Americas

Canada
Trans Mountain pipeline’s fortunes rise as Biden blocks rival Keystone XL
Dentists, teachers disappointed they won’t be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine in B.C.
No-brainer that Canadians should be able to buy alcohol online from producers
Montreal researchers conclude colchicine tablet is effective at treating COVID-19 symptoms
Garneau won't rule out invoking Emergencies Act to limit pandemic travel

USA
Michigan Mega Millions ticket wins $1.05 billion jackpot after 4 month rollover
Seattle Police Chief Vows Tough Action on Rioters Who Attack Local Businesses
Joe Biden's top foreign policy challenges in 2021
Tulsi Gabbard: Domestic-Terrorism Bill Is "A Targeting Of Almost Half Of The Country"

Mexico
Mexico plans to invest $ 20 billion in the electricity sector
Mexican President to Discuss Deliveries of Russian Vaccines With Putin on Monday
Mexico finds 19 charred bodies in vehicles near US border
Mexico Lawmakers to Start Talks on Banxico Dollar Bill Monday
Magnitude 4.4 earthquake strikes near Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexican President AMLO Tests Positive For Covid

Guatemala
Guatemala put up a wall of repression to stop migrants
US, Mexico, Guatemala bar migrant caravans, citing Covid

Panama
Indonesia says it has seized tankers from Iran and Panama

Barbados
Barbados declares community spread of COVID-19

Jamaica
Scandal deepens at labour and social security ministry - Pending resignation, permanent secretary in the dark about recommendations
Jamaica Post hits back at the banks - Says it alerted them to card theft, offered safer premium services

Venezuela
Venezuela advances despite US blockade
Venezuela's Maduro hopes to establish 'new path' with US under Biden

Guyana
Guyana calls for release of fishing boats intercepted by Venezuelan navy

Colombia
Four more young people killed at Colombia's sixth massacre in 2021
Colombia’s corporate media taking part in possibly illegal intelligence operations
Colombia Has A Hippo Problem, Thanks To Pablo Escobar

Ecuador
Ecuador approves use of AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19
Ecuador refinery project caps Moreno reform effort

Peru
Peru's PM: General elections have already been called
Peru's Health Ministry receives donation from China
Peru: Presidential debates to take place in March, April
Peru: Ministers oversee compliance with nighttime curfew in Lima and Callao
Peru rescinds Canadian company’s exploration rights

Bolivia
Bolivia close to 200,000 Covid-19 cases
Ex-Bolivian President Evo Morales Released From Hospital After Battling COVID-19

Brazil
China offers aid to Brazilian state Amazonas to overcome health crisis
Brumadinho dam collapse could have been predicted weeks in advance – study

Argentina
Argentine flight to depart to bring 600,000 Sputnik V vaccines
Cristina Fernández receives first dose of Sputnik V

Chile
Chile regrets panic triggered by mistaken tsunami warning after quake
7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Chilean Antarctic Base
Imported cherries found COVID-19 positive in China not from Chile: Chilean Embassy
Chile announces plan against migrant smuggling
Chile regrets panic triggered by mistaken tsunami warning after quake

Uruguay
Uruguay will receive first batches of Pfizer and Sinovac vaccines late February or early March

Asia

Japan
New U.S. defense chief confirms Senkakus fall under security treaty
New Tokyo COVID-19 cases dip below 1,000 for first time in 12 days
70% of Japanese want Tokyo Games to be canceled or delayed
Japan's telework rate low amid virus state of emergency
Pandemic raises Japan suicide rate after decade of decline

N. Korea
U.S. State Department adds high ranking N. Korean official to sanction list
N. Korea's nuclear weapons pose serious threat to international peace: Psaki

S. Korea
S. Korea to announce inoculation plan next Thursday; 431 new COVID-19 cases reported on Saturday
Small businesses forced to close due to COVID-19 prevention eligible for low interest loan
S. Korean researchers develop technology to remove pollutants in exhaust gas
Korean food gaining popularity overseas amid pandemic
OECD data point to emerging economic recovery for S. Korea
South Korea pledges $13mn to help Vietnam province build smart city

