Germany confirms its first case of novel coronavirus in the state of Bavaria. The infected man has been placed in an isolation ward and the risk of further infection is currently considered to be "low", according to the Bavarian Health Ministry. (Deutsche Welle)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020) The Syrian Army besieges the strategic rebel-held city of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man in the Idlib Governorate and cuts the M5 Highway between Ma'arrat al-Nu'man and Saraqib to the north. (Middle East Eye) (Reuters)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020) The Syrian Army, backed by Russian Air Force support, enters the largely deserted city of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man in the northern Idlib Governorate. Only light resistance is reported as most rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, withdrew their fighters. The city had been under rebel control since October 2012. (Middle East Eye)
Three people, including former Mayor Frank Edwards and his wife Cinda, are killed in a plane crash near Springfield, Illinois, United States. (ABC News)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020) The Syrian Army say that the armed forces are now in full control of the city of Maaret al-Numan, after they entered it yesterday with little resistance. (France24)
Japanese prosecutors issue arrest warrants against a former United States special operations forces soldier and two others for allegedly helping Carlos Ghosn to escape from Japan. Another arrest warrant was issued against Ghosn himself. (Reuters)
2020 Streatham stabbing Three people are injured after a man attacked people with a machete in Streatham High Road, London, United Kingdom. The attacker is shot dead by police. The incident is declared as terrorism-related. (BBC News)
A female attacker stabs four people in Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium in different locations. The victims were injured, two of whom in critical conditions. The suspect is shot and wounded by Belgian police. (The Brussels Times)
Three people are injured after a man attacked people with a machete in Streatham High Road, London, United Kingdom. The attacker is shot dead by police. The incident is declared as terrorism-related. (BBC News)
An Australian and two Chinese citizens, one of whom was a tourist, are stabbed and injured by ISIL sympathisers in Hulhumalé, Maldives. The attackers are arrested. (The Guardian)
Israeli warplanes fire missiles near Damascus, Syria. A pro-opposition war monitor says army positions and Iran-backed militias are targeted, killing 12 fighters. Syria says eight fighters are wounded and Israel intends to "save the armed terrorist organisations which have been collapsing in Idlib and western Aleppo Governorate in front of the strikes of the Syrian Army". (BBC News)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) A U.S. civil contractor is kidnapped by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan's Khost Province. A Taliban leader who declined to be named tells Reuters they had kidnapped an American in Khost but did not provide further details. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mainland China General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping declares "people's war" on the coronavirus pandemic. (The National) (Reuters) Li Wenliang, the doctor who tried to issue the first warnings about the pandemic, dies after contracting the virus. (BBC News)
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping declares "people's war" on the coronavirus pandemic. (The National) (Reuters)
It is reported January 2020 was the warmest January ever on record in Europe. (The Washington Post) (Time)
Li Wenliang, the doctor who tried to issue the first warnings about the pandemic, dies after contracting the virus. (BBC News)
High winds, gusting up to 90 miles per hour, strike New England as Winter Storm Kade intensifies upon its exit into the Atlantic Ocean. (Weather.com)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) A shootout during joint exercises with U.S. and Afghan soldiers in Nangarhar Province leaves between four and six Americans, and six Afghans dead. It is unknown if the Taliban or rogue Afghan forces were responsible. (Reuters)
92nd Academy Awards At this year's Oscars, South Korean film Parasite wins the most awards, including Best Picture and Best International Film. It becomes the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture. (The Hollywood Reporter)
At this year's Oscars, South Korean film Parasite wins the most awards, including Best Picture and Best International Film. It becomes the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Auno attack Boko Haram militants kill at least 30 people, burning them to death while they were sleeping in their vehicles in Borno State, Nigeria. Women and children are kidnapped. (BBC News)
Chinese cyberwarfare A federal grand jury in the United States charges four members of China’s People's Liberation Army with the 2017 Equifax hack. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, warns that overseas cases of the virus could be the "tip of the iceberg". (Yahoo! News) COVID-19 pandemic in Mainland China In a rare public appearance and wearing a mask, Xi Jinping visits a hospital in Beijing, and urges "more decisive measures" to combat the virus. (BBC News)
Mohiussunnath Chowdhury is convicted of planning terrorist attacks in London. (BBC News)
Russian and Syrian Air Force warplanes carry out airstrikes on civilian settlements in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, killing at least 17 to 25 civilians including six children. (AA) (MSN) (DW)
