At least four security forces personnel, including a commander, are killed in eastern and southern Afghanistan as clashes with an unidentified terrorist group intensify. Separately, in Kandahar, a Humvee containing explosives detonates, injuring seven police officers. (Reuters)
The government decides to lower social distancing levels to level 2 in the Seoul Capital Area and level 1.5 in other regions beginning February 15, allowing nightclubs to reopen and extending the operating hours of restaurants, coffee shops and gyms in the Seoul Capital Area until 10:00 p.m. local time. However, gatherings of more than five people continue to be prohibited, but theatres, libraries, and other types of businesses will no longer be subject to operating hours restrictions. (Bloomberg)
Victoria returns to Stage 4 restrictions in a five-day "circuit breaker" lockdown due to an ongoing outbreak of the B.1.1.7 variant at the Melbourne AirportHoliday Inn. All non-essential businesses are closed, masks are mandatory in all public places, and people are only permitted to leave their homes for essential work, education or care-giving, or for up to two hours a day for essential shopping and outdoor exercise within a radius of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of their homes. All international flights to Melbourne have also been cancelled for the duration of the lockdown. (ABC Australia)
The United States Senate votes to acquit former PresidentDonald Trump for the second time when the 57–43 vote in favor of conviction fails to reach the necessary two-thirds majority. Seven Republicans join the entire Democratic caucus in voting for conviction, making it the closest trial vote since the Andrew Johnson impeachment trial of 1868. (The Hill)
Spectators at a late-running tennis match are ordered to leave as Victoria's 5-day "circuit breaker" lockdown comes into effect. Matches at the Melbourne tournament will continue without any spectators for the duration of the lockdown. (9 News)