February 14, 2017
(Tuesday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian Civil War, Idlib Governorate clashes (2017)
- Rival fighters between Tahrir al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa clash in Syria's northern Idlib Governorate, killing "dozens" according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (BBC)
- Kashmir conflict
- At least three Pakistan Army soldiers are killed by the Indian Army, while separate clashes kill three Indian Army soldiers and one suspected militant, at the Line of Control. (Al Jazeera)
- Kamwina Nsapu rebellion
- According to the United Nations, the Congolese military has killed at least 101 people, including over 30 women, in the last five days while fighting Kamwina Nsapu rebels in Kasaï-Central. (Al Jazeera)
Business and economics
- Cigna announces that it has terminated its merger with Anthem, a deal that was blocked by a U.S. federal judge last week. In addition, Cigna sues Anthem for the $1.85 billion reverse termination fee, and for more than $13 billion in additional damages. Anthem says Cigna has no right to terminate the merger, a deal which in January was extended to April 30, 2017. (Bloomberg) (CNBC)
- Aetna and Humana terminate their proposed merger that had been blocked last month by a U.S. federal judge. Aetna announces it will pay Humana the $1 billion fee for calling off the agreement. (Forbes) (NPR)
International relations
- United States–Venezuela relations
- The United States sanctions Vice President of Venezuela Tareck El Aissami for allegedly "playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking". The sanctions freeze his assets in the U.S. and bar him from entering the country. (BBC)
- Foreign relations of the Gambia
- British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, during a visit to the Gambia, announces that the West African nation is to rejoin the Commonwealth of Nations following talks with Gambian President Adama Barrow. The Gambia withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2013 under Yahya Jammeh, who considered it a "neo-colonial institution". (Sky News)
Law and crime
- Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present) / 2016–17 Turkish purges
- Turkish police arrest over 800 people with alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). (Al Jazeera)
- Two radio journalists are shot dead and a co-worker injured in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, while presenting the show "Milenio Caliente" on Facebook Live. Three people were arrested. (BBC) (CNN)
Politics and elections
- Joseph Clancy, Director of the United States Secret Service, announces his retirement effective March 4. (USA Today)
Science and technology
- The United Arab Emirates announces at the World Government Summit that its planned passenger drone will begin operations in July. (BBC)