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)
One protester is shot dead and many more are wounded after attempting to storm a government building during an anti-lockdown riot in Tripoli, Lebanon. The municipality building was set on fire before protesters pulled back to the city's main square. (Reuters)
Politics of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov is sworn in as President of Kyrgyzstan. (Eurasianet)
Sadyr Japarov is sworn in as President of Kyrgyzstan. (Eurasianet)
Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon One protester is shot dead and many more are wounded after attempting to storm a government building during an anti-lockdown riot in Tripoli, Lebanon. The municipality building was set on fire before protesters pulled back to the city's main square. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco begins its COVID-19 vaccination campaign with King Mohammed VI receiving the first dose. (Morocco World News) COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Senegal reports their first case of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated in the United Kingdom. (AFP via Yahoo News) Africa secures another 400 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco begins its COVID-19 vaccination campaign with King Mohammed VI receiving the first dose. (Morocco World News)
Morocco begins its COVID-19 vaccination campaign with King Mohammed VI receiving the first dose. (Morocco World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand The government announces that COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in most areas of the country beginning February 1, allowing some businesses to reopen and restaurants to extend their operating hours. (Bangkok Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announces that the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila will be extended until February 28 and also places the Cordillera Administrative Region under GCQ status because most of the cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been reported in the region. (CNN Philippines)
Legality of euthanasia The parliament of Portugal passes legislation to legalize euthanasia. (AFP via RTE)
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announces that the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila will be extended until February 28 and also places the Cordillera Administrative Region under GCQ status because most of the cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been reported in the region. (CNN Philippines)
The government announces that COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in most areas of the country beginning February 1, allowing some businesses to reopen and restaurants to extend their operating hours. (Bangkok Post)
The parliament of Portugal passes legislation to legalize euthanasia. (AFP via RTE)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and major Canadian airlines agree to suspend all flights to "sun destinations" such as the Caribbean and Mexico until April 30. (BBC News) Trudeau announces new measures to take effect "in the coming weeks" that will require incoming travelers to undergo mandatory PCR testing upon arrival and quarantine in a hotel for a maximum of three days at their own expense. (AP)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and major Canadian airlines agree to suspend all flights to "sun destinations" such as the Caribbean and Mexico until April 30. (BBC News)
Tigray War Former Tigray Region president and fugitive Debretsion Gebremichael speaks out for the first time since going into hiding following the fall of Mekelle to federal forces in November 2020, saying "They [the federal government] have temporary military dominance", and "we are engaged in extended resistance". His current whereabouts are unknown. (Reuters)
Former Tigray Region president and fugitive Debretsion Gebremichael speaks out for the first time since going into hiding following the fall of Mekelle to federal forces in November 2020, saying "They [the federal government] have temporary military dominance", and "we are engaged in extended resistance". His current whereabouts are unknown. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands Minister for Primary Education Arie Slob announces that primary schools and daycare centres will reopen on February 8, but secondary schools and after-school clubs will remain closed. (Dutch News)
Minister for Primary Education Arie Slob announces that primary schools and daycare centres will reopen on February 8, but secondary schools and after-school clubs will remain closed. (Dutch News)
Andorra stops recognizing Juan Guaidó as the interim President of Venezuela. (Diari d'Andorra)
Venezuelan presidential crisis Andorra stops recognizing Juan Guaidó as the interim President of Venezuela. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam closes schools in 22 provinces ahead of the Tết holiday and ends a Communist Party congress early following the detection of a new cluster of COVID-19 cases in northern areas. (CNA)
2021 Italian government crisis President Sergio Mattarella invites former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi to form a new government following the resignation of Giuseppe Conte as Prime Minister. (AFP via RTE)
President Sergio Mattarella invites former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi to form a new government following the resignation of Giuseppe Conte as Prime Minister. (AFP via RTE)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw after the military coup that overthrew her government. (Financial Times)
Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw after the military coup that overthrew her government. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The Japanese government extends an ongoing state of emergency in 10 prefectures, including Tokyo, which surpassed 100,000 cases yesterday. (UPI)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England Captain Tom, a British Army veteran who served in World War II and who donated to charities during the lockdown, dies from COVID-19 at the age of 100. (The Guardian) COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces a phased return to school for Scotland's youngest children, with nurseries and all primary pupils from P1 to P3 planned to be back in the classroom beginning on February 22. (BBC News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, American Rescue Plan The United States Senate votes 50–49 to pass a budget resolution that would allow Democrats to pass President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package without support from Republicans. (Business Insider)
The Japanese government extends an ongoing state of emergency in 10 prefectures, including Tokyo, which surpassed 100,000 cases yesterday. (UPI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan launches the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Pakistan, with the first dose of Sinopharm's vaccine administered to a doctor in Islamabad. (DAWN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces a phased return to school for Scotland's youngest children, with nurseries and all primary pupils from P1 to P3 planned to be back in the classroom beginning on February 22. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns Prime Minister Mark Rutte extends all of the country's tough lockdown measures for at least a month due to the spread of more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine Palestinian Authority begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 starting with healthcare workers in the occupied West Bank. (Daily Sabah)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces a phased return to school for Scotland's youngest children, with nurseries and all primary pupils from P1 to P3 planned to be back in the classroom beginning on February 22. (BBC News)
Palestinian Authority begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 starting with healthcare workers in the occupied West Bank. (Daily Sabah)
Prime Minister Imran Khan launches the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in Pakistan, with the first dose of Sinopharm's vaccine administered to a doctor in Islamabad. (DAWN)
Prime Minister Mark Rutte extends all of the country's tough lockdown measures for at least a month due to the spread of more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden The Swedish government announces that all travellers will be required to show a negative COVID-19 testing result within 48 hours of arrival beginning February 6 in order to prevent the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. Swedish citizens as well as foreign residents living in Sweden will be exempt from this rule. (The Local Sweden)
Guyana–Venezuela relations, Guayana Esequiba dispute The Venezuelan government releases the crew of two Guyana-flagged fishing vessels detained by the Venezuelan military in January for alleged illegal fishing in the disputed Guayana Esequiba region. (AFP via France 24)
The Swedish government announces that all travellers will be required to show a negative COVID-19 testing result within 48 hours of arrival beginning February 6 in order to prevent the spread of variants of SARS-CoV-2. Swedish citizens as well as foreign residents living in Sweden will be exempt from this rule. (The Local Sweden)
The Venezuelan government releases the crew of two Guyana-flagged fishing vessels detained by the Venezuelan military in January for alleged illegal fishing in the disputed Guayana Esequiba region. (AFP via France 24)
Yemeni Civil War, Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen U.S. President Joe Biden announces that the United States will end their support for Saudi Arabia in their intervention in Yemen. However, he also said the United States will continue targeting al-Qaeda operations in the country. (The Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says he is in "good health and recovering" after testing positive for COVID-19 in late January. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The government confirms that British nationals and non-residents returning from 30 "red list" high-risk countries will need to quarantine in hotels or government-approved accommodation beginning February 15, two weeks after it was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issues a new mask mandate after the Legislature voted to repeal the original mandate. (AP) President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkır receives his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Standard) Johnson & Johnson requests emergency approval for its vaccine from the Food and Drug Administration. (CNET)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says he is in "good health and recovering" after testing positive for COVID-19 in late January. (Reuters)
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkır receives his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Standard)
The government confirms that British nationals and non-residents returning from 30 "red list" high-risk countries will need to quarantine in hotels or government-approved accommodation beginning February 15, two weeks after it was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issues a new mask mandate after the Legislature voted to repeal the original mandate. (AP)
Governor Tony Evers issues a new mask mandate after the Legislature voted to repeal the original mandate. (AP)
