A roadside bomb kills two members of the Egyptian Armed Forces and injures five others near Bir al-Abd in the North Sinai Governorate. (AP)
Sinai insurgency A roadside bomb kills two members of the Egyptian Armed Forces and injures five others near Bir al-Abd in the North Sinai Governorate. (AP)
Six militia members are killed during clashes between the Nduma Defense of Congo-Renovated and Mai-Mai Kabido in Bukumbirwa. (Radio Okapi)
Chinese authorities tell 16 million residents in Shijiazhuang and Xingtai to stay home for the next seven days as Shijiazhuang suspends all public transport in order to combat the new outbreak of COVID-19. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China Chinese authorities tell 16 million residents in Shijiazhuang and Xingtai to stay home for the next seven days as Shijiazhuang suspends all public transport in order to combat the new outbreak of COVID-19. (Al Jazeera)
Egypt reopens its airspace to Qatari aircraft, and will allow the resumption of direct flights between the countries, which have been suspended since 2017. (Reuters)
Egypt–Qatar relations, Qatar diplomatic crisis Egypt reopens its airspace to Qatari aircraft, and will allow the resumption of direct flights between the countries, which have been suspended since 2017. (Reuters)
A 65-year-old Thai woman is sentenced to 43 years in prison for insulting the Thai monarchy in online posts in 2014. Her sentence, initially for 87 years, was reduced after she pleaded guilty to the charges. It is the longest punishment for lèse-majesté handed down in Thai history. (Reuters on MSN)
Dubai suspends all entertainment permits issued by the emirate for establishments due to an increase in violations of COVID-19 health protocols. (Khaleej Times)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on entertainment, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates Dubai suspends all entertainment permits issued by the emirate for establishments due to an increase in violations of COVID-19 health protocols. (Khaleej Times)
SpaceX successfully launches a record 143 satellites into orbit on a single rocket in its Transporter-1 mission. The payload consisted of 120 CubeSats, 12 microsatellites, 10 Starlink satellites, and 1 transfer stage. It is also the maiden flight of the SHERPA-FX satellite dispenser. (BBC News)
Boeing 737 MAX groundings The European Aviation Safety Agency clears the Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner to return to service in European Union airspace. (AFP via Barron's)
The European Aviation Safety Agency clears the Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner to return to service in European Union airspace. (AFP via Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates Dubai closes all bars and pubs for the entire month of February and limit other activities due to rise of COVID-19 cases across the United Arab Emirates. (ABC News)
Dubai closes all bars and pubs for the entire month of February and limit other activities due to rise of COVID-19 cases across the United Arab Emirates. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore The Health Sciences Authority approves the use of the Moderna vaccine for people aged above 18 in Singapore, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. (CNA)
The Health Sciences Authority approves the use of the Moderna vaccine for people aged above 18 in Singapore, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa suspends its rollout of the Oxford-AstraZenenca vaccine after research finds that the vaccine is less effective against the 501.V2 variant discovered in the country. (Sky News)
South Africa suspends its rollout of the Oxford-AstraZenenca vaccine after research finds that the vaccine is less effective against the 501.V2 variant discovered in the country. (Sky News)
Emirates Mars Mission United Arab Emirates Space Agency spacecraft Hope enters orbit around Mars. The space probe will study the climate of Mars, and meteorological phenomena such as dust storms. (Reuters)
United Arab Emirates Space Agency spacecraft Hope enters orbit around Mars. The space probe will study the climate of Mars, and meteorological phenomena such as dust storms. (Reuters)
Chinese space program The China National Space Administration space probe Tianwen-1 enters into planetary orbit around Mars. It is the first Chinese spacecraft to reach Mars. A rover will be deployed to explore the Martian surface sometime in May. (BBC News)
The China National Space Administration space probe Tianwen-1 enters into planetary orbit around Mars. It is the first Chinese spacecraft to reach Mars. A rover will be deployed to explore the Martian surface sometime in May. (BBC News)
Footage obtained by the BBC programme Panorama reveals that Dubai sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum has been held in a private villa for at least a year after she attempted to escape from her family in February 2018. Latifa's close associates are calling for international intervention after they stopped receiving messages from her, fearing for her safety. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
Boko Haram militants fire a series of rockets in Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria, killing 10 civilians and wounding others. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Polish biotechnology company Mabion S.A. signs an agreement with Novavax to begin commercial-scale production trials for Novavax's future vaccine. (Bloomberg)
