Armed conflicts and attacks
Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict; Yemeni Civil War
2021 missile attacks in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia intercepts a ballistic missile attack over its capital Riyadh and bomb-laden drones targeting the southern province of Jizan, both of which were launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels backed by Iran. (ABC News)
2021 Myanmar protests
Police launch the most extensive crackdown since the protests began, critically wounding a woman and detaining hundreds of people across the country. (Reuters)
The junta leaders fire Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun after he called for their removal in a UN General Assembly meeting on Friday. (BBC News)
Kagara kidnapping
All 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria, on February 17 are released by their captors. (Al Jazeera)
Health and environment
COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that Wales will ease their COVID-19 restrictions to allow households with an infant below the age of one to form a bubble with one other household. (BBC News)
The government tightens restrictions in five regions in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For the first time since January, Basilicata and Molise are moved into a lockdown, while Lombardy, Piedmont, and Marche are moved to stricter orange zones. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova
Romania donates 21,600 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova for use in their vaccination program which will begin next week with frontline health workers. (U.S. News and World Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
Hong Kong receives a shipment of 585,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. (South China Morning Post)
Malaysia receives its first shipment of 300,000 doses of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
The Palestinian National Authority announces new lockdown restrictions in the West Bank for the next 12 days, which include the closure of universities, a ban on gatherings for weddings and funerals and nighttime restrictions on travel and non-essential commerce. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
The government extends the General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila, Davao City, and eight other areas until the end of March due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ABS-CBN News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
The Food and Drug Administration approves the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use in the United States. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, Variants of SARS-CoV-2
Nebraska reports their first case of California's B.1.429 variant in a man in his 60s in Lancaster County. (The Lincoln Journal Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
COVID-19-related restrictions in Victoria are eased in line with the rest of Australia after a recent outbreak was contained. Private gatherings of up to 30 people and public gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed, masks will only be mandated in shopping centres and on public transport, and offices are allowed to return up to 75% of their workforce. (7 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
South Africa receives its second shipment of more than 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (News24)