Freedom Convoy 2022 Participants in the convoy arrive at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to protest vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CTV News Ottawa)
Participants in the convoy arrive at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to protest vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CTV News Ottawa)
2022 Russian military exercise controversy Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney announces that the Russian Minister of Defence has agreed to his request that the exercises would be moved outside the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. (RTÉ)
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney announces that the Russian Minister of Defence has agreed to his request that the exercises would be moved outside the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. (RTÉ)
2022 Portuguese legislative election Voters in Portugal head to the polls for a snap parliamentary election. (Reuters)
Voters in Portugal head to the polls for a snap parliamentary election. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases announces that the National Capital Region and seven other provinces will be downgraded to Alert Level 2, which will allow for resumption of in-person classes and usage of contact sports venues. (Rappler) COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar Qatar begins administering the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 5 to 11 years. It comes after the Ministry of Public Health approves the use of the vaccine for this age group. (The Peninsula Qatar)
COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar Qatar begins administering the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 5 to 11 years. It comes after the Ministry of Public Health approves the use of the vaccine for this age group. (The Peninsula Qatar)
Qatar begins administering the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged between 5 to 11 years. It comes after the Ministry of Public Health approves the use of the vaccine for this age group. (The Peninsula Qatar)
Peruvian Prime Minister Mirtha Vásquez resigns in response to a reshuffle of the government by President Pedro Castillo. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India Indian President Ram Nath Kovind announces that 90% of adults in India have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (ThePrint)
France–Mali relations The Malian military junta orders the French ambassador to leave the country within 72 hours in response to "outrageous comments" made by the French authorities about Mali's transitional government. (France 24)
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind announces that 90% of adults in India have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (ThePrint)
The Malian military junta orders the French ambassador to leave the country within 72 hours in response to "outrageous comments" made by the French authorities about Mali's transitional government. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Prime minister Justin Trudeau tests positive for COVID-19. (Toronto Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in North America COVID-19 pandemic in Canada Prime minister Justin Trudeau tests positive for COVID-19. (Toronto Star) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The U.S. FDA issues a full approval for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults. (AP)
Prime minister Justin Trudeau tests positive for COVID-19. (Toronto Star)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Russia–United States relations Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the United States of trying to "draw Russia into war" in Ukraine as a pretext to impose more sanctions in order to "contain Russia's development". Putin also says that the U.S. has ignored Russia's concerns about the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe. (BBC News)
2022 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état attempt A coup attempt is made in Guinea-Bissau. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló says that "many" members of the security forces have been killed in a "failed attack against democracy" as both the African Union and ECOWAS condemn the attempted coup. (France 24)
A coup attempt is made in Guinea-Bissau. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló says that "many" members of the security forces have been killed in a "failed attack against democracy" as both the African Union and ECOWAS condemn the attempted coup. (France 24)
Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the United States of trying to "draw Russia into war" in Ukraine as a pretext to impose more sanctions in order to "contain Russia's development". Putin also says that the U.S. has ignored Russia's concerns about the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa announces that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (Politico.eu)
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa announces that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (Politico.eu)
2022 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état attempt Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló says that gunmen tried to kill him and his entire cabinet at the government palace yesterday during the coup d'état attempt. The heavy gunfire, which lasted for five hours, resulted in the deaths of at least four attackers and two guards. The attackers are said to be "linked to drug trafficking in the country". (BBC News)
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló says that gunmen tried to kill him and his entire cabinet at the government palace yesterday during the coup d'état attempt. The heavy gunfire, which lasted for five hours, resulted in the deaths of at least four attackers and two guards. The attackers are said to be "linked to drug trafficking in the country". (BBC News)
Mass government-organized protests against the Yangulbayev family occur in the Russian city of Grozny, Chechnya. The Chechen government claimed that protests were spontaneous and gathered 400,000 men, "not counting women," though the total population of Grozny is 325,000 people. [1] Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, Rospotrebnadzor did nothing because they "couldn't find protest organizers."[2] Earlier a member of the Russian State Duma, Adam Delimkhanov, stated that he will rip the heads off of Yangulbayevs and those who translate his speech from the Chechen language to Russian.[3][4]
