World 2021 Timeline

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Jan
01
Immigration / Law / Policy

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Nuclear program of Iran The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has notified it of its intention to enrich uranium

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Nuclear program of Iran The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has notified it of its intention to enrich uranium to 20% purity, in accordance with a law recently passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Iran did not specify when this enrichment would begin. The December 2020 bill, adopted after the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, instructs the government to increase uranium enrichment if sanctions against Iran are not eased within two months. (France 24) (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 1, 2021
Jan
01
Immigration / Law / Policy

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has notified it of its intention to enrich uranium to 20% purity, in accordance with a law recently passed by t

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has notified it of its intention to enrich uranium to 20% purity, in accordance with a law recently passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Iran did not specify when this enrichment would begin. The December 2020 bill, adopted after the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, instructs the government to increase uranium enrichment if sanctions against Iran are not eased within two months. (France 24) (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 1, 2021
Jan
02
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria closes its land border with New South Wales due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, after several months of open borders.

COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victoria closes its land border with New South Wales due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, after several months of open borders. Meanwhile, New South Wales makes wearing masks in public mandatory, while also easing restrictions for southern suburbs of the Northern Beaches as the number of cases in those areas decrease. (The Guardian)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 2, 2021
Jan
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights

COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the UK. People arriving from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries where the new variant is spreading are required to spend 14 days in another country and present a negative test result prior to entering Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 3, 2021
Jan
03
Immigration / Law / Policy

Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the s

Saudi Arabia reopens its air, sea, and land borders, and resumes international passenger flights as well, after borders were closed in December to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the UK. People arriving from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other countries where the new variant is spreading are required to spend 14 days in another country and present a negative test result prior to entering Saudi Arabia. (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 3, 2021
Jan
05
Immigration / Law / Policy

Censorship in Vietnam A court in Vietnam sentences three freelance journalists to between 11 and 15 years in prison for anti-state propaganda, criticising the g

Censorship in Vietnam A court in Vietnam sentences three freelance journalists to between 11 and 15 years in prison for anti-state propaganda, criticising the government and "infringing the interests of the Communist Party", among other convictions. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 5, 2021
Jan
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

A court in Pakistan sentences three people to death and a college teacher to 10 years in prison for blasphemy.

A court in Pakistan sentences three people to death and a college teacher to 10 years in prison for blasphemy. Those convicted can now appeal to higher courts and ask for clemency from the President. Human rights groups say that the law persecutes religious minorities including Shias and the Ahmadiyya. (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 8, 2021
Jan
08
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain business

COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Riksdag passes a new law that gives the government power to impose COVID-19-related lockdowns, such as ordering certain businesses to close or prohibiting public gatherings of certain sizes. The law will take effect on January 10. (The Washington Post)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 8, 2021
Jan
11
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware President-elect Joe Biden receives a second dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine on camer

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware President-elect Joe Biden receives a second dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine on camera. (CNN) The CDC says it has administered 8 million vaccine doses in the United States and distributed an additional 25.5 million doses. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 11, 2021
Jan
12
Immigration / Law / Policy

The Jordanian State Security Court sentences a man to death for perpetrating a stabbing attack on eight people in Jerash in November 2019.

The Jordanian State Security Court sentences a man to death for perpetrating a stabbing attack on eight people in Jerash in November 2019. The court alleges that the man "had been in contact with one of the members of the Islamic State", although the organization never claimed responsibility formally. (AFP via RFI)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 12, 2021
Jan
13
Immigration / Law / Policy

Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War Syria missile strikes (January 2021) Israel carries out a wave of airstrikes on Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor Gov

Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War Syria missile strikes (January 2021) Israel carries out a wave of airstrikes on Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, near its border with Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 57 people have been killed and 28 others injured in at least 18 Israeli airstrikes, saying that several Iranian arms depots were hit. A senior U.S. intelligence official says that the air raids were carried out with "intelligence provided by the U.S." (Daily Sabah)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 13, 2021
Jan
13
Immigration / Law / Policy

Syrian civil war Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War Syria missile strikes (January 2021) Israel carries out a wave of airstrikes on Syria's easter

Syrian civil war Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian Civil War Syria missile strikes (January 2021) Israel carries out a wave of airstrikes on Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, near its border with Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 57 people have been killed and 28 others injured in at least 18 Israeli airstrikes, saying that several Iranian arms depots were hit. A senior U.S. intelligence official says that the air raids were carried out with "intelligence provided by the U.S." (Daily Sabah)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 13, 2021
Jan
14
Immigration / Law / Policy

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol The U.S.

