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COVID-19 pandemic: Disease; Virus; By location; Impact; Vaccines; Portal

Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Faustin-Archange Touadéra (pictured) is elected for a second term as President of the Central African Republic.
LauncherOne becomes the first liquid-fueled aircraft-launched rocket to reach orbit.
Yoweri Museveni is re-elected as President of Uganda.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and his cabinet resign as a result of a childcare benefits scandal.

January 21, 2021 (Thursday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

ISIL insurgency in Iraq
- 2021 Baghdad bombings
  - A double suicide bombing at an open market in Baghdad, Iraq, kill at least 32 people and injures 110 others. Attacks are rare in the country since the 2017 military defeat of ISIL, making this incident one of the deadliest since that year. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on entertainment, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
- Dubai suspends all entertainment permits issued by the emirate for establishments due to rise of COVID-19 health protocols violations. (Khaleej Times)

Disasters and accidents

Five people are killed in a fire at the site of the world's largest vaccine producer in Pune, Maharashtra, India. (BBC)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
    - Hungary approves the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the first European Union member state to approve the Russian vaccine. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record of 221 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,686. (DGS)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announces that as part of easing of COVID-19 restrictions, museums and libraries will reopen starting tomorrow, while theatres and cinemas will be allowed to accommodate more visitors. He also said that colleges, sports schools and children's clubs will resume in-person attendance. (The Moscow Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 346 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 27,203. (detikHealth)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
    - Thailand's Food and Drug Administration approves the emergency use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. 50,000 doses of the vaccine will arrive in February. (Bangkok Post)

Law and crime

Japanese nationality law
- The Tokyo District Court upholds that the country's law of prohibiting dual citizenship of Japan and another country is constitutional, rejecting appeals for damages claiming that the law was unconstitutional. (AFP via Japan Today)

Politics and elections

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics, COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia
- Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh resigns a day after thousands in Ulaanbaatar protest against the heavy-handed treatment of a COVID-19-infected mother and her newborn baby. (CNA)

Sports

In association football, FIFA warns top-division European clubs and its players against participating in the proposed European Super League, threatening them with a ban from any FIFA-sanctioned competition. (AFP via Scroll)

January 20, 2021 (Wednesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- 2021 Afghanistan attacks
  - Three Afghan soldiers are killed and four others are wounded in an attack on their vehicle by unidentified gunmen in Herat Province. (Tolo News)

Arts and culture

Events affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
- Dublin cancels their annual Saint Patrick's Day festival for the second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will instead be held virtually on a special online TV channel. (RTÉ)
- Cork, Limerick, and Ennis have all cancelled their respective Saint Patrick's Day parades for the second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (RTÉ)

Disasters and accidents

2021 Madrid explosion
- An explosion caused by a gas leak at a residence for priests in Madrid, Spain results in three fatalities and injures eleven others. It also partially destroys the residence. (Reuters)
A boat carrying migrants from West Africa capsizes in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, resulting in 43 fatalities. (France24)
An explosion caused by coal dust and air in a thermal power plant in Angren, Uzbekistan kills three workers and leaves three others injured. (Xinhua)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
    - The Netherlands bans all flights from the United Kingdom, South Africa and all South American countries beginning January 23 in order to reduce the spread of more contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2. (NL Times)
    - Prime Minister Mark Rutte issues a statement that would ask the parliament to vote regarding a weekend curfew from 8.30 pm to 4.30 am in a parliamentary debate that will begin tomorrow. (Dutch News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
    - Andorra begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19. (Periòdic d'Andorra)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record 14,647 new confirmed cases and 219 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide totals to 581,605 confirmed cases and 9,465 deaths. (Bloomberg) (SIC Notícias)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - The Russian Direct Investment Fund files the registration of the Sputnik V vaccine with the European Medicines Agency with the first review expected in February. (The Moscow Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - Spain reports a record 41,576 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,412,318. (Eldiario.es)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The United Kingdom reports a record 1,820 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 93,290. (ITV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in India
    - India begins exporting the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to many developing countries, beginning with Bhutan and Maldives. Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles are also among the countries that will receive batches of the vaccine. (Hindustan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 9,755 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 763,703. (Okezone)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon
    - Lebanon reports a record 61 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,084. (The961)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - The government reaches an agreement with Pfizer for an additional 12 million doses of their vaccine. (The Japan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
    - The Philippines surpasses 10,000 deaths from COVID-19. (GMA News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya
    - Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth confirms the first case of the 501.V2 variant in two people who had travelled to South Africa. (Kenyans.co.ke)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
    - Zimbabwe's International Trade and Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo dies due to complications from COVID-19. (News24)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Chile
  - Chile approves the CoronaVac vaccine developed by Sinovac for emergency use in the country. (MedicalXpress)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - President Joe Biden signs a executive order mandating face masks on federal property and during interstate travel. The order is expected to last for 100 days. (Reuters)
2020–21 H5N8 outbreak
- Iraq reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu in the city of Samarra. (Reuters)

