Cabinet of Joe Biden The United States Senate votes 78–22 to confirm Antony Blinken as the 71st Secretary of State. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the fifth country to do so after the United States, Brazil, India, and Mexico. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin, face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Wisconsin State Senate votes to repeal the statewide mask mandate imposed by Governor Tony Evers. (AP)
List of United States tornadoes in January 2021 An EF3 tornado hits Fultondale, Alabama, killing one person and injuring 30 others. (AP)
The United Kingdom surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the fifth country to do so after the United States, Brazil, India, and Mexico. (BBC News)
The United States Senate votes 78–22 to confirm Antony Blinken as the 71st Secretary of State. (AP)
The Wisconsin State Senate votes to repeal the statewide mask mandate imposed by Governor Tony Evers. (AP)
Tornadoes of 2021 List of United States tornadoes in January 2021 An EF3 tornado hits Fultondale, Alabama, killing one person and injuring 30 others. (AP)
Alabama confirms their first three cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in two children and an adult from Montgomery and Jefferson counties. (U.S. News & World Report)
Boeing 737 MAX groundings The European Aviation Safety Agency clears the Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner to return to service in European Union airspace. (AFP via Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Alabama confirms their first three cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in two children and an adult from Montgomery and Jefferson counties. (U.S. News & World Report)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the introduction of 10-day hotel quarantine for travellers from 30 high-risk countries, including Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, and all South American nations due to spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Daily Telegraph)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, Variant of Concern 202012/01 New Jersey confirms their first death from the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who had "significant underlying conditions." (Patch.com) COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Alabama confirms their first three cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in two children and an adult from Montgomery and Jefferson counties. (U.S. News & World Report)
Democrats in the United States Senate introduce a bill that would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state. (CBS News)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the introduction of 10-day hotel quarantine for travellers from 30 high-risk countries, including Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, and all South American nations due to spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Daily Telegraph)
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)
Statehood movement in the District of Columbia Democrats in the United States Senate introduce a bill that would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state. (CBS News)
The European Aviation Safety Agency clears the Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner to return to service in European Union airspace. (AFP via Barron's)
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)
2021 Georgia poultry plant accident Six people are killed and nine others hospitalized due to a leak of liquid nitrogen at a poultry plant in Gainesville, Georgia, United States. (BBC News)
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)
Brazil surpasses nine million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after India and the United States. (Reuters)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazil surpasses nine million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after India and the United States. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Arizona Republic) COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, 501.V2 variant South Carolina reports the United States' first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in people with no known travel history. (NPR) COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses India to have the third-highest death toll in the world. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, 501.V2 variant South Carolina reports the United States' first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in people with no known travel history. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Arizona Republic) COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, 501.V2 variant South Carolina reports the United States' first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in people with no known travel history. (NPR)
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)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 recession The United States's GDP contracts 3.5% in 2020, its first annual contraction since 2009 following the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the country's worst economic performance since 1946. (Reuters)
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)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care facilities, COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) New York Attorney General Letitia James releases a report accusing the state of undercounting the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. (AP)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports Super Bowl LV, COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issues an outdoor mask mandate for the city during Super Bowl LV. (ESPN)
New York Attorney General Letitia James releases a report accusing the state of undercounting the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. (AP)
Sandro Botticelli's Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Roundel is sold at auction for $92.2 million at Sotheby's in New York City, making it the second most expensive painting by an old master ever sold at public auction. (AFP via New Straits Times)
Six people are killed and nine others hospitalized due to a leak of liquid nitrogen at a poultry plant in Gainesville, Georgia, United States. (BBC News)
South Carolina reports the United States' first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in people with no known travel history. (NPR)
Super Bowl LV, COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issues an outdoor mask mandate for the city during Super Bowl LV. (ESPN)
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)
The United States's GDP contracts 3.5% in 2020, its first annual contraction since 2009 following the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the country's worst economic performance since 1946. (Reuters)
February 2021 nor'easter A winter storm causes mudslides in southern California, resulting in over 50 car accidents. (KABC-TV) The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for all areas above 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) in Nevada. (National Weather Service)
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)
Russia–United States relations Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a bill extending the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States until 2026, ahead of its expiration date next week, following talks with U.S. President Joe Biden. (The Guardian)