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, warns that overseas cases of the virus could be the "tip of the iceberg". (Yahoo! News)
Siba, a standard Poodle, wins Best in Show Award. (Fox News) (ESPN) (The Guardian)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020) The Syrian Army and allied militia groups secure the entire length of the strategic M5 Motorway, connecting Damascus and Aleppo, for the first time since 2012. (Reuters) A Syrian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter is shot down by Turkish-backed rebel forces near the village of Nayrab in Idlib Governorate, killing both pilots. (Haaretz)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Siba, a standard Poodle, wins Best in Show Award. (Fox News) (ESPN) (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania Tonga refuses entry to four cruise ships due to health warnings following the pandemic. (RNZ)
Tonga refuses entry to four cruise ships due to health warnings following the pandemic. (RNZ)
45th César Awards The entire board of France's César Awards resigns following controversy over the Academy giving Roman Polanski's An Officer and a Spy 12 award nominations, the most out of any film this year. (BBC News)
Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War The Israeli Air Force launches an air raid on Iranian targets in the Syrian capital Damascus. Syrian state media says the Air Defense Force intercepted several missiles. (The Jerusalem Post)
The entire board of France's César Awards resigns following controversy over the Academy giving Roman Polanski's An Officer and a Spy 12 award nominations, the most out of any film this year. (BBC News)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that the U.S. and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction of violence in Afghanistan. (Reuters)
The Israeli Air Force launches an air raid on Iranian targets in the Syrian capital Damascus. Syrian state media says the Air Defense Force intercepted several missiles. (The Jerusalem Post)
At least 22 people are killed in an attack on a village in Northwest Region, Cameroon. (BBC News)
Ntumbo attack At least 22 people are killed in an attack on a village in Northwest Region, Cameroon. (BBC News)
Remains of 6,032 people are found with thousands of bullets in six mass graves in Karuzi Province, Burundi, the largest find yet of an excavation project into atrocities of the Burundian Civil War. (Reuters)
Sri Lanka–United States relations The U.S. State Department sanctions Sri Lankan Army Commander Shavendra Silva for alleged human rights violations during the final phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War. (Reuters)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020) A Syrian Air Force helicopter is shot down by a surface-to-air missile over the Aleppo countryside, killing both pilots. It is the second Syrian helicopter to be shot down this week by Turkish-backed forces. (Middle East Eye) (Xinhuanet)
The U.S. State Department sanctions Sri Lankan Army Commander Shavendra Silva for alleged human rights violations during the final phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War. (Reuters)
A Syrian Air Force helicopter is shot down by a surface-to-air missile over the Aleppo countryside, killing both pilots. It is the second Syrian helicopter to be shot down this week by Turkish-backed forces. (Middle East Eye) (Xinhuanet)
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) The Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of airstrikes that killed 30 people, including civilians, in Al Jawf Governorate. The Houthis say women and children were among those killed in the strike, which was said to be a retaliation for the downing of a coalition plane the previous day. (Reuters)
Australia–United Kingdom relations Several senior Australian MPs cancel a planned trip to the United Kingdom next month due to the latter allowing Huawei to help build its national 5G network. Australia had banned the Chinese telecom from participating in their network due to security concerns. (BBC News)
Microsoft removes a security update four days after its release, upon receiving complaints that the update has been responsible for system freezes, boot problems, and installation issues for Windows. (Bleeping Computer)
Several senior Australian MPs cancel a planned trip to the United Kingdom next month due to the latter allowing Huawei to help build its national 5G network. Australia had banned the Chinese telecom from participating in their network due to security concerns. (BBC News)
The Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of airstrikes that killed 30 people, including civilians, in Al Jawf Governorate. The Houthis say women and children were among those killed in the strike, which was said to be a retaliation for the downing of a coalition plane the previous day. (Reuters)
Storm Dennis The bomb cyclone claims another victim, bringing the death toll to three. 198 flood warnings have been placed across England. (CNN)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–present) Backed by Russian airstrikes, Syrian Army troops take control of most of the Aleppo countryside, including the towns of Anadan, Haritan and Kafr Hamrah and over 30 villages amid a collapse in rebel defences. Much of the area has been under rebel control since 2012. (Reuters) (NBC News)
The bomb cyclone claims another victim, bringing the death toll to three. 198 flood warnings have been placed across England. (CNN)
Backed by Russian airstrikes, Syrian Army troops take control of most of the Aleppo countryside, including the towns of Anadan, Haritan and Kafr Hamrah and over 30 villages amid a collapse in rebel defences. Much of the area has been under rebel control since 2012. (Reuters) (NBC News)