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announces the arrest of Kevin Seefried, a Delaware man who was seen carrying the Confederate flag during the storming of the United States Capitol. His son, Hunter Seefried, is also arrested. (CBS News) The Department of Justice announces that Robert Sanford, a retired firefighter from Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, has been arrested for allegedly throwing a fire extinguisher at Capitol Police officers during the storming of the Capitol. (USA Today)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 14, 2021
Jan
14
Immigration / Law / Policy

The U.S.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announces the arrest of Kevin Seefried, a Delaware man who was seen carrying the Confederate flag during the storming of the United States Capitol. His son, Hunter Seefried, is also arrested. (CBS News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 14, 2021
Jan
15
Immigration / Law / Policy

Pan Am Flight 103 The family of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, loses a posthumous appeal at a top Scottish court against his conviction.

Pan Am Flight 103 The family of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, loses a posthumous appeal at a top Scottish court against his conviction. Al-Megrahi was the only person convicted for the terrorist attack, whereas his family say that he was the victim of a "miscarriage of justice". (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 15, 2021
Jan
15
Immigration / Law / Policy

The family of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, loses a posthumous appeal at a top Scottish court against his conviction.

The family of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, loses a posthumous appeal at a top Scottish court against his conviction. Al-Megrahi was the only person convicted for the terrorist attack, whereas his family say that he was the victim of a "miscarriage of justice". (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 15, 2021
Jan
17
Immigration / Law / Policy

War in Afghanistan 2021 Afghanistan attacks; Taliban insurgency Two judges, both female, are shot dead in an ambush while en-route to their offices at the Supre

War in Afghanistan 2021 Afghanistan attacks; Taliban insurgency Two judges, both female, are shot dead in an ambush while en-route to their offices at the Supreme Court in Kabul; their driver is wounded. Afghan officials claim the Taliban is responsible, however no one has claimed responsibility for the attack and a spokesman for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, says that the group was not responsible. (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 17, 2021
Jan
17
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccine The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) grants emergency use authorization requests for the vaccines devel

COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccine The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) grants emergency use authorization requests for the vaccines developed by Sinovac and Oxford-AstraZeneca. (G1) Minutes after Anvisa's announcement, a nurse from São Paulo becomes the first person in Brazil to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 17, 2021
Jan
17
Immigration / Law / Policy

Opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny is arrested upon landing in Moscow, according to a statement from the prison service.

Opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny is arrested upon landing in Moscow, according to a statement from the prison service. The prominent Putin critic was arrested on charges of parole violations and terms of a suspended prison sentence and will be held in custody until a court makes a decision in his case. (Politico)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 17, 2021
Jan
18
Immigration / Law / Policy

2020–21 Central African general election The constitutional court of the Central African Republic confirms the re-election of President Faustin-Archange Touadér

2020–21 Central African general election The constitutional court of the Central African Republic confirms the re-election of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, despite a voter turnout of only 35.25 percent. The low turnout was attributed to the hindrance of polling stations from operating and voters unable to cast their ballots as various armed groups currently control roughly two-thirds of the country, thus prompting most opposition candidates and activists to call the election farce and fraudulent. (AFP via Africanews)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 18, 2021
Jan
18
Immigration / Law / Policy

The constitutional court of the Central African Republic confirms the re-election of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, despite a voter turnout of only 35.25

The constitutional court of the Central African Republic confirms the re-election of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, despite a voter turnout of only 35.25 percent. The low turnout was attributed to the hindrance of polling stations from operating and voters unable to cast their ballots as various armed groups currently control roughly two-thirds of the country, thus prompting most opposition candidates and activists to call the election farce and fraudulent. (AFP via Africanews)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 18, 2021
Jan
20
Immigration / Law / Policy

