) - Saudi Aramco hosts webcast after FY 2020 results (1230 GMT) Sub-Saharan Africa WINDHOEK (Namibia) - First pretrial hearing in Namibia's 'Fishrot' corruption scandal Sports STOCKHOLM (Sweden) - Figure skating: World championships PICTURE. (To 28) SPAIN - Cycling: World Tour 2021, Tour de Catalogne 2021 (To 28) CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand) - Cricket: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 2nd ODI TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 Europe BRUSSELS (Belgium) - NATO foreign ministers hold talks (To 24) LONDON (United Kingdom) - Monthly labour data (0600 GMT) EVORA (Portugal) - EU environment ministers meet (1000 GMT) North America NEW YORK (United States) - Honduran president's brother to be sentenced for drug trafficking (1800 GMT) VIDEO. Middle East and North Africa ISRAEL - National election LIVE VIDEO. Sports PUNE (India) - Cricket: India v England, 1st ODI (0830 GMT) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - World Tuberculosis Day Asia-Pacific HONG KONG (China) - Trial begins for reporter Bao Choy over mob vehicle searches (0130 GMT) Europe HELSINKI (Finland) - Verdict due in case of 16 year-old boy beaten to death by schoolmates BRUSSELS (Belgium) - US Chamber of Commerce annual transatlantic conference (0900 GMT) (To 26) THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Asia-Pacific HONG KONG (China) - Activist Tony Chung to enter plea in national security case (0700 GMT) BEIJING (China) - Defence ministry monthly press conference (0700 GMT) Europe BRUSSELS (Belgium) - EU leaders' summit PICTURE. (To 26) ATHENS (Greece) - Greece celebrates 200th anniversary of 1821 revolution and war of independence PICTURE. VIDEO. MINSK (Belarus) - Tikhanovskaya calls for Freedom Day opposition protests MADRID (Spain) - Deadline for Senate to vote on draft law on euthanasia ANDORRA LA VELLA (Andorra) - Spain's King Felipe VI visits (To 26) North America WASHINGTON (United States) - Bosses of Facebook, Google and Twitter testify at Congressional hearing on misinformation plaguing online platforms VIDEO. WASHINGTON (United States) - US releases weekly initial jobless claims data (1230 GMT) Middle East and North Africa ALGIERS (Algeria) - Supreme Court hearing on case of journalist Khaled Drareni PICTURE. VIDEO. Sub-Saharan Africa JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - Ex-president Zuma contempt case to be heard Sports FUKUSHIMA (Japan) - Olympic torch relay due to start WELLINGTON (New Zealand) - Cricket: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 3rd ODI FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 Asia-Pacific BANGLADESH - 50th anniversary of start of war of independence HONG KONG (China) - Next hearing for man arrested for chanting slogans banned by new security law (0630 GMT) Europe LONDON (United Kingdom) - February retail sales data (0600 GMT) North America MIAMI (United States) - Ultra electronic music dance festival (To 28) Sports MANAMA (Bahrain) - Auto: Formula One - Bahrain Grand Prix (To 28) PUNE (India) - Cricket: India v England, 2nd ODI (0830 GMT) SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - Millions of people around the world switch off their lights for Earth Hour Asia-Pacific KOLKATA (India) - Key state elections in West Bengal PICTURE. VIDEO. (To May 2) Europe VIENNA (Austria) - Outdoor restaurants, cafes reopen Sports VERBIER (Switzerland) - Xtreme Verbier Freeride World Tour final HAMILTON (New Zealand) - Cricket: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st T20 international SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 Asia-Pacific BANGKOK (Thailand) - Municipal elections (0100 GMT) NEW DELHI (India) - Holi festival of colours (0530 GMT) PICTURE. VIDEO. (To 29) Europe TURKMENISTAN - Elections for newly created senate Middle East and North Africa ABU DHABI (United Arab Emirates) - UAE's Etihad to launch direct flights to Tel Aviv VIDEO. PICTURE. SHARM EL SHEIKH (Egypt) - First Russian flight lands in Sinai following suspension after 2015 terror attack Sports PUNE (India) - Cricket: India v England, 3rd and final ODI (0830 GMT) MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 Europe BRUSSELS (Belgium) - EU hosts virtual conference on Syria (To 30) PARIS (France) - Verdict in trial over diet drug Mediator, said to cause fatal heart problems (0800 GMT) PARIS (France) - Trial in absentia of three pilots for 2004 Bouake bombing (0700 GMT) (To April 16) North America CAPE CANAVERAL (United States) - Second uncrewed flight test to International Space Station of Boeing's Starliner capsule Sports NORTH SOUND (Antigua and Barbuda) - Cricket West Indies v Sri Lanka 2nd Test (To April 2) NAPIER (New Zealand) - Cricket: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 2nd T20 international TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 Asia-Pacific HONG KONG (China) - Court hearing for teen activist Liu Tsz-man after attempt to flee to Taiwan (0630 GMT) VIDEO. Europe MOSCOW (Russia) - Ozon 2020 annual results North America WASHINGTON (United States) - US consumer confidence index (1400 GMT) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021 Asia-Pacific BEIJING (China) - China releases monthly manufacturing PMI (0100 GMT) Sports AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - Cricket: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 3rd T20 international THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 Asia-Pacific NEW DELHI (India) - PayPal to stop payment services within India Europe RUSSIA - Census of Russian population (To 30) NICOSIA (Cyprus) - Israel-Cyprus travel deal for vaccinated citizens comes into force BELGRADE (Serbia) - 20th anniversary of arrest on war crimes charges of ousted Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic LONDON (United Kingdom) - P&O Cruises resumes operations Middle East and North Africa ALGIERS (Algeria) - Islamic scholar Said Djabelkhi on trial for mocking Islam FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - World Autism Awareness Day Europe PARIS (France) - Disneyland Paris set to reopen LONDON (United Kingdom) - World premiere for new Bond film, 'No Time To Die' SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021 Sports AL-ULA (Saudi Arabia) - Auto : Extreme E championship 1st round, Desert Prix (To 4) SEVILLE (Spain) - Football: Copa final (1900 GMT) Misc. WORLD - 5th anniversary of 'Panama Papers' tax evasion scandal SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021 Europe BULGARIA - General election PICTURE. Sports BELGIUM - Cycling: World Tour 2021, Tour des Flandres 2021 MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 Asia-Pacific KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia) - Former PM Najib Razak begins appeal over his graft conviction Middle East and North Africa JERUSALEM - Court starts hearing witnesses in Netanyahu corruption trial (0730 GMT) VIDEO. LIVE VIDEO. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 Europe NUUK (Denmark) - Local elections North America NEW YORK (United States) - 50th anniversary of the death of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky NEW YORK (United States) - Release of Hunter Biden memoir detailing battle against drug addiction Sub-Saharan Africa UGANDA - Schools for youngest pupils start staggered opening Latin America RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) - LAAD Defence and Security Fair (To 9) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021 Worldwide WORLD - World Health Day Asia-Pacific SEOUL (South Korea) - By-election for Seoul mayor after incumbent's suicide following abuse allegations Middle East and North Africa BAGHDAD (Iraq) - 30th anniversary of US-led 'Operation Provide Comfort' for Kurdish refugees afp