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India India surpasses 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Brazil. (The Times of India) COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan surpasses three million COVID-19 cases after a record 104,270 new cases in the past 24 hours. (Anadolu Agency) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, COVID-19 vaccination in Malaysia Malaysia begins administering COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, COVID-19 vaccination in Malaysia Malaysia begins administering COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (CNA)
Four senior aides to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resign, including Downing Street Chief of Staff Dan Rosenfield, Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds, Downing Street Director of Communications Jack Doyle, and political adviser Munira Mirza, amid controversy over the Prime Minister's handling of the Partygate scandal. (Reuters)
Malaysia begins administering COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (CNA)
Partygate Four senior aides to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resign, including Downing Street Chief of Staff Dan Rosenfield, Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds, Downing Street Director of Communications Jack Doyle, and political adviser Munira Mirza, amid controversy over the Prime Minister's handling of the Partygate scandal. (Reuters)
Politics of Montenegro, 2022 Montenegrin crisis The Government of Zdravko Krivokapić is ousted after a motion of no confidence passes 43–11. (Deutsche Welle)
The Government of Zdravko Krivokapić is ousted after a motion of no confidence passes 43–11. (Deutsche Welle)
2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis Russia–NATO relations French President Emmanuel Macron says that a deal to "avoid war in Ukraine" is "within reach" and that it is legitimate for Russia to raise its own security concerns to NATO. Macron will meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow tomorrow. (BBC News)
French President Emmanuel Macron says that a deal to "avoid war in Ukraine" is "within reach" and that it is legitimate for Russia to raise its own security concerns to NATO. Macron will meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow tomorrow. (BBC News)
Russia–NATO relations French President Emmanuel Macron says that a deal to "avoid war in Ukraine" is "within reach" and that it is legitimate for Russia to raise its own security concerns to NATO. Macron will meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow tomorrow. (BBC News)
2021–2022 Tunisian political crisis Tunisian president Kais Saied dissolves the nation's Supreme Judicial Council. The Council's leaders declare the dissolution as illegal. (DW)
2022 Costa Rican general election A general election is held in Costa Rica. (Al Jazeera)
A general election is held in Costa Rica. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Honduras President Xiomara Castro tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape tests positive for COVID-19 and returns home after attending the 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. (Voice of America)
President Xiomara Castro tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Prime Minister James Marape tests positive for COVID-19 and returns home after attending the 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. (Voice of America)
Tunisian president Kais Saied dissolves the nation's Supreme Judicial Council. The Council's leaders declare the dissolution as illegal. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 625 new COVID-19 cases, prompting the government to impose strict social distancing measures in places of worship and hair salons as well as limiting private gatherings to two people beginning on February 10. (Al-Arabiya) COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports a record 159 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Jiji Press)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 625 new COVID-19 cases, prompting the government to impose strict social distancing measures in places of worship and hair salons as well as limiting private gatherings to two people beginning on February 10. (Al-Arabiya)
Hong Kong reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 625 new COVID-19 cases, prompting the government to impose strict social distancing measures in places of worship and hair salons as well as limiting private gatherings to two people beginning on February 10. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (Barron's)
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (Barron's)
Aftermath of the Second Libyan Civil War The interim Government of National Unity, intended to be dissolved by the 2021 Libyan presidential election before its indefinite postponement, chooses former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha to replace the incumbent, UN-recognized Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, for his failure to hold the elections as agreed during the peace process. Dbeibeh rejects the appointment, saying that his replacement must be chosen by the eventual national election as per the aforementioned ceasefire agreement, reigniting fears of renewed warfare. (Al-Jazeera)
The interim Government of National Unity, intended to be dissolved by the 2021 Libyan presidential election before its indefinite postponement, chooses former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha to replace the incumbent, UN-recognized Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, for his failure to hold the elections as agreed during the peace process. Dbeibeh rejects the appointment, saying that his replacement must be chosen by the eventual national election as per the aforementioned ceasefire agreement, reigniting fears of renewed warfare. (Al-Jazeera)
U.S. President Joe Biden calls on any remaining Americans to leave Ukraine immediately due to increased threats of Russian military action. The U.S. State Department issues a level 4 travel warning, the highest level. (BBC News)
