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)
Somalia declares a state of emergency due to swarms of desert locusts. (Daily Sabah)
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)
2021 Kilmarnock incidents A woman is stabbed to death outside a hospital, and another killed at a nearby street, in Ayrshire, Scotland. The perpetrator dies during a car crash while escaping from the scene. (BBC News)
2021 Wooroloo bushfire The number of homes destroyed rises to 81, as a new bushfire to the north threatens the Bullsbrook township. (ABC Australia)
A woman is stabbed to death outside a hospital, and another killed at a nearby street, in Ayrshire, Scotland. The perpetrator dies during a car crash while escaping from the scene. (BBC News)
After criticism from China, Guyana terminates the above agreement and says it will continue to follow the One-China policy. (The Guardian)
British broadcasting regulator Ofcom revokes the license of China Global Television Network (CGTN), an English-language Chinese news network, after concluding the network was "ultimately controlled" by the Chinese Communist Party. China responds to the move by accusing BBC News of spreading "fake news" about COVID-19. (Reuters)
China–United Kingdom relations British broadcasting regulator Ofcom revokes the license of China Global Television Network (CGTN), an English-language Chinese news network, after concluding the network was "ultimately controlled" by the Chinese Communist Party. China responds to the move by accusing BBC News of spreading "fake news" about COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Private gatherings in Victoria are limited to 15 people after a worker at a quarantine site for tennis players competing in the Australian Open tests positive for COVID-19. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia The Ministry of Health grants emergency use authorization for China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Khmer Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Lineage P.1 France reports four cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran receives its first shipment of 500,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy surpasses 90,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Il Messaggero)
COVID-19 pandemic in Peru Peru signs a deal with Pfizer to purchase 20 million doses of its vaccine. (Gestión)
COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Taiwan reports its first death of a foreigner from COVID-19. The patient was a British national in his 70s. It is also the first death from the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 reported in the country. (Taiwan News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine Palestine receives 10,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issues a new mask mandate after the Legislature voted to repeal the original mandate. (AP)
France reports four cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Brazil. (Reuters)
Governor Tony Evers issues a new mask mandate after the Legislature voted to repeal the original mandate. (AP)
Henry Puna becomes the new Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum replacing Meg Taylor. (RNZ)
Iran receives its first shipment of 500,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (The Times of Israel)
Johnson & Johnson requests emergency approval for its vaccine from the Food and Drug Administration. (CNET)
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)
New Zealand announces a new floating public holiday to commence in 2022 based on the Māori celebration of Matariki. (RNZ)
Palestine receives 10,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
Peru signs a deal with Pfizer to purchase 20 million doses of its vaccine. (Gestión)
Private gatherings in Victoria are limited to 15 people after a worker at a quarantine site for tennis players competing in the Australian Open tests positive for COVID-19. (The Guardian)
Taiwan reports its first death of a foreigner from COVID-19. The patient was a British national in his 70s. It is also the first death from the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 reported in the country. (Taiwan News)
The Ministry of Health grants emergency use authorization for China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Khmer Times)
The number of homes destroyed rises to 81, as a new bushfire to the north threatens the Bullsbrook township. (ABC Australia)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Western Australia lifts a five-day lockdown in Perth and surrounding areas after it reports no community cases. (9 News) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic. (RNZ)
Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic. (RNZ)
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)
2021 Croydon stabbings A man is killed and 10 others are injured in stabbing attacks in Croydon, London, England. (BBC News)
A man is killed and 10 others are injured in stabbing attacks in Croydon, London, England. (BBC News)
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)
Crime in London 2021 Croydon stabbings A man is killed and 10 others are injured in stabbing attacks in Croydon, London, England. (BBC 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)
Israeli–Palestinian conflict The International Criminal Court announces that it will pave the way for investigations into alleged war crimes in Palestinian territories. Israel and groups like Hamas could be investigated. (NBC News)
Mali War, Takuba Task Force 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)
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)
The International Criminal Court announces that it will pave the way for investigations into alleged war crimes in Palestinian territories. Israel and groups like Hamas could be investigated. (NBC News)
Aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état Prominent National League for Democracy official Win Htein is arrested for sedition and taken from his house in Yangon by members of the military and police. (The Guardian)
AstraZeneca-Oxford developers say that their vaccine candidate is effective against the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Western Australia lifts a five-day lockdown in Perth and surrounding areas after it reports no community cases. (9 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece imposes a ten-day curfew in Attica, Thessaloniki, and Halkidiki, and also closes high schools in these areas beginning tomorrow in an attempt to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India reaches past 5 million vaccinations. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces that the state will lift its mask mandate and gathering restrictions, which will take effect on Sunday. (The Des Moines Register)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel announces that it will ease its lockdown measures beginning February 7. People will no longer be restricted to within one kilometer of their homes, many services will be allowed to operate, and all national parks will reopen. However, international borders will remain closed until February 20. (MedicalXpress)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, Lineage P.1 Oklahoma reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant originated from Brazil in a woman who had a travel history. (KFOR-TV)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid, Lineage P.1 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) Spain approves the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in people aged 18 to 55. (El Mundo)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid, Lineage P.1 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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces that the state will lift its mask mandate and gathering restrictions, which will take effect on Sunday. (The Des Moines Register) COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, Lineage P.1 Oklahoma reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant originated from Brazil in a woman who had a travel history. (KFOR-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, 501.V2 variant Virginia reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from eastern Virginia. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine secures 12 million doses of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax. (UNIAN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia, 501.V2 variant Virginia reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from eastern Virginia. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
COVID-19 vaccination in India India reaches past 5 million vaccinations. (Business Standard)
COVID-19 vaccine 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)
Economy of Indonesia, COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia's GDP contracts 2.07% in 2020, the first economic contraction since the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis in 1998. (Okezone)
Greece imposes a ten-day curfew in Attica, Thessaloniki, and Halkidiki, and also closes high schools in these areas beginning tomorrow in an attempt to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (Ekathimerini)
Indonesia's GDP contracts 2.07% in 2020, the first economic contraction since the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis in 1998. (Okezone)
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces that the state will lift its mask mandate and gathering restrictions, which will take effect on Sunday. (The Des Moines Register)
Israel announces that it will ease its lockdown measures beginning February 7. People will no longer be restricted to within one kilometer of their homes, many services will be allowed to operate, and all national parks will reopen. However, international borders will remain closed until February 20. (MedicalXpress)
Oklahoma reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant originated from Brazil in a woman who had a travel history. (KFOR-TV)
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)
