A South Korean envoy in New York City is attacked in an unprovoked assault. (Yahoo! News)
Belarus–Russia relations Russia and Belarus begin a 10-day military exercise known as "Allied Resolve-2022" amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The United States and NATO denounce the exercise, with NATO calling it the biggest deployment of Russian troops since the Cold War. (CNBC)
Russia and Belarus begin a 10-day military exercise known as "Allied Resolve-2022" amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The United States and NATO denounce the exercise, with NATO calling it the biggest deployment of Russian troops since the Cold War. (CNBC)
Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic A South Korean envoy in New York City is attacked in an unprovoked assault. (Yahoo! News)
Russia–NATO relations The Biden administration says that Russia now has enough troops and military equipment in place in order to launch an invasion of Ukraine and warns Americans to leave the country within the next 48 hours. (BBC News) The British Foreign Office advises British nationals to leave Ukraine immediately. (The Independent) (FCDO) It is announced that the United States Armed Forces will deploy 3,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Poland in the "coming days" amid tensions with Russia. (Reuters)
The Biden administration says that Russia now has enough troops and military equipment in place in order to launch an invasion of Ukraine and warns Americans to leave the country within the next 48 hours. (BBC News)
Finland agrees to a $9.4 billion deal with the United States to purchase 64 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter-jets for its air force. The agreement also includes buying advanced surface-to-surface missiles from Lockheed Martin in order to upgrade the country's missile systems. The munition deliveries are expected to begin by 2025. (Reuters)
Finland–United States relations Finland agrees to a $9.4 billion deal with the United States to purchase 64 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter-jets for its air force. The agreement also includes buying advanced surface-to-surface missiles from Lockheed Martin in order to upgrade the country's missile systems. The munition deliveries are expected to begin by 2025. (Reuters)
It is announced that the United States Armed Forces will deploy 3,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Poland in the "coming days" amid tensions with Russia. (Reuters)
Satellite imagery records Russia amassing more troops near the Russia–Ukraine border. (Reuters)
The British Foreign Office advises British nationals to leave Ukraine immediately. (The Independent) (FCDO)
French forces launch an airstrike on a jihadist camp in southern Burkina Faso, near the border with Benin, killing 40 combatants. The attack was a retaliation for the massacre of nine people (including a Frenchman) in Benin's W National Park earlier that week. (Voice of America)
Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso French forces launch an airstrike on a jihadist camp in southern Burkina Faso, near the border with Benin, killing 40 combatants. The attack was a retaliation for the massacre of nine people (including a Frenchman) in Benin's W National Park earlier that week. (Voice of America)
COVID-19 protests in Canada Freedom Convoy 2022 Protesters gather at the Peace Bridge near the Canada–United States border in an attempt to end the COVID-19 mandates in Canada. (USA Today) (Buffalo News)
Freedom Convoy 2022 Protesters gather at the Peace Bridge near the Canada–United States border in an attempt to end the COVID-19 mandates in Canada. (USA Today) (Buffalo News)
Protesters gather at the Peace Bridge near the Canada–United States border in an attempt to end the COVID-19 mandates in Canada. (USA Today) (Buffalo News)
The Pentagon orders the departure of U.S. troops in Ukraine as tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalate. (CNBC)
The United States orders the evacuation of its embassy staff in Kyiv. (CNN)
Canada convoy protest Canadian police say a major demonstration at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, has dispersed peacefully. The protesters had been given warnings for several days. (BBC News)
Canadian police say a major demonstration at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, has dispersed peacefully. The protesters had been given warnings for several days. (BBC News)
Eleven people are injured during a mass stabbing by a man riding a bicycle through Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. The suspect is taken into custody. (ABC News) (Albuquerque Journal)
Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis Belarus–United States relations The U.S. State Department tells Americans to leave Belarus immediately due to the threat of war. (National Post) The United States relocates its embassy operations from the capital Kyiv to Lviv in western Ukraine, citing a "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces" on the Russia–Ukraine border. (Reuters)
The United States Department of Justice asks Honduras for the arrest and extradition of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who left office less than a month ago. (Reuters)
Mexico–United States relations The United States suspends all imports of Mexican avocados after threats are made against an American plant safety inspector in Uruapan, Michoacán. (AP)
The United States relocates its embassy operations from the capital Kyiv to Lviv in western Ukraine, citing a "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces" on the Russia–Ukraine border. (Reuters)
The United States suspends all imports of Mexican avocados after threats are made against an American plant safety inspector in Uruapan, Michoacán. (AP)
War in Donbas The Luhansk People's Republic says that a service member has been killed on the frontline by a Ukrainian military sniper, according to its office at the Joint Centre of Control and Coordination. (Urdu Point) An attempted terrorist attack on a memorial rally in the city of Luhansk is reportedly stopped. Russian media blames the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and "special services" of being involved in the attack. A video shows an improvised explosive device being discovered inside a garbage can. (The Jerusalem Post)
