The World Health Organization announces the approval of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Forbes)
The World Trade Organization formally appoints former Finance Minister of Nigeria Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its first African and first female Director-General. (Bloomberg)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Australia suspends its quarantine-free travel bubble arrangement with New Zealand after the discovery of three new community cases in Auckland. (BBC News)
Turkish authorities announce the detention of 718 people they accuse of having links to Kurdish militant groups. Among those arrested include pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party officials. The mass arrests are seen as a direct response to the murder of 13 Turkish hostages in Iraq. The Kurdistan Workers' Party blamed Turkish airstrikes on their bases for the deaths of the hostages. (France 24)
Vietnamese authorities order two million people in Hải Dương province to stay at home for 15 days beginning tomorrow due to a growing COVID-19 outbreak in the province. Gatherings with more than two people are banned, and when leaving their homes, residents must stay 2 metres (6.6 ft) from others. (CNA)
Zimbabwe receives their first shipment of 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (South China Morning Post)
2016 Philippine presidential election The Electoral Tribunal unanimously dismisses the electoral protest of former Senator Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo. (The Philippine Daily Inquirer) (Rappler)
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces that there will be a probe following accusations of rape against his government in Parliament. (The Straits Times)
Houthi forces continue to advance on the city of Maʼrib, capturing the village of al-Zor and reaching the Marib Dam. Yemeni government officials say that dozens of people have been killed in the past 24 hours as government forces counter the Houthi offensive. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock condemns the Houthi assault, warning of "unimaginable humanitarian consequences". (Al Jazeera)
Ma'rib Campaign Houthi forces continue to advance on the city of Maʼrib, capturing the village of al-Zor and reaching the Marib Dam. Yemeni government officials say that dozens of people have been killed in the past 24 hours as government forces counter the Houthi offensive. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock condemns the Houthi assault, warning of "unimaginable humanitarian consequences". (Al Jazeera)
Rwandan President Paul Kagame says the reported deaths in Tigray were too high to let Ethiopia and the African Union handle the situation alone. He adds that the UN should intervene in the Tigray War, explaining that when a state is not able to stop atrocities on its territory, such as genocide, the UN has a duty to intervene. (Agence Ecofin)
Yemeni Civil War Ma'rib Campaign Houthi forces continue to advance on the city of Maʼrib, capturing the village of al-Zor and reaching the Marib Dam. Yemeni government officials say that dozens of people have been killed in the past 24 hours as government forces counter the Houthi offensive. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock condemns the Houthi assault, warning of "unimaginable humanitarian consequences". (Al Jazeera)
2019–2021 Algerian protests Thousands of protestors defy COVID-19 restrictions and take to the streets in Kherrata to both commemorate the second anniversary of the protests and to repeat their demands for the ruling government to step down. (Al Jazeera)
2020–2021 Belarusian protests Belarus authorities raid the offices of the Association of Journalists and Viasna Human Rights Centre as part of the latest move to end protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP)
A lower court in The Hague orders the government to scrap its 9:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. curfew, citing violations of freedom of movement and assembly. Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government appealed the court decision, which was overturned by a high court. (Euronews)
Belarus authorities raid the offices of the Association of Journalists and Viasna Human Rights Centre as part of the latest move to end protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands A lower court in The Hague orders the government to scrap its 9:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. curfew, citing violations of freedom of movement and assembly. Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government appealed the court decision, which was overturned by a high court. (Euronews)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The White House announces that President Joe Biden will extend the foreclosure ban and mortgage forbearance through the end of June as an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (NBC News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The White House announces that President Joe Biden will extend the foreclosure ban and mortgage forbearance through the end of June as an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (NBC News)
The Electoral Tribunal unanimously dismisses the electoral protest of former Senator Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo. (The Philippine Daily Inquirer) (Rappler)
The White House announces that President Joe Biden will extend the foreclosure ban and mortgage forbearance through the end of June as an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (NBC News)
Thousands of protestors defy COVID-19 restrictions and take to the streets in Kherrata to both commemorate the second anniversary of the protests and to repeat their demands for the ruling government to step down. (Al Jazeera)
War in Afghanistan, Afghan peace process New Zealand announces that it will withdraw its forces from Afghanistan by May. (Radio New Zealand)
A spokesperson for the rebel group Tigray People's Liberation Front claims that an estimated 100,000 troops (both Tigrayan and Ethiopian) have been killed during the conflict. Three Ethiopian opposition parties previously claimed that an estimated 52,000 civilians have also died. (Europe External Programme with Africa) (Bloomberg)
Aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar The Myanmar Police Force files new charges against ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi for violating COVID-19 regulations, which may allow her to be held indefinitely without trial. (CBS News)
Brazilian Environment Minister Ricardo Salles tests positive for COVID-19. (G1)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco receives its second shipment of 500,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-Awsat) COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The first batch consisting 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, which is unapproved for general use in South Africa and worldwide. (SABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The Therapeutic Goods Administration approves the emergency use of the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for people over 18 years of age in Australia. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Brazilian Environment Minister Ricardo Salles tests positive for COVID-19. (G1)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary COVID-19 vaccination in Hungary Hungary receives 550,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, Variants of SARS-CoV-2 India reports their first four cases of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa and one case of the Lineage P.1 variant from Brazil in people who traveled internationally. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy's first case of B.1525 variant found in Naples in a person who had recently travelled from a country in Africa. (The Local Italy)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia extends their movement control order in Selangor, Johor and Penang as well as the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur until March 4 but eases restrictions in other parts of the country. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta, 501.V2 variant Malta reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Times of Malta)
COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, 501.V2 variant Massachusetts reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a woman in her 20s from Middlesex County. (Masslive)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco receives its second shipment of 500,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, 501.V2 variant Massachusetts reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a woman in her 20s from Middlesex County. (Masslive) COVID-19 pandemic in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic begins to inoculate medical workers as part of a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 following the arrival of the first 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms that a phased return to school will begin on February 22, which will include pre-school children, pupils in primaries 1, 2 and 3, and secondary students who need to carry out practical assignments. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa The first batch consisting 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, which is unapproved for general use in South Africa and worldwide. (SABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea signs an agreement with Novavax and Pfizer to secure additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 23 million people in the second quarter of this year. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic begins to inoculate medical workers as part of a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 following the arrival of the first 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine Palestine reports their first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in 139 people from the West Bank. (Anadolu Agency) Health Minister Mai al-Kaila accuses Israel of blocking the delivery of 2,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine to the Gaza Strip, intended for ICU and emergency staff. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms that a phased return to school will begin on February 22, which will include pre-school children, pupils in primaries 1, 2 and 3, and secondary students who need to carry out practical assignments. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, 501.V2 variant Massachusetts reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a woman in her 20s from Middlesex County. (Masslive)
COVID-19 vaccination in Hungary Hungary receives 550,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (DW)
COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea South Korea signs an agreement with Novavax and Pfizer to secure additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 23 million people in the second quarter of this year. (Yonhap News Agency)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms that a phased return to school will begin on February 22, which will include pre-school children, pupils in primaries 1, 2 and 3, and secondary students who need to carry out practical assignments. (The Guardian)
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)
Health Minister Mai al-Kaila accuses Israel of blocking the delivery of 2,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine to the Gaza Strip, intended for ICU and emergency staff. (The Guardian)
Hungary receives 550,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. (DW)
India reports their first four cases of the 501.V2 variant from South Africa and one case of the Lineage P.1 variant from Brazil in people who traveled internationally. (NDTV)
Italy's first case of B.1525 variant found in Naples in a person who had recently travelled from a country in Africa. (The Local Italy)
Malaysia extends their movement control order in Selangor, Johor and Penang as well as the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur until March 4 but eases restrictions in other parts of the country. (CNA)
Malta reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Times of Malta)
Massachusetts reports their first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa in a woman in her 20s from Middlesex County. (Masslive)
Mexico surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (AP)
Morocco receives its second shipment of 500,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
New Zealand announces that it will withdraw its forces from Afghanistan by May. (Radio New Zealand)
Palestine reports their first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in 139 people from the West Bank. (Anadolu Agency)
South Korea signs an agreement with Novavax and Pfizer to secure additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 23 million people in the second quarter of this year. (Yonhap News Agency)
The Dominican Republic begins to inoculate medical workers as part of a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 following the arrival of the first 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. (Reuters)
The first batch consisting 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, which is unapproved for general use in South Africa and worldwide. (SABC News)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration approves the emergency use of the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca for people over 18 years of age in Australia. (ABC Australia)
The World Health Organization asks six African countries (Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Liberia) to be on the alert for possible Ebola outbreaks after Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo reported new cases that signaled a resurgence of the outbreak. (Hindustan Times)
Two men accused of leading a Christian-majority Anti-balaka group in the Central African Republic that targeted Muslims plead not guilty at the start of their trial at the International Criminal Court. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using a vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, which has not yet been authorized worldwide. President Cyril Ramaphosa, government officials, and health workers are among the first to receive the vaccine. (The Wall Street Journal)
South Africa begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using a vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, which has not yet been authorized worldwide. President Cyril Ramaphosa, government officials, and health workers are among the first to receive the vaccine. (The Wall Street Journal)
2021 Myanmar protests Protesters in the capital Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and the country's largest city Yangon stage a record number of demonstrations against military junta since February 1 coup. Many of public and private employees and civil servant join demonstrations despite military's warning. (Voice of America)
A school pupil is killed and 27 others are kidnapped from their school in the early hours in Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria. Three staff members and 12 of their relatives are also abducted. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India The Indian government issues new Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) guidelines that would be mandatory for travelers from the United Kingdom, Europe, Brazil, and South Africa to conduct self-paid molecular COVID-19 testing, beginning from February 22 at 23:59 p.m. IST. (The Wire)
COVID-19 pandemic in Somalia Somalia orders all government employees in ministries and departments except directors and senior staff to work from home following an increase in COVID-19 cases. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania Zanzibar's first Vice President, Seif Sharif Hamad, dies from COVID-19. (The Citizen)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces that the country will gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions, including curfews and weekend lockdowns beginning in March on a provincial basis, which will divide the country into four categories based on infection and vaccination rates. (Daily Sabah)
Kagara kidnapping A school pupil is killed and 27 others are kidnapped from their school in the early hours in Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria. Three staff members and 12 of their relatives are also abducted. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
