Mars sample-return mission NASA awards Lockheed Martin a contract to build a next-generation "Mars Ascent Vehicle" to return the first rock samples from Mars to Earth in the 2030s. (Phys)
NASA awards Lockheed Martin a contract to build a next-generation "Mars Ascent Vehicle" to return the first rock samples from Mars to Earth in the 2030s. (Phys)
Syrian civil war Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war Israel says that the Syrian military fired an anti-aircraft missile towards its territory, which exploded in mid-air over the north of the country, triggering air raid sirens. However, Syrian state television reports that an Israeli Air Force airstrike occurred near Damascus. (Reuters) The IDF says it has struck several Syrian air defense batteries and radars in response to the missile entering Israeli airspace. (Times of Israel)
Unexpectedly undefeated in all 11 competitions at the Olympic curling mixed doubles tournament, Italy wins a first historic gold medal in the sport: the curling broom used in the final has been donated to the Olympic Museum. (Eurosport)
W National Park land mine attack Eight people, including five park rangers and a soldier are killed by land mines in the W National Park in Benin. (Al Jazeera)
2022 Colombia landslides Landslides kill at least 14 people and injure 35 in Dosquebradas, Risaralda Department. (BBC News) (DW News)
A joint operation by the Malian Armed Forces and the French-led Takuba Task Force kills at least 30 jihadists. A Mirage 2000 fighter jet was involved in the operation, bombing a group of militants on motorbikes. (Reuters)
An Iraqi airstrike kills seven Islamic State members in Hatra District, Nineveh Governorate. (ANI)
Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in Europe In a letter published by the Vatican, ex-Pope Benedict XVI expresses "my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness," in response to inquiry into his handling of child sex abuse when he was Archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982. In a statement published with the letter, his aides insist that "as an archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in any cover-up of acts of abuse". (France 24)
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 Poland Poland indefinitely postpones its deadline of March 1 for mandatory full vaccination of teachers, members of the army and police officers, due to the current vaccination rate. (AP)
Eight people, including five park rangers and a soldier are killed by land mines in the W National Park in Benin. (Al Jazeera)
In a letter published by the Vatican, ex-Pope Benedict XVI expresses "my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness," in response to inquiry into his handling of child sex abuse when he was Archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982. In a statement published with the letter, his aides insist that "as an archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in any cover-up of acts of abuse". (France 24)
In an operation against the PKK, the Turkish Air Force bombards a city in Erbil District. No known casualties are recorded. (Rudaw)
Islamic State insurgency in Iraq An Iraqi airstrike kills seven Islamic State members in Hatra District, Nineveh Governorate. (ANI)
Israeli–Palestinian conflict Shin Bet officers kill three Palestinian al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades militants in the West Bank after opening fire on their vehicle. Israel says that the men were armed and were responsible for a series of drive-by shootings in recent weeks. Protests occur in the West Bank in response to the killings. (Reuters)
Japan reports a record 159 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Jiji Press)
Kurdish–Turkish conflict In an operation against the PKK, the Turkish Air Force bombards a city in Erbil District. No known casualties are recorded. (Rudaw)
Landslides kill at least 14 people and injure 35 in Dosquebradas, Risaralda Department. (BBC News) (DW News)
Shin Bet officers kill three Palestinian al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades militants in the West Bank after opening fire on their vehicle. Israel says that the men were armed and were responsible for a series of drive-by shootings in recent weeks. Protests occur in the West Bank in response to the killings. (Reuters)
The IDF says it has struck several Syrian air defense batteries and radars in response to the missile entering Israeli airspace. (Times of Israel)
2022 Winter Olympics ROC at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Doping in Russia Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tests positive for banned substances after winning gold in the team event, delaying the medal ceremony. (AP News)
Colombian conflict Two soldiers are killed during an insurgent attack against Infantry Battalion 21 of the Colombian Army in Granada, Meta. (La FM)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Sweden scraps almost all pandemic restrictions, essentially declaring the pandemic as "over". The move is condemned by scientists in Sweden and abroad, who warn the pandemic still persists and continues to represent serious dangers. (Reuters)
ROC at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Doping in Russia Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tests positive for banned substances after winning gold in the team event, delaying the medal ceremony. (AP News)
Sweden scraps almost all pandemic restrictions, essentially declaring the pandemic as "over". The move is condemned by scientists in Sweden and abroad, who warn the pandemic still persists and continues to represent serious dangers. (Reuters)
Two soldiers are killed during an insurgent attack against Infantry Battalion 21 of the Colombian Army in Granada, Meta. (La FM)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Queen Margrethe II tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 1,161 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the territory-wide total of confirmed cases to 17,808. Hong Kong also reports their first two deaths from COVID-19 since September. (South China Morning Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain King Felipe VI tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccine Johnson & Johnson officially suspends production of its COVID-19 vaccine. It says production will likely resume later, and that millions of doses remain stocked for distribution per earlier agreements. (CBS News)
