January 2021 Current Events: World News
US News | Science & Technology News | Disaster News
The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the world news events you need to know so far for January 2021:
- Coronavirus Updates
- Marches in Nepal
- Niger Village Attack
- Coronavirus Updates (2)
- North Korea Developing Tactical Nukes
- Possible Plane Crash in Indonesia
- Coronavirus Updates (3)
- US Bans Chinese Products
- Protests in Belgium Turn Deadly
- President Museveni Wins Re-election
- Coronavirus Updates (4)
- Uganda Election Drama Continues
- US Accuses China of Genocide
- Explosion in Madrid
- Protests in Russia
- Coronavirus Updates (5)
- Suicide Bombing in Baghdad
Coronavirus Updates
On January 2, two days after more than 2,000 people attended an illegal New Year’s Eve party in France, over 1,000 partygoers were fined and five more arrested. Eight hundred of the fines were for violating Covid restrictions, while 400 were for drug offenses. The rest of the partygoers managed to escape the police. On January 3, Quebec police made similar arrests and fines after an illegal house party on New Year’s Eve. At least 2 people were arrested and another 6 were fined for attending the house party that violated Covid restrictions. On January 4, South African scientists warned that the new variant of Covid may be resistant to vaccines, making the rollout of vaccines even more critical in the coming months. (CNN)
Photo Source: Gendarmerie Nationale via AP
Marches in Nepal
On January 1, thousands of people marched in Nepal to protest Prime Minister KP Sharrma Oli’s decision to dissolve parliament. Protesters claim the decision, made nearly two weeks ago, is unconstitutional. The top court of the country will continue to hear petitions before making a decision. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha
Niger Village Attack
On January 2, at least 100 people were killed after an attack on two Niger village attacks. Security footage shows the villages being raided by suspected Islamist terrorists. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jerome Delay
Coronavirus Updates (2)
On January 5, various European nations started the new year with strict lockdowns. Boris Johnson announced a strict nation-wide lockdown that will last at least 6 weeks in the UK. The lockdown is designed to control the new variant of Covid discovered in the UK. Italy extended the restrictions already in place for another two weeks. Travel between all regions has been banned except for health or work reasons. On January 6, the WHO reported that China has blocked them entry to study the origin of Covid-19. The arrangements to enter Wuhan had been agreed upon at an earlier date, so the UN agency was surprised about the denial. WHO officials continue to negotiate with China. On January 6, Zimbabwe doctors warned that the health system is near collapse as cases continue to soar. The country has entered a new 30-day lockdown in an attempt to help the overwhelmed hospitals. On January 9, Canada announced it is considering extending lockdowns as hospitals are nearing capacity. The vaccine continues to be distributed, but officials worry there are not enough doses for the amount of healthcare and nursing home workers. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka
North Korea Developing Tactical Nukes
On January 9, Kim Jong Un announced that North Korea is in the midst of developing new weaponry, which includes a nuclear-powered submarine, tactical nuclear weapons, and warheads designed to get through missile defense systems. This announcement comes despite the US’s efforts to stop the development of these weapons. Kim said the weapons are in multiple stages of development, but believes them to be necessary regardless of who’s President of America. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Possible Plane Crash in Indonesia
On January 9, a plane leaving Jakarta is feared to have crashed in the ocean. The Boeing 737 plane was carrying 62 passengers. Witnesses say they heard an explosion, but the plane has not been found. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana
Coronavirus Updates (3)
On January 11, a Chinese study found that about three quarters of people hospitalized with Covid-19 face the symptoms (mainly fatigue and difficulty sleeping) as long as six months later. The majority of patients suffered from at least one symptom six months after being discharged from the hospital, suggesting that people who recover may still face long-term side effects of the illness. On January 11, South African President Ramaphosa announced tighter restrictions on the country and its borders, claiming the area had a massive increase in cases. Beaches and parks are now closed, and the sale of alcohol has been banned. At least 20 land borders will be closed for the next four weeks. On January 13, the African Union announced that they procured 270 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to distribute across the continent. This is in addition to the 600 million already promised to the continent, but is still not enough to vaccinate everyone. On January 13, Japan extended its state of emergency, as well as barred any foreign nationals from entering the country. The country has nearly 300,000 cases and over 4,000 deaths, and hospitals are beginning to be overwhelmed with cases. On January 14, it was reported that the Sinovac Biotech vaccine developed in China is only about 50% effective, which is much less than the 78% it was originally thought to be. Brazil has purchased many doses of this vaccine, causing concern regarding how effective it will truly be. (CNN/BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
US Bans Chinese Products
On January 13, the US banned all cotton and tomato products from China’s Xinjiang region. The US Customs and Border Protection states that the ban comes over forced labor concerns. The CBD found instances of isolation, withheld wages, and unsafe working conditions among many others. The State Department believes many of the workers are from internment camps and are mostly Muslim. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File
Protests in Belgium Turn Deadly
On January 15, at least 100 protesters were arrested after protesting the death of a black man in Brussels. The man died after becoming unconscious shortly after being taken into custody at a police station. Hundreds of protesters flooded the streets of Brussels, throwing stones and projectiles at police, who in turn used a water cannon. Responding to the protests, officials have said the 23-year-old’s death is being investigated. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Francisco Seco
President Museveni Wins Re-election
