Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, Mexico's minister of defence during the Peña Nieto administration, is arrested in the United States on drugs charges. (BBC News)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States Pfizer says that it will not seek emergency approval for its COVID-19 vaccine until after the upcoming election. (Politico) The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Trump administration announce a deal with Walgreens and CVS to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the elderly and staff in nursing homes. (CNBC)
Nuclear arms race, Russia–United States relations President of Russia Vladimir Putin proposes to extend New START, the last major nuclear arms treaty standing between both Russia and the United States, "without any pre-conditions at least for one year to have an opportunity to conduct substantial negotiations". (PTI via Deccan Herald)
President of Russia Vladimir Putin proposes to extend New START, the last major nuclear arms treaty standing between both Russia and the United States, "without any pre-conditions at least for one year to have an opportunity to conduct substantial negotiations". (PTI via Deccan Herald)
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announces new measures that would give mayors a plan to impose curfews in their cities and towns at 9:00 p.m. local time. It also announces that it will suspend fairs and other local festivals; restaurants and bars are restricted to table service only after 6:00 p.m. local time with a maximum of six people, but they can still be closed at midnight. The new restrictions will come into effect at midnight and last until November 13. (Sky News)
The United States Department of Justice announces charges against six current and former Russian military officers for allegedly attempting to engage in malware and hacking in the 2018 Winter Olympics and elections in other countries. (ABC News)
Sudan–United States relations U.S. President Donald Trump announces that the U.S. will remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism after Sudan deposits US$335 million in a fund to compensate families of American victims of the 1998 United States embassy bombings. Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanks the U.S. government for the decision. The United States Congress would still have to approve restoring Sudan's sovereign immunity. (Reuters)
2020 Bolivian general election Exit polls show Luis Arce of the MAS party winning a historic landslide. (The Washington Post)
2020 United States presidential debates President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden meet for the final debate before the election next month. (The New York Times)
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden meet for the final debate before the election next month. (The New York Times)
Authorities announce the May arrest of a 19-year-old man from Kannapolis, North Carolina, who had allegedly been plotting to kill Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, after police towed his van and recovered firearms and explosives from it. He is being charged with possession of child pornography in relation to video and images later found in his electronic devices. (WTVD) (WGHP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez tests positive for COVID-19 and becomes the highest national official to get infected. (El País)
Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez tests positive for COVID-19 and becomes the highest national official to get infected. (El País)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy In an agreement with regional authorities, Italy's Giuseppe Conte government orders cinemas, swimming pools, and gyms to close tomorrow in a further attempt to curb the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Bars and restaurants will have to close by 6:00 p.m. local time. The new rules will last until November 24. (CBS News) The number of confirmed cases in Italy reaches a new record of 21,273 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the first time that daily new cases have surpassed 20,000 since the pandemic began. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India Reserve Bank of India's Governor Shaktikanta Das tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hindu) COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Yang di-Pertuan Agong King Al-Sultan Abdullah rejects a proposal by embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to declare a state of emergency to fight a surge of COVID-19 cases. (Kompas) (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lankan authorities increase the COVID-19-related curfew zones to 56 police divisions to control the spread of the virus through community-level transmission. (The New Indian Express)
2020 Tanzanian general election Tanzanian political party Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) reports that its Zanzibar presidential candidate Seif Sharif Hamad has been arrested following condemnation by him and the political party of the shooting deaths of at least seven civilians amid unrest over alleged fraud on the eve of presidential election. Police confirm Hamad's arrest but do not comment. (AP)
Tanzanian political party Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) reports that its Zanzibar presidential candidate Seif Sharif Hamad has been arrested following condemnation by him and the political party of the shooting deaths of at least seven civilians amid unrest over alleged fraud on the eve of presidential election. Police confirm Hamad's arrest but do not comment. (AP)
