The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell says that shelling has begun in eastern Ukraine. (La Vanguardia)
The Kuwaiti Ministers of Defense and the Interior, both members of the ruling Al-Sabah family, resign. The resignations are accepted by the Emir, who appoints a different member of the Al-Sabah family and Mohammad al-Fares, the current Oil Minister, to their respective posts. (Reuters)
The United Nations Security Council convenes in order to discuss Russia's military buildup on the Ukrainian border. (C-SPAN)
Mali War Eight Malian soldiers and 57 Islamist militants are killed during a gunfight in the Archam region, after 40 civilians were killed there during terrorist attacks last week. (Al Jazeera) Mali's ruling military junta demands that French forces leave the country "without delay" after French President Emmanuel Macron announced a withdrawal of troops in an "orderly fashion" in the coming months. (France 24)
2022 Winter Olympics LGBT athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Timothy LeDuc becomes the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. They competed in figure skating with their skating partner Ashley Cain-Gribble for the United States. (HuffPost)
A UAZ-469 jeep is blown up outside of a building of the Donetsk People's Republic government in Donetsk city. No injuries are reported. (The Jerusalem Post)
Anti-war protesters gather in Burlington, Vermont to call for a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict amidst fears of a war with Ukraine. (MyChamplainValley.com) (WCAX-TV)
Denmark recalls its frigate HDMS Esbern Snare from the Gulf of Guinea following a request from NATO to increase readiness and contribute to deterrence in Europe. The warship has been conducting anti-piracy measures in the Gulf since October. (The Local)
Eight Malian soldiers and 57 Islamist militants are killed during a gunfight in the Archam region, after 40 civilians were killed there during terrorist attacks last week. (Al Jazeera)
LGBT athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Timothy LeDuc becomes the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. They competed in figure skating with their skating partner Ashley Cain-Gribble for the United States. (HuffPost)
Mali's ruling military junta demands that French forces leave the country "without delay" after French President Emmanuel Macron announced a withdrawal of troops in an "orderly fashion" in the coming months. (France 24)
Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea Denmark recalls its frigate HDMS Esbern Snare from the Gulf of Guinea following a request from NATO to increase readiness and contribute to deterrence in Europe. The warship has been conducting anti-piracy measures in the Gulf since October. (The Local)
The British government relocates its embassy from Kyiv to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, and again urges its citizens to leave the country while they still can. (Reuters)
Timothy LeDuc becomes the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics. They competed in figure skating with their skating partner Ashley Cain-Gribble for the United States. (HuffPost)
Additional explosions are reported in Luhansk. The Luhansk People's Republic authorities state that a gas station has been blown up. (Metro) (National Post)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 109,831 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.75 million. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 109,831 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.75 million. (Al Jazeera)
Eleven people are missing after a ferry travelling between Greece and Italy catches fire. (Reuters)
England records a record wind gust of 122 mph (196 kmh) on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. (Reuters)
India and the United Arab Emirates sign a free trade agreement over digital goods, raw materials, and apparels. It is the first major trade deal signed by India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came into power in 2014. (Moneycontrol)
India–United Arab Emirates relations India and the United Arab Emirates sign a free trade agreement over digital goods, raw materials, and apparels. It is the first major trade deal signed by India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came into power in 2014. (Moneycontrol)
Iran–Israel proxy conflict Israel's Iron Dome fails to intercept a Hezbollah-operated military drone from Lebanon that penetrated seventy kilometers into Israeli airspace. The drone flew for forty minutes before returning to Lebanon. Israeli jets fly at very low altitude over Beirut in response to the incident. (Times of Israel) (ABC News)
Israel's Iron Dome fails to intercept a Hezbollah-operated military drone from Lebanon that penetrated seventy kilometers into Israeli airspace. The drone flew for forty minutes before returning to Lebanon. Israeli jets fly at very low altitude over Beirut in response to the incident. (Times of Israel) (ABC News)
Russia confirms that the Druzhba pipeline is on fire in rebel-held Luhansk Oblast after a massive explosion cut off gas to almost a hundred households. Transit supplies to Europe were not affected and continue as usual. (Reuters)
South Korea reports a record 109,831 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1.75 million. (Al Jazeera)
The Grain Power Station in Kent, England, goes offline following the collapse of one of its towers and the roof of The O2 Arena in London is severely damaged due to high winds. (BBC News) (ITV News)
The roof of the ADO Den Haag Stadium, in The Hague, the Netherlands, is severely damaged. (The Guardian)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War Russia–United States relations U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris warns that the United States will impose sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. (NBC News) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges sanctions on Russia before a potential invasion occurs. (CBS News)