International relations

China–United States relations
- The Chinese foreign ministry places sanctions on 28 members of the outgoing Trump administration, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Advisor John Bolton, and former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. The sanctions are believed to be in response to Pompeo's announcement on Tuesday that the internment of Muslim Uyghurs constitutes genocide. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

Presidency of Joe Biden
- Inauguration of Joe Biden
  - Joe Biden is officially sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. (BBC)
  - Kamala Harris is officially sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States, making her the first woman, first half-black/half-Indian American in United States history to hold the office. (The Washington Post)
  - Donald Trump becomes the first outgoing president not to attend his successor's inauguration since Andrew Johnson, who did not attend Ulysses S. Grant's inauguration in 1869. (The New York Times)
- Biden signs his first executive orders, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization. (BBC) (NBC News) (The Guardian)

January 19, 2021 (Tuesday)

edithistorywatch

Arts and culture

Events affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
- Taiwan cancels the upcoming Taiwan Lantern Festival for the first time since 1990, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases on the island. (The Straits Times)

Business and economy

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States orders Ford Motor Company to recall about three million of its vehicles containing airbags manufactured by Takata, citing "potential future rupture risks". (AFP via Business Times)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
      - COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
        Andrew Yang, a candidate for Mayor of New York City in the upcoming mayoral election, will quarantine after one of his staffers tested positive for COVID-19. (The New York Times)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Vermont
      - Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, and other officials quarantine after a contractor that Levine was in contact with tested positive for COVID-19. (WPTZ-TV)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
      - A memorial at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is held, honoring the 400,000 Americans who have died as a result of COVID-19. Additionally, bells are rung at the Washington National Cathedral and a moment of silence is held. (Reuters) (NBC News)
    - The United States surpasses 400,000 deaths from COVID-19. (CBS News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
    - Mexico reports a record 1,584 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to nearly 143,000. (The Washington Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
    - Hong Kong extends their work from home arrangements for civil servants until January 27, as the city attempts to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. (Reuters via Financial Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Israel
    - Israel extends their third nationwide lockdown until January 31 as the country reports its highest number of cases since the pandemic began. They will also require all travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival or face a fine of NIS 2,500 ($772). (The Times of Israel)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - The Shizuoka prefectural government issues an emergency alert after three cases of Variant of Concern 202012/01 are reported in people with no known travel history. (Kyodo News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait
    - Kuwait reports their first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in two women who travelled from the United Kingdom. (Gulf News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia's Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces the extension of the second movement control order to six states from January 22 at 12:01 am. local time until February 4. This means that all states and federal territories except Sarawak will be placed under tighter restrictions. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
    - The first 30,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are sent from Spain to Andorra after both governments reached an agreement earlier today. (Euro Weekly News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of all 16 states agree to extend the nationwide lockdown until February 14, due to the threat of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. They also agree to mandate medical masks for all passengers on public transport. (Taggeschau)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a new record for the second consecutive day, of 218 deaths, bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,246. At the same time, the nationwide number of ICU patients reaches a record 670, just below the maximum allocation capacity of 672 ICU beds set the day before. (DGS) (Reuters)
    - Portuguese Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira tested positive for COVID-19. (TSF)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
    - Ireland reports a record 93 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,708. (Irish Examiner)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - The United Kingdom reports a record 1,610 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 91,470. (ITV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
  - The New Zealand government imposes a mandatory requirement for all travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test result before departing for New Zealand, beginning January 25. This requirement does not include residents of Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Island countries. (NZ Herald)

International relations

Uganda–United States relations
- A Ugandan government spokesman accuses the U.S. government of "subversion" after ambassador Natalie E. Brown tried to visit opposition leader Bobi Wine at his home, where he is under house arrest. Brown said that she wanted to check on the "health and safety" of Wine. (Reuters)
China–United States relations, Uyghur genocide
- The outgoing Trump administration declares that China has committed genocide against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minority groups. (CBS News)

