Domestic

Critically acclaimed actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a suspected drug overdose on Feb 2. (New York Times)

California is unable to provide water to residents due to a drought. Its water agency announced that it cannot deliver water to irrigate farmland or drinking water. (BBC)

Thousands of fans gathered to see whether groundhog Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow. According to the groundhog, there will be six more weeks of winter. (AP)

CVS Caremark announced that it will stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products by Oct. 1. (New York Times)

Shaun White withdrew from the Sochi Winter Olympics slope style competition due to safety concerns. (BBC)

International

In a collaborative effort, the United States and Libya destroyed the remaining chemical arms that once were Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi’s lethal arsenal. (New York Times)

Nelson Mandela’s will revealed that he left his $4.1 million estate to family members, the African National Congress, and local schools. (Reuters)

Syria missed a major deadline to destroy toxic materials, placing them behind schedule with a June 30 deadline on the horizon. (Reuters)

A merger between the two prominent opposition groups in South Africa collapsed on Feb. 3, creating additional divisions to the opposition to the current governing African National Congress. (New York Times)

Cyprus is considering peace talks between the island’s Greek and Turkish populations, an ongoing conflict that has yet to be settled. (Reuters)

The United Nations has demanded that the Vatican remove clergy who are known or have been suspected of child abuse in the past. (BBC)