Russia–United States relations U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris warns that the United States will impose sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. (NBC News)
2022 Winter Olympics Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics The Slovakia men's hockey team wins their first medal at the Winter Olympics after defeating Sweden in the men's tournament. (The Hockey News)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that Vladimir Putin is planning "the biggest war in Europe since 1945" and that Russia intends to launch an invasion that will encircle the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. (BBC News)
Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that Vladimir Putin is planning "the biggest war in Europe since 1945" and that Russia intends to launch an invasion that will encircle the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. (BBC News)
Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics The Slovakia men's hockey team wins their first medal at the Winter Olympics after defeating Sweden in the men's tournament. (The Hockey News)
Somali Civil War 2022 Beledweyne bombing Fourteen people are killed by an al-Shabaab suicide bomber at a restaurant in Beledweyne, Somalia. (The Guardian)
The Slovakia men's hockey team wins their first medal at the Winter Olympics after defeating Sweden in the men's tournament. (The Hockey News)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges sanctions on Russia before a potential invasion occurs. (CBS News)
War in Donbas The Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic declare a full military mobilisation, a day after beginning to evacuate civilians to Russia. (Reuters) Two Ukrainian troops are killed and four others are injured by shelling from separatist forces. Separatists have opened fire on more than 30 settlements with artillery, according to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters) Russia launches an investigation following reports that shells landed inside Rostov Oblast, 2 km from the Russia–Ukraine border. At least one structure on a farm is reportedly destroyed. (Reuters) (TASS)
2022 Beledweyne bombing Fourteen people are killed by an al-Shabaab suicide bomber at a restaurant in Beledweyne, Somalia. (The Guardian)
Fourteen people are killed by an al-Shabaab suicide bomber at a restaurant in Beledweyne, Somalia. (The Guardian)
Jeffrey Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel is found dead inside his cell at La Santé Prison in Paris. Brunel faced allegations of sexual assault spanning three decades and of participating in the sex trafficking ring run by Epstein. (Sky News)
The Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic declare a full military mobilisation, a day after beginning to evacuate civilians to Russia. (Reuters)
Two Ukrainian troops are killed and four others are injured by shelling from separatist forces. Separatists have opened fire on more than 30 settlements with artillery, according to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters)
Following the meeting, Biden abruptly cancels plans to go to his home in Delaware for the Presidents' Day holiday. It is a rare occurrence for a U.S. president's travel plans to change in this manner, especially when the plans involve the president leaving Washington, D.C. (CNBC)
France–Russia relations Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron announce that they will work toward a ceasefire agreement in order to avert war with Ukraine. (Firstpost)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron announce that they will work toward a ceasefire agreement in order to avert war with Ukraine. (Firstpost)
2022 Winter Olympics The closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics is held in Beijing. (NPR)
Biden speaks with Macron on diplomacy with and deterrence efforts against Russia, after Macron and Putin agreed to work towards a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. (Asian News International)
Juwan Howard, head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, strikes Joe Krabbenhoft, assistant coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team, in an altercation following a 76–61 loss to the Badgers. Howard says Greg Gard, the Badgers' head coach, touched him in the handshake line, and that he was also upset that Gard had called a timeout with 20 seconds left in the game, which Gard had done to avoid a 10-second violation. (Sports Illustrated)
The closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics is held in Beijing. (NPR)
War in Donbas The Luhansk People's Republic says that two civilians have been killed by Ukrainian military shelling in the village of Pionerskoye, near the Russia–Ukraine border. Five buildings were also destroyed. (TASS)
2022 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie Austin Cindric wins the 64th running of the Daytona 500, becoming the ninth driver to score his first career Cup Series victory in the event. (Fox Sports)
Australia–China relations Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton reveals that a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy destroyer fired at a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing P-8 Poseidon over the exclusive economic zone of Australia with a military-grade laser weapon as the ship transited through the Arafura Sea last week. (Sky News Australia)
Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton reveals that a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy destroyer fired at a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing P-8 Poseidon over the exclusive economic zone of Australia with a military-grade laser weapon as the ship transited through the Arafura Sea last week. (Sky News Australia)
