COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritania Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani tests positive for COVID-19 and is displaying mild symptoms. (News24)
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani tests positive for COVID-19 and is displaying mild symptoms. (News24)
A blast hits a vehicle for the Sodicars Racing team as it leaves a hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, two days prior to the Dakar Rally, critically injuring French driver Philippe Boutron, who is in a medically-induced coma. (BBC News)
A search continues for 14 people missing at sea in the Solomon Islands, after their boat failed to reach the Shortland Islands. Efforts were called off yesterday due to bad weather. (RNZ Pacific)
Argentina reports a record 81,210 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.82 million. (Buenos Aires Times)
Australia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 47,738 new cases of COVID-19 and surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19. (Nine News) (SBS World News)
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces that the "vaccine bubble" will be expanded to restaurants, leisure venues and schools beginning on February 24, which will require people over the age of 12 years to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination of at least one dose in order to enter those venues. (Reuters)
China orders 1.1 million people in Yuzhou, Henan to stay at home after three asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina reports a record 81,210 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 5.82 million. (Buenos Aires Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China orders 1.1 million people in Yuzhou, Henan to stay at home after three asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported. (BBC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces that the "vaccine bubble" will be expanded to restaurants, leisure venues and schools beginning on February 24, which will require people over the age of 12 years to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination of at least one dose in order to enter those venues. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia reports a record for the second consecutive day of 47,738 new cases of COVID-19 and surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19. (Nine News) (SBS World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural heritage Rio de Janeiro cancels the 2022 edition of its world-famous carnival street parade, which was scheduled to be held from February 25 to March 1, amid the surging COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (Radio France Internationale)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Cyprus reports a record 5,457 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 183,178. (Cyprus Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a record 271,686 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (ABC News) France reports the first discovery of a new variant called the Lineage B.1.640.2 IHU variant in 12 patients near Marseille which contains 46 mutations. (Firstpost)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reports a record 50,126 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,344,923. (Kathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces that the "vaccine bubble" will be expanded to restaurants, leisure venues and schools beginning on February 24, which will require people over the age of 12 years to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination of at least one dose in order to enter those venues. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports a record 170,844 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6.57 million. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China China orders 1.1 million people in Yuzhou, Henan to stay at home after three asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico Mexico surpasses four million cases of COVID-19. (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco Morocco reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an elderly woman who had not received the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Morocco World News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden test positive for COVID-19. (The Hill) Sweden reports a record 11,507 new cases of COVID-19 on December 30 due to delayed records of additional cases that were added in the previous days. (The Local Sweden)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom reports a record 218,724 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes backlog data from Northern Ireland for the past four days and from Wales for the past two days. (The Independent)
Cyprus reports a record 5,457 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 183,178. (Cyprus Mail)
Eight people are killed, 14 more are injured and two are missing during flash floods in southern Iran, primarily in Fars Province. (Al Jazeera)
France reports a record 271,686 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (ABC News)
France reports the first discovery of a new variant called the Lineage B.1.640.2 IHU variant in 12 patients near Marseille which contains 46 mutations. (Firstpost)
Greece reports a record 50,126 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,344,923. (Kathimerini)
Italy reports a record 170,844 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6.57 million. (Reuters)
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden test positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
Mexico surpasses four million cases of COVID-19. (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Morocco reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in an elderly woman who had not received the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Morocco World News)
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction The South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff say that North Korea has launched an unidentified projectile ballistic missile. No confirmation has been given. (BBC News)
Rio de Janeiro cancels the 2022 edition of its world-famous carnival street parade, which was scheduled to be held from February 25 to March 1, amid the surging COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (Radio France Internationale)
Sweden reports a record 11,507 new cases of COVID-19 on December 30 due to delayed records of additional cases that were added in the previous days. (The Local Sweden)
The Cyberspace Administration of China announces that, beginning on February 15, all companies with at least one million users will be required to undergo cybersecurity reviews before they can be listed on foreign stock exchanges. Companies that are deemed to have an impact on national security will be barred from being listed. (Al Jazeera)
The South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff say that North Korea has launched an unidentified projectile ballistic missile. No confirmation has been given. (BBC News)
The United Kingdom reports a record 218,724 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which includes backlog data from Northern Ireland for the past four days and from Wales for the past two days. (The Independent)