Thousands rally in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka calling for a boycott of French goods over French President Emmanuel Macron's defense of cartoons depicting the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which Muslims consider to be highly blasphemous. Police prevented the protesters from reaching the French Embassy. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia surpasses 400,000 total cases of COVID-19, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to reach the milestone. (CNN Indonesia) COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 415 new fatalities, bringing the death toll since the pandemic began to 33,714. (Barron's) Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf tested positive for COVID-19. (Voice of America) COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Thailand's cabinet agrees to extend a state of emergency until the end of November to contain its COVID-19 outbreak. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 415 new fatalities, bringing the death toll since the pandemic began to 33,714. (Barron's) Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf tested positive for COVID-19. (Voice of America)
France–Turkey relations Turkey threatens to take "legal and diplomatic action" in response to French magazine Charlie Hebdo's caricature mocking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay condemns the publication. France responds by saying that the country would not give in to "destabilisation and intimidation attempts." (France 24)
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf tested positive for COVID-19. (Voice of America)
Turkey threatens to take "legal and diplomatic action" in response to French magazine Charlie Hebdo's caricature mocking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay condemns the publication. France responds by saying that the country would not give in to "destabilisation and intimidation attempts." (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Spanish Congress of Deputies votes to extend the state of emergency for another six months as the Health Ministry reports a record 23,580 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 1.16 million. (The Times) (Anadolu Agency)
The Spanish Congress of Deputies votes to extend the state of emergency for another six months as the Health Ministry reports a record 23,580 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 1.16 million. (The Times) (Anadolu Agency)
Reuters reports that Fancy Bear, the Russian hacker group accused of interfering in the 2016 United States presidential election, had attempted, earlier this year, to hack the email accounts of the California and Indiana branches of the Democratic Party, and those of influential think tanks like the Council on Foreign Relations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (Reuters) (The Verge)
Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections Reuters reports that Fancy Bear, the Russian hacker group accused of interfering in the 2016 United States presidential election, had attempted, earlier this year, to hack the email accounts of the California and Indiana branches of the Democratic Party, and those of influential think tanks like the Council on Foreign Relations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (Reuters) (The Verge)
2020 New Zealand euthanasia referendum, 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum The preliminary results are announced for a referendum on the End of Life Choice Act 2019, which legalizes doctor-assisted euthanasia, with voters approving it. Another referendum on the legalization of the sale and use of cannabis was not approved by voters. (Al Jazeera) (BBC News) (RNZ)
The preliminary results are announced for a referendum on the End of Life Choice Act 2019, which legalizes doctor-assisted euthanasia, with voters approving it. Another referendum on the legalization of the sale and use of cannabis was not approved by voters. (Al Jazeera) (BBC News) (RNZ)
A study by Stanford University reports over 30,000 new cases and 700 deaths from COVID-19 have been linked to President Donald Trump's campaign rallies. (Los Angeles Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan reports 3,792 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that travelers outside of the New York metro area will be required to undergo mandatory testing. (New York Daily News) (WNBC-TV) A study by Stanford University reports over 30,000 new cases and 700 deaths from COVID-19 have been linked to President Donald Trump's campaign rallies. (Los Angeles Times)
2020 Tanzanian general election Police arrest opposition activists Freeman Mbowe, Godbless Lema, Isaya Mwita Charles and Boniface Jacob ahead of planned protests against the election which gave incumbent John Magufuli another term. (Al Jazeera)
Police arrest opposition activists Freeman Mbowe, Godbless Lema, Isaya Mwita Charles and Boniface Jacob ahead of planned protests against the election which gave incumbent John Magufuli another term. (Al Jazeera)
Americans head to the polls to vote for their President and Vice President. Around 100 million Americans have already voted early or by mail due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The New York Times)
Demonstrators and supporters of both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden gather at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. A fight breaks out which results in one arrest. (NBC)
