Houthi forces resume an offensive against Maʼrib, the last stronghold of the internationally-recognized Yemeni government in northern Yemen. A government source says that 20 pro-government fighters have been killed and 28 others have been injured repelling five attacks in the past 24 hours.
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February 8, 2021 (Monday)
3.5 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
Disasters and accidents
Twenty-four workers die in a flooded illegally-run textile workshop in a private house in Tangier, Morocco, which occurred as a result of intense rains that hit the region. Ten others were rescued and hospitalized.
Health and environment
Indonesia reports a record 13,038 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of recoveries to 963,028.
Malaysia reports a record 24 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 896.
The European Commission finalizes a deal to secure 300 million additional doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that restaurants can bring back their indoor dining from February 12, three days ahead of originally schedule on Valentine's Day Sunday.
The Netherlands extends its nationwide curfew until March 3 in order to prevent the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom.
Northern Cyprus reports its first case of B.1.1.7 variant in 16 samples that contracted SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in the United Kingdom.
Argentina reports its first cases of two different Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variants in two people infected with the P.1 variant and two others infected with the P.2 variant.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador resumes morning news conferences two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg quarantines for 14 days after a member of his security detail tests positive for COVID-19.
France introduces new measures to ban homemade masks in educational institutions, requiring school children over the age of six to only wear category 1 masks in schools.
Seoul metropolitan government launches COVID-19 test for pet cats and dogs, which comes after South Korea reported its first case of COVID-19 infection in an animal (kitten) on January 24.
The Houston Methodist Hospital reports Texas' first case of the 501.V2 variant in a man from Fort Bend County who recovered several weeks ago. This makes it the fourth state known to have this variant.
International relations
The governments of Germany, Poland, and Sweden each expel a Russian diplomat to reciprocate the Russian government's expulsion of three European Union diplomats on February 6.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign an accord that would allow vaccinated travellers to visit freely between the two countries without any restrictions in order to revive their battered tourism sector.
Law and crime
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleads not guilty to charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud at the Jerusalem District Court.
The Government of Colombia announces the legalization of undocumented Venezuelan migrants currently in the country, making them eligible to receive 10-year residency permits.
Georgia officials launch a investigation into former U.S. President Donald Trump for several phone calls made urging officials such as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to overturn Joe Biden's win in the state.
Politics and elections
A nationwide general strike takes place in Myanmar in response to the military coup with thousands marching in the capital Naypyidaw, where they clashed with riot police. Several injuries have been reported.
The military junta declares martial law in the country's second largest city Mandalay amid protests against the coup. Public gatherings of more than five people are banned, and a curfew from 8 pm until 4 am has been imposed.
An alliance of opposition parties ceases recognising Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed as the President of Somalia, and propose the creation of a "national council of lawmakers, opposition leaders and civil society" to govern the country as the President's term expires with no clear plan for succession.
The Palau National Congress passes a joint resolution supporting the decision made by President Surangel Whipps Jr. to leave the Pacific Islands Forum. The National Congress says that the "gentleman's agreement was not honored".
Haitian opposition names judge Joseph Mécène Jean-Louis from the Supreme Court the new interim President of Haiti to lead a "transitional government" after arguing that incumbent Jovenel Moïse's term has expired and calling on him to step down. The Organization of American States considers that Moïse's five-year term ends in 2022 as he took office in 2017.
Sports
The Grand Slam of the Australian Open begins in Melbourne Park, three weeks later than originally scheduled due to the pandemic, with daily attendance capped at 30,000 people per day.
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