Mongolia
Capturing the last of Mongolia’s eagle hunting tribes

China
China rescues 11 miners after 14 days trapped underground
Over 2,800 5G base stations built in Tibet
Hong Kong to lift lockdown of area early after more than 7,000 residents tested
Guangdong's GDP largest among Chinese provinces, grows 2.3% in 2020

Taiwan
U.S. sends carrier into South China Sea as Chinese bombers fly near Taiwan
US stands firm as Chinese jets buzz Taiwan
15 Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ

Philippines
Mayon Volcano update: 7 quakes recorded n 24 hours; Alert level 1 still up
Military’s ‘NPA list’ greeted with jeers, jitters

Vietnam
Vietnamese Australian PMs hold phone talks
13th National Party Congress – new milestone in Việt Nam’s development process
Record number of delegates to attend 13th National Party Congress in Hà Nội
Public guests get first look of Hanoi’s third metro line train
Vietnam police bust prostitution ring that charged up to $7,000 for sex tour

Laos
Thailand Rejects New Technical Report on Planned Large Lao Mekong Mainstream Dam

Thailand
Thai hotel groups urge scrapping of quarantine rules for vaccinated tourists

Cambodia
Cambodia applauds PTTOR expansion plans
Putting Cambodia's economic diplomacy in context

Malaysia
Party leaders in Perikatan govt satisfied with explanation on Emergency ordinance, says Muhyiddin
Eurocham Malaysia denies govt mulling full lockdown after Feb 4, urges public to play their role in Covid-19 fight
Tajuddin: ‘Meat cartels’ exist, controlled by non-Bumiputeras
Covid-19: Thailand tightens control at Malaysia borders

Singapore
Singaporean scholar impressed by Việt Nam’s successes

Indonesia
Sumatran elephant destroys villagers' farmlands in Aceh
Heavy rain triggers flooding in seven Jakarta neighborhoods, 15 roads
Aceh Police detain illegal logger in Mt Leuser national park area

Myanmar
Bangladesh to buy Myanmar rice, putting aside Rohingya crisis
Myanmar's displaced Christians rebuild lives on Yangon's outskirts

Bangladesh
Bangladesh the preferred option in an uncertain world
Bangladesh's vaccination plan unveiled
Relocations, reduced services leave Rohingya communities at breaking point in Bangladesh

Nepal
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli removed from Nepal's ruling party amid political chaos
Nepal PM Expelled From Ruling Party Amid Political Chaos: Report

India
Leftist parties demand repeal of new agricultural laws in India
India Launches 'Neighborly Vaccine Diplomacy'
Indian police to let protesting farmers into New Delhi on Republic Day
Muslims are not going to overtake Hindus in India, says former CEC in a new book
Congress, AIUDF will open floodgates for infiltrators: Amit Shah
Five die in fire at Serum plant, Covishield production unaffected
India not seen being a key iron ore supplier to China, despite export surge

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka to receive 1st batch of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines on Jan. 27
Lasith Embuldeniya shows he is a capable heir to Sri Lanka's spin kings

Central Asia & Middle East

Pakistan
Biden's intent to review US-Taliban deal
Govt determined to defeat opposition in case of no-confidence motion: Qureshi
Pakistan to get 5G by 2022-23
Commanders among five terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBOs
Pakistan women’s African safari extended to Zimbabwe
Qureshi says Pakistan ready to work with new US administration

Afghanistan
Afghan Official: 600 Freed Taliban Prisoners Rearrested
Antony Blinken: Taliban Cannot Be Trusted With U.S. Security and Gains Must Be Protected
Afghan officials welcome Biden's Taliban review

Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Takes A Significant Step Forward - Analysis
Temperatures to plunge to -40℃ in north of Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan
Inauguration will be modest, money should be spent on people's needs: Zhaparov

Tajikistan
Tajikistan Wants To Take Away The Children Of Convicted Sex Workers. Then Give Us Alternatives, They Say.