Biden signs his first executive orders reversing several Trump administration decisions, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organizati

Biden signs his first executive orders reversing several Trump administration decisions, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, repealing 2017 travel bans, ending funding for the United States–Mexico border wall, and revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. (BBC News) (NBC News) (The Guardian)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 20, 2021
Jan
21
Immigration / Law / Policy

A Vatican tribunal convicts two former executives of the Institute for Religious Works (the IOR, commonly known as the Vatican bank) on embezzlement and money-l

A Vatican tribunal convicts two former executives of the Institute for Religious Works (the IOR, commonly known as the Vatican bank) on embezzlement and money-laundering charges. Angelo Caloia, who was president of the IOR from 1999 to 2009; and two lawyers who had acted as IOR consultants, were found guilty of arranging to profit from the sale of Vatican properties. (AP)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 21, 2021
Jan
21
Immigration / Law / Policy

Bashar al-Jaafari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, called on Biden to change US foreign policy in Syria, which is nearing 10 years of c

Bashar al-Jaafari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, called on Biden to change US foreign policy in Syria, which is nearing 10 years of civil war. During a session of the UN Security Council, Jaafari accused the United States of using the multi-sided war to steal the country's oil reserves and other natural resources. (Middle East Eye)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 21, 2021
Jan
21
Immigration / Law / Policy

Syria–United States relations Bashar al-Jaafari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, called on Biden to change US foreign policy in Syria,

Syria–United States relations Bashar al-Jaafari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, called on Biden to change US foreign policy in Syria, which is nearing 10 years of civil war. During a session of the UN Security Council, Jaafari accused the United States of using the multi-sided war to steal the country's oil reserves and other natural resources. (Middle East Eye)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 21, 2021
Jan
22
Immigration / Law / Policy

In response to a bill proposed by parliament to require dot-com companies to compensate local news outlets for hosting their content, Google threatens to block

In response to a bill proposed by parliament to require dot-com companies to compensate local news outlets for hosting their content, Google threatens to block Australians from using its web search engine should the current draft of the bill become law. (AFP via The Jakarta Post)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 22, 2021
Jan
22
Immigration / Law / Policy

Mass media in Australia In response to a bill proposed by parliament to require dot-com companies to compensate local news outlets for hosting their content, Go

Mass media in Australia In response to a bill proposed by parliament to require dot-com companies to compensate local news outlets for hosting their content, Google threatens to block Australians from using its web search engine should the current draft of the bill become law. (AFP via The Jakarta Post)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 22, 2021
Jan
22
Immigration / Law / Policy

Corruption in the mining industry of Guinea Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz is sentenced by a Geneva court to five years in prison for corruption in obtainin

Corruption in the mining industry of Guinea Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz is sentenced by a Geneva court to five years in prison for corruption in obtaining mining rights to an iron ore deposit in Guinea, and is ordered to pay a fine of CHF 50 million (US$56 million) to the canton of Geneva. (AFP via CTV News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 22, 2021
Jan
22
Immigration / Law / Policy

Essex lorry deaths Seven culprits involved in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese unlawful immigrants smuggled in a refrigerator lorry in Grays, Essex in 2019 have been

Essex lorry deaths Seven culprits involved in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese unlawful immigrants smuggled in a refrigerator lorry in Grays, Essex in 2019 have been sentenced on multiple counts of manslaughter. Five people received sentences of between 3 to 18 years in prison, while the two main leaders of the smuggling operation received 20 and 27 years respectively. (The Guardian)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 22, 2021
Jan
22
Immigration / Law / Policy

Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz is sentenced by a Geneva court to five years in prison for corruption in obtaining mining rights to an iron ore deposit in Gu

Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz is sentenced by a Geneva court to five years in prison for corruption in obtaining mining rights to an iron ore deposit in Guinea, and is ordered to pay a fine of CHF 50 million (US$56 million) to the canton of Geneva. (AFP via CTV News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 22, 2021
Jan
22
Immigration / Law / Policy