2020 Puerto Rican status referendum Voters in Puerto Rico vote on whether they wish to be a state or not. If voters decide on statehood, the territory could work to join the union and fully become incorporated into the United States. (Business Insider)
Voters in Arizona, New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota approve legislation legalizing recreational cannabis, while voters in Mississippi approve the medical use of cannabis. Oregon becomes the first U.S. state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. (USA Today)
Voters in Puerto Rico vote on whether they wish to be a state or not. If voters decide on statehood, the territory could work to join the union and fully become incorporated into the United States. (Business Insider)
2020 United States election protests Protesters took to the streets for a second night in a row as the presidential election inched closer to results. Protests and marches were underway in cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. The National Guard was mobilized in Portland and arrests were made in Minneapolis and New York City, with police confiscating weapons. (USA Today)
2020 United States presidential election The outcome of the 2020 United States presidential election is still undetermined. Incumbent President Donald Trump declares victory despite not reaching the required 270 electoral votes needed to win. Former Vice President Joe Biden, having more projected electoral votes, says, "We're on track to win this election." Trump has sued in several states, claiming, without providing evidence, widespread voter fraud. (The Guardian) (The Washington Post)
Protesters took to the streets for a second night in a row as the presidential election inched closer to results. Protests and marches were underway in cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. The National Guard was mobilized in Portland and arrests were made in Minneapolis and New York City, with police confiscating weapons. (USA Today)
The outcome of the 2020 United States presidential election is still undetermined. Incumbent President Donald Trump declares victory despite not reaching the required 270 electoral votes needed to win. Former Vice President Joe Biden, having more projected electoral votes, says, "We're on track to win this election." Trump has sued in several states, claiming, without providing evidence, widespread voter fraud. (The Guardian) (The Washington Post)
2020 Puerto Rican status referendum In a nonbinding resolution, 52% of Puerto Ricans vote to make the island into a U.S. state. (Vox)
In a nonbinding resolution, 52% of Puerto Ricans vote to make the island into a U.S. state. (Vox)
Facebook bans a large group called "Stop the Steal", which was used by supporters of President Donald Trump to organize protests against the election results. (AP)
The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi resigns to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Thaçi says he is resigning to "protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo". Speaker of the Assembly Vjosa Osmani assumes the office as Acting Kosovar President. (AP)
War crimes in the Kosovo War The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi resigns to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Thaçi says he is resigning to "protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo". Speaker of the Assembly Vjosa Osmani assumes the office as Acting Kosovar President. (AP)
The United Nations General Assembly approves a resolution sponsored by Cuba, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Qatar, and Palestine condemning Israeli forces' use of violence against Palestinians. 139 nations voted in favor of the resolution and nine voted against: Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and the United States. (The Jerusalem Post)
Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests The European Union announces sanctions against President Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor, police chief Ivan Tertel, and Chief of Staff Igor Sergeenko. (BBC News)
The European Union announces sanctions against President Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor, police chief Ivan Tertel, and Chief of Staff Igor Sergeenko. (BBC News)
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tests positive for COVID-19. Four other White House aides and a Trump campaign staffer have also tested positive. (CNN) (Bloomberg)
White House COVID-19 outbreak White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tests positive for COVID-19. Four other White House aides and a Trump campaign staffer have also tested positive. (CNN) (Bloomberg)
2020 Ivorian presidential election Police arrest opposition leader and former prime minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan for creating a parallel government after the victory of incumbent Alassane Ouattara in the election. Prosecutors are seeking terrorism charges against more than a dozen opposition leaders who boycotted the election and created a transitional council. (Reuters)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Former Hurricane Eta, now a tropical depression, moves toward Cuba after regaining strength. The government of the Bahamas issues a tropical storm watch while a state of emergency is declared in Miami-Dade County, Florida, as the state also prepares for the impact of the storm. The storm left at least 100 people dead in Central America. (CNN)
