Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez tests positive for COVID-19 and becomes the highest national official to get infected. (El País)
2020 California wildfires The Pacific Gas and Electric Company announces that it may cut power to 1 million customers in California to prevent the spread of new wildfires. (ABC News)
AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson resume their Phase III trials in the United States for a COVID-19 vaccine after previously pausing them as a result of complications with some volunteers. (Wall Street Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The Flevo hospital in Almere begins to transfer two of its COVID-19 intensive care patients by helicopter to a hospital in Muenster, near the Dutch-German border, as hospitals in the Netherlands come under increasing strain from a second wave of infections. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson resume their Phase III trials in the United States for a COVID-19 vaccine after previously pausing them as a result of complications with some volunteers. (Wall Street Journal)
Federal prosecutors announce that Ivan Harrison Hunter, an alleged member of the Boogaloo Bois, has been charged for firing an AK-47 at a police station in Minneapolis during protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. (NBC News)
George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul Federal prosecutors announce that Ivan Harrison Hunter, an alleged member of the Boogaloo Bois, has been charged for firing an AK-47 at a police station in Minneapolis during protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. (NBC News)
George Floyd protests, 2020–2021 United States racial unrest George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul Federal prosecutors announce that Ivan Harrison Hunter, an alleged member of the Boogaloo Bois, has been charged for firing an AK-47 at a police station in Minneapolis during protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. (NBC News)
Rohingya genocide case The Gambia announces that they have submitted a lawsuit against Myanmar for their role in the Rohingya genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. (Dhaka Tribune) (The Daily Star)
The Flevo hospital in Almere begins to transfer two of its COVID-19 intensive care patients by helicopter to a hospital in Muenster, near the Dutch-German border, as hospitals in the Netherlands come under increasing strain from a second wave of infections. (Reuters)
The Gambia announces that they have submitted a lawsuit against Myanmar for their role in the Rohingya genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. (Dhaka Tribune) (The Daily Star)
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company announces that it may cut power to 1 million customers in California to prevent the spread of new wildfires. (ABC News)
The United States reports a new record of 83,757 new cases in a single day. In total, nearly 8.5 million cases have been reported since the pandemic began. (CNBC)
A mass shooting at a school in Kumba, Southwest, Cameroon kills at least six children and wounds eight others in an attack apparently committed by Ambazonian separatist insurgents. The United Nations office reports eight children were killed. A spokesman for the separatist movement expresses "shock and disgust" over the attack. (Reuters)
A report published three days earlier by the Center for Strategic and International Studies finds that white supremacist and other far-right groups have perpetrated a majority of domestic terrorist attacks and plots in the first eight months of 2020. It also notes a rise in terrorist incidents perpetrated by far-left groups, as well as a decrease in fatalities from domestic terrorist attacks during that same time period compared to recent years. (The New York Times via MSN)
Anglophone Crisis Kumba school massacre A mass shooting at a school in Kumba, Southwest, Cameroon kills at least six children and wounds eight others in an attack apparently committed by Ambazonian separatist insurgents. The United Nations office reports eight children were killed. A spokesman for the separatist movement expresses "shock and disgust" over the attack. (Reuters)
Domestic terrorism in the United States A report published three days earlier by the Center for Strategic and International Studies finds that white supremacist and other far-right groups have perpetrated a majority of domestic terrorist attacks and plots in the first eight months of 2020. It also notes a rise in terrorist incidents perpetrated by far-left groups, as well as a decrease in fatalities from domestic terrorist attacks during that same time period compared to recent years. (The New York Times via MSN)
Kumba school massacre A mass shooting at a school in Kumba, Southwest, Cameroon kills at least six children and wounds eight others in an attack apparently committed by Ambazonian separatist insurgents. The United Nations office reports eight children were killed. A spokesman for the separatist movement expresses "shock and disgust" over the attack. (Reuters)
Syrian Civil War A United States drone strike kills 17 members of al-Qaeda in Idlib, including eleven leaders. Five civilians were also killed. (Military News)
A United States drone strike kills 17 members of al-Qaeda in Idlib, including eleven leaders. Five civilians were also killed. (Military News)
Colombia surpasses one million confirmed COVID-19 cases, becoming the second Latin American country to surpass that milestone in less than a week. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia surpasses one million confirmed COVID-19 cases, becoming the second Latin American country to surpass that milestone in less than a week. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19, while active cases reach a record low of 9,900. (National Post) COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia Colombia surpasses one million confirmed COVID-19 cases, becoming the second Latin American country to surpass that milestone in less than a week. (AP)
Two pilots are killed after a U.S. Navy T-6B Texan II trainer aircraft crashes in Alabama. (NBC News)
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 Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declares a second nationwide "state of alarm" (known as state of emergency) to allow regional authorities to set different hours for the curfews as long as they are stricter, close regional borders to travel, and limit gatherings to six people not in the same household. The nationwide curfew begins between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time, except in the Canary Islands. The emergency decree can be extended from an initial 15 days to six months depending on parliamentary approval. (Euronews)
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declares a second nationwide "state of alarm" (known as state of emergency) to allow regional authorities to set different hours for the curfews as long as they are stricter, close regional borders to travel, and limit gatherings to six people not in the same household. The nationwide curfew begins between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