THIS DAY,THAT YEAR-2ND MARCH: 1807: U.S. Congress passed an act to “prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States from any foreign kingdom, place, or country.”

THIS DAY,THAT YEAR-2ND MARCH: 1836: Texas declared its independence from Mexico and an ad interim government was formed.

2ND MARCH-“World Teen Metal Wellness” day is observed to raise greater awareness of mental health issues among teens, as well as provide education about removing stigmas surrounding preventative mental health.

2ND MARCH-“National Old Stuff” day is a great opportunity to devote a day to tend to and clean your closet, garage, attic and other cluttered spaces and rediscover old treasures, and de-clutter that don’t get a lot of attention.

2ND MARCH-“National Sportsmanship” day is observed to promote good sportsmanship with an aim to promote ethics, honesty, and fair play through education and sport.

2ND MARCH-“International Rescue Cat” day is observed not only to celebrate the bond and friendship that human share with cats but also care for them and provide safety.

2ND MARCH-“Texas Independence” day commemorates the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The Republic of Texas was annexed to the US by joint resolution of the US Congress nine years after the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.

PM Modi takes the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine [Covaxin by Bharat Biotech] on the very first day of India opening up the inoculation drive for senior citizens and those aged 45 and above with co-morbidities, Eliminates any hesitancy from the minds of people about the vaccine. PM Modi took the shot at 6.30 AM after which he was kept under observation for half-and-hour as per protocol, after which he left. Sister P Niveda, from Pondicherry administered the Covaxin jab to the PM

Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines prove to be “highly effective” in reducing coronavirus infections and illness among elderly people in Britain, with a more than 80 percent reduction in hospitalisation. The study comes as France and Germany consider reversing their refusal to authorise the AstraZeneca vaccine for people over 65 due to its efficacy. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock hails the new study as “extremely good news”.

74-year-old former US president Donald Trump indicates he might launch a third presidential bid in 2024, and slams the Joe Biden administration, saying it was “anti-jobs” and “anti-science”. “We will take back the House. We will win the Senate and then triumph the White House.”- Donald Trump

Defiant crowds return to the streets to protest last month’s coup, despite reports that security forces have killed at least 18 people. The protesters in Yangon were chased as they tried to gather at their usual meeting spot at the Hledan Center. The army has levelled charges against Suu Kyi – an apparent effort by the military to provide a legal covering for her detention and potentially to bar her from the election.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Iran of attacking an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman. The mysterious explosion struck the Israeli-owned MV Helios Ray, a Bahamian-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship, as it was sailing out of the Middle East on its way to Singapore. “Iran is the greatest enemy of Israel; I am determined to halt it. We are hitting it in the entire region; it was indeed an act by Iran, that’s clear.”-PM Netanyahu

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film “Animal”, headlined by actor Ranbir Kapoor, is scheduled to be released during the Dusshera festival next year. Veteran actor Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Parineeti Chopra also round the cast of the movie. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Murad Khetani, and Krishan Kumar.

SPORTS – Cricket: ENG tour of IND: ODI Series to be played behind closed doors in Pune due to spike in COVID cases

SPORTS – Football: EPL: Everton beat Southampton 1-0