Spain approves the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in people aged 18 to 55. (El Mundo)
Spain reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a 44-year-old man who travelled from Brazil to Madrid on January 29 and later tested positive for COVID-19. (RTVE)
Swedish troops are deployed to Mali to join French-led counter-insurgency operations against jihadist groups. The Riksdag approved the deployment of up to 150 soldiers in June 2020. (France 24)
Ukraine secures 12 million doses of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax. (UNIAN)
Variants of SARS-CoV-2 AstraZeneca-Oxford developers say that their vaccine candidate is effective against the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (BBC News)
Virginia reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from eastern Virginia. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Western Australia lifts a five-day lockdown in Perth and surrounding areas after it reports no community cases. (9 News)
An ambush on a convoy by suspected MNDAA insurgents in Shan State, Myanmar, kills nine civilians and three policemen, and injures 13 others. (ANI News)
China's National Medical Products Administration gives a conditional approval to Sinovac's Coronavac vaccine for general use. (France 24)
Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein after four years in detention. He had been held on charges of spreading false news, joining a banned group and receiving foreign funds. (VOA)
Eleven people are dead and three others have been rescued after their wooden boat overturns in a lake in Susong County, in east China's Anhui province. (Sina)
Italy signs a decree authorizing the emergency use of monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 patients. (Reuters)
Missouri reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an adult from Marion County. (KMOV-TV)
Mongolia reports a record 61 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,989. (Xinhua)
Moussa Faki is re-elected as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. (AFP via Al-Ahram)
Myanmar approves the use of the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia. (Sputnik V)
The leaders of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands will meet on Monday to discuss leaving the Pacific Islands Forum after Marshallese candidate Gerald Zackios was not chosen as Secretary-General. Palau had earlier announced that it was leaving the forum. (RNZ)
The Netherlands surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (NL Times)
A limited-size clinical trial in Johannesburg suggests that the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is weak against the 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Wall Street Journal)
Afghanistan receives 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (The Hindu)
Bangladesh begins a nationwide vaccination programme against COVID-19 in Dhaka. (All India Radio)
Cambodia receives its first 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China. (ABC News)
COVID-19 vaccine Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, 501.V2 variant A limited-size clinical trial in Johannesburg suggests that the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is weak against the 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Wall Street Journal)
Hungary approves the use of the Sputnik V vaccine in the country. (The Moscow Times)
Ontario reports Canada's first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a person who travelled from Brazil to Toronto. (CP24)
Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, 501.V2 variant A limited-size clinical trial in Johannesburg suggests that the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is weak against the 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Wall Street Journal)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the Super Bowl following a 31–9 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, making them the first wildcard team to win the Super Bowl since the 2010 Green Bay Packers and the first to win it in their home stadium. Quarterback Tom Brady is named Super Bowl MVP. (BBC News)
Argentina reports its first cases of two different Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variants in two people infected with the P.1 variant and two others infected with the P.2 variant. (Semana)
Laos receives 300,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Bangkok Post)
Malaysia reports a record 24 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 896. (Malay Mail)
Northern Cyprus reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant in 16 samples that contracted SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. (Anadolu Agency)
The European Commission finalizes a deal to secure 300 million additional doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (DW)
The Netherlands extends its nationwide curfew until March 3 in order to prevent the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. (AP)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état Tatmadaw raids the headquarters of ousted de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy in Yangon, according to a party statement posted on Facebook. (CNA)
90 townships in 30 cities, including Naypyidaw and all 44 townships in Yangon, are placed under curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time and all gatherings of more than five people are banned. (Myanmar Times)
Belarus surpasses 260,000 cases of COVID-19 after reporting 561 new cases in the past 24 hours. (Xinhua)
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announces a statewide isolation order in Tyrol beginning February 12 in order to prevent the spread of the 501.V2 variant. Residents will have to present a negative COVID-19 test result from the last 48 hours in order to leave the state. (ABC News)
Indian actor and activist Deep Sidhu is arrested by the Delhi Police's special cell unit for his role in inciting the January 26 riot at the Red Fort. (The Times of India)
Manitoba reports its first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (CBC)
