February 1 – International Organizations / North America / Latin America:
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION / NORTH AMERICA / LATIN AMERICA
The World Health Organization (WHO) declares a global public health emergency after a significant spike in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome throughout Americas, which are linked to the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus. Microcephaly is a condition where a baby is born with an underdeveloped brain, while the Guilkain-Barre syndrome is a rare nervous system disorder. Cases of microcephaly have been centered in north-east Brazil, but the outbreak of the virus has affected more than 20 countries. There is no treatment or vaccine available. The only way to fight Zika at the moment is to destroy the mosquito-breading environments, such as stagnant waters, and protection against mosquito bites. Working with partners, WHO is leading efforts to develop vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic tests.

February 4 – International Organizations: TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
After more than five years of negotiations, 12 Pacific Rim countries sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement in Auckland, New Zealand. The members that include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam constitute 40 percent of the world’s economy. The TPP’s goal is to promote economic growth, create jobs, boost productivity and competitiveness, reduce poverty and raise living standards. It also calls for lowering trade barriers. In the United States, proponents of the TPP say the deal will increase US exports, benefit small businesses who face tariffs, improve American competitiveness against China and India, and benefit the overall economy. Opponents argue that the TPP endangers US jobs that will flow overseas to growing economies. They are also concerned about intellectual property rights contained in the deal.

February 11 – International Organizations / Europe:
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATIONS (NATO) / EUROPEAN UNION
Defense ministers from the 28 NATO-member countries announce the immediate deployment of NATO ships to the Aegean Sea to help stop smuggling of migrants from the Middle East and South Asia to Europe. The Aegean Sea, the waters between Greece and Turkey, is a target area for smugglers. NATO also extends its cooperation with the European Union’s Frontex border agency.

February 14 – North America: UNITED STATES
United States Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonin Scalia dies unexpectedly. Scalia was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and was one of the most conservative members of the Court. He was a strong opponent of abortion and gay rights and proponent of the death penalty. He was a strong supporter of originalism that holds that the US Constitution has a fixed meaning and does not change with the times. Scalia’s death may shift the balance of power in the Court, if President Barack Obama appoints a fifth liberal justice. Republicans insist that President Obama, who is at the end of his second term, should allow a new president to name a new justice.

February 16 – International Organizations / Europe:
ORGANIZATION of the PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) / RUSSIA
Three countries from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela – and Russia agree to freeze oil production at the January 2016 level. Oversupply of oil has led to drop in oil prices by 70 percent since 2014. For oil producing and exporting countries, this means a significant drop in revenue, forcing them to cut spending and introduce unpopular reforms.

February 17 – East Asia: CHINA / TAIWAN / VIETNAM
Taiwan says it has satellite images proving that China has deployed two batteries of long-range missiles to one of the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Woody Island or Yongxing Island is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. China denies the report.

February 18 – Africa: UGANDA
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni wins a fifth term in office in elections that have been described by the opposition as fraudulent. International observers say the election campaign was marked by fear and intimidation. The elections also lacked fairness and transparency. Museveni has been in power since 1986. While he is credited for restoring stability in Uganda, his recent years have been marked by an increasingly authoritarian style.

February 19 – Europe: UNITED KINGDOM / EUROPEAN UNION
United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron and the European Union negotiate a new agreement ahead of a referendum in the UK on its continued EU membership scheduled for June. The agreement that gives the UK “special status” is accepted unanimously by both sides. It includes restrictions on benefits for migrants that would discourage the migrants from coming to the UK. It also amends the EU treaties, stating that references to the “ever-closer union” do not apply to the UK.

February 21 – Latin America: BOLIVIA
Bolivia’s president, Evo Morales, narrowly loses a referendum on whether he should be allowed to run for a fourth term as president. His third terms expires in 2020. He is the first indigenous president of Bolivia. Under his leadership, the country’s economy has been steadily growing. Although he is still a very popular leader, many people believe that he should not be in office for 19 years.

February 25 – Latin America: JAMAICA
The opposition Labour Party in Jamaica narrowly wins parliamentary elections, winning 33 of 63 seats. The party’s leader, Andrew Holness, promises he will work to improve the country’s economy by creating jobs and investing in healthcare and education. He defeats the incumbent Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller of the People’s National Party. Jamaica’s faces economic challenges, including a high rate of youth unemployment and heavy debt. Under Prime Minister Miller, in 2013, Jamaica took a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and agreed to austerity measures in exchange. The economy has shown signs of improvement recently.

February 25 – Africa
A study prepared by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) determines that people who survived Ebola infections suffer from long-term health problems that develop about six months after the initial recovery. They include a variety of neurologic abnormalities. such as weakness, memory loss, tremors, depression and muscle pain. They may also include suicidal tendencies and hallucinations. There are about 17,000 survivors of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

February 26 – Middle East: IRAN
Iranians are voting for 290 new members for the parliament from among more than 6,000 candidates. The Iranian MPs arrange themselves in blocs rather than political parties. They approve cabinet appointments and new legislation. The voters also chose 88 clerics for the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that appoints the Supreme Leader. The elections are a victory for the reformists and moderates. The hardliners who opposed the nuclear deal pushed by President Hassan Rouhani lose control of the parliament.

February 26 – East Asia: JAPAN
A new census in Japan shows that the country’s population has declined by almost a million since the last census five years ago. Japan’s falling birth rate and a lack of immigration are factors to blame for this decrease. The rapidly ageing population contributes to economic stagnation and increased health care costs. The Japanese government says that at this rate, by 2060, about 40 percent its citizens will be sixty-five or older, and the general population will shrink by one-third. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces incentives, including improving childcare and tax relief, to boost the birthrate.

February 27 – Middle East / Europe / North America / International Organizations:
SYRIA / RUSSIA / UNITED STATES / UNITED NATIONS
The partial ceasefire for Syria comes into effect. It was brokered by the United States and Russia with the Syrian government and Syria’s main rebel groups. It excludes, however, Islamic State (IS) and the Nusra Front with links to al-Qaeda. (February 29): The United Nations (UN) starts aid deliveries of food, water, medicine, and other necessities to tens of thousands of Syrians who are trapped in besieged areas.