Turkmenistan
'Covid-free' Turkmenistan to vaccinate riders against virus it won't acknowledge
Turkmenistan: Big on gas, short on options

Uzbekistan
Cobalt becomes most produced car in Uzbekistan last year
Uzbekistan to launch charter flights from Russia to Tashkent
International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation approves US$10 million Line of Trade Finance Facility for Uzbekistan based Private Joint Stock Commercial Bank 'Orient Finans'

Armenia
Iran, Armenia should boost trade ties: Armenian Minister
Armenian Minister vows to augment trade with Iran to $1b

Azerbaijan
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan Resolve A 30-Year Dispute Over Caspian Field
Michael Rubin: US Congress should stop giving Azerbaijan a free pass on Iran, Russia

Iran
Iran Will Reportedly Issue Seven Demands to President Biden Before Re-Entering Nuclear Deal Talks
Zarif: Persian Gulf region needs dialogue, cooperation

Iraq
The leading causes behind today's unstable Iraq

Syria
Deteriorating security conditions at Al Hol camp in north-east Syria
Over half of Syria's children deprived of education — UN

Turkey
Erdogan launches 'welding' of third MILGEM warship meant for Pakistan Navy
Turkey passes 25,000 COVID-19-related deaths
Istanbul dams' water supply surpasses 32%

Lebanon
Hasbani: Private hospitals cannot be held responsible for the state's shortcomings
Rahi presides over Sunday Mass in Bkirki
Tabsh: With science, we build a healthy society, a healed nation
Massive protests in southern Lebanese city

Israel
US to deploy Israeli ‘Iron Dome’ system in Gulf
Israeli Police Clash with Ultra-Orthodox Over COVID Restrictions
Netanyahu pledges cash handouts during election campaign, despite AG’s objection
Israel temporarily bans all international flights in response to new COVID-19 strains

Palestine
Israeli forces kill Palestinian worker, arrest three youths
Several US Democrat lawmakers call out Israel for not vaccinating Palestinians

Jordan
King opens Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Field Hospital, pays tribute to sacrifices of medical personnel during pandemic
Republican lawmakers signal deep resistance to Trump Senate trial
Parents urged to be on watch for eating disorders amid virus crisis
Cabinet approves work permit fee cuts in agriculture, bakery sectors for 3 months

Kuwait
Kuwait emir reappoints prime minister to form new cabinet

Oman
Supreme Committee to extend closure of land ports in Oman
Health in Oman guaranteed, no service charges for citizens: MOH

Bahrain
Europe MPs express concern about human rights in Bahrain
Bahrain-GCC trade hits $5.7bn in 2020 despite Covid-19

Qatar
Air Arabia Egypt to resume direct flights to Qatar next week

Saudi Arabia
Iran ready for Saudi talks if policy changes
Saudi Arabia Removes Central Banker, Lays Out Wealth Fund Goals

U. A. E.
UAE cabinet approves establishment of embassy in Tel Aviv

Yemen
Yemen, on brink of collapse, may suffer further after Trump decision on Ansar Allah
Yemeni government and Houthis hold prisoner swap meeting

Europe

United Kingdom
UK Jews to condemn Uighur genocide on Holocaust Day
Backlash Tory MPs warn Boris Johnson - schools must fully reopen by Easter
Britain faces three-month lockdown after Easter as over 50s wait for second jab
The UK faces becoming a 'failed state' without nationwide reforms, says Gordon Brown
7.3 Magnitude Quake hits South Shetland Islands

Ireland
HSE’s Paul Reid says knockbacks from vaccine suppliers likely
Savers to be hit hard as interest rates on a string of State Saving products are cut
Inside University Hospital Limerick

Portugal
Portugal's President de Sousa Re-Elected in 1st Round, Preliminary Results Show
Hospitals in central Portugal at 94% ward occupancy
Polls open in Portugal
Councils start limiting access to beaches and public spaces
IATA wants a European vaccination certificate

Spain
Spain looks at UAE’s offshore expertise for green hydrogen production: Spanish Deputy PM
Spain defense chief resigns for getting vaccine
Spain: Second wave of coronavirus surge hits mental health of frontline workers

France
US to strengthen bilateral ties with France, Biden tells Macron
France imposes new border controls in effort to curb Covid-19
Outpouring of shock, anger over brutal attack on 15-year-old in Paris
France’s president says he understands university students’ misery during the coronavirus pandemic
Vietnamese-French woman fights US chemical firms for justice for Agent Orange victims

Belgium
EU faces vaccine delays in 'severe contractual violation'
Meeting of ForMins of EU MS to take place in Brussels

