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)
Scientists belonging to a German–Malagasy expedition announce the discovery of Brookesia nana, a lizard found in Madagascar. The male's body spanning only 13.5 millimetres (0.5 in), is potentially the smallest reptile on Earth. (BBC News)
South Korea surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Korea Herald)
Spain approves the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in people aged 18 to 55. (El Mundo)
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)
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)
Ukraine secures 12 million doses of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax. (UNIAN)
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)
Virginia reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from eastern Virginia. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Western Australia lifts a five-day lockdown in Perth and surrounding areas after it reports no community cases. (9 News)
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)
War in Afghanistan A bombing targeting a Hindu shop in Kabul, Afghanistan, kills three people. Attacks against Hindu and Sikh minorities increased in the country in the last years, mainly by Islamic State militants. (Gandhara)
10th Annual NFL Honors In American football, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wins his third MVP award, making him the sixth player to do so after Jim Brown, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady. (National Post) (Bleacher Report)
A bombing targeting a Hindu shop in Kabul, Afghanistan, kills three people. Attacks against Hindu and Sikh minorities increased in the country in the last years, mainly by Islamic State militants. (Gandhara)
COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom issues revised COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for churches after the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the state's ban on indoor worship in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. The new guidelines limit indoor services to 25 percent of the church's capacity in hard-hit areas and restricts indoor singing and chanting. (ABC News)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom issues revised COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for churches after the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the state's ban on indoor worship in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. The new guidelines limit indoor services to 25 percent of the church's capacity in hard-hit areas and restricts indoor singing and chanting. (ABC News)
Governor Gavin Newsom issues revised COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for churches after the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the state's ban on indoor worship in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. The new guidelines limit indoor services to 25 percent of the church's capacity in hard-hit areas and restricts indoor singing and chanting. (ABC News)
In American football, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wins his third MVP award, making him the sixth player to do so after Jim Brown, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady. (National Post) (Bleacher Report)
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)
2021 Myanmar coup d'état An Australian economic advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi reveals that he has been detained by the Tatmadaw. He is the first foreign national confirmed to be in the custody of Myanmar's military. (AFP via The Star)
An ambush on a convoy by suspected MNDAA insurgents in Shan State, Myanmar, kills nine civilians and three policemen, and injures 13 others. (ANI News)
An Australian economic advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi reveals that he has been detained by the Tatmadaw. He is the first foreign national confirmed to be in the custody of Myanmar's military. (AFP via The Star)
Censorship in Myanmar, aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état The military junta shuts down the country's internet with a near-total blackout in effect amid growing protests against the coup. (BBC News)
China's National Medical Products Administration gives a conditional approval to Sinovac's Coronavac vaccine for general use. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Canada surpasses 800,000 cases of COVID-19. (CP24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy signs a decree authorizing the emergency use of monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 patients. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Netherlands surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (NL Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy signs a decree authorizing the emergency use of monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 patients. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China's National Medical Products Administration gives a conditional approval to Sinovac's Coronavac vaccine for general use. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri Missouri reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an adult from Marion County. (KMOV-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia Mongolia reports a record 61 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,989. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar Myanmar approves the use of the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia. (Sputnik V)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri Missouri reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an adult from Marion County. (KMOV-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Canada surpasses 800,000 cases of COVID-19. (CP24)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Netherlands surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (NL Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri Missouri reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an adult from Marion County. (KMOV-TV)
Economy of Cuba The Cuban Council of Ministers approves a measure authorizing private activity in most sectors. (AFP via CTV News)
Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein after four years in detention. He had been held on charges of spreading false news, joining a banned group and receiving foreign funds. (VOA)
Eleven people are dead and three others have been rescued after their wooden boat overturns in a lake in Susong County, in east China's Anhui province. (Sina)
Internal conflict in Myanmar An ambush on a convoy by suspected MNDAA insurgents in Shan State, Myanmar, kills nine civilians and three policemen, and injures 13 others. (ANI News)
Italy signs a decree authorizing the emergency use of monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 patients. (Reuters)
Missouri reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in an adult from Marion County. (KMOV-TV)
Mongolia reports a record 61 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,989. (Xinhua)
Moussa Faki is re-elected as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. (AFP via Al-Ahram)
Myanmar approves the use of the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia. (Sputnik V)
The Cuban Council of Ministers approves a measure authorizing private activity in most sectors. (AFP via CTV News)
The leaders of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands will meet on Monday to discuss leaving the Pacific Islands Forum after Marshallese candidate Gerald Zackios was not chosen as Secretary-General. Palau had earlier announced that it was leaving the forum. (RNZ)
The military junta shuts down the country's internet with a near-total blackout in effect amid growing protests against the coup. (BBC News)
The Netherlands surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (NL Times)
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)
2020–21 Sudanese–Ethiopian clashes Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto arrives in Khartoum to help reduce tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia. He will also visit a refugee camp containing refugees fleeing the Tigray War and visit Ethiopia after spending time in Sudan. (European Union)
2021 Liechtenstein general election General elections occur in Liechtenstein to elect the 25 members of the Landtag. (Euronews)
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 occurs in the southern province of Davao del Sur, Philippines, with damage and aftershocks expected. No casualties have been reported. (The Philippine Star)
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto arrives in Khartoum to help reduce tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia. He will also visit a refugee camp containing refugees fleeing the Tigray War and visit Ethiopia after spending time in Sudan. (European Union)
General elections occur in Liechtenstein to elect the 25 members of the Landtag. (Euronews)
Somali Civil War A roadside bomb explodes in Dusmareb, Somalia, killing twelve agents of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, including its local head. (Al Jazeera)
2020 FIFA Club World Cup Tigres UANL defeats Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras 1–0 in the semi-finals, to become the first CONCACAF team to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. (AP via The Seattle Times)
2021 Myanmar protests, aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état Tens of thousands of people protest against the military coup in Myanmar's largest city Yangon, calling for the release of jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The protests are the largest to occur in the country's history since the 2007 Saffron Revolution. (Reuters)
2021 Uttarakhand glacial outburst flood A glacier breaks off in Joshimath, India, in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district resulting in flash floods along the Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga River. Eighteen people are found dead and 200 more are feared dead. (Reuters)
A glacier breaks off in Joshimath, India, in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district resulting in flash floods along the Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga River. Eighteen people are found dead and 200 more are feared dead. (Reuters)
A limited-size clinical trial in Johannesburg suggests that the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is weak against the 501.V2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Wall Street Journal)
A roadside bomb explodes in Dusmareb, Somalia, killing twelve agents of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, including its local head. (Al Jazeera)
Afghanistan receives 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (The Hindu)
Austria tightens its border controls with all neighbouring countries in order to avoid non-essential travel due to the pandemic. (The Local Austria)
Bangladesh begins a nationwide vaccination programme against COVID-19 in Dhaka. (All India Radio)
Cambodia receives its first 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan Afghanistan receives 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (The Hindu)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan Afghanistan receives 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India. (The Hindu) COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh begins a nationwide vaccination programme against COVID-19 in Dhaka. (All India Radio) COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia receives its first 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam Vietnam surpasses 2,000 cases of COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria Austria tightens its border controls with all neighbouring countries in order to avoid non-essential travel due to the pandemic. (The Local Austria)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh begins a nationwide vaccination programme against COVID-19 in Dhaka. (All India Radio)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia Cambodia receives its first 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Lineage P.1 Ontario reports Canada's first case of the Lineage P.1 variant in a person who travelled from Brazil to Toronto. (CP24)