Law and crime

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- Grafton vaccine incident, COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
  - Wisconsin pharmacist Steven Brandenburg is charged with attempted misdemeanor property damage for deliberately trying to defrost doses of Moderna's vaccine. (AP)
Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol
- Three members of the Oath Keepers far-right militia group are arrested by federal prosecutors for conspiring to breach the United States Capitol. (New York Daily News) (CNN)
2020 congressional insider trading scandal
- The United States Department of Justice closes an insider trading probe into U.S. Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina without making him face any criminal charges. (MarketWatch)
Protests against Rodrigo Duterte
- The Philippine Department of National Defense terminates a 32-year-old accord with the University of the Philippines, the country's national university, that limits the access of police and military personnel into the university's campuses. Faculty members, students, and activists protest the move, calling it "a violation of academic freedom" and claiming that it would aid the government's attempts at red-tagging people. (South China Morning Post)
A 65-year-old Thai woman is sentenced to 43 years in prison for insulting the Thai monarchy in online posts in 2014. Her sentence, initially for 87 years, was reduced after she plead guilty to the charges. It is the longest punishment for lèse-majesté handed down in Thai history. (Reuters on MSN)

Science and technology

Internet regulation in Turkey
- Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority bans advertisements on Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest after these companies failed to appoint local representatives under a new social media law. (Reuters)
Discoveries of exoplanets
- Scientists discover that WASP-107b is a super-puff. WASP-107b is an exoplanet the same size as Jupiter but with one tenth the mass, located 212 light years away from Earth. (CBS News) (Sci-News)

January 18, 2021 (Monday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- 2021 Afghanistan attacks; Taliban insurgency
  - Over 40 security force members have been killed in fighting with the Taliban in Kunduz, Baghlan and Nimroz provinces, Afghanistan. (TOLO News)
Central African Republic Civil War
- Two United Nation peacekeepers, from Gabon and Morocco, are killed in an ambush by anti-balaka insurgents near Bangassou, Central African Republic, according to MINUSCA. (Relief Web)
Yemeni Civil War
- Houthi forces and pro-government troops clash in the port city of Al Hudaydah, leaving at least 23 people dead. The fighting centered around the government-controlled Ad Durayhimi District in the south of the city. Houthi-run Almasirah network claims "dozens" of government fighters have been killed. (Xinhuanet)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announces a new RM15 billion economic assistance package, the Malaysian Economic and Rakyat Protection Assistance Package, which is expected to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the Malaysian economy. (CNA)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
    - Hong Kong reports 107 new confirmed cases, which is the first time in nearly a month that more than 100 cases are reported and brings the total number of confirmed cases in the city to 9,664. This sudden rise in cases is partially due to an outbreak among ethnic minorities. (South China Morning Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 9,475 recoveries, including 2,802 from Jakarta, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 745,935. (detikNews)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - Japan detects possible community spread of the B.1.1.7 variant in three people from Shizuoka with no known travel history. (The Japan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal
    - Nepal reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in three people who travelled to the United Kingdom three weeks ago and later tested positive. (The Kathmandu Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Turkmenistan
    - Turkmenistan registers the Sputnik V vaccine despite having no confirmed cases in the country, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund. It becomes the first country in Central Asia to approve a Russian-made vaccine. (RFE/RL)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The Czech Republic confirms the detection of the B.1.1.7 variant that originated in the United Kingdom. (CTK)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Bavaria detects a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in 35 newly-infected patients in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is different from the strain originating from the United Kingdom. (DW)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Hair salons, health centers, car inspection stations, and non-essential shops in Greece reopen for the first time since November after the government eased a nationwide lockdown in order to revitalize the retail sectors. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record 167 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 9,028. (SIC Noticias)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - The Spanish Health Ministry reports a record 84,287 new cases in the country over the weekend, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,336,451. (elDiario.es)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    - Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order that allows travel restrictions on Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Europe to be lifted after January 26. However, incoming Press Secretary Jen Psaki says that the restrictions are expected to remain in place. (Reuters) (CNN)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in California
    - California becomes the first U.S. state to surpass three million cases of COVID-19. (AP)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Maryland Governor Larry Hogan receives the Moderna vaccine at the State House in Annapolis. (The Washington Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco
  - Morocco reports its first case of the B.1.1.7 variant in the Port of Tangier Med. (Morocco World News)
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment
  - The International Energy Agency reports that global methane emissions in 2020 amounted to about 70 million metric tons, which is 10 percent lower than the estimated amount of methane emissions in 2019. The agency cites the decline in industrial activities, as a result of the pandemic, and the introduction of new emission regulations for the reduction in emissions. (Bloomberg)

