Mayor of Washington D.C. Muriel Bowser's sister, Merica Bowser, dies from COVID-19 as the city surpasses 1,000 total deaths. (USA Today)
2021 Myanmar protests Pro-military counter-protesters attack anti-coup protesters during a rally against the military junta in Yangon. Some counter-protesters were armed with knives and clubs, while others used slingshots and threw stones to attack their opponents. (Voice of America)
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)
Pro-military counter-protesters attack anti-coup protesters during a rally against the military junta in Yangon. Some counter-protesters were armed with knives and clubs, while others used slingshots and threw stones to attack their opponents. (Voice of America)
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)
India and Pakistan issue a joint statement indicating that both sides agree to stop firing at each other at the disputed Line of Control border in Kashmir. (DW)
India–Pakistan relations India and Pakistan issue a joint statement indicating that both sides agree to stop firing at each other at the disputed Line of Control border in Kashmir. (DW)
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)
Begum v Home Secretary The UK Supreme Court rules that ISIL supporter Shamima Begum is forbidden from returning to the United Kingdom to appeal the revocation of her citizenship. This overturns the decision by the Court of Appeal, citing four errors in their ruling. (CNN)
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 UK Supreme Court rules that ISIL supporter Shamima Begum is forbidden from returning to the United Kingdom to appeal the revocation of her citizenship. This overturns the decision by the Court of Appeal, citing four errors in their ruling. (CNN)
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)
2021 Croix-des-Bouquets jailbreak Arnel Joseph, a powerful Haitian gang leader, is killed in a gun battle with police in L'Estère a day after escaping from prison during a riot. The death toll from the incident rise to a total of 25 people, including many civilians killed by the inmates after randomly opening fire in the streets. The prison's director, six inmates and police officers are among the dead. Sixty more prisoners who escaped are captured and arrested, while more than 200 others are still on the run. (BBC News)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état Myanmar's Ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun addresses the UN in New York, calling for the international community to take the "strongest possible action" to remove the military junta from power. (France 24)
A small plane crashes in Gainesville, Georgia, U.S., killing three people. (Yahoo! News)
Aftermath of the GameStop short squeeze The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission temporarily halts the trading of 15 stocks, most of which are penny stocks, out of concern that online users were coordinating to artificially raise their value. (Bloomberg)
Arnel Joseph, a powerful Haitian gang leader, is killed in a gun battle with police in L'Estère a day after escaping from prison during a riot. The death toll from the incident rise to a total of 25 people, including many civilians killed by the inmates after randomly opening fire in the streets. The prison's director, six inmates and police officers are among the dead. Sixty more prisoners who escaped are captured and arrested, while more than 200 others are still on the run. (BBC News)
Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia–United States relations The Biden administration releases a previously classified intelligence report on the assassination of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, confirming that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had approved of the assassination. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Lineage B.1.1.7 Nebraska reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Douglas County. (Lincoln Journal Star) COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Health Canada authorizes the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and a related vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India. (CTV News)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Lineage B.1.1.7 Nebraska reports their first case of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Douglas County. (Lincoln Journal Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam approves the emergency use of the American Moderna and Russian Sputnik V vaccines. (dpa International)
Criminal charges brought in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Death of Brian Sicknick The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly identified a suspect in connection to the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick during the storming of the U.S. Capitol last month. (CNN)
Myanmar's Ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun addresses the UN in New York, calling for the international community to take the "strongest possible action" to remove the military junta from power. (France 24)
The Biden administration releases a previously classified intelligence report on the assassination of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, confirming that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had approved of the assassination. (The New York Times)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly identified a suspect in connection to the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick during the storming of the U.S. Capitol last month. (CNN)
Vietnam approves the emergency use of the American Moderna and Russian Sputnik V vaccines. (dpa International)
2021 Myanmar protests Police launch the most extensive crackdown since the protests began, critically wounding a woman and detaining hundreds of people across the country. (Reuters) The junta leaders fire Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun after he called for their removal in a UN General Assembly meeting on Friday. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Nebraska reports their first case of California's B.1.429 variant in a man in his 60s in Lancaster County. (The Lincoln Journal Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova Romania donates 21,600 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova for use in their vaccination program which will begin next week with frontline health workers. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine The Palestinian National Authority announces new lockdown restrictions in the West Bank for the next 12 days, which include the closure of universities, a ban on gatherings for weddings and funerals and nighttime restrictions on travel and non-essential commerce. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Nebraska reports their first case of California's B.1.429 variant in a man in his 60s in Lancaster County. (The Lincoln Journal Star) The Food and Drug Administration approves the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use in the United States. (The Guardian)
