Alex Padilla of California is officially sworn in as Senator of the United States Senate, as an appointee replacing Kamala Harris. (LA Times)
Andorra begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (Periòdic d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, 501.V2 variant Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth confirms the first cases of the variant found in South Africa. The patients are two people who had traveled to that country. (Kenyans.co.ke) COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe's International Trade and Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo dies due to complications from COVID-19. (News24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Andorra begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (Periòdic d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe's International Trade and Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo dies due to complications from COVID-19. (News24)
Zimbabwe's International Trade and Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo dies due to complications from COVID-19. (News24)
2020 Summer Olympics, COVID-19 pandemic in Japan International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says that the Summer Olympics will be held in July, despite a state of emergency currently being declared in Tokyo. (The Guardian)
Central African Republic Civil War The Central African Republic government declares a 15-day state of emergency after rebels attempt to surround and blockade the capital Bangui. Pro-François Bozizé loyalists and anti-balaka militias now control around two-thirds of the war torn nation. (Al Jazeera)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 2020 Summer Olympics, COVID-19 pandemic in Japan International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says that the Summer Olympics will be held in July, despite a state of emergency currently being declared in Tokyo. (The Guardian)
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says that the Summer Olympics will be held in July, despite a state of emergency currently being declared in Tokyo. (The Guardian)
The Central African Republic government declares a 15-day state of emergency after rebels attempt to surround and blockade the capital Bangui. Pro-François Bozizé loyalists and anti-balaka militias now control around two-thirds of the war torn nation. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina President Alberto Fernández receives a dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, a day after the usage of vaccines for people over the age of 60 was approved by the country's health regulator. (La Nacion)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports a record of 221 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,686. (DGS) The government announces the closure of all schools, kindergartens and universities for two weeks beginning tomorrow due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, as well as the emergence of the Variant of Concern 202012/01. (The Portugal News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama Alabama Governor Kay Ivey extends the statewide mask mandate to March 5. (San Francisco Chronicle) COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Tennessee reports their first two cases of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was first identified in the United Kingdom. (WSMV-TV) Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States President Joe Biden signs an executive order requiring usage of masks in airports and on airplanes, trains and buses. (AP)
COVID-19 vaccination in Argentina President Alberto Fernández receives a dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, a day after the usage of vaccines for people over the age of 60 was approved by the country's health regulator. (La Nacion)
President Alberto Fernández receives a dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, a day after the usage of vaccines for people over the age of 60 was approved by the country's health regulator. (La Nacion)
The government announces the closure of all schools, kindergartens and universities for two weeks beginning tomorrow due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, as well as the emergence of the Variant of Concern 202012/01. (The Portugal News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South African Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu dies due to COVID-19. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Dutch House of Representatives votes to impose a curfew from 9.00 p.m. to 4.30 a.m. beginning January 23. (Euronews) (RTL Nieuws)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics, COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh resigns a day after thousands in Ulaanbaatar protested against the way authorities behaved with a COVID-19-infected mother and her newborn baby. (CNA)
Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh resigns a day after thousands in Ulaanbaatar protested against the way authorities behaved with a COVID-19-infected mother and her newborn baby. (CNA)
South African Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu dies due to COVID-19. (CNN)
A panel of scientists that advises the British government announces that a variant first discovered in the United Kingdom is 30% more deadly than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. (Forbes)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Variant of Concern 202012/01 A panel of scientists that advises the British government announces that a variant first discovered in the United Kingdom is 30% more deadly than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. (Forbes)
Former Bosnian Army general and deputy Minister of Defense Sakib Mahmuljin is sentenced to ten years in prison for failing to prevent or punish foreign Islamist fighters who murdered and tortured Serbian prisoners during the Bosnian War. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, COVID-19 vaccine President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announces that the country will begin vaccinations tomorrow. Medical staff will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia bans gatherings including demonstrations and extends their curfew to between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time until February 14 in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, COVID-19 vaccine President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announces that the country will begin vaccinations tomorrow. Medical staff will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announces that the country will begin vaccinations tomorrow. Medical staff will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi tests positive for COVID-19 after previously endorsing sorcery and magic potions. (France 24)
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi tests positive for COVID-19 after previously endorsing sorcery and magic potions. (France 24)
2021 Portuguese presidential election Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is reelected with 60.7% of the vote in Sunday's election. (ABC News) (DW)
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is reelected with 60.7% of the vote in Sunday's election. (ABC News) (DW)
2021 Palmas FR plane crash A plane crashes in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil, killing four Palmas Futebol e Regatas footballers, their team's president, and the pilot. (CNN Brasil)
A plane crashes in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil, killing four Palmas Futebol e Regatas footballers, their team's president, and the pilot. (CNN Brasil)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announces that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving medical treatment. (Reuters)
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announces that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving medical treatment. (Reuters)
Politics of Estonia The two major political parties Reform Party and Centre Party agree to form a government, whose Prime Minister will be Kaja Kallas, who will become the first female to take the office. She is succeeding Jüri Ratas, who resigned following a corruption scandal that involves his party. (Politico)
