A Vanuatu patrol boat detains two Chinese fishing vessels near the Torres Islands in the Coral Sea for suspected illegal fishing. (The Guardian)
Arizona reports the first three cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Arizona Republic)
China–Vanuatu relations A Vanuatu patrol boat detains two Chinese fishing vessels near the Torres Islands in the Coral Sea for suspected illegal fishing. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Arizona reports the first three cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Arizona Republic)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces the closure of borders to all travelers outside the European Union beginning January 31 in order to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and avoid a third lockdown. In addition, travel between the overseas territories will be limited and all large shopping centres will be closed. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The German Ministry of Interior bans entry to all travellers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Portugal, and South Africa from tomorrow until February 17 in order to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants. In addition, travellers from Lesotho and Eswatini will also be banned beginning January 31. (Dpa International)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece delays the reopening of high schools, which was scheduled to begin on February 1, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, particularly in red zone areas. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Hungary approves the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine for use in the country, becoming the first EU member state to do so. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 5,725 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 203,933. (The Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Fifteen people are killed in a COVID-19 facility due to a fire at the Matei Balș Hospital in Bucharest, Romania. (Digi 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkmenistan Turkmenistan approves the EpiVacCorona vaccine, becoming the first country outside of Russia to do so. (Business TM)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine The Verkhovna Rada passes a law banning registration of the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccine Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson announces their single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is 66% effective in preventing moderate disease and 85% in preventing severe disease during a global trial. (Politico) Novartis signs an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech to help produce their vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
Fifteen people are killed in a COVID-19 facility due to a fire at the Matei Balș Hospital in Bucharest, Romania. (Digi 24)
Greece delays the reopening of high schools, which was scheduled to begin on February 1, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, particularly in red zone areas. (Ekathimerini)
Hungary approves the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine for use in the country, becoming the first EU member state to do so. (DW)
Malaysia reports a record 5,725 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 203,933. (The Star)
Novartis signs an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech to help produce their vaccine. (MedicalXpress)
Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson announces their single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is 66% effective in preventing moderate disease and 85% in preventing severe disease during a global trial. (Politico)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces the closure of borders to all travelers outside the European Union beginning January 31 in order to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and avoid a third lockdown. In addition, travel between the overseas territories will be limited and all large shopping centres will be closed. (ABC News)
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)
The CDC issues a rule requiring all travelers using public transportation to wear a mask while boarding, during the trip, and while disembarking. The rule also states face shields, bandanas, and scarves are not permissible forms of face covering. (Politico)
The European Medicines Agency approves the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine for use within the EU and recommends that the European Commission grant it 'limited marketing authorization' within the union. (CNBC)
The FBI announces that two women are arrested in Pennsylvania for their roles in the January 6 riot. One of the women, Dawn Bancroft, made threats to shoot House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (The Independent)
The German Ministry of Interior bans entry to all travellers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Portugal, and South Africa from tomorrow until February 17 in order to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants. In addition, travellers from Lesotho and Eswatini will also be banned beginning January 31. (Dpa International)
The Verkhovna Rada passes a law banning registration of the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia. (Reuters)
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)
Turkmenistan approves the EpiVacCorona vaccine, becoming the first country outside of Russia to do so. (Business TM)
Syrian civil war A car bombing kills at least five people and injures 22 others in the Turkish-occupied town of Afrin in northern Syria. Turkey's Ministry of National Defense accuses the Kurdish-led YPG of being behind the attack. (Reuters)
A car bombing kills at least five people and injures 22 others in the Turkish-occupied town of Afrin in northern Syria. Turkey's Ministry of National Defense accuses the Kurdish-led YPG of being behind the attack. (Reuters)
Algeria begins its vaccination program using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (ABC News)
Capital punishment in Iran Iran hangs Javid Dehghan, the former leader of the Salafi jihadist group Jaish ul-Adl, for the murder of two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria, COVID-19 vaccine Algeria begins its vaccination program using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, COVID-19 vaccine Tunisia becomes the third country in Africa to register the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine after the country approves the vaccine for one year. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria, COVID-19 vaccine Algeria begins its vaccination program using Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba Cuban authorities announce that the country will tighten its measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and require all tourists to isolate after visiting the island until they test negative. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 14,518 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, 4,601 of which are from West Java, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,066,313. (detikHealth)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran imposes a 14-day quarantine upon arrival for all travelers from Europe. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy The Italian Medicines Agency approves the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Italy for all adults but recommends that other vaccines be given to people aged over 55. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports a record 5,728 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 209,661. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, 501.V2 variant Maryland confirms its first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa, becoming the second U.S. state to do so after South Carolina. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, Variant of Concern 202012/01 South Carolina reports its first case of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. The patient is a person from the Pee Dee region who previously travelled internationally. (WLTX-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Taiwan reports its first death from COVID-19 since May 2020 in a woman in her 80s. (Focus Taiwan News Channel)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, 501.V2 variant Maryland confirms its first case of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa, becoming the second U.S. state to do so after South Carolina. (Politico) COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina, Variant of Concern 202012/01 South Carolina reports its first case of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. The patient is a person from the Pee Dee region who previously travelled internationally. (WLTX-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, COVID-19 vaccine Tunisia becomes the third country in Africa to register the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine after the country approves the vaccine for one year. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan reports its first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a 10-year-old child who travelled with her family to the United Arab Emirates last week. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam approves the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Straits Times)
Cuban authorities announce that the country will tighten its measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and require all tourists to isolate after visiting the island until they test negative. (AP)
Economic effects of Brexit The United Kingdom announces that it will apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which forms a trade bloc of 11 Asia-Pacific nations. The UK will be the first non-founding country to apply to join the bloc. (BBC News)
Indonesia reports a record 14,518 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, 4,601 of which are from West Java, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,066,313. (detikHealth)
Iran hangs Javid Dehghan, the former leader of the Salafi jihadist group Jaish ul-Adl, for the murder of two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. (Reuters)
Iran imposes a 14-day quarantine upon arrival for all travelers from Europe. (Reuters)
Malaysia reports a record 5,728 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 209,661. (New Straits Times)
South Carolina reports its first case of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom. The patient is a person from the Pee Dee region who previously travelled internationally. (WLTX-TV)
Taiwan reports its first death from COVID-19 since May 2020 in a woman in her 80s. (Focus Taiwan News Channel)
The Italian Medicines Agency approves the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Italy for all adults but recommends that other vaccines be given to people aged over 55. (Daily Sabah)
The United Kingdom announces that it will apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which forms a trade bloc of 11 Asia-Pacific nations. The UK will be the first non-founding country to apply to join the bloc. (BBC News)
Tunisia becomes the third country in Africa to register the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine after the country approves the vaccine for one year. (Al-Arabiya)
Vietnam approves the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (The Straits Times)
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)
Somali Civil War A suicide bomber blows himself up outside the Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, while gunmen storm the hotel and open fire. Five people are killed in the al-Shabaab attack, including a former military general; ten civilians are wounded. The three other attackers are shot dead during a gun battle with security forces. (BBC News)
A suicide bomber blows himself up outside the Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, while gunmen storm the hotel and open fire. Five people are killed in the al-Shabaab attack, including a former military general; ten civilians are wounded. The three other attackers are shot dead during a gun battle with security forces. (BBC News)
Captain Tom, a British Army World War II veteran who raised millions of pounds for charity during the pandemic, is hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. He has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. (NBC News) (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Captain Tom, a British Army World War II veteran who raised millions of pounds for charity during the pandemic, is hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. He has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. (NBC News) (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan announces a five-day lockdown in the Perth metropolitan, Peel, and South West regions, beginning at 6:00 p.m. AWST, after a quarantine hotel security guard tests positive for COVID-19, possibly of the B.1.1.7 variant. (9 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba Cuba reports a record 1,012 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 26,686. (Presna Latina)
COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt Egypt receives its first shipment of 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (Ahram Online)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in France reaches 27,613, the most since December 1. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, 501.V2 variant Israel reports its first reinfection case of the 501.V2 variant in a 57-year-old man who recently travelled to Turkey and who previously recovered from COVID-19. (Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon Lebanon surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Daily Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea extends its social distancing restrictions for another two weeks amid concern around the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays and an increase in the number of cases. (Bloomberg)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine, COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israel agrees to transfer 5,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the Palestinians to immunize frontline medical workers. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, 501.V2 variant Vietnam reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a 25-year-old man from South Africa who travelled to Hanoi on December 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 four days later while in quarantine. (AAP via The West Australian)