International relations

Germany–Russia relations
- Germany condemns the arrest of opposition politician and activist Alexei Navalny upon his return to Russia yesterday. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas calls the arrest "utterly incomprehensible" and calls for Navalny's immediate release. Likewise, British, Danish, and other European diplomats also condemn the arrest. (DW)
South Korea–United States relations
- South Korean President Moon Jae-in urges incoming U.S. President Joe Biden to learn from the policies, both positive and negative, of Donald Trump towards North Korea and says that the North has a "clear willingness to denuclearize if Washington and Pyongyang could find mutually agreeable steps to decrease the nuclear threat and ensure the North's security". (AP)

Law and crime

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol
- Fashion Institute of Technology student Nicholas Moncada is arrested for allegedly storming the United States Capitol, after posting "Outside Pelosi's office" on Instagram and livestreaming the event. (ABC News)
Corruption in South Korea
- The COO of Samsung, Lee Jae-yong, is sentenced to two and a half years in prison on charges of bribery. Lee was convicted of bribing former South Korean President Park Geun-hye and was arrested in the courtroom following the verdict. (The New York Times)
Central American migrant caravans
- Guatemalan police report that around 4,000 United States-bound Honduran migrants held up at the Guatemala–Honduras border since January 16 have been dispersed. Police have used various riot control methods to disperse migrants. (AFP via Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Tunisian interior ministry deploys the national guard in several cities across the country and reports that a total of 632 people have been arrested following a series of riots that first occurred January 15, a day after the government imposed a nationwide lockdown in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases. (AFP via Daily Sabah)

Politics and elections

2020–21 Central African general election
- The constitutional court of the Central African Republic confirms the re-election of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, despite a voter turnout of only 35.25 percent. The low turnout was attributed to the hindrance of polling stations from operating and voters unable to cast their ballots as various armed groups currently control roughly two-thirds of the country, thus prompting most opposition candidates and activists to call the election farce and fraudulent. (AFP via Africanews)

January 17, 2021 (Sunday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- 2021 Afghanistan attacks; Taliban insurgency
  - Two judges, both female, are shot dead in an ambush while en-route to their offices at the Supreme Court in Kabul; their driver is wounded. Afghan officials claim the Taliban is responsible, however no one has claimed responsibility for the attack and a spokesman for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, says that the group was not responsible. (Al Jazeera)
War in Darfur
- 2021 Darfur clashes
  - Eighty-three people are killed during clashes between different ethnic groups in El Geneina, West Darfur, Sudan. They started after a row in which a man was stabbed to death. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

2021 Sulawesi earthquake
- More bodies are found under debris in Sulawesi, Indonesia, after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the island two days ago, bringing the death toll to 78. (Reuters)
A Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter of the Philippine Air Force crashes in the Pantaron Mountain Range in Bukidnon, Philippines, killing all seven personnel onboard. (The New York Times)
Six people have been killed by floods and landslides that affected nine subdistricts and 33 neighborhoods in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Antara News)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 9,102 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 736,460. (detikHealth)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon
    - Lebanon signs a deal to receive two million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (Arab News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Oman
    - Oman announces the closure of all land borders for at least one week, beginning tomorrow at 6:00 pm, as part of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Times of Oman)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
    - The United Arab Emirates reports a record 3,453 new confirmed cases in a single-day, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 253,261. (The National)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Guinea
    - Guinean President Alpha Condé receives the first dose of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (Africanews)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
    - South Africa delays the reopening of schools due to the rapid increase in cases of the 501.V2 variant. (AP)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in California
    - American music producer Phil Spector, who was convicted for the 2003 murder of American actress Lana Clarkson, dies from COVID-19 at a hospital in Northern California. (Los Angeles Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts
    - Massachusetts reports their first case of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a woman in her 20s from Boston who traveled to the United Kingdom and began experiencing symptoms the day after she returned. (WBZ-TV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccine
  - The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) grants emergency use authorization requests for the vaccines developed by Sinovac and Oxford-AstraZeneca. (G1)
  - Minutes after Anvisa's announcement, a nurse from São Paulo becomes the first person in Brazil to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
  - Austria extends their nationwide lockdown until February 7 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amid fears about new SARS-CoV-2 variants. People will also be required to wear full protective masks beginning January 25. (DW)