Hong Kong reports a record for the fifth consecutive day of 1,161 new COVID-19 cases, thereby bringing the territory-wide total of confirmed cases to 17,808. Hong Kong also reports their first two deaths from COVID-19 since September. (South China Morning Post)
Johnson & Johnson officially suspends production of its COVID-19 vaccine. It says production will likely resume later, and that millions of doses remain stocked for distribution per earlier agreements. (CBS News)
King Felipe VI tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (Reuters)
Queen Margrethe II tests positive for COVID-19, with mild symptoms. (NDTV)
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tests positive for banned substances after winning gold in the team event, delaying the medal ceremony. (AP News)
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)
Yemeni Civil War (2014-present) Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict An airstrike on Abha International Airport in the Saudi Arabian city of Abha injures twelve people. The attack was done by members of the Houthi movement. (Al Jazeera)
An airstrike on Abha International Airport in the Saudi Arabian city of Abha injures twelve people. The attack was done by members of the Houthi movement. (Al Jazeera)
Belarus–Russia relations Russia and Belarus begin a 10-day military exercise known as "Allied Resolve-2022" amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The United States and NATO denounce the exercise, with NATO calling it the biggest deployment of Russian troops since the Cold War. (CNBC)
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)
Four civilians are killed during a battle between French troops and Ansar ul Islam in Burkina Faso. Ten militants are killed in the clash, which involved support from an attack helicopter. (Reuters)
Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict An airstrike on Abha International Airport in the Saudi Arabian city of Abha injures twelve people. The attack was done by members of the Houthi movement. (Al Jazeera)
Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso Four civilians are killed during a battle between French troops and Ansar ul Islam in Burkina Faso. Ten militants are killed in the clash, which involved support from an attack helicopter. (Reuters)
Russia and Belarus begin a 10-day military exercise known as "Allied Resolve-2022" amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The United States and NATO denounce the exercise, with NATO calling it the biggest deployment of Russian troops since the Cold War. (CNBC)
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)
Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic A South Korean envoy in New York City is attacked in an unprovoked assault. (Yahoo! News)
Archaeologists announce the discovery of a human tooth in the Grotte Mandrin near Malataverne, France, dating to 54,000 YBP, around 10,000 years before the currently accepted date for the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe. (CNN)
Charles, Prince of Wales, tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia Western Australia reports a record 37 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (ABC News Australia) COVID-19 vaccination in Australia The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation proposes changing the definition of a fully vaccinated person to only include people who have received a booster dose. (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain lifts its outdoor mask mandate due to a decline in the spread of the Omicron variant. (GMA News Network) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Charles, Prince of Wales, tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain lifts its outdoor mask mandate due to a decline in the spread of the Omicron variant. (GMA News Network)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Charles, Prince of Wales, tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia Tunisia lifts its nightly curfew due to a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases, but extends the ban on gatherings for one week. (National Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia Western Australia reports a record 37 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (ABC News Australia)
COVID-19 vaccination in Australia The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation proposes changing the definition of a fully vaccinated person to only include people who have received a booster dose. (ABC News Australia)
Spain lifts its outdoor mask mandate due to a decline in the spread of the Omicron variant. (GMA News Network)
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation proposes changing the definition of a fully vaccinated person to only include people who have received a booster dose. (ABC News Australia)
Tunisia lifts its nightly curfew due to a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases, but extends the ban on gatherings for one week. (National Post)
Western Australia reports a record 37 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (ABC News Australia)
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)
Crime in Portugal Portuguese police, with help from the FBI, arrest an 18-year-old boy for planning an armed attack on a university in Lisbon. (Reuters)
Israel begins evacuating embassy staff and diplomats’ families from Kyiv, and also orders a travel warning for all Israelis, saying that a large scale Russian offensive may occur soon. (Times of Israel)
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)
Portuguese police, with help from the FBI, arrest an 18-year-old boy for planning an armed attack on a university in Lisbon. (Reuters)