2021 Belarus–European Union border crisis, Belarus–Lithuania relations The Lithuanian government announces that it will not extend the state of emergency at the border with Belarus. (Reuters)
64th Annual Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards is postponed amidst concerns of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (CNBC)
79th Golden Globe Awards It is announced that the upcoming Golden Globe Awards will be held without a live audience or celebrities due to COVID-19 concerns. (Vanity Fair)
COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina Argentina confirms their first locally transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (Buenos Aires Times) Argentina reports a record for the second consecutive day of 95,159 new cases of COVID-19. (India Today) The government implements self-testing in order to avoid queues at testing centers. (Buenos Aires Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his First Lady Michal Herzog receive their fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as Israel launched the second booster dose vaccination campaign. (i24NEWS) Israel reports a record 11,978 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,423,289. (Al Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Polish President Andrzej Duda tests positive for COVID-19 for the second time. He previously tested positive in October 2020. (Voice of America)
COVID-19 vaccination in Israel Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his First Lady Michal Herzog receive their fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as Israel launched the second booster dose vaccination campaign. (i24NEWS)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his First Lady Michal Herzog receive their fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as Israel launched the second booster dose vaccination campaign. (i24NEWS)
It is announced that the upcoming Golden Globe Awards will be held without a live audience or celebrities due to COVID-19 concerns. (Vanity Fair)
Kivu conflict Two soldiers and 18 rebels are killed in a clash between Banyamulenge rebels and government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Al Arabiya)
President Tokayev dismisses former president and Security Council of Kazakhstan Chairman Nursultan Nazarbayev. Protesters also seize control of Almaty International Airport with all flights to and from the airport being cancelled. (Reuters)
President Tokayev requests military assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, saying that "terrorist gangs are overrunning strategic facilities across the country." (Trend News Agency)
The government implements self-testing in order to avoid queues at testing centers. (Buenos Aires Times)
The Grammy Awards is postponed amidst concerns of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (CNBC)
The presidential residence and offices of Äkim of Almaty Bakhytzhan Sagintayev are set on fire by protesters. (AP)
Two soldiers and 18 rebels are killed in a clash between Banyamulenge rebels and government forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Al Arabiya)
A nationwide state of emergency is declared in Kazakhstan. (Sky News)
Argentina confirms their first locally transmitted cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (Buenos Aires Times)
Argentina reports a record for the second consecutive day of 95,159 new cases of COVID-19. (India Today)
Australia announces rapid antigen tests will be made free to concession card holders amid a nationwide shortage, but resists calls for universal free access. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia announces rapid antigen tests will be made free to concession card holders amid a nationwide shortage, but resists calls for universal free access. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a record for the second consecutive day of 332,252 new cases of COVID-19, which is also the highest daily total recorded in any European nation since the beginning of the pandemic. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Mumbai reports a record 15,166 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Deccan Herald) COVID-19 pandemic in Rajasthan India reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 73-year-old man who died last week at a hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan. (The Economic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports a record for the second consecutive day of 189,109 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,566,947. (Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata) The Draghi Cabinet signs a decree that makes COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for people over the age of 50 years and also mandates that public and private sector workers of this age group need to show proof of vaccination or recovery or face fines of between €600 and €1,500 beginning on February 15. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra Mumbai reports a record 15,166 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Deccan Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Rajasthan India reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 73-year-old man who died last week at a hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan. (The Economic Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore Singaporean Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announces that COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be mandatory beginning on February 14 in order for people to maintain fully vaccinated status. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, COVID-19 drug development South Korea signs an agreement to buy an additional 400,000 doses of Pfizer's Paxlovid COVID-19 drug. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Netherlands reports a record 24,590 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (NL Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines Iloilo City reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a 46-year-old man who traveled from Kenya. (Rappler)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses the use of booster shots of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12. (CNN)
Fourteen people are killed and three others are injured by a landslide at a construction site in Bijie, Guizhou, China. (Al Jazeera)
France reports a record for the second consecutive day of 332,252 new cases of COVID-19, which is also the highest daily total recorded in any European nation since the beginning of the pandemic. (France 24)
Iloilo City reports its first case of the Omicron variant in a 46-year-old man who traveled from Kenya. (Rappler)
India reports its first confirmed death related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in a 73-year-old man who died last week at a hospital in Udaipur, Rajasthan. (The Economic Times)
Israel reports a record 11,978 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,423,289. (Al Arabiya)
Italy reports a record for the second consecutive day of 189,109 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 6,566,947. (Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata)
Mumbai reports a record 15,166 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. (Deccan Herald)
