COVID-19 pandemic in Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg announces the closure of all borders for non-essential travel beginning January 29 in an attempt to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants into Norway. (Forbes)
Prime Minister Erna Solberg announces the closure of all borders for non-essential travel beginning January 29 in an attempt to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants into Norway. (Forbes)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports new daily records for both cases and deaths, with 16,432 new cases and 303 deaths, bringing the nationwide cumulative totals to 685,383 confirmed cases and 11,608 deaths. (DGS) The government announces the closure of its border with Spain for two weeks beginning January 31. (El Periódico)
The government announces the closure of its border with Spain for two weeks beginning January 31. (El Periódico)
A class action lawsuit was filed against Robinhood in response to shutting down the buying of stocks at the center of the short squeeze. US Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) has called for an investigation into the ban on stock sales. (Newsweek)
Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute The United Nations' International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea rules that the United Kingdom has no legal sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, and must return control of the islands back to Mauritius. The British Foreign Office rejects the ruling, saying that "Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and the UK does not recognise its claim". (BBC News)
Decolonisation of Africa Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute The United Nations' International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea rules that the United Kingdom has no legal sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, and must return control of the islands back to Mauritius. The British Foreign Office rejects the ruling, saying that "Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and the UK does not recognise its claim". (BBC News)
GameStop short squeeze GameStop stock briefly tops US$500 before dropping 36% from Wednesday's closing. Trading was halted multiple times due to the climb and the crash. (CNBC) Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, and Webull restrict the trade of heavily shorted stocks such as GameStop, AMC, BlackBerry, Nokia, and Koss on their platforms. (CNET) A class action lawsuit was filed against Robinhood in response to shutting down the buying of stocks at the center of the short squeeze. US Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) has called for an investigation into the ban on stock sales. (Newsweek)
The United Nations' International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea rules that the United Kingdom has no legal sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, and must return control of the islands back to Mauritius. The British Foreign Office rejects the ruling, saying that "Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and the UK does not recognise its claim". (BBC News)
Migrants set fire to the Napier Barracks at Shorncliffe Army Camp in Kent after "reports of a disturbance". The Home Office says people "set about destroying the barracks", after being told that they were being moved due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the camp. Kent Police say that the fire caused "a significant amount of damage" and is investigating it as a suspected arson attack. (BBC News)
Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, crime in the United Kingdom Migrants set fire to the Napier Barracks at Shorncliffe Army Camp in Kent after "reports of a disturbance". The Home Office says people "set about destroying the barracks", after being told that they were being moved due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the camp. Kent Police say that the fire caused "a significant amount of damage" and is investigating it as a suspected arson attack. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces the closure of borders to all travelers outside the European Union beginning January 31 in order to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and avoid a third lockdown. In addition, travel between the overseas territories will be limited and all large shopping centres will be closed. (ABC News)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces the closure of borders to all travelers outside the European Union beginning January 31 in order to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and avoid a third lockdown. In addition, travel between the overseas territories will be limited and all large shopping centres will be closed. (ABC News)
Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations, immigration to the United Kingdom The United Kingdom formally launches a visa scheme allowing all Hong Kong residents with British National (Overseas) passports (BNO), and their "immediate dependents", to fast-track their UK citizenship. At least 300,000 people are expected to apply. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China says that it will "no longer recognise" BNO passports as legal travel documents. (BBC News)
The United Kingdom formally launches a visa scheme allowing all Hong Kong residents with British National (Overseas) passports (BNO), and their "immediate dependents", to fast-track their UK citizenship. At least 300,000 people are expected to apply. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China says that it will "no longer recognise" BNO passports as legal travel documents. (BBC News)