On January 16, Uganda’s President Museveni won re-election, giving him a sixth term as president. HIs opponent, Bobi Wine, claims the election is rigged and is demanding the results be thrown out, though he has not provided any evidence for his claim. Wine has said he wants peaceful recounts and investigations; however, there have been various violent protests and oppositions leading up to this election. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki
Coronavirus Updates (4)
On January 18, Ghana’s president warned yet again that the healthcare system was at risk of collapsing. In the last week, cases have skyrocketed and the country has seen a rise in the mutant virus, as well. Hospitals are quickly becoming overloaded as the country is meeting the first peak of the virus it has seen. On January 18, CNN reported that many Palestinians living in Israel are not eligible for the vaccine, calling attention to the vaccination plan for Israel. Right now, only those with Israeli IDs are eligible to get the vaccine in the country, causing many to label the plan racist. On January 20, China announced plans to build a massive Covid-19 camp that can house 4,000 people. The decision came after a recent outbreak led to the quarantine of tens of millions of people under strict lockdowns. The new camp is designed to isolate those with coronavirus and stop the spread. On January 20, Tunisian officials warned the youth to abide by the Covid curfew laws as over 600 were arrested. The country has seen five nights of violent riots, many of the rioters are 14 or 15, despite strict curfew laws. The rioters are attempting to call attention to social and economic hardships caused by the virus. On January 21, hundreds of medics in Peru went on hunger strike in response to the second wave of Covid. The strike is to call attention to lack of funds for health care professionals, who are grappling with handling the pandemic. Participants have said the strike will last until the head of the country’s Health Social Security is removed. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Bruna Prado
Uganda Election Drama Continues
On January 18, the internet blackout in Uganda, which lasted five days, ended. Officials believe this was a premeditated attack to tamper with election results. Despite the end of the blackout, extensive social media and messaging restrictions still remain in place. After the election, Bobi Wine was placed on house arrest and his homes were raided by heavily armed guards. Wine recently claimed to have evidence of fraud and intimidation on President Museveni, who just won his sixth term. On January 23, officials announced that the 18-month-old baby that was with Bobi Wine during house arrest had been safely evacuated. The baby is Wine’s wife’s niece, and was there for a quick visit before the house was surrounded by police. Her father had been denied access until officials allowed Wine’s lawyers in to collect the baby girl. On January 25, the Uganda court ordered police to leave Bobi Wine’s home. The court has also lifted Wine’s house arrest. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Bruna Prado
US Accuses China of Genocide
On January 20, the US officially accused China of genocide against Uyghur Muslims. The call comes from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the last full day of the Trump Administration. The US has confirmed that at least 2 million Uyghur Muslims and more members of minority Muslim groups have been detained and placed into internment camps. China has denied all claims, but the US continues to stick to its claim. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan
Explosion in Madrid
On January 20, an explosion in Madrid, Spain left at least three people dead and many more injured. The blast occurred in a building on Toledo Street, causing widespread damage. An investigation is still ongoing, but authorities believe it was a gas explosion. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Protests in Russia
On January 23, hundreds of people were arrested after protests in Russia called for the freedom of Alexey Navalnaya. Navalnaya had returned to the country after five months spent recovering from a poisoning he blamed on the Russian government. Once he landed in the country, he was arrested and held awaiting trial. Among the 1,200 arrested was Navalnaya’s wife, who was standing on the sidelines of the protests. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky
Coronavirus Updates (5)
On January 22, European countries announced a new mandate that requires medical-grade masks over homemade cloth ones. The countries hope that this new mandate will stop the spread. On January 24, CNN reported that schools across Africa are set to shut down as the cases of Covid continue to spike. Malawi had reported zero cases for two months, but then spiked to holding a third of the 353 total deaths that have occurred in the past two weeks. On January 24, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that he has tested positive for coronavirus. His symptoms remain mild and he is receiving medical attention. On January 25, the Dutch Prime Minister labeled the Covid curfew riots as “criminal violence.” After the new laws were introduced two days before, protestors flooded the streets, attacking police and lighting things on fire. On January 27, the WHO team of investigators were finally able to start their investigation after quarantining in Wuhan. The city, which is thought to be the start of the pandemic, is relatively back to normal, now, making the investigation very important to other countries. On January 27, Peru ordered new lockdowns amid a Covid outbreak. The country is facing its second wave and quickly reaching hospital capacity. On January 29, German officials stated that AstraZeneca’s vaccine should not give doses to those older than 65 amid bitter vaccine shortages throughout the European Union. Officials believe there is insufficient data to support the effectiveness of the vaccine for this age group. On January 29, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada will have new travel restrictions, requiring people to take a test and quarantine for three days before arriving. Trudeau has also temporarily stopped travel to Mexico and the Carribbeans. On January 31, Pakistan faced a second wave of the virus as cases surged and limited vaccines were available. Many worry that poverty stricken countries are left behind as others clamor for the vaccine. On January 31, Perth, Australia was ordered to do a five day lockdown after a security guard at the quarantine hotel tested positive for the virus. (CNN/BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Fareed Khan
Suicide Bombing in Baghdad
On January 27, at least 32 people in Baghdad were killed, and over 100 wounded, after the first suicide bombing in two years. Twin suicide bombs attacked the market late that morning. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack without providing evidence. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File
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