Law and crime

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol
- Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, the founder of "Cowboys for Trump", is arrested for his involvement during the storming of the United States Capitol, in which he allegedly entered restricted area during the riot. He claimed to be planning to drive to Washington, D.C. with a rifle and revolver. (Reuters) (NBC News)
- Gracyn Courtright, a West Virginia student who is a senior at the University of Kentucky, is charged for entering the United States Capitol during the riot. (New York Post) (The Kentucky Kernel) (Heavy.com)
Aftermath of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny
- Opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny is arrested upon landing in Moscow, according to a statement from the prison service. The prominent Putin critic was arrested on charges of parole violations and terms of a suspended prison sentence and will be held in custody until a court makes a decision in his case. (Politico)
Central American migrant caravans
- A caravan of at least 6,000 Honduran migrants bound for the United States prompts the deployment of Guatemalan police and military troops to the Guatemala–Honduras border, where security forces fire tear gas and assault migrants attempting to cross the border. Health officials report several casualties. (AFP via IBTimes)

January 16, 2021 (Saturday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Boko Haram insurgency
- Hundreds of residents flee and government forces withdraw after the town of Marte in Borno State, Nigeria, is captured by Islamic State – West Africa Province militants. The military says it "tactically withdrew" troops, while confirming the town is under insurgent control. (Reuters)

Business and economy

Automotive manufacturers Fiat Chrysler and PSA finalize their 50–50 merger agreement, founding Stellantis. The new corporation becomes the world's fourth largest automobile manufacturer by volume. (AFP via RTL)

Disasters and accidents

Five people die of carbon monoxide poisoning at a nursing home in Lanuvio, Lazio, Italy. Seven other people are hospitalized in critical condition. (Il Fatto Quotidiano)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - Canada surpasses 700,000 cases of COVID-19. (Global News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 pandemic in California
      - Los Angeles County surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first county in the United States to do so. (NBC News)
      - Los Angeles County reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a man who traveled to the United Kingdom and is currently in quarantine in Oregon. (NBC Los Angeles)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
      - Michigan reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a woman from Washtenaw County who traveled to the United Kingdom. (WEYI-TV)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Louisiana
      - Louisiana reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the Greater New Orleans area. (Office of the Governor of Louisiana)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Wyoming
      - Wyoming reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a man from Teton County with no known travel history. (Casper Star Tribune)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in India
    - Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the world's largest vaccination programme against COVID-19 in India, which plans to vaccinate more than 1.3 billion people. A sanitation worker is the first person to receive the vaccine. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 14,224 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 896,642. (CNN Indonesia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia reports a record 4,029 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 155,095. (New Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
    - The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan approves the AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use in the country. (Livemint)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
    - Denmark reports their first case of the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who travelled to Dubai. (Politiken)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports records for both daily counts of new cases and deaths, with 10,947 new cases and 166 deaths, bringing the nationwide cumulative totals to 539,416 confirmed cases and 8,709 deaths. (DGS) (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia
    - Serbia receives one million doses of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV vaccine. They are the first European country to receive a Chinese-made vaccine. (AFP via Barron's)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
    - Vice President Fuat Oktay receives the first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine at a hospital in Ankara. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina
    - Argentina receives their second batch of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (U.S. News & World Report)
    - Argentina reports their first case of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a man who travelled from the United Kingdom in late December and later tested positive. (MedicalXpress)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, COVID-19 vaccine
    - The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency announces that the country has returned documents from União Química seeking approval for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine as it didn't meet the criteria. (Reuters)

International relations

Qatar–Saudi Arabia relations, Qatar diplomatic crisis
- Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud announces that Saudi Arabia will re-open its embassy in Qatar in the coming days, after a diplomatic crisis that saw the nations severing ties for three years. (Reuters)

Law and crime

Aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation announces that far-right activist Tim Gionet, commonly known as "Baked Alaska", has been arrested in Houston for participating in the storming of the United States Capitol. (New York Times)
Capital punishment in the United States
- The federal government carries out its final execution under the Trump administration, executing convicted murderer Dustin Higgs by lethal injection at USP Terre Haute in Indiana. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

2021 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election
- North Rhine-Westphalia minister-president Armin Laschet is elected leader of the Christian Democratic Union, one of the ruling parties in the Bundestag and the party of incumbent Chancellor Angela Merkel. Laschet's election makes him a front-runner to be the party's candidate in the federal election in September. (AFP via The Local)
2021 Ugandan general election
- The Electoral Commission of Uganda declares incumbent President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the presidential election, winning about 59% of the vote, while opposition leader Bobi Wine received only 35% of the vote, according to the commission. (BBC)