Netherlands
Netherlands arrests alleged drug kingpin Tse Chi Lop, dubbed Asia’s ‘El-Chapo’
Anti-curfew protests lead to clashes with police, looting in Netherlands
Violent riots as Dutch rail against curfew

Germany
Germany Demands Negative PCR Test From Travellers Including Spain

Denmark
Coronavirus: Sweden extends travel ban from Denmark
Turkish mosque in Denmark attacked
Pipe-Laying Vessel Fortuna Starts Work on Nord Stream 2 in Danish Waters, Company Says

Austria
Two Austrians arrested for organising escape of Wirecard’s Jan Marsalek
Cloth masks 'outlawed' in France, Austria, Germany: Portuguese experts 'divided'

Switzerland
World looks to Asia's comprehensive influence at Davos
Donald Trump Is Unlikely to Get Another Davos Invite

Italy
Heir of Italian king apologizes for monarchy’s role in Holocaust
Italy to take legal action over COVID vaccine delays to secure doses, says minister

Holy See
Pope Francis asks journalists to find and tell the truth
Pope Francis to miss events due to new flare up of leg pain—Vatican

Slovenia
Slovenia officially confirms first case of UK coronavirus variant

Croatia
Cost of Living Index – just how expensive or cheap is Croatia

Bosnia and Herzegovina
HRW calls on Bosnian government to provide urgent help for migrants as winter bites

Montenegro
Montenegro to launch consultation tender for new national carrier

Greece
Greece Extends Entry Restrictions Until 8 February 2021
Turkey, Greece to resume exploratory talks on territorial claims after four-year break
Greece Approves Drug Colchicine in the Fight Against Covid
Greece Signs Deal With France to Purchase 18 Rafale Jets

North Macedonia
German Ambassador to Skopje Takes Stand on Bulgaria and North Macedonia Dispute

Bulgaria
Bulgaria: An Avalanche Killed a 19-year-old Freerider in Pirin
Protest in Bulgaria, Day 200: Protesters Tried to Enter the Council of Ministers
Weather in Bulgaria: Dangerously Strong Wind, Snow is Coming
Kozloduy NPP Unit 5 Works Again, No Risk of Radioactive Contamination

Romania
Dignitaries participate in ceremonies occasioned by the Union of Romanian Principalities Day
Economy Minister: Romanians share their salary almost 50-50 with the state

Hungary
Hungary becomes first EU country to reach agreement on delivery of Sputnik V vaccine
Cambodia boost trade and tourism ties with Hungary

Slovakia
Slovakia: Old-age pension scheme gains three new features
Slovakia has passed the peak of the second wave, health minister says

Czech Republic
Czech trainers teach dogs to sniff out COVID
Czech finance ministry slashes 2021 growth forecast to 3.1%
Poultry Farm in Czech Republic Reports Its Second Deadlier Bird Flu Outbreak

Ukraine
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry asks BBC News not to promote Russian false narratives
Ukraine marks Foreign Intelligence Day, president greets intelligence service
Ukravtodor renovates, constructs 97% of planned roads, 100% of artificial structures, spending UAH 82 bln

Belarus
Russian diplomat turns meeting to support Belarus into an attack on Estonia
Belarusian oil refinery Naftan eager to commission delayed coking complex by late 2021

Russia
Kremlin accuses US of meddling after 3,500 protesters detained
Protests in Russia: Baltic states call on new EU sanctions over detentions
Russian Nord Stream 2 Pipe-Laying Ship Arrives off Denmark
Protests for Jailed Kremlin Critic Navalny Sweep Russia

Lithuania
Solution on spelling of non-Lithuanian names expected to be found this year – justmin

Estonia
Estonia to get first female PM as government deal clinched

Finland
Estonian MEP: Finland's decision to close borders incompatible with EU principles
Finnish Nurminen Logistics opens 3 new train routes between China to Finland

Africa

Egypt
Egypt begins coronavirus immunisation campaign
Egypt kicks off vaccine drive as France tightens borders
Arab Spring exiles look back 10 years after Egyptian uprising
Egypt begins COVID-19 vaccination drive with frontline medical staff
Egypt Looks To Resume LNG Exports As Prices Rise
Egypt: Prostitution ring turns school into brothel