Mongolia approves the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (Sputnik V)
Pakistan approves the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the third vaccine to be approved in the country after the Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. (Reuters)
Quebec reports its first two cases of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. (Global News)
Scottish Transport secretary Michael Matheson announces that all people who arrive from outside the UK and Ireland will be charged £1,750 for “managed quarantine” at one of six hotels at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. (The Independent)
Spain surpasses three million cases of COVID-19. (MedicalXpress)
Switzerland reports its first case of the Brazilian P.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Local Switzerland)
Tatmadaw raids the headquarters of ousted de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy in Yangon, according to a party statement posted on Facebook. (CNA)
A pet dog owned by a COVID-19 patient in South Korea tests positive for COVID-19 after it showed symptoms. (Reuters)
Bahrain approves the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the fourth vaccine to be approved in the country. (Bahrain News Agency)
British sex offender David Wilson is sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for 96 offences against 51 boys aged 4 to 14. (BBC News)
Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall receive their first doses of the vaccine. (BBC News)
Crime in the United Kingdom British sex offender David Wilson is sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for 96 offences against 51 boys aged 4 to 14. (BBC News)
Croatia detects the first case of UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a samples from three people including a three-year-old children. (MedicalXpress)
Hong Kong will reopen theme parks and sports and entertainment facilities, as well as extend dining hours in restaurants to 10:00 p.m. local time beginning February 18 as the number of cases continues to decline. (CNA)
Maine reports its first two cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in a person from Franklin County who previously travelled internationally. (Portland Press Herald)
Mexico approves the use of China's Sinovac and CanSino vaccines. (Reuters)
Nuclear program of Iran The International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that Iran has carried out its plan to produce uranium metal at a nuclear facility in Isfahan, a major breach of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Uranium metal is essential to making the core of a nuclear weapon. (Reuters)
Portugal reports its first two identified cases of COVID-19 infection with the Lineage P.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2, both of which were detected in the Lisbon metropolitan area. (RTP)
Red Cross officials report that 80% of Tigray's 6 million people are unreachable. In the regional capital of Mekelle, which is now home to 250,000 displaced people, vaccines have expired and there are no longer any HIV or tuberculosis drugs. (Associated Press) (Europe External Programme with Africa)
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that Iran has carried out its plan to produce uranium metal at a nuclear facility in Isfahan, a major breach of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Uranium metal is essential to making the core of a nuclear weapon. (Reuters)
Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces ambush Ethiopian and Eritrean troops in May Keyah, 50–60 kilometers south of Mekelle. Fighting between the TPLF and Ethiopia is also reported in Guya, Kola Tembien. (Europe External Programme with Africa)
Illinois reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from Rock Island. (WMAQ-TV)
Montenegro's Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices approves the purchases of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. (Vijesti)
Morocco receives their second shipment of four million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine from India. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
North Carolina reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant an adult in the central part of the state who had no travel history. (WRAL-TV)
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine lifts a statewide curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. EST, citing drop of COVID-19 cases. (Patch.com)
Three Turkish soldiers are killed by PKK separatists in Iraqi Kurdistan. (Al Jazeera)
Zimbabwe purchases 600,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine, in addition to 200,000 doses donated by China. These vaccines are expected to arrive at the beginning of March. (TimesLive)
Cambodia approves the emergency use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sinovac Biotech vaccines. (Cambodianess)
Greece extends their full lockdown to Achaia and the island of Euboea beginning February 13 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
Japan receives their first shipment of 400,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Belgium. (The Japan Times)
New Hampshire reports their first case of the B.1.1.7 variant in a person from Hillsborough County who had close contact with someone who travelled internationally. (Patch.com)
Pakistan approves the emergency use of China's CanSinoBio vaccine, becoming the fourth vaccine to be approved in the country. (DAWN)
Russia gives a preliminary approval for its Sputnik V vaccine to be manufactured in Serbia. (The Moscow Times)
A series of severe weather-related incidents in Northern Italy leaves four people dead and 25 others injured. (Il Messaggero)
Egyptian and American archaeologists discover an ancient mass-production brewery in the ancient Egyptian city of Abydos, likely dating back to the Early Dynastic Period. Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, believes it to be "the oldest high-production brewery in the world". (AFP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