Austria announces the easing of its lockdown from February 8, allowing non-essential shops and schools to reopen while toughening border restrictions and implementing a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time. (Vienna.at)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria announces the easing of its lockdown from February 8, allowing non-essential shops and schools to reopen while toughening border restrictions and implementing a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time. (Vienna.at)
Cabinet of Joe Biden The United States Senate votes to confirm Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary, making him the first openly gay person to be confirmed to a Cabinet post. (ABC News) The Senate also confirms Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security, making him the first Jewish person, first Latino person and first immigrant to head the Department of Homeland Security. (The Hill)
The Senate also confirms Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security, making him the first Jewish person, first Latino person and first immigrant to head the Department of Homeland Security. (The Hill)
2020–2021 Indian farmers protest The Biden administration calls for India to resolve the farmers' protests via dialogue. However, the Ministry of External Affairs compared reactions to the January 26th incident at Red Fort to the January 6 riot that occurred at the Capitol. (National Herald) A probe by the Modi government to the source of a protest toolkit Greta Thunberg posted suggested it was put together by a Canadian pro-Khalistan organization and that the toolkit had a plan to carry forward the "malign Indian campaign" even if the government repealed the laws. (Times of India)
Foreign relations of Guyana, Foreign relations of Taiwan Taiwan announces that it will establish a Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Guyana. The United States welcomes the "milestone". (AFP via CNA) After criticism from China, Guyana terminates the above agreement and says it will continue to follow the One-China policy. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Western Australia lifts a five-day lockdown in Perth and surrounding areas after it reports no community cases. (9 News) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic. (RNZ)
Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel announces that it will ease its lockdown measures beginning February 7. People will no longer be restricted to within one kilometer of their homes, many services will be allowed to operate, and all national parks will reopen. However, international borders will remain closed until February 20. (MedicalXpress)
Israel announces that it will ease its lockdown measures beginning February 7. People will no longer be restricted to within one kilometer of their homes, many services will be allowed to operate, and all national parks will reopen. However, international borders will remain closed until February 20. (MedicalXpress)
Immigration policy of the Joe Biden administration U.S. President Joe Biden suspends and initiates the process to terminate the Trump-era "Asylum Cooperative" agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom issues revised COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for churches after the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the state's ban on indoor worship in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. The new guidelines limit indoor services to 25 percent of the church's capacity in hard-hit areas and restricts indoor singing and chanting. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom issues revised COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for churches after the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the state's ban on indoor worship in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. The new guidelines limit indoor services to 25 percent of the church's capacity in hard-hit areas and restricts indoor singing and chanting. (ABC News)
Governor Gavin Newsom issues revised COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for churches after the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the state's ban on indoor worship in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. The new guidelines limit indoor services to 25 percent of the church's capacity in hard-hit areas and restricts indoor singing and chanting. (ABC News)
Austria tightens its border controls with all neighbouring countries in order to avoid non-essential travel due to the pandemic. (The Local Austria)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria tightens its border controls with all neighbouring countries in order to avoid non-essential travel due to the pandemic. (The Local Austria)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria tightens its border controls with all neighbouring countries in order to avoid non-essential travel due to the pandemic. (The Local Austria) COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary approves the use of the Sputnik V vaccine in the country. (The Moscow Times)
2018–2021 Haitian protests Haitian opposition names judge Joseph Mécène Jean-Louis from the Supreme Court the new interim President of Haiti to lead a "transitional government" after arguing that incumbent Jovenel Moïse's term has expired and calling on him to step down. The Organization of American States considers that Moïse's five-year term ends in 2022 as he took office in 2017. (CNN)