Cuba approves its first animal welfare law after pressure from animal rights movement groups. The decree will regulate scientific experiments on animals, the handling of stray cats and dogs, and veterinarian practices in the country. Some civil society groups say the decree doesn't go far enough, as it doesn't outlaw animal sacrifice or cockfighting. (Reuters)
Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province has reported internet outages in the past week, following a series of violent clashes between protestors and the police. (Voice of America)
Nebraska reports their first case of California's B.1.429 variant in a man in his 60s in Lancaster County. (The Lincoln Journal Star)
Police launch the most extensive crackdown since the protests began, critically wounding a woman and detaining hundreds of people across the country. (Reuters)
Romania donates 21,600 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova for use in their vaccination program which will begin next week with frontline health workers. (U.S. News and World Report)
The Food and Drug Administration approves the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use in the United States. (The Guardian)
The Palestinian National Authority announces new lockdown restrictions in the West Bank for the next 12 days, which include the closure of universities, a ban on gatherings for weddings and funerals and nighttime restrictions on travel and non-essential commerce. (The New York Times)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine for people over the age of 18, a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of the vaccine. (CBS News)
Hong Kong national security law Police charge 47 out of the 55 arrested last month during a mass raid with "subversion". Those charged include Professor Benny Tai, former legislator James To, activist and district councilor Lester Shum and League of Social Democrats politicians and activists Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham, who was particularly defiant in court. (BBC News)
Police charge 47 out of the 55 arrested last month during a mass raid with "subversion". Those charged include Professor Benny Tai, former legislator James To, activist and district councilor Lester Shum and League of Social Democrats politicians and activists Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham, who was particularly defiant in court. (BBC News)
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)
War in Afghanistan The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction releases a report accusing the United States of wasting billions of dollars in Afghanistan on buildings and vehicles that were either abandoned or destroyed. The agency says only $343.2 million worth of vehicles and buildings were in good condition. (VOA)
2021 Texas power crisis, February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton files a lawsuit against Griddy, accusing them of charging Texans "outrageous amounts" after the winter storm that resulted in power outages for millions in the state. (Newsweek)
Aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, 2021 Myanmar protests Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appears in court to hear two more charges against her. The charges are a colonial-era penal code prohibiting publication of information that may "cause fear or alarm", and a telecommunications law stipulating licenses for equipment. Meanwhile, police disperse protesters with tear gas and stun grenades. (Reuters)
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 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)
Florida reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Clickorlando.com)
Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appears in court to hear two more charges against her. The charges are a colonial-era penal code prohibiting publication of information that may "cause fear or alarm", and a telecommunications law stipulating licenses for equipment. Meanwhile, police disperse protesters with tear gas and stun grenades. (Reuters)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton files a lawsuit against Griddy, accusing them of charging Texans "outrageous amounts" after the winter storm that resulted in power outages for millions in the state. (Newsweek)
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 Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction releases a report accusing the United States of wasting billions of dollars in Afghanistan on buildings and vehicles that were either abandoned or destroyed. The agency says only $343.2 million worth of vehicles and buildings were in good condition. (VOA)
Somali Civil War Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab publicly executes five people by firing squad for allegedly spying for the American and Somali intelligence agencies in Jilib, Middle Juba. Hundreds of people reportedly gathered to watch the execution. (Anadolu Agency)
2020–2021 Sudanese–Ethiopian clashes Fighting between Sudan and Ethiopian-backed forces continues in the last Ethiopian stronghold of Bereket in the disputed border region of Al-Fashaga. Sudan claims Eritrean forces are helping the Ethiopians. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil reports a record 1,641 new deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 257,361. (DW in Brazilian Portuguese) COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela receives 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine donated by China. (EFE)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifts the statewide mask requirement and allows businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning March 10. (The Hill)
Fighting between Sudan and Ethiopian-backed forces continues in the last Ethiopian stronghold of Bereket in the disputed border region of Al-Fashaga. Sudan claims Eritrean forces are helping the Ethiopians. (Anadolu Agency)
Imperial County car crash Thirteen people are killed and eleven others are wounded in a traffic accident in Imperial County, California, US. A semi-truck and an SUV collide; 25 people were in the SUV at the time of the crash. (The Los Angeles Times)
Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab publicly executes five people by firing squad for allegedly spying for the American and Somali intelligence agencies in Jilib, Middle Juba. Hundreds of people reportedly gathered to watch the execution. (Anadolu Agency)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifts the statewide mask requirement and allows businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning March 10. (The Hill)
Thirteen people are killed and eleven others are wounded in a traffic accident in Imperial County, California, US. A semi-truck and an SUV collide; 25 people were in the SUV at the time of the crash. (The Los Angeles Times)
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)
Seven people are wounded, three of them critically, after being attacked by a man with an axe in Vetlanda, Sweden. Authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist attack. The perpetrator, a man in his 20s, is shot by police and arrested. (Euronews)