Polish biotechnology company Mabion S.A. signs an agreement with Novavax to begin commercial-scale production trials for Novavax's future vaccine. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in India Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. (Hindustan Times)
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. (Hindustan Times)
Three Palestinian fishermen are killed in an explosion off the coast of Gaza. The blast is caused by an unknown weapon, suspected to be a rocket. (Al Jazeera English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19 starting with health workers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Duong Province using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (VietnamPlus)
Vietnam begins a vaccination programme against COVID-19 starting with health workers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Duong Province using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (VietnamPlus)
Exploration of the Moon The China National Space Administration and Roscosmos sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint lunar space station. Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin says that the space station will be a "complex of experimental research facilities created on the surface or in the orbit of the Moon", and will be available for use by "international partners". (France 24)
The China National Space Administration and Roscosmos sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint lunar space station. Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin says that the space station will be a "complex of experimental research facilities created on the surface or in the orbit of the Moon", and will be available for use by "international partners". (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Lineage P.1 New York reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. The patient is a Brooklyn woman in her 90s in Mount Sinai Hospital who had no travel history. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Florida surpasses two million cases of COVID-19, becoming the third U.S. state to do so after California and Texas. (The Hill) Miami Beach imposes a curfew due to crowds on spring break. It will take effect beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Lineage P.1 New York reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant, which was originally detected in Brazil. The patient is a Brooklyn woman in her 90s in Mount Sinai Hospital who had no travel history. (NBC News)
2021 Darfur clashes Tribal clashes between Masa and Arabs in the Sudanese city of Geneina, West Darfur, kill at least 40 people and injure 60 others. Residents report the use of heavy weaponry and rocket-propelled grenades. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran receives over 700,000 doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine manufactured by SK Bioscience and supplied through the COVAX initiative. (Tehran Times)
Iran receives over 700,000 doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine manufactured by SK Bioscience and supplied through the COVAX initiative. (Tehran Times)
Tribal clashes between Masa and Arabs in the Sudanese city of Geneina, West Darfur, kill at least 40 people and injure 60 others. Residents report the use of heavy weaponry and rocket-propelled grenades. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état A Thai foreign ministry spokesman announces that Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the next ASEAN Summit on April 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia, thereby marking his first foreign trip since taking power in the February 1 coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. Local junta spokespeople refused to comment. (France 24)
A Thai foreign ministry spokesman announces that Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend the next ASEAN Summit on April 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia, thereby marking his first foreign trip since taking power in the February 1 coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. Local junta spokespeople refused to comment. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel lifts its outdoor mask mandate and fully reopens schools as the number of COVID-19 cases reduces and the majority of the population is vaccinated. However, masks must still be worn in indoor public spaces. (The Times of Israel)
Israel lifts its outdoor mask mandate and fully reopens schools as the number of COVID-19 cases reduces and the majority of the population is vaccinated. However, masks must still be worn in indoor public spaces. (The Times of Israel)
Exploration of Mars, Mars 2020 mission NASA's Ingenuity helicopter successfully performs the first powered flight of a helicopter from the surface of another planet. (Phys.org) (Wired)
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter successfully performs the first powered flight of a helicopter from the surface of another planet. (Phys.org) (Wired)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal Nepal grants a conditional emergency use approval for the Russian Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. (The Kathmandu Post)
Nepal grants a conditional emergency use approval for the Russian Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. (The Kathmandu Post)