Investigations into a far-right organization whose members were arrested in Germany three days earlier reveal a plot, inspired by the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019, to carry out simultaneous, large-scale attacks on mosques across the country during prayers. (The Guardian)
Terrorism in Germany Investigations into a far-right organization whose members were arrested in Germany three days earlier reveal a plot, inspired by the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019, to carry out simultaneous, large-scale attacks on mosques across the country during prayers. (The Guardian)
Syrian civil war The UNHCHR Michelle Bachelet says she is "horrified" by the deliberate targeting of civilians in the recent offensive in northwestern Syria and accuses the parties involved. (Al Jazeera)
A mother and her three children are killed in a car fire in Brisbane, Australia, in a targeted familicide carjacking by former New Zealand Warriors player Rowan Baxter. He was the ex-husband of the woman and father of the children, and he committed suicide at the scene. (News.com.au)
Hanau shootings Nine people are killed and five others injured in two mass shootings at shisha bars in Hanau, Hesse, Germany. The attacker also kills his mother and then himself in their apartment. He expressed far-right views in a letter of confession and video. (The Guardian) Twelve Somali soldiers are killed when a suicide bomber and gunmen storm a military base in Lower Shabelle. The militants briefly capture the base before it is reclaimed. Al-Shabaab claim responsibility. (Reuters)
Murder of Hannah Clarke A mother and her three children are killed in a car fire in Brisbane, Australia, in a targeted familicide carjacking by former New Zealand Warriors player Rowan Baxter. He was the ex-husband of the woman and father of the children, and he committed suicide at the scene. (News.com.au)
Nine people are killed and five others injured in two mass shootings at shisha bars in Hanau, Hesse, Germany. The attacker also kills his mother and then himself in their apartment. He expressed far-right views in a letter of confession and video. (The Guardian)
Brazilian Senator Cid Gomes is shot during a clash with striking military police officers in Sobral, Ceará. (AP via Yahoo News)
Twelve Somali soldiers are killed when a suicide bomber and gunmen storm a military base in Lower Shabelle. The militants briefly capture the base before it is reclaimed. Al-Shabaab claim responsibility. (Reuters)
The California State Legislature unanimously passes a resolution apologizing for the state's role in interning Japanese-Americans during World War II. (The Guardian)
A 64-year-old woman was killed after being attacked by a man with a hammer in Toronto, Canada. The victim was chosen at random. The attacker left a note on the victim's body, expressing support for terrorism. He was arrested and charged with terrorism offences. (Canada.com)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Afghan peace process A seven-day "reduction of violence" between United States troops, Afghan troops, and the Taliban is due to start at midnight local time (19:30 UTC). If the partial truce is successful, a US–Taliban agreement on withdrawing American troops would be signed on February 29. (NBC News)
Five terrorists are killed in Peshawar, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Pakistan, by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in a heavy exchange of fire during a search operation. (Geo News)
Kashmir conflict Two Kashmiri civilians alleged to be Lashkar-e-Taiba militants are killed by Indian soldiers at Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, in a counter-terrorism operation. (DNA India) (ARY News)
Two Kashmiri civilians alleged to be Lashkar-e-Taiba militants are killed by Indian soldiers at Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, in a counter-terrorism operation. (DNA India) (ARY News)
Israel kills two members of Islamic Jihad in an aerial attack near Damascus, Syria. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Toronto machete attack A 17-year-old boy is arrested and charged with first-degree murder after stabbing two women, one of them fatally, at a massage parlor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Global News)
A 300-bed isolation ward has been set up in Islamabad for Chinese citizens returning to Pakistan after vacations. (ARY News)
Volkmarsen ramming attack Nearly 60 people are injured when a car rams civilians at a carnival parade in Volkmarsen, Hesse, Germany. A 29-year-old German national is arrested by police. (BBC News)
Somali Civil War (2009–present) A U.S. airstrike kills an employee of the telecoms Hormuud Telecom. It was aimed at Al-Shabaab in Jilib, Middle Juba. (Reuters)
Aimee Anne Duffy, a Welsh singer who goes by Duffy, reveals she was raped, drugged and held hostage over some days resulting in her disappearance from the limelight in recent years. (The Guardian)
Syrian civil war, Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–present), Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War Turkey's MoD says two Turkish troops were killed in an airstrike in Syria's Idlib Governorate. (Middle East Monitor) Turkey's MoD claims 114 Syrian Army troops were "neutralized" in retaliation. An air defense system, a ZU-23-2 AA gun, an antitank weapon, 3 Tanks, an ammunition vehicle and 2 engineering vehicles were destroyed while 3 tanks were captured. (Akşam)
Turkey's MoD says two Turkish troops were killed in an airstrike in Syria's Idlib Governorate. (Middle East Monitor)