Lebanese political activist and Hezbollah critic Lokman Slim is assassinated, with his body being found inside his car with multiple gunshot wounds in Sidon District. Prime Minister Hassan Diab says "this heinous crime shall not pass without accountability". (BBC News)
Turkey–United States relations Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu accuses the United States of being behind the coup d'état attempt in 2016, which killed more than 250 people. The U.S. State Department says the accusation was "wholly false", and "inconsistent with Turkey's status as a NATO ally". (Reuters)
Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu accuses the United States of being behind the coup d'état attempt in 2016, which killed more than 250 people. The U.S. State Department says the accusation was "wholly false", and "inconsistent with Turkey's status as a NATO ally". (Reuters)
Second Libyan Civil War, Libyan peace process Delegates of the United Nations-supported Libyan Political Dialogue Forum vote in Geneva to elect Mohammad Younes Menfi as President of the Presidency Council and businessman Mohammed Dbaiba as Prime Minister, defeating President of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha. (Bloomberg)
Bahrain announces that all indoor gyms, indoor exercise classes, sports halls, and swimming pools will be closed from February 7 to February 21 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The country also announces that government entities and institutions can allow up to 70 percent of their employees to work from home. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain Bahrain announces that all indoor gyms, indoor exercise classes, sports halls, and swimming pools will be closed from February 7 to February 21 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The country also announces that government entities and institutions can allow up to 70 percent of their employees to work from home. (Arab News)
Delegates of the United Nations-supported Libyan Political Dialogue Forum vote in Geneva to elect Mohammad Younes Menfi as President of the Presidency Council and businessman Mohammed Dbaiba as Prime Minister, defeating President of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha. (Bloomberg)
Palau announces its intention to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum after claiming fraudulence in the recent election for the organization's Secretary General. (AFP via The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces that hotels, theatres, swimming pools and other indoor facilities will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity on February 12, but that restaurants and fitness centres will continue to remain closed. (The National Herald)
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces that hotels, theatres, swimming pools and other indoor facilities will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity on February 12, but that restaurants and fitness centres will continue to remain closed. (The National Herald)
Tigray War The United Nations says that the Ethiopian government is blocking aid from going to 2.3 million people in non-government-controlled rural areas in Tigray who are in dire need of assistance. (VOA)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea The government eases the restrictions on business operating hours outside of the Seoul Capital Area, allowing those businesses to operate until 10 p.m. local time amid a backlash over prolonged restrictions. (The Korea Herald)
The government eases the restrictions on business operating hours outside of the Seoul Capital Area, allowing those businesses to operate until 10 p.m. local time amid a backlash over prolonged restrictions. (The Korea Herald)
The United Nations says that the Ethiopian government is blocking aid from going to 2.3 million people in non-government-controlled rural areas in Tigray who are in dire need of assistance. (VOA)
Economy of Cuba The Cuban Council of Ministers approves a measure authorizing private activity in most sectors. (AFP via CTV News)
The Cuban Council of Ministers approves a measure authorizing private activity in most sectors. (AFP via CTV News)
2018–2021 Haitian protests The Haitian government says that it has thwarted an attempted coup d'état against President Jovenel Moïse, with at least 23 people arrested. Protesters assert that Moïse's term expires today, however, he claims that his term ends on February 7, 2022; in accordance with the constitution. (AFP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Haitian government says that it has thwarted an attempted coup d'état against President Jovenel Moïse, with at least 23 people arrested. Protesters assert that Moïse's term expires today, however, he claims that his term ends on February 7, 2022; in accordance with the constitution. (AFP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
2021 Ecuadorian general election General elections occur in Ecuador to elect the successor of President Lenín Moreno. Socialist and former aide of President Rafael Correa, Andrés Arauz, is expected to finish in first place, but may face a run-off. (DW)
General elections occur in Ecuador to elect the successor of President Lenín Moreno. Socialist and former aide of President Rafael Correa, Andrés Arauz, is expected to finish in first place, but may face a run-off. (DW)
2021 Liechtenstein general election General elections occur in Liechtenstein to elect the 25 members of the Landtag. (Euronews)
General elections occur in Liechtenstein to elect the 25 members of the Landtag. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Beatriz Yamamoto Cázarez becomes the fifth incumbent member of the Congress of the Union to die from COVID-19. (El Universal)