Haitian opposition names judge Joseph Mécène Jean-Louis from the Supreme Court the new interim President of Haiti to lead a "transitional government" after arguing that incumbent Jovenel Moïse's term has expired and calling on him to step down. The Organization of American States considers that Moïse's five-year term ends in 2022 as he took office in 2017. (CNN)
A court in Budapest rejects an appeal by independent radio station Klubrádió to have its broadcast license renewed by the government's media regulator, which says that the station had infringed rules. Klubrádió owner András Arató says that the station will appeal the decision at the Supreme Court. (AFP via Barron's)
Mass media in Hungary A court in Budapest rejects an appeal by independent radio station Klubrádió to have its broadcast license renewed by the government's media regulator, which says that the station had infringed rules. Klubrádió owner András Arató says that the station will appeal the decision at the Supreme Court. (AFP via Barron's)
Capital punishment in Pakistan The Supreme Court of Pakistan commutes the death sentences of two schizophrenic prisoners after considering that if their illness makes them unable to comprehend the rationale of their crimes, the death sentence will not meet the ends of justice. The ruling is celebrated by human rights groups. (DW)
Saudi Arabian–Yemeni border conflict The Houthis carry out a drone strike on Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia, damaging a civilian aircraft. A Houthi spokesman says that the attack is in response to coalition airstrikes and other actions in Yemen. (Reuters)
The Supreme Court of Pakistan commutes the death sentences of two schizophrenic prisoners after considering that if their illness makes them unable to comprehend the rationale of their crimes, the death sentence will not meet the ends of justice. The ruling is celebrated by human rights groups. (DW)
National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States U.S. President Joe Biden ends former President Donald Trump's nearly two-year emergency declaration on the Mexico–United States border. (Politico)
China and India will withdraw troops around Pangong Lake in a disputed area of eastern Kashmir following sustained talks between the two countries. Tensions have been high since border clashes last year killed dozens. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia South Australia tightens its border restrictions with Victoria due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Victoria. Travelers from Melbourne will be banned from entering South Australia, though people living in other parts of the state will still be permitted to cross the border. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany will close its border with the Czech Republic and Austria's Tyrol region beginning on the evening of February 14 because of a high risk of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Eurozone)
Germany will close its border with the Czech Republic and Austria's Tyrol region beginning on the evening of February 14 because of a high risk of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Eurozone)
Sino-Indian border dispute China and India will withdraw troops around Pangong Lake in a disputed area of eastern Kashmir following sustained talks between the two countries. Tensions have been high since border clashes last year killed dozens. (BBC News)
South Australia tightens its border restrictions with Victoria due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Victoria. Travelers from Melbourne will be banned from entering South Australia, though people living in other parts of the state will still be permitted to cross the border. (ABC Australia)
A French presidency official and a senior Chadian official announce that Chad will reinforce their troops by 1,000 in order to fight jihadists in the border regions of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It will be formally announced in a summit on February 15–16. (Reuters)
Insurgency in the Maghreb A French presidency official and a senior Chadian official announce that Chad will reinforce their troops by 1,000 in order to fight jihadists in the border regions of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It will be formally announced in a summit on February 15–16. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The cabinet announces that 20 of South Africa's land borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe will reopen on February 15. (TimesLIVE)
The cabinet announces that 20 of South Africa's land borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe will reopen on February 15. (TimesLIVE)
Chadian President Idriss Déby announces that his government will deploy 1,200 troops to the tripoint of the Burkina Faso–Mali and Burkina Faso–Niger borders. (AFP via France 24)
Insurgency in the Maghreb Operation Barkhane Chadian President Idriss Déby announces that his government will deploy 1,200 troops to the tripoint of the Burkina Faso–Mali and Burkina Faso–Niger borders. (AFP via France 24)
Operation Barkhane Chadian President Idriss Déby announces that his government will deploy 1,200 troops to the tripoint of the Burkina Faso–Mali and Burkina Faso–Niger borders. (AFP via France 24)
Saudi Arabian–Yemeni border conflict The Houthis say that they have struck Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah with drones. A Houthi spokesman said on Twitter that the attacks halted operations in the airports for two hours. The Saudi-led coalition says that it intercepted drones heading towards the kingdom but did not confirm the attacks. (Reuters)
