Swedish troops are deployed to Mali to join French-led counter-insurgency operations against jihadist groups. The Riksdag approved the deployment of up to 150 soldiers in June 2020.
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February 5, 2021 (Friday)
2.9 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The International Criminal Court announces that it will pave the way for investigations into alleged war crimes in Palestinian territories. Israel and groups like Hamas could be investigated.
Business and economy
The United States Senate votes 51–50 to pass a budget resolution as a step to pass the $1.9 trillion stimulus package without Republican support, with Kamala Harris casting her first tiebreaking vote as Vice President.
The United States House of Representatives votes 219–209 to approve the Senate's budget resolution, with all Republicans and one Democrat voting against the resolution.
Indonesia's GDP contracts 2.07% in 2020, the first economic contraction since the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis in 1998.
Health and environment
South Korea surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces that hotels, theatres, swimming pools and other indoor facilities will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity on February 12, but that restaurants and fitness centres will continue to remain closed.
AstraZeneca-Oxford developers say that their vaccine candidate is effective against the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2.
India reaches past 5 million vaccinations.
Israel announces that it will ease its lockdown measures beginning February 7. People will no longer be restricted to within one kilometer of their homes, many services will be allowed to operate, and all national parks will reopen. However, international borders will remain closed until February 20.
Western Australia lifts a five-day lockdown in Perth and surrounding areas after it reports no community cases.
Immigration and government officials announce that New Zealand will restart its Refugee Quota Programme this month, nearly a year after closing its border due to the pandemic.
Oklahoma reports its first case of the Lineage P.1 variant originated from Brazil in a woman who had a travel history.
Virginia reports its first case of the 501.V2 variant in a person from eastern Virginia.
Bahrain announces that all indoor gyms, indoor exercise classes, sports halls, and swimming pools will be closed from February 7 to February 21 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The country also announces that government entities and institutions can allow up to 70 percent of their employees to work from home.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces that the state will lift its mask mandate and gathering restrictions, which will take effect on Sunday.
International relations
Palau announces its intention to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum after claiming fraudulence in the recent election for the organization's Secretary General.
Law and crime
Prominent National League for Democracy official Win Htein is arrested for sedition and taken from his house in Yangon by members of the military and police.
Politics and elections
Delegates of the United Nations-supported Libyan Political Dialogue Forum vote in Geneva to elect Mohammad Younes Menfi as President of the Presidency Council and businessman Mohammed Dbaiba as Prime Minister, defeating President of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.
Science and technology
The military junta in Myanmar orders internet service providers to block Twitter and Instagram "until further notice".
Scientists belonging to a German–Malagasy expedition announce the discovery of Brookesia nana, a lizard found in Madagascar. The male's body spanning only 13.5 millimetres (0.5 in), it is potentially the smallest reptile on Earth.
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