What Happened in February 2021?
1. Myanmar coup
The 2021 Myanmar coup began on the morning of 1 February 2021 when democratically elected members of Myanmar’s ruling party, the National League for Democracy, were deposed by the Tatmadaw—Myanmar’s military—which vested power in a stratocracy. Read More
2. Texas power crisis
Texas power crisis is an ongoing crisis in the state of Texas in the United States involving mass utility failures, such as power outages, water and food shortages, and dangerous weather conditions. The crisis was the result of two severe winter storms sweeping across the United States on February 10–11 and 13–17. More than 4.5 million homes and businesses in Texas were left without power. Read More
3. Australia vs Facebook
Facebook barred Australians from finding or sharing news on its service on 18th February 2021. The decision effectively makes good on a threat Facebook made during a hearing in Australia’s senate last month when the company suggested it could block content in the country if the bill becomes law. Read More
4. Bitcoin hits $50,000
Bitcoin on Tuesday, 16 February, hit an all-time high and rose above $50,000 for the first time in history. This comes after Tesla’s $1.5 billion investment in the cryptocurrency, rising Bitcoin’s price to 18 percent since last week.
5. China bans BBC
China has banned BBC World News from broadcasting in the country. China criticised the BBC for its reporting on coronavirus and the persecution of ethnic minority Uighurs. Read the report on the sexual assault of Uighur women in China.
6. UAE reaches Mars
The United Arab Emirates has made history as the first Arab country to reach Mars.
The Emirates Mars mission named the Hope probe, reached the red planet at 7:42 p.m. Tuesday UAE time and sent its signal back to Earth just over half an hour later. The ground control team at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai erupted in cheers. Read More
7. NASA lands on Mars
NASA’s newest Mars rover touched down in Jezero Crater on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021, and will explore the Red Planet in search of evidence of past or present life. Read More
8. India sends vaccines globally
India has rolled out nearly 23 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to 20 countries around the world, both as grants and commercial supplies, and more will be sent to countries in Africa and Latin America in the coming weeks. Read More
9. First US airstrike under Biden
A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one fighter and wounding several others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday, signalling the first military action undertaken by U.S. President Joe Biden. Read More