Yemeni Civil War Saudi Arabian–Yemeni border conflict The Houthis say that they have struck Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah with drones. A Houthi spokesman said on Twitter that the attacks halted operations in the airports for two hours. The Saudi-led coalition says that it intercepted drones heading towards the kingdom but did not confirm the attacks. (Reuters)
Turkey–United States relations, Operation Claw-Eagle 2 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accuses the United States of supporting "the PKK terrorists", following the killing of 13 Turkish hostages held captive in Kurdistan Region. Turkey also summons the U.S. ambassador David M. Satterfield in response to the killings. (Daily Sabah)
Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol The NAACP and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson file a lawsuit accusing former President Donald Trump, Trump lawyer and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, and far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers of conspiring to incite the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol. The lawsuit, citing the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, also accuses the defendants of disrupting the certification of Biden's victory by Congress. (CNBC)
The NAACP and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson file a lawsuit accusing former President Donald Trump, Trump lawyer and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, and far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers of conspiring to incite the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol. The lawsuit, citing the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, also accuses the defendants of disrupting the certification of Biden's victory by Congress. (CNBC)
A court in Bangladesh sentences five men to death for murdering Avijit Roy, an American-Bangladeshi blogger critical of religious extremism, six years ago. The men belong to the al-Qaeda-inspired group Ansarullah Bangla Team. Another man was sentenced to life in prison. (Al Jazeera)
Capital punishment in Bangladesh A court in Bangladesh sentences five men to death for murdering Avijit Roy, an American-Bangladeshi blogger critical of religious extremism, six years ago. The men belong to the al-Qaeda-inspired group Ansarullah Bangla Team. Another man was sentenced to life in prison. (Al Jazeera)
A coalition of technology companies including Facebook, Google, and Amazon, as well as the United States Chamber of Commerce, file a federal lawsuit against the U.S. state of Maryland for passing a gross revenue tax on digital ads by non-media companies. It is the first tax of its kind in the nation. (The Verge)
Israel and Syria carry out a Russian-mediated prisoner exchange. An Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria's Quneitra Governorate and was detained by the Syrian military, is returned in exchange for two Syrian shepherds held by the Israel Defense Forces. (BBC News)
Israel–Syria relations Israel and Syria carry out a Russian-mediated prisoner exchange. An Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria's Quneitra Governorate and was detained by the Syrian military, is returned in exchange for two Syrian shepherds held by the Israel Defense Forces. (BBC News)
Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security rearrests former deputy chief of Custom Service Raimbek Matraimov due to an ongoing investigation into allegations of money laundering. The arrest comes days after hundreds protested in the capital of Bishkek over a court commuting his sentence last week. (Radio Free Europe)
South Australia reopens its land border with Victoria to the state's regional population, while still restricting travelers from Melbourne, the location of the recent outbreak. Similar restrictions are also in place at the New South Wales and Tasmanian borders. (9 News)
A Sudanese asylum seeker stabs an immigration official to death at a refugee centre in Pau, France. The attack is not thought to be linked to terrorism. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan detects a new variant from 91 cases in the Kanto region and two cases at airports. In addition, an infection cluster is detected at a Tokyo immigration facility. (ABC Australia)
Japan detects a new variant from 91 cases in the Kanto region and two cases at airports. In addition, an infection cluster is detected at a Tokyo immigration facility. (ABC Australia)
The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies votes 364–130 to confirm the Supreme Federal Court-mandated arrest of congressman Daniel Silveira (PSL-RJ) for posting videos online threatening the judges of the Court, calling for the Court's extinction and for a new AI-5 – considered the most repressive legal instrument of the former Brazilian military government. His party is also considering his expulsion. (EN24) (O Globo)
The UK Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, orders Uber to classify its drivers as employees, entitling them to minimum wage and paid leave. (Wired)
Uber BV v Aslam The UK Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, orders Uber to classify its drivers as employees, entitling them to minimum wage and paid leave. (Wired)
Environmental policy of the Joe Biden administration The United States formally rejoins the Paris Agreement, 107 days after it left the climate accord. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand New Zealand begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19, starting with 70 border workers under strict infection prevention measures. (RNZ)
New Zealand begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19, starting with 70 border workers under strict infection prevention measures. (RNZ)