NASA's Perseverance rover successfully synthesizes breathable oxygen while on the surface of Mars. This demonstrates the feasibility of locally producing oxygen for human life support and propellant production. (CBS News)
A fire at a hospital in the city of Virar, within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, kills 13 COVID-19 patients. (Today Singapore)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Virar hospital fire A fire at a hospital in the city of Virar, within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, kills 13 COVID-19 patients. (Today Singapore)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Virar hospital fire A fire at a hospital in the city of Virar, within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, kills 13 COVID-19 patients. (Today Singapore)
International Space Station programme SpaceX successfully launches astronauts Shane Kimbrough, K. Megan McArthur, Akihiko Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet onboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft into low Earth orbit. The capsule is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on April 24. (The New York Times)
SpaceX successfully launches astronauts Shane Kimbrough, K. Megan McArthur, Akihiko Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet onboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft into low Earth orbit. The capsule is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on April 24. (The New York Times)
Virar hospital fire A fire at a hospital in the city of Virar, within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, kills 13 COVID-19 patients. (Today Singapore)
At least 35 rockets are fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip amidst yesterday's clashes between far-right Jewish demonstrators and Palestinians in Jerusalem. Israel retaliates by firing on targets operated by Hamas within the Strip. (AP)
Human spaceflight SpaceX Crew-2 SpaceX's Crew Dragon C206 "Endeavour", which is carrying four astronauts on board, successfully docks with the International Space Station. (Space.com)
SpaceX Crew-2 SpaceX's Crew Dragon C206 "Endeavour", which is carrying four astronauts on board, successfully docks with the International Space Station. (Space.com)
SpaceX's Crew Dragon C206 "Endeavour", which is carrying four astronauts on board, successfully docks with the International Space Station. (Space.com)
International Space Station programme SpaceX Crew-1 The four-astronaut crew of SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience successfully splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, arriving from a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. (NDTV)
SpaceX Crew-1 The four-astronaut crew of SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience successfully splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, arriving from a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. (NDTV)
The four-astronaut crew of SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience successfully splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, arriving from a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. (NDTV)
A day after appearing on Saturday Night Live and causing Dogecoin's value to drop by a third by calling the digital currency a "hustle", SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announces that his company will accept the cryptocurrency as payment for a DOGE-1 mission to the Moon. (Reuters) (CNBC)
China National Space Administration rover Zhurong successfully lands at Utopia Planitia on Mars, making China the third nation on Earth to achieve a soft landing on the planet. (BBC News)
Chinese space program China National Space Administration rover Zhurong successfully lands at Utopia Planitia on Mars, making China the third nation on Earth to achieve a soft landing on the planet. (BBC News)
The Spectrometer for Heavy Atoms and Nuclear Structure, at the Heavy Ion Research Facility, in Lanzhou, China, is reported to have created a new uranium isotope, uranium-214. (Sci-News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Thai PBS World)
Hamas fires over 190 rockets at towns and cities in southern Israel, damaging numerous buildings, including a synagogue. Approximately 3,000 rockets have been fired in the past week. (Times of Israel)
Thailand surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Thai PBS World)
A Hamas rocket kills two Thai workers and injures ten others in southern Israel, thereby bringing the death toll in the country to 12. (Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore The Singaporean Health Sciences Authority approves the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (CNBC)
The Singaporean Health Sciences Authority approves the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15. (CNBC)
A manhunt is ongoing for a far-right extremist, identified as a soldier, in Dilsen-Stokkem, Limburg, Belgium, after threatening virologist Marc Van Ranst. The suspect is heavily armed and considered as a serious threat. Four rocket launchers were found in his car. (BBC News)
Manhunt for Jürgen Conings A manhunt is ongoing for a far-right extremist, identified as a soldier, in Dilsen-Stokkem, Limburg, Belgium, after threatening virologist Marc Van Ranst. The suspect is heavily armed and considered as a serious threat. Four rocket launchers were found in his car. (BBC News)
