COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania Zanzibar's first Vice President, Seif Sharif Hamad, dies from COVID-19. (The Citizen)
Zanzibar's first Vice President, Seif Sharif Hamad, dies from COVID-19. (The Citizen)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria Nigeria approves the emergency use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India. (Bloomberg) COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe begins its vaccination programme against COVID-19 using China's Sinopharm vaccine. Health minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is the first person to receive the vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe begins its vaccination programme against COVID-19 using China's Sinopharm vaccine. Health minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is the first person to receive the vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
Zimbabwe begins its vaccination programme against COVID-19 using China's Sinopharm vaccine. Health minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is the first person to receive the vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
2021 Turks and Caicos Islands general election The opposition Progressive National Party wins 14 of the 15 seats in the House of Assembly, with Washington Misick slated to become the next premier. Outgoing Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson of the People's Democratic Movement loses re-election to her seat. (Turks & Caicos Sun)
47th G7 summit U.S. President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi make their first global appearance at a virtual G7 meeting as the countries discuss COVID-19 recovery, trade, social media, free speech, and their approach to China. The countries also commit to offer $7.5 billion in funding for vaccination rollouts in poor countries. (France 24) President Biden, in a reversal of the Trump administration's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, says that the United States will contribute up to $4 billion to COVAX. (CBS News)
President Biden, in a reversal of the Trump administration's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, says that the United States will contribute up to $4 billion to COVAX. (CBS News)
The opposition Progressive National Party wins 14 of the 15 seats in the House of Assembly, with Washington Misick slated to become the next premier. Outgoing Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson of the People's Democratic Movement loses re-election to her seat. (Turks & Caicos Sun)
Argentine Health Minister Ginés González García resigns amid scandal over preferential treatment for the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to his close friends, including journalist Horacio Verbitsky. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics Argentine Health Minister Ginés González García resigns amid scandal over preferential treatment for the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to his close friends, including journalist Horacio Verbitsky. (The Washington Post)
February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm, 2021 Texas power crisis U.S. President Joe Biden declares a major disaster in Texas following a severe winter storm and cold weather that left at least 70 people dead and millions of others without power. The declaration allows federal funds to be spent and made available to affected people. (NBC News)
2020–2021 Thai protests, COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha survives a second vote of no-confidence in the House of Representatives, accused of mismanagement of the economy, mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption, and abuse of human rights. (The Washington Post)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha survives a second vote of no-confidence in the House of Representatives, accused of mismanagement of the economy, mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption, and abuse of human rights. (The Washington Post)
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama urges the leaders of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, and Palau to reconsider their decision of leaving the Pacific Islands Forum and says that this is an opportunity to fight climate change. Bainimarama also invites U.S. President Joe Biden to the next forum meeting in August. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt receives 300,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-awsat) COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal Senegal begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using 200,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are the first to receive the vaccine. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal Senegal begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using 200,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are the first to receive the vaccine. (U.S. News and World Report)
Senegal begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using 200,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are the first to receive the vaccine. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota The North Dakota House votes 50–44 to pass House Bill 1323, which bans state and local officials from imposing mask mandates. (Grand Forks Herald) COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state), 501.V2 variant Washington reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in King County. (The Seattle Times)
Guinea begins a vaccination campaign against Ebola for high-risk people in Gouecke, Nzérékoré Prefecture, as an emergency measure to reduce the spread of the virus that was detected for the first time since 2016. (WHO Regional Office for Africa)
At U.S. President Joe Biden's direction, the U.S. military launches airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia group Kata'ib Hezbollah's structures in Abu Kamal, Syria, killing 17 Popular Mobilization Forces militants. The airstrikes are described as retaliation for a recent rocket strike in Erbil, Iraq, which left two people dead and 13 others wounded, including American military personnel. (Al Jazeera)
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's tax returns are given to New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. (ABC News)
Tax returns of Donald Trump Former U.S. President Donald Trump's tax returns are given to New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. (ABC News)