Seven culprits involved in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese unlawful immigrants smuggled in a refrigerator lorry in Grays, Essex in 2019 have been sentenced on multi

Seven culprits involved in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese unlawful immigrants smuggled in a refrigerator lorry in Grays, Essex in 2019 have been sentenced on multiple counts of manslaughter. Five people received sentences of between 3 to 18 years in prison, while the two main leaders of the smuggling operation received 20 and 27 years respectively. (The Guardian)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 22, 2021
Jan
23
Immigration / Law / Policy

Brazilian indigenous leaders Raoni Metuktire of the Kayapo tribe and Almir Narayamoga Surui of the Paiter Surui tribe call for the International Criminal Court

Brazilian indigenous leaders Raoni Metuktire of the Kayapo tribe and Almir Narayamoga Surui of the Paiter Surui tribe call for the International Criminal Court to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for "crimes against humanity" such as environmental damage to the Amazon rainforest. (France 24)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 23, 2021
Jan
23
Immigration / Law / Policy

Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest Brazilian indigenous leaders Raoni Metuktire of the Kayapo tribe and Almir Narayamoga Surui of the Paiter Surui tribe cal

Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest Brazilian indigenous leaders Raoni Metuktire of the Kayapo tribe and Almir Narayamoga Surui of the Paiter Surui tribe call for the International Criminal Court to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for "crimes against humanity" such as environmental damage to the Amazon rainforest. (France 24)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 23, 2021
Jan
24
Immigration / Law / Policy

Central African Republic Civil War The Central African government renders custody of an alleged Séléka commander to the International Criminal Court, where he i

Central African Republic Civil War The Central African government renders custody of an alleged Séléka commander to the International Criminal Court, where he is expected to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. (AFP via Macau Business)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 24, 2021
Jan
24
Immigration / Law / Policy

American manufacturer Tesla files a lawsuit against one of its former software engineers for allegedly copying confidential computer scripts onto a personal fil

American manufacturer Tesla files a lawsuit against one of its former software engineers for allegedly copying confidential computer scripts onto a personal file hosting service. The former employee denies the company's allegation, claiming he transferred the files by mistake. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 24, 2021
Jan
24
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in France, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic France imposes new border restrictions that require travellers from other Euro

COVID-19 pandemic in France, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic France imposes new border restrictions that require travellers from other European Union countries arriving by air or sea to present negative PCR test results obtained in the previous 72 hours. (France 24)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 24, 2021
Jan
25
Immigration / Law / Policy

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion, COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada The United States Supreme Court declines to hear a case from the Calvary Chapel Dayton

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion, COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada The United States Supreme Court declines to hear a case from the Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, a church in Dayton, Nevada, that faces restrictions from Governor Steve Sisolak, to consider how far the state should go when imposing restrictions on places of worship. (NBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 25, 2021
Jan
25
Immigration / Law / Policy

COVID-19 pandemic in Netherlands, 2021 Dutch curfew riots, social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic More than 180 people were arrested in 10 Dutch cities as prote

COVID-19 pandemic in Netherlands, 2021 Dutch curfew riots, social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic More than 180 people were arrested in 10 Dutch cities as protesters against the curfew and lockdown clashed with riot law enforcement overnight for a third night in a row. (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 25, 2021
Jan
27
Immigration / Law / Policy

Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot One of the fourteen men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer pleads guilty in a federal court and

Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot One of the fourteen men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer pleads guilty in a federal court and agrees to testify against his co-defendants. His sentencing is scheduled for July 8. (MLive.com)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 27, 2021
Jan
28
Immigration / Law / Policy

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 cumula

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)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 28, 2021
Jan
28
Immigration / Law / Policy

Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute The United Nations' International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea rules that the United Kingdom has no legal sovereignty

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)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 28, 2021
Jan
28
Immigration / Law / Policy

Decolonisation of Africa Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute The United Nations' International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea rules that the United Kingdom

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)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 28, 2021
Jan
28
Immigration / Law / Policy

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 r

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)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Jan 28, 2021
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