January 15, 2021 (Friday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- Taliban insurgency; 2021 Afghanistan attacks
  - At least nine security personnel are killed in Kunduz, near the border with Tajikistan, when Taliban insurgents simultaneously attack two checkpoints. (Al Arabiya English)
Mali War
- An Egyptian UN peacekeeper is killed and another wounded after a bomb planted by jihadists detonates under a truck that was part of a UN logistics convoy. (UN News)
Central African Republic Civil War
- A Burundian UN peacekeeper is killed in a rebel ambush near Grimari in Ouaka, Central African Republic, acccording to MINUSCA. Two Bangladeshi peacekeepers are also wounded in the attack. (France 24)

Business and economy

Canadian convenience store chain Alimentation Couche-Tard withdraws its bid to take over the French retailer Carrefour, after the French government expressed its intent to veto the €16 billion (US$19.5 billion) deal. (AFP via Bangkok Post)

Disasters and accidents

2021 Sulawesi earthquake
- A magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes the Majene Regency in West Sulawesi, Indonesia, killing at least 42 people and wounding more than 820 others. It was preceded by a foreshock measuring 5.7 a few hours before. (Reuters)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- The number of COVID-19 deaths worldwide surpasses two million. (Al Jazeera)
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 vaccine
      - COVID-19 pandemic in Maine
        Governor Janet Mills receives her first dose of the vaccine. (Bangor Daily News)
      - President-elect Joe Biden is expected to deploy the United States National Guard and FEMA resources to distribute vaccines across the United States when he takes office. He also says that he will invoke the Defense Production Act to produce vaccines. (The West Australian) (The Independent)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - Illinois reports their first case of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a person who traveled to the United Kingdom and the Middle East and was later diagnosed with COVID-19. (Chicago Tribune)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - Oregon reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated from the United Kingdom in a man from Multnomah County with no travel history. (KGW-TV)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Utah, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - Utah reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that originated from the United Kingdom in a man from Salt Lake County with no travel history who tested positive last month. (The Standard-Examiner)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
      - Governor Tony Evers announces that the state will extend its mask mandate for 60 days. (WSAW-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
    - Mexico reports a record 21,366 new confirmed cases, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 1.61 million. (AP)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in India
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Uttarakhand, Variant of Concern 202012/01
      - Uttarakhand reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a 44-year old man who was in close contact with people who travelled to the United Kingdom. (Hindustan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a record 12,818 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, including 3,095 in West Java, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 882,418. (detikHealth)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
    - China reports 144 new cases, the majority in Hebei and Heilongjiang provinces. This is the highest number of daily cases in the past 10 months and brings the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 87,988. (The Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia extends their movement control order to Kelantan beginning at midnight as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. (Free Malaysia Today)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
    - The Philippines extends until January 31 its travel ban on more than 30 countries and territories where cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants have been reported. (Arab News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record 159 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 8,543. (PÚBLICO)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - Spain reports a record 40,197 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,252,164. (El Mundo)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
    - King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Kungahuset)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    - Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the closure of all travel corridors beginning January 18 at 4:00 am GMT. He also announces that all travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the previous 72 hours and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, unless they test negative after five days. (ITV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Chile
    - The Chilean government reports 4,471 new cases, the highest daily total since June. A potential new lockdown in the Santiago Metropolitan Region is under evaluation according to the Ministry of Health. (ADN Radio)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Paraguay, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Paraguay approves the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the fourth South American country to approve the use of the vaccine against COVID-19, after Argentina, Bolivia and Venezuela. Supply of the vaccine will be facilitated by the Russian Direct Investment Fund. (PRNewswire)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia
  - Tunisia reports a record 4,170 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours as the country enters a four-day lockdown and also closes all schools until January 24 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters)
2020–21 H5N8 outbreak
- Authorities in Namibia suspend the importation and transit of poultry from European countries where an outbreak of the Avian influenza subtype H5N8 has been reported. (Xinhua)

International relations

Russia–United States relations
- Russia says that it will withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, following the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty last year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the U.S. withdrawal has "significantly upended the balance of interests of signatory states". (AP)

Law and crime

Pan Am Flight 103
- The family of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, loses a posthumous appeal at a top Scottish court against his conviction. Al-Megrahi was the only person convicted for the terrorist attack, whereas his family say that he was the victim of a "miscarriage of justice". (BBC)

Politics and elections