All major U.S. networks project that Joe Biden has been elected President of the United States after winning Pennsylvania. Kamala Harris will become the first female Vice President of the United States. This marks the first time since 1992 that an incumbent president's challenger has won the election over the incumbent president, when Bill Clinton defeated George H. W. Bush. (CNN) (Business Insider)
Former Hurricane Eta, now a tropical depression, moves toward Cuba after regaining strength. The government of the Bahamas issues a tropical storm watch while a state of emergency is declared in Miami-Dade County, Florida, as the state also prepares for the impact of the storm. The storm left at least 100 people dead in Central America. (CNN)
Police arrest opposition leader and former prime minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan for creating a parallel government after the victory of incumbent Alassane Ouattara in the election. Prosecutors are seeking terrorism charges against more than a dozen opposition leaders who boycotted the election and created a transitional council. (Reuters)
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is the first leader to congratulate Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, despite no official result being announced at the time. (RNZ) (The Guardian)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war Battle of Shusha (2020) The Azerbaijani military says it has captured the city of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says "We have won this victory on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table". Armenia and Artsakh leaders deny the loss of the city but say "fierce fighting" is ongoing inside the city. (The New York Times)
Battle of Shusha (2020) The Azerbaijani military says it has captured the city of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says "We have won this victory on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table". Armenia and Artsakh leaders deny the loss of the city but say "fierce fighting" is ongoing inside the city. (The New York Times)
The Azerbaijani military says it has captured the city of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says "We have won this victory on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table". Armenia and Artsakh leaders deny the loss of the city but say "fierce fighting" is ongoing inside the city. (The New York Times)
President Trump tweets that he has fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Esper had prepared a letter of resignation in the wake of the recent presidential election. National Counterterrorism Center director Christopher C. Miller has been named acting secretary. (NBC News)
President of Peru Martín Vizcarra is impeached by the Congress of Peru. Manuel Merino replaces him as interim president. (The New York Times)
President-elect Joe Biden announces a 12-person coronavirus task force as part of his transitional team. (The Washington Post)
Second impeachment process against Martín Vizcarra President of Peru Martín Vizcarra is impeached by the Congress of Peru. Manuel Merino replaces him as interim president. (The New York Times)
2020 Jordanian general election Citizens of Jordan cast their votes in a general election after the country's House of Representatives was dissolved in September. The election takes place during a rapid surge of new COVID-19 infections. (Al Jazeera)
Citizens of Jordan cast their votes in a general election after the country's House of Representatives was dissolved in September. The election takes place during a rapid surge of new COVID-19 infections. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen halts a plan to kill more than 15 million minks in Denmark to contain a coronavirus mutation due to opposition from MPs to pass a bill that would authorize the slaughter. (The Washington Post)
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen halts a plan to kill more than 15 million minks in Denmark to contain a coronavirus mutation due to opposition from MPs to pass a bill that would authorize the slaughter. (The Washington Post)
Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announces the government's decision to suspend the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States for at least another six months. (Kyodo News)
Philippines–United States relations Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announces the government's decision to suspend the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States for at least another six months. (Kyodo News)
President-elect Joe Biden announces Ron Klain as his incoming White House Chief of Staff. (CNN)
Presidential transition of Joe Biden President-elect Joe Biden announces Ron Klain as his incoming White House Chief of Staff. (CNN)
2019–20 Hong Kong protests; Legislative Council of Hong Kong Four Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung, are stripped of their seats following a decision by China's National People's Congress Standing Committee. 15 pro-democracy legislators announced their resignations shortly after the announcement, also declaring "that 'One Country, Two Systems' has come to an end". Critics fear this will turn the legislature into a rubber stamp for pro-Beijing policies. (CNN) (The Guardian)
Four Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung, are stripped of their seats following a decision by China's National People's Congress Standing Committee. 15 pro-democracy legislators announced their resignations shortly after the announcement, also declaring "that 'One Country, Two Systems' has come to an end". Critics fear this will turn the legislature into a rubber stamp for pro-Beijing policies. (CNN) (The Guardian)