Ukraine–United States relations U.S. President Joe Biden calls on any remaining Americans to leave Ukraine immediately due to increased threats of Russian military action. The U.S. State Department issues a level 4 travel warning, the highest level. (BBC News)
Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado Quesada tests positive for COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado Quesada tests positive for COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
Russia–Ukraine relations Ukraine says that Russian Navy drills in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have made navigation "virtually impossible", stating that the drills are part of a "hybrid war" against the country. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the Sea of Azov is completely blocked, essentially blockading Ukrainian ports. (Reuters) (BBC News)
Ukraine says that Russian Navy drills in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have made navigation "virtually impossible", stating that the drills are part of a "hybrid war" against the country. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the Sea of Azov is completely blocked, essentially blockading Ukrainian ports. (Reuters) (BBC News)
Aftermath of the 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, leader of the military junta, is declared president by the Burkinabé Constitutional Council. His "election", deemed retroactively effective since the coup on January 24, will be made official by an inauguration on February 16. (AP)
Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, leader of the military junta, is declared president by the Burkinabé Constitutional Council. His "election", deemed retroactively effective since the coup on January 24, will be made official by an inauguration on February 16. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in France The Government of France announces that mask mandate in indoor public places will be eased beginning on February 28 as the number of COVID-19 declines. (Euronews) COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy lifts its outdoor mask mandate and reopens nightclubs as the number of COVID-19 cases declines. (France 24) COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 203,949 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 13.7 million. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The Government of France announces that mask mandate in indoor public places will be eased beginning on February 28 as the number of COVID-19 declines. (Euronews)
Koala conservation The Australian Government officially lists the koala as an endangered species due to a combination of factors including drought, bushfires, disease and habitat loss. (The Guardian)
The Australian Government officially lists the koala as an endangered species due to a combination of factors including drought, bushfires, disease and habitat loss. (The Guardian)
The Government of France announces that mask mandate in indoor public places will be eased beginning on February 28 as the number of COVID-19 declines. (Euronews)
Somaliland Foreign Minister Essa Kayd rebukes China's apparent attempts to dictate the unrecognized breakaway state's foreign relations with Taiwan and reaffirms the state's recognition of the Republic of China. (Reuters)
Somaliland–Taiwan relations Somaliland Foreign Minister Essa Kayd rebukes China's apparent attempts to dictate the unrecognized breakaway state's foreign relations with Taiwan and reaffirms the state's recognition of the Republic of China. (Reuters)
2018–2022 Turkish currency and debt crisis President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces that the value-added tax (VAT) will be lowered from 8% to 1% on dairy products, fruit, vegetables, and other basic foods. The VAT reduction, aimed at countering soaring inflation, will go into effect on Monday. (Daily Sabah)
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces that the value-added tax (VAT) will be lowered from 8% to 1% on dairy products, fruit, vegetables, and other basic foods. The VAT reduction, aimed at countering soaring inflation, will go into effect on Monday. (Daily Sabah)
2022 German presidential election Frank-Walter Steinmeier is re-elected as president of Germany. (Deutsche Welle)
Frank-Walter Steinmeier is re-elected as president of Germany. (Deutsche Welle)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares February 16 as a "day of unity". On this day, all Ukrainians will be asked to display the national flag from their buildings, and sing the national anthem in unison. Western intelligence has cited the day as the most likely time of a Russian attack against the country. (Reuters)
Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute The flag of Mauritius is raised on the British-controlled Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean for the first time in history. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth describes the event as a "historic moment", saying that it was time for the United Kingdom to cede control of the archipelago. (BBC News)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announces that, as part of the invoking of the Act, crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe and GiveSendGo must immediately register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and authorizes banks to freeze accounts suspected to be involved in the blockades. (CTV News)
The flag of Mauritius is raised on the British-controlled Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean for the first time in history. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth describes the event as a "historic moment", saying that it was time for the United Kingdom to cede control of the archipelago. (BBC News)
Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis Vladimir Putin claims that a "genocide" is occurring in Eastern Ukraine. (Reuters) The State Duma of Russia passes a bill to officially recognise the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in Eastern Ukraine as independent states. The bill has been sent to President Vladimir Putin for final approval. (Xinhuanet) (Deutsche Welle)