Libya
Foreign forces ignore Libya exit deadline under fragile truce

Tunisia
Tunisia: Satellite Monitoring System of Fishing Vessels Deployed
Hundreds protest corruption and police brutality in Tunisia
Rally in Tunisia's capital to demand release of protesters
Tunisia Extends Curfew, Bans Protests as Virus Cases Jump

Algeria
Grim milestone reached as Sahel violence displaces two million inside their countries

Morocco
Western Sahara pro-independence group bombards Guerguerat border zone
HoR and HSC meeting at Morocco’s Bouznika agree criteria for choosing positions, form committees to accept nominations from tomorrow for one week

Senegal
Senegal: Visitors in caged vehicles observe wildlife

Guinea
Mining Magnate Convicted of Bribery Over Guinea Deal Bid

Liberia
President Joe Biden Reinstates Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Theater Squeezed By Terrorism and Coronavirus

Mali
Mali: French Military Operations Face Growing Resistance
Suspected jihadist attacks on army in Mali kill six soldiers

Nigeria
Presidency brokers meeting between South-West govs, Miyetti Allah leaders in Ondo
Obiano stopped us from building hospital for Anambra people — Senator Uba
Quit notice: Assist Akeredolu, others to flush out criminal herders, M-Belt Forum tells FG
Former Buhari’s minister, Abdullahi Ibrahim, dies of COVID-19
Afenifere, ACF Disagree as IG Orders Arrest of Sunday Igboho

Central African Republic
C.Africa war crimes suspect handed to ICC: court

Sudan
More than 100,000 displaced by resurgence of violence in Sudan’s Darfur region
Border Dispute Between Ethiopia, Sudan Escalates
Sudan cinema takes inspiration from revolution

South Sudan
Old grudges and empty coffers: South Sudan’s precarious peace process

Ethiopia
Aid Groups Warn of COVID-19 Outbreak at Ethiopian Refugee Camp in Sudan

Somalia
UN maps out Somalia's future without consulting African Union
KDF forces ambush Al-Shabaab in Mandera near Somalia border

Kenya
Kenya: 10 Ships Dock At Mombasa Port As Business Picks Up
Kenya: More Mothers Giving Birth At Home
Kenya Railways boss feels the heat from anti-graft body
Africa: How Kenya Nurtured Somalia's Transitional Govt -Then Lost Influence
Sh10m for scholarship: Uhuru gives nod for a Loreto school in Kilifi

Uganda
Ugandan Court to Rule on Bobi Wine 'House Arrest' Case
Two Ugandan men held with heroin worth Rs 68 crore at Delhi airport

Angola
How Isabel Dos Santos, Once Africa's Richest Woman...

Tanzania
Zanzibar now ranked fourth largest airport in East Africa with seven new airlines
Tanzania Private School Teachers Union (TPTU) have claimed that more than 50 per cent of its members do not have legal contracts

Malawi
Malawi Mandates Quarantine for Returnees from South Africa

Mozambique
Cyclone Eloise makes landfall in disaster-impacted Sofala Province in Mozambique
Cyclone Eloise Hits Mozambique, Killing Beira Residents

Zimbabwe
Third Zimbabwean Minister Dies of COVID-19 within a Week
Only 10% of Zimbabwe government staff working in offices amid Covid-19 surge

South Africa
South Africa Extends Coronavirus Restrictions as Cases Climb
South Africans Mourn Minister Jackson Mthembu
South Africa: Why New Covid-19 Variants Are On the Rise and Spreading Around the World
Biden to impose South Africa travel ban to combat new COVID-19 variant - CDC
Free State farm attack and Limpopo stock theft again show sad state of rural security

Oceania

Australia
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia ahead of rollout
Google is threatening to pull its search engine from Australia. Here's what it means for you
Rescued purebred alpine dingo cubs prove species still exists and need urgent protection
ABC ‘clearly wrong’ on ‘Invasion Day’ call: Flecher

New Zealand
'Shambles' - traffic jams at Covid testing stations, security called in
Northland Covid case closes businesses as far as Waikato
Head of Oranga Tamariki stepping down; Wira Gardiner will be temporary leader
Fewer jobs but higher salaries in Wellington – we’re still highest paid in NZ
Property Prices In Every Region Hit New High For The Very First Time