Proposed second Scottish independence referendum Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she intends to hold a "legal referendum" on independence since Brexit removed Scotland from the European Union against its will. Another referendum would require the approval of the United Kingdom's government, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson opposes. (ABC News) (Bloomberg)
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she intends to hold a "legal referendum" on independence since Brexit removed Scotland from the European Union against its will. Another referendum would require the approval of the United Kingdom's government, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson opposes. (ABC News) (Bloomberg)
The two major political parties Reform Party and Centre Party agree to form a government, whose Prime Minister will be Kaja Kallas, who will become the first female to take the office. She is succeeding Jüri Ratas, who resigned following a corruption scandal that involves his party. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt launches a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 with the first doses of Sinopharm's vaccine given to healthcare workers in Ismailia. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois The Chicago Teachers Union votes to defy an order by the public schools to return to in-person instructions over COVID-19 concerns. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C., Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol Around 38 United States Capitol Police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 since the storming of the United States Capitol. (CNN) COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois The Chicago Teachers Union votes to defy an order by the public schools to return to in-person instructions over COVID-19 concerns. (CBS News)
Egypt launches a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 with the first doses of Sinopharm's vaccine given to healthcare workers in Ismailia. (AP)
The Chicago Teachers Union votes to defy an order by the public schools to return to in-person instructions over COVID-19 concerns. (CBS News)
2021 Italian government crisis Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is set to hand in his resignation tomorrow, due to an ongoing political crisis which began on January 13. (BBC News)
Greek–Turkish relations, Aegean dispute, 2020–2021 East Mediterranean crisis The Greek and Turkish governments conduct the two countries' first direct dialogue regarding the dispute since 2016. (AFP via IBTimes)
The Greek and Turkish governments conduct the two countries' first direct dialogue regarding the dispute since 2016. (AFP via IBTimes)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, 501.V2 variant President Joe Biden signs an order banning travel from South Africa due to fears of the 501.V2 variant; the ban is expected to take effect on January 30. Additionally, Biden also extends travel restrictions to Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and other European countries, which were expected to expire tomorrow under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports a record 93,822 new confirmed cases over the weekend, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,593,582. (elDiario) The Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Iván Redondo tests positive for the COVID-19. (La Vanguardia)
Kaja Kallas wins the support of the Riigikogu to become the new Prime Minister, the first woman to do so. (ERR)
Politics of Estonia Kaja Kallas wins the support of the Riigikogu to become the new Prime Minister, the first woman to do so. (ERR)
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is set to hand in his resignation tomorrow, due to an ongoing political crisis which began on January 13. (BBC News)
The Canada House of Commons votes to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to label the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization. (Bloomberg)
The Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Iván Redondo tests positive for the COVID-19. (La Vanguardia)
2021 Italian government crisis, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns amid a political crisis over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Barbados The Caribbean Public Health Agency reports the presence of B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Barbados. (Government Information Service Barbados)
COVID-19 pandemic in Peru President Francisco Sagasti announces a total lockdown in the capital Lima and nine other regions following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. (Al Jazeera) The Cayetano Heredia University says that a volunteer in the local trial of a coronavirus vaccine produced by China's Sinopharm Group has died from COVID-19-related pneumonia. The university said that the volunteer had received the placebo. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland The government extends the Level 5 lockdown restrictions until March 5. They also agree to impose a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine for all travelers without negative COVID-19 test results as well as all travelers from Brazil and South Africa. (RTÉ)
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns amid a political crisis over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (BBC News)
President Francisco Sagasti announces a total lockdown in the capital Lima and nine other regions following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. (Al Jazeera)
The government extends the Level 5 lockdown restrictions until March 5. They also agree to impose a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine for all travelers without negative COVID-19 test results as well as all travelers from Brazil and South Africa. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia The Minister of National Defense of Colombia, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, dies after contracting COVID-19. (Yahoo 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)
The Minister of National Defense of Colombia, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, dies after contracting COVID-19. (Yahoo News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia President Joko Widodo receives his second dose of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine. (Antara News) Indonesia reports a record 387 deaths and 10,974 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide totals to 28,855 deaths and 831,330 recoveries. (detikNews)
President Joko Widodo receives his second dose of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine. (Antara News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launches a vaccination programme in Bangladesh using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (All India Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela announces the imposition of new measures to stop the curve: restaurants, kiosks, and snack bars must remain closed for the entire month of February from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., bars are completely closed, recommends that schools postpone the two days of school holidays for Carnival. (Times of Malta)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli launches a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Nepal beginning with 430,000 frontline and healthcare workers. (The Kathmandu Post)
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)
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli launches a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Nepal beginning with 430,000 frontline and healthcare workers. (The Kathmandu Post)
Prime Minister Robert Abela announces the imposition of new measures to stop the curve: restaurants, kiosks, and snack bars must remain closed for the entire month of February from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., bars are completely closed, recommends that schools postpone the two days of school holidays for Carnival. (Times of Malta)
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launches a vaccination programme in Bangladesh using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (All India Radio)
Criticism of Google Google removes major Australian news sites from some of its search results in an "experiment" in reaction to the Australian government's calls for Google to pay these sites for their content. (The Guardian) The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission releases a report accusing Google of misusing its advertisement system to promote Alphabet Inc.'s own financial interests. (The Guardian)