Belarus–Russia relations Military exercises between Belarusian and Russian forces in Belarus are extended amid tensions with Ukraine. Around 30,000 Russian troops are currently stationed in Belarus, according to NATO. (Reuters) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a decision by Russia and Belarus to extend military drills is Moscow following its "playbook" for an invasion of Ukraine. (New York Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in California COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area The Point Bonita Lighthouse, a lighthouse located at the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, reopens to visitors for the first time after two years of closure due to the pandemic. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in Italy COVID-19 vaccination in Italy The Italian Health ministry recommends that severely immunocompromised people should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine at least 120 days after receiving their previous booster. (U.S. News & World Report) COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19 with "mild cold-like symptoms". (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy COVID-19 vaccination in Italy The Italian Health ministry recommends that severely immunocompromised people should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine at least 120 days after receiving their previous booster. (U.S. News & World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area The Point Bonita Lighthouse, a lighthouse located at the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, reopens to visitors for the first time after two years of closure due to the pandemic. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19 with "mild cold-like symptoms". (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in California COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area The Point Bonita Lighthouse, a lighthouse located at the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, reopens to visitors for the first time after two years of closure due to the pandemic. (CBS News)
COVID-19 vaccination in Italy The Italian Health ministry recommends that severely immunocompromised people should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine at least 120 days after receiving their previous booster. (U.S. News & World Report)
Cross-Strait relations Taiwan announces that its army will conduct live military drills next month which will simulate an invasion attempt of its islets of Dongyin and Kinmen, and its coast guard will conduct similar drills near Pratas Island, amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China. (South China Morning Post)
Military exercises between Belarusian and Russian forces in Belarus are extended amid tensions with Ukraine. Around 30,000 Russian troops are currently stationed in Belarus, according to NATO. (Reuters)
Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19 with "mild cold-like symptoms". (BBC News)
Rookie Austin Cindric wins the 64th running of the Daytona 500, becoming the ninth driver to score his first career Cup Series victory in the event. (Fox Sports)
Satellite imagery shows a shift in Russia's military deployment around Ukraine, with several units or troops deployed outside of bases or training grounds and some positioned along tree lines, according to an analysis by Maxar Technologies, who released the imagery. (CNA)
Taiwan announces that its army will conduct live military drills next month which will simulate an invasion attempt of its islets of Dongyin and Kinmen, and its coast guard will conduct similar drills near Pratas Island, amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China. (South China Morning Post)
The controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam begins producing electricity, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attending the inauguration of the dam. (Al Jazeera)
The Italian Health ministry recommends that severely immunocompromised people should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine at least 120 days after receiving their previous booster. (U.S. News & World Report)
The Point Bonita Lighthouse, a lighthouse located at the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, reopens to visitors for the first time after two years of closure due to the pandemic. (CBS News)
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs decrees recognising the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic with immediate effect. He also asks the parliament to ratify the treaties on friendship and mutual aid with the breakaway territories. (BBC News) (Axios) (CNN)
Aftermath of the 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état Burkinabé President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba orders an inquiry into the deaths of two civilians during last month's coup d'état. (Agence France-Presse via Barron's)
Burkinabé President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba orders an inquiry into the deaths of two civilians during last month's coup d'état. (Agence France-Presse via Barron's)
In response to yesterday's leak of client data from Credit Suisse, Switzerland's second largest bank, the EU's European Commission is asked to "re-evaluate Switzerland as a high-risk money-laundering country" by the European People's Party, which is the group with the largest number of seats in the European Parliament. (Reuters)
President Putin addresses the nation and declares that Ukraine is a country with "no tradition of independent statehood and an artificial creation of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin", and that the country has become a "U.S. puppet regime rife with corruption". He also reiterates his claim that Ukraine joining NATO would be a security risk to Russia. (Reuters) (CNN International) (Sputnik)
