Hong Kong receives a shipment of 585,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (South China Morning Post)
Indonesia's anti-corruption agency arrests South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah and several other people for alleged corruption in Makassar. Abdullah's arrest came as a surprise to many with his track record as an anti-corruption champion. (Jakarta Globe)
Kagara kidnapping All 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria, on February 17 are released by their captors. (Al Jazeera)
Malaysia receives its first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (New Straits Times)
Romania donates 21,600 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova for use in their vaccination program which will begin next week with frontline health workers. (U.S. News and World Report)
South Africa receives its second shipment of more than 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (News24)
The junta leaders fire Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun after he called for their removal in a UN General Assembly meeting on Friday. (BBC News)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency Ten civilians are killed, of whom eight have been decapitated and two shot, in two ADF overnight attacks in Boyo and Kainama, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Al Jazeera)
Chadian security forces raid the home of opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djérou in N'Djamena, killing five of his relatives, including his mother and son. A government statement says the raid was an operation to arrest Dillo. Two other people are also killed and five others are wounded in the ensuing fight. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa announces that South Africa's alert level will be lowered to level one effective midnight following a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Timeslive) South Africa signs an agreement with Johnson & Johnson to secure 11 million doses of their vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are among the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Bloomberg)
President Cyril Ramaphosa announces that South Africa's alert level will be lowered to level one effective midnight following a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Timeslive)
Ten civilians are killed, of whom eight have been decapitated and two shot, in two ADF overnight attacks in Boyo and Kainama, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Al Jazeera)
Thailand begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. Government ministers and health workers are among the first to receive doses of the vaccine. (Bloomberg)
2021 Myanmar protests Myanmar security forces begin violently dispersing anti-coup protesters and clearing makeshift road blocks, killing a total of 18 protesters in several cities. More than 30 others are wounded by live rounds, and several have been arrested. (Al Jazeera)
Auckland enters alert level 3 lockdown for seven days, with the rest of the country entering alert level 2. This comes after a new COVID-19 case of unknown origin was detected. (NZ Herald)
Australia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Australia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán receives the first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (AFP via Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran surpasses 60,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest death toll of a Middle Eastern country. (Al-Arabiya English) Iran receives their first shipment of 250,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (Tasnim News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan officially lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency in Aichi, Gifu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka prefectures due to a decrease in the number of cases, while Tokyo and surrounding areas will remain in a state of emergency until at least March 7. (NHK World)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Auckland enters alert level 3 lockdown for seven days, with the rest of the country entering alert level 2. This comes after a new COVID-19 case of unknown origin was detected. (NZ Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Australia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC Australia) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Auckland enters alert level 3 lockdown for seven days, with the rest of the country entering alert level 2. This comes after a new COVID-19 case of unknown origin was detected. (NZ Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines receives its first shipment of 600,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac donated by China. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The number of people who have received their first dose of the vaccine in the United Kingdom reaches 20 million, making it the fastest vaccination program in Europe. (The Independent) Lineage P.1 The United Kingdom reports their first cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Manaus, Brazil in three people from England and three people from Scotland. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States The Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine for people over the age of 18, a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of the vaccine. (CBS News)
COVID-19 vaccination in Australia Australia receives their first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines receives its first shipment of 600,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac donated by China. (AP)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom The number of people who have received their first dose of the vaccine in the United Kingdom reaches 20 million, making it the fastest vaccination program in Europe. (The Independent)
Iran receives their first shipment of 250,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (Tasnim News Agency)
Iran surpasses 60,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest death toll of a Middle Eastern country. (Al-Arabiya English)
Japan officially lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency in Aichi, Gifu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka prefectures due to a decrease in the number of cases, while Tokyo and surrounding areas will remain in a state of emergency until at least March 7. (NHK World)
Lineage P.1 The United Kingdom reports their first cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Manaus, Brazil in three people from England and three people from Scotland. (BBC News)
Malaysia surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (New Straits Times)
Myanmar security forces begin violently dispersing anti-coup protesters and clearing makeshift road blocks, killing a total of 18 protesters in several cities. More than 30 others are wounded by live rounds, and several have been arrested. (Al Jazeera)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán receives the first dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (AFP via Barron's)
South Africa signs an agreement with Johnson & Johnson to secure 11 million doses of their vaccine. (Reuters)
The Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine for people over the age of 18, a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of the vaccine. (CBS News)