2022 Louisville mayoral election In Louisville, Kentucky, council candidate Quintez Brown is charged with attempted murder, a day after he allegedly opened fire on mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg in his campaign office, narrowly missing him. (AP via The Washington Post)
2022 United States elections 2022 Louisville mayoral election In Louisville, Kentucky, council candidate Quintez Brown is charged with attempted murder, a day after he allegedly opened fire on mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg in his campaign office, narrowly missing him. (AP via The Washington Post)
An attempted terrorist attack on a memorial rally in the city of Luhansk is reportedly stopped. Russian media blames the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and "special services" of being involved in the attack. A video shows an improvised explosive device being discovered inside a garbage can. (The Jerusalem Post)
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández is arrested in Tegucigalpa after the U.S. requested his extradition on charges of drug trafficking. (EFE)
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that diplomatic talks will continue. Russia also announces that troops will be partially pulled out from the border but that exercises will continue. (Wall Street Journal) (Truthout.org)
2022 alleged plot to kill Coutts RCMP officers Four men are arrested on suspicion of plotting to murder officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The arrests occurred during a protest blockading the Canada–U.S. border near Coutts, Alberta. (The Globe and Mail)
Chief of police of the Ottawa Police Service Peter Sloly resigns amid criticism of his handling of the protests. (CTV News Ottawa)
Four men are arrested on suspicion of plotting to murder officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The arrests occurred during a protest blockading the Canada–U.S. border near Coutts, Alberta. (The Globe and Mail)
In Louisville, Kentucky, council candidate Quintez Brown is charged with attempted murder, a day after he allegedly opened fire on mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg in his campaign office, narrowly missing him. (AP via The Washington Post)
The Luhansk People's Republic says that a service member has been killed on the frontline by a Ukrainian military sniper, according to its office at the Joint Centre of Control and Coordination. (Urdu Point)
Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation The European Court of Justice dismisses Poland and Hungary's challenges against the regulation and confirms that the regulation is in compliance with the treaties of the European Union. This will allow the European Commission to suspend funds from the EU budget to member states that have rule of law issues which are likely to affect the management of EU funds. (Al Jazeera)
The European Court of Justice dismisses Poland and Hungary's challenges against the regulation and confirms that the regulation is in compliance with the treaties of the European Union. This will allow the European Commission to suspend funds from the EU budget to member states that have rule of law issues which are likely to affect the management of EU funds. (Al Jazeera)
The British government ends its immigrant investor programs, known as a Tier 1 (Investor) visa, with "immediate effect". The scheme was introduced in 2008 in order to encourage wealthy people from outside the European Union to invest in the United Kingdom. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom announces that California will become the first U.S. state to approach COVID-19 as an endemic rather than a pandemic. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic ends all COVID-19-related public health measures, including mask wearing mandates and use of vaccine passes in order to enter public places, despite not reaching 70% of its vaccination target. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom announces that California will become the first U.S. state to approach COVID-19 as an endemic rather than a pandemic. (CBS News)
Governor Gavin Newsom announces that California will become the first U.S. state to approach COVID-19 as an endemic rather than a pandemic. (CBS News)
The Dominican Republic ends all COVID-19-related public health measures, including mask wearing mandates and use of vaccine passes in order to enter public places, despite not reaching 70% of its vaccination target. (U.S. News & World Report)
The United Nations Security Council convenes in order to discuss Russia's military buildup on the Ukrainian border. (C-SPAN)
2022 Winter Olympics LGBT athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Timothy LeDuc becomes the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. They competed in figure skating with their skating partner Ashley Cain-Gribble for the United States. (HuffPost)
LGBT athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Timothy LeDuc becomes the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. They competed in figure skating with their skating partner Ashley Cain-Gribble for the United States. (HuffPost)
The Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic order mandatory mass evacuations of civilians from their respective capital cities, Donetsk and Luhansk. Around 700,000 people are expected to be evacuated to Russia with the first buses carrying civilians to the Russian border already travelling to Rostov Oblast. Russian President Vladimir Putin orders lump-sum allowances of 10,000 rubles (130 US dollars) to be paid to refugees from Donbas. (MSN) (TASS)
Timothy LeDuc becomes the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. They competed in figure skating with their skating partner Ashley Cain-Gribble for the United States. (HuffPost)
At least seventeen people are killed in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom as Storm Eunice impacts northwestern Europe. Millions are also left without power. (BBC News) (Dutch News) (Euronews)
Canada convoy protest The Ottawa Police Service makes over 100 arrests, including the arrest of protest organizer Pat King. Police accuse protestors of assaulting officers with one person being arrested after allegedly throwing a bicycle at a horse with a mounted officer on it. (CBC News) (MSN)