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a bill extending the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States until 2026, ahead of its expiration date next week, following talks with U.S. President Joe Biden. (The Guardian)
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)
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for all areas above 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) in Nevada. (National Weather Service)
A winter storm causes mudslides in southern California, resulting in over 50 car accidents. (KABC-TV)
Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Criminal charges brought in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Two members of the Proud Boys are charged with conspiracy to breach the United States Capitol, including one of the members seen smashing a window with a police shield. (New York Times) The FBI announces that two women are arrested in Pennsylvania for their roles in the January 6 riot. One of the women, Dawn Bancroft, made threats to shoot House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (The Independent)
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)
Criminal charges brought in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Two members of the Proud Boys are charged with conspiracy to breach the United States Capitol, including one of the members seen smashing a window with a police shield. (New York Times) The FBI announces that two women are arrested in Pennsylvania for their roles in the January 6 riot. One of the women, Dawn Bancroft, made threats to shoot House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (The Independent)
Death of Brian Sicknick, aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announce that Brian Sicknick, the United States Capitol Police officer who died from injuries sustained during the storming of the United States Capitol, will lie in honor at the Rotunda. (BBC News)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announce that Brian Sicknick, the United States Capitol Police officer who died from injuries sustained during the storming of the United States Capitol, will lie in honor at the Rotunda. (BBC 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)
Two members of the Proud Boys are charged with conspiracy to breach the United States Capitol, including one of the members seen smashing a window with a police shield. (New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, 501.V2 variant Maryland confirms its first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa, becoming the second U.S. state to do so after South Carolina. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, 501.V2 variant Maryland confirms its first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa, becoming the second U.S. state to do so after South Carolina. (Politico) COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, Variant of Concern 202012/01 South Carolina reports its first case of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. The patient is a person from the Pee Dee region who previously travelled internationally. (WLTX-TV)
Maryland confirms its first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa, becoming the second U.S. state to do so after South Carolina. (Politico)
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)
2021 Russian protests More than 5,000 people are detained by police at nationwide protests calling for the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. (BBC News)
2021 Russian protests, aftermath of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemns Russian authorities for using "harsh tactics" in protests that broke out following the arrest of Alexei Navalny. (NBC News)
More than 5,000 people are detained by police at nationwide protests calling for the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. (BBC News)
Police in Brussels, Belgium announce that they have arrested more than 400 people in order to prevent a banned demonstration against anti-COVID-19 measures. (DW)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic Police in Brussels, Belgium announce that they have arrested more than 400 people in order to prevent a banned demonstration against anti-COVID-19 measures. (DW)
Russia–United States relations 2021 Russian protests, aftermath of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemns Russian authorities for using "harsh tactics" in protests that broke out following the arrest of Alexei Navalny. (NBC News)
Shirlene Ostrov resigns as chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party following a series of tweets posted by vice chairman Edwin Boyette on the party's Twitter account defending people who supported the QAnon conspiracy theory. Additionally, Boyette resigned on January 24th after the tweets were posted the day before. (AP)
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)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemns Russian authorities for using "harsh tactics" in protests that broke out following the arrest of Alexei Navalny. (NBC News)
2021 President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil election, 2021 President of the Federal Senate of Brazil election The National Congress of Brazil elects new leaders for the 56th Legislature. Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Pacheco, candidates supported by President Jair Bolsonaro, are elected President of the Chamber of Deputies and President of the Federal Senate respectively. (AFP via Bangkok Post)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état Myanmar–United Kingdom relations The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office summons the ambassador of Myanmar to the United Kingdom in response to the coup. (AFP via NDTV) Myanmar–United States relations U.S. President Joe Biden threatens to re-impose sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders and calls for them to relinquish the power that they seized in the coup. (Reuters)
Myanmar–United States relations U.S. President Joe Biden threatens to re-impose sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders and calls for them to relinquish the power that they seized in the coup. (Reuters)
The National Congress of Brazil elects new leaders for the 56th Legislature. Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Pacheco, candidates supported by President Jair Bolsonaro, are elected President of the Chamber of Deputies and President of the Federal Senate respectively. (AFP via Bangkok Post)
2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest Internet access remained blocked following violent clashes between police and farmers protesting controversial agricultural reforms. Online access was suspended in at least 14 of 22 districts in Haryana near New Delhi. That order was first imposed on Republic Day in Haryana districts for 24 hours, but has been extended every day since. (CNN)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest Protesters marched in Rochester, New York, after a nine-year-old girl was handcuffed and pepper-sprayed by police. Protesters ripped away barricades protecting a Rochester police precinct as hundreds took to the streets in outrage. (Democrat and Chronicle)
Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Over 228 people have been charged or arrested for participating in the storming of the United States Capitol. (Business Insider)