The number of people who have received their first dose of the vaccine in the United Kingdom reaches 20 million, making it the fastest vaccination program in Europe. (The Independent)
The Philippines receives its first shipment of 600,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac donated by China. (AP)
The United Kingdom reports their first cases of the Lineage P.1 variant first detected in Manaus, Brazil in three people from England and three people from Scotland. (BBC News)
2021 Armenian coup d'état attempt, 2020−2021 Armenian protests Protesters storm a government building in Yerevan, Armenia, to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. (Al Jazeera)
2021 Onești stabbing Two workers are stabbed to death during a hostage-taking incident in an apartment building in Onești, Romania. The attacker, a man in his 60s, had a 12-year dispute with the company that was running the building, of which he was the former owner. (Digi 24)
Barçagate Former president of FC Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu is arrested while Mossos d'Esquadra search the FC Barcelona offices. Three other senior staff members are also arrested. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Finland Finland declares a state of emergency amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Prime Minister Sanna Marin says that the emergency controls will allow the government to close schools and restaurants and limit movement between regions. (Euro Weekly News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, and their spouses receive their first doses of the vaccine from the COVAX initiative as Ghana begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (BBC Pidgin)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States It is reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House prior to their departure on January 20. (The Washington Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, 501.V2 variant Florida reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Clickorlando.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa announces a slight easing of the lockdown in Zimbabwe amidst a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. Intercity travel is resumed, and small and large businesses have been allowed to reopen. (EWN)
Finland declares a state of emergency amidst an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Prime Minister Sanna Marin says that the emergency controls will allow the government to close schools and restaurants and limit movement between regions. (Euro Weekly News)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is sentenced to three years in jail for corruption, after being found guilty of trying to offer a job to a magistrate in return for information about a criminal inquiry into his political party. (BBC News)
Former president of FC Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu is arrested while Mossos d'Esquadra search the FC Barcelona offices. Three other senior staff members are also arrested. (The Guardian)
Nicolas Sarkozy corruption trial Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is sentenced to three years in jail for corruption, after being found guilty of trying to offer a job to a magistrate in return for information about a criminal inquiry into his political party. (BBC News)
President Emmerson Mnangagwa announces a slight easing of the lockdown in Zimbabwe amidst a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. Intercity travel is resumed, and small and large businesses have been allowed to reopen. (EWN)
Protesters storm a government building in Yerevan, Armenia, to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. (Al Jazeera)
Tigray War BBC reporter Girmay Gebru is detained by Ethiopian soldiers along with four other people in Mekelle, Tigray, and they are sent to a military camp for unknown reasons. (BBC News)
Two workers are stabbed to death during a hostage-taking incident in an apartment building in Onești, Romania. The attacker, a man in his 60s, had a 12-year dispute with the company that was running the building, of which he was the former owner. (Digi 24)
War in Afghanistan The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction releases a report accusing the United States of wasting billions of dollars in Afghanistan on buildings and vehicles that were either abandoned or destroyed. The agency says only $343.2 million worth of vehicles and buildings were in good condition. (VOA)
War in Donbass Ukraine reports multiple ceasefire violations, with one casualty. (UNIAN)
A gunfight erupts between Indonesian Army and East Indonesia Mujahideen in the Andole Mountain area, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, resulting in the death of a soldier and two militants. (Kaili Post)
BBC reporter Girmay Gebru is detained by Ethiopian soldiers along with four other people in Mekelle, Tigray, and they are sent to a military camp for unknown reasons. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, 501.V2 variant Florida reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant first detected in South Africa. (Clickorlando.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France raises age limit for those who receive Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged below 75. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives his first dose of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ivory Coast Ivory Coast begins its mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine delivered by the COVAX initiative. Health workers, teachers, and members of the armed forces are the first to receive the vaccine. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan approves the emergency use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Roya News English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia receives the first shipment consisting 200,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine as it signed an agreement to secure two million doses. (Euronews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Syria Syria begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Medical health workers are the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic begins a stricter nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš last week with more police officers and soldiers deployed to enforce the restrictions. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine donated by China, with the first doses administered to healthcare workers in Metro Manila. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela approves the emergency use of Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (El Comercio)
COVID-19 vaccination in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives his first dose of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines The Philippines begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine donated by China, with the first doses administered to healthcare workers in Metro Manila. (Bloomberg)
France raises age limit for those who receive Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged below 75. (France 24)
Ivory Coast begins its mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine delivered by the COVAX initiative. Health workers, teachers, and members of the armed forces are the first to receive the vaccine. (AP)