Estonia delivers a shipment of U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. (Reuters)
Former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter is sentenced to 2 years in prison for the killing of Daunte Wright in April 2021. During the sentencing, Potter expressed condolences to Wright's family. (ABC News)
Killing of Daunte Wright Former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter is sentenced to 2 years in prison for the killing of Daunte Wright in April 2021. During the sentencing, Potter expressed condolences to Wright's family. (ABC News)
Poland–United States relations U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announces the sale of 250 M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Poland amid tensions with Russia. The Polish Land Forces will become the first European military to operate the American M1 Abrams. (Reuters)
The Ottawa Police Service makes over 100 arrests, including the arrest of protest organizer Pat King. Police accuse protestors of assaulting officers with one person being arrested after allegedly throwing a bicycle at a horse with a mounted officer on it. (CBC News) (MSN)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War Russia–United States relations U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris warns that the United States will impose sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. (NBC News) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges sanctions on Russia before a potential invasion occurs. (CBS News)
Russia–United States relations U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris warns that the United States will impose sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. (NBC News)
2022 Winter Olympics Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics The Slovakia men's hockey team wins their first medal at the Winter Olympics after defeating Sweden in the men's tournament. (The Hockey News)
Canada convoy protest Ottawa police continue clearing protesters on Parliament Hill. Over 170 people have been arrested since Thursday as part of an effort to end the protests. (NBC News) (India Times) Freedom Convoy demonstrators admit that the protests are near the end. (The Washington Post)
Ottawa police continue clearing protesters on Parliament Hill. Over 170 people have been arrested since Thursday as part of an effort to end the protests. (NBC News) (India Times)
Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics The Slovakia men's hockey team wins their first medal at the Winter Olympics after defeating Sweden in the men's tournament. (The Hockey News)
War in Donbas The Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic declare a full military mobilisation, a day after beginning to evacuate civilians to Russia. (Reuters) Two Ukrainian troops are killed and four others are injured by shelling from separatist forces. Separatists have opened fire on more than 30 settlements with artillery, according to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters) Russia launches an investigation following reports that shells landed inside Rostov Oblast, 2 km from the Russia–Ukraine border. At least one structure on a farm is reportedly destroyed. (Reuters) (TASS)
Freedom Convoy demonstrators admit that the protests are near the end. (The Washington Post)
Russia launches an investigation following reports that shells landed inside Rostov Oblast, 2 km from the Russia–Ukraine border. At least one structure on a farm is reportedly destroyed. (Reuters) (TASS)
Following the meeting, Biden abruptly cancels plans to go to his home in Delaware for the Presidents' Day holiday. It is a rare occurrence for a U.S. president's travel plans to change in this manner, especially when the plans involve the president leaving Washington, D.C. (CNBC)
Biden speaks with Macron on diplomacy with and deterrence efforts against Russia, after Macron and Putin agreed to work towards a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. (Asian News International)
Hundreds of protestors gather outside the Nepalese parliament in Kathmandu in order to protest a United States grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation for infrastructure projects, stating the deal undermines Nepal's sovereignty. Several protesters are injured following clashes with police. (BBC News)
Nepal–United States relations, Millennium Challenge Corporation's Nepal Compact Hundreds of protestors gather outside the Nepalese parliament in Kathmandu in order to protest a United States grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation for infrastructure projects, stating the deal undermines Nepal's sovereignty. Several protesters are injured following clashes with police. (BBC News)
War in Donbas The Luhansk People's Republic says that two civilians have been killed by Ukrainian military shelling in the village of Pionerskoye, near the Russia–Ukraine border. Five buildings were also destroyed. (TASS)
Belarus–Russia relations Military exercises between Belarusian and Russian forces in Belarus are extended amid tensions with Ukraine. Around 30,000 Russian troops are currently stationed in Belarus, according to NATO. (Reuters) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a decision by Russia and Belarus to extend military drills is Moscow following its "playbook" for an invasion of Ukraine. (New York Post)
Biden has agreed "in principle" to meet with Putin in French-brokered summit talks as long as Russia does not invade Ukraine, the White House says. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in California COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area The Point Bonita Lighthouse, a lighthouse located at the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, reopens to visitors for the first time after two years of closure due to the pandemic. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Italy COVID-19 vaccination in Italy The Italian Health ministry recommends that severely immunocompromised people should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine at least 120 days after receiving their previous booster. (U.S. News & World Report) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19 with "mild cold-like symptoms". (BBC News)