The Dutch House of Representatives votes to recognize the Chinese government's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority as genocide, becoming the first European Union country to do so. (Reuters)
Uyghur genocide, China–Netherlands relations The Dutch House of Representatives votes to recognize the Chinese government's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority as genocide, becoming the first European Union country to do so. (Reuters)
LGBTQ rights in the United States The United States House of Representatives votes to pass the Equality Act. The bill will now head to the Senate for a vote. (NBC News)
The United States House of Representatives votes to pass the Equality Act. The bill will now head to the Senate for a vote. (NBC News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 The United States House of Representatives votes 219-212 to pass U.S. President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package, which would provide $1,400 in direct payments. The bill will head to the Senate for a vote. (CNET)
The United States House of Representatives votes 219-212 to pass U.S. President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package, which would provide $1,400 in direct payments. The bill will head to the Senate for a vote. (CNET)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentinian Health Minister Carla Vizzotti tests positive for COVID-19. (El Día) COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brasília enters a 24-hour lockdown for all non-essential services due to an increase in COVID-19 cases that has pushed the city's intensive care units to near full capacity with more than 80% of beds already occupied. (Reuters)
Police in Kazakhstan arrest 50 protesters who were calling for the release of political prisoners in line with a resolution passed by the European Parliament. (Al Jazeera)
2020–2021 Thai protests Sixteen protesters are wounded after police use tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets on pro-democracy protesters near the residence of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Bangkok. (Al Jazeera)
Sixteen protesters are wounded after police use tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets on pro-democracy protesters near the residence of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Bangkok. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and their spouses receive their first doses of the vaccine from the COVAX initiative as Ghana begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (BBC Pidgin)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States It is reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House prior to their departure on January 20. (The Washington Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, 501.V2 variant Florida reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Clickorlando.com)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States It is reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House prior to their departure on January 20. (The Washington Post)
It is reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House prior to their departure on January 20. (The Washington Post)
President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and their spouses receive their first doses of the vaccine from the COVAX initiative as Ghana begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (BBC Pidgin)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic begins a stricter nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš last week with more police officers and soldiers deployed to enforce the restrictions. (U.S. News and World Report)
The Czech Republic begins a stricter nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš last week with more police officers and soldiers deployed to enforce the restrictions. (U.S. News and World Report)
German intelligence agency Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution formally places far-right oppositional party Alternative for Germany under surveillance, accusing it of aiming to subvert the constitution. It is the first time that a major political party has been placed under surveillance since the end of World War II. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen receives a dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied by the COVAX initiative. (The Washington Post)
Prime Minister Hun Sen receives a dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied by the COVAX initiative. (The Washington Post)
The North Dakota House of Representatives votes to expel State Representative Luke Simons (R) following allegations that he threatened and sexually harassed women going back to 2017, when he first took office. This is the first time that either chamber of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly has passed such a vote. (AP)
The United States Senate, in a 58–42 vote, rejects an amendment introduced by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders that would raise the minimum wage to $15 after he made efforts to include it in President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package. (The Independent)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (BBC News)
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (BBC News)
The United States Senate votes 50–49 to pass President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package after 24 hours of debate and vote-a-rama sessions on the bill. The amended legislation will head back to the United States House of Representatives for a final vote. (CBS News)
Nine activists are killed in police raids in the northern Philippines two days after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered government forces to kill communists in the country. (Al Jazeera English)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état Khin Maung Latt, a campaign manager from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, dies in police custody after being arrested yesterday. (South China Morning Post)
Khin Maung Latt, a campaign manager from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, dies in police custody after being arrested yesterday. (South China Morning Post)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The United States House of Representatives votes 220–211 to pass the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which extends weekly jobless benefit payments of $300 until September, sends $1,400 checks to individuals, and funds other coronavirus relief programs for states and businesses. The stimulus bill will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. (The Wall Street Journal) (BBC News)
The United States House of Representatives votes 220–211 to pass the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which extends weekly jobless benefit payments of $300 until September, sends $1,400 checks to individuals, and funds other coronavirus relief programs for states and businesses. The stimulus bill will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. (The Wall Street Journal) (BBC News)
Colombian conflict The armed forces kill twelve people in an operation in the Guaviare Department against a group run by a former FARC leader. Defense Minister Diego Molano Aponte says that there were child soldiers present at the camp but declines to say if they were killed or state their ages. (The New York Times)
The armed forces kill twelve people in an operation in the Guaviare Department against a group run by a former FARC leader. Defense Minister Diego Molano Aponte says that there were child soldiers present at the camp but declines to say if they were killed or state their ages. (The New York Times)
Constitution of Kyrgyzstan The Kyrgyzstan Parliament approves a new referendum on a draft constitution that would expand the powers of President Sadyr Japarov and allow him to run for office again after his term ends. The referendum will be held on April 11. (Business Recorder)
The Kyrgyzstan Parliament approves a new referendum on a draft constitution that would expand the powers of President Sadyr Japarov and allow him to run for office again after his term ends. The referendum will be held on April 11. (Business Recorder)
China's National People's Congress passes the "decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong", which will rewrite the election rules in Hong Kong to ensure a system of "patriots governing Hong Kong". This is seen by many Western countries as further eroding the freedoms of the Hong Kong people. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announces that kindergartens, hair salons, bookshops, libraries, pre-schools and primary schools will be allowed to reopen March 15, as a part of the country's gradual easing of its two-month lockdown. (U.S. News & World Report)
Economy of Brazil, COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil The National Congress of Brazil approves an $8 billion spending package to help deal with the second wave of the pandemic in the country. (Financial Times)
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announces that kindergartens, hair salons, bookshops, libraries, pre-schools and primary schools will be allowed to reopen March 15, as a part of the country's gradual easing of its two-month lockdown. (U.S. News & World Report)
The National Congress of Brazil approves an $8 billion spending package to help deal with the second wave of the pandemic in the country. (Financial Times)
2019 Bolivian political crisis The Bolivian office of the Prosecutor General issues an arrest order for former interim President Jeanine Áñez, five former members of the national cabinet and the former leadership of the Armed Forces, accusing them of the crimes of sedition and terrorism. (The Guardian)
The Bolivian office of the Prosecutor General issues an arrest order for former interim President Jeanine Áñez, five former members of the national cabinet and the former leadership of the Armed Forces, accusing them of the crimes of sedition and terrorism. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Lineage P.1 Arizona reports its first three case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which originated in Brazil. (The Arizona Republic) COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul receives a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Catholic Health in Buffalo. (USA Today) COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States surpasses 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been administered. (CNBC)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States surpasses 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been administered. (CNBC)
The United States surpasses 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been administered. (CNBC)
2019 Bolivian political crisis Former interim President Jeanine Áñez is arrested by police and is accused of participating in an alleged coup d'état against ousted President Evo Morales in November 2019. Before being arrested, Áñez denounced the arrest and stated that the "persecution had begun". (BBC News)
Former interim President Jeanine Áñez is arrested by police and is accused of participating in an alleged coup d'état against ousted President Evo Morales in November 2019. Before being arrested, Áñez denounced the arrest and stated that the "persecution had begun". (BBC News)
Security forces kill at least 54 anti-coup protesters in several cities, thirty-seven of whom were in Yangon. A policeman is also killed. It is the protests' deadliest day. The civilian Vice President, Mahn Win Khaing Than, says that they will pass legislation to "give people the right to defend themselves against the military" and calls for a "revolution" to overthrow the junta. Meanwhile, a junta spokesman labels the protesters as "criminals" but refuses to elaborate. (BBC News)
Cabinet of Joe Biden The United States Senate votes 51–40 to confirm U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior, thereby making her the first Native American to head the department and the first to be confirmed to a Cabinet post. Haaland is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo. (CNBC) (Indian Country Today)
The United States Senate votes 51–40 to confirm U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior, thereby making her the first Native American to head the department and the first to be confirmed to a Cabinet post. Haaland is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo. (CNBC) (Indian Country Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine ahead of an April visit to the United States to meet President Joe Biden. (Nikkei Asia)
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga receives his first dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine ahead of an April visit to the United States to meet President Joe Biden. (Nikkei Asia)
2021 Atlanta spa shootings Eight people, including six Asian-American women, are murdered and another is wounded in mass shootings near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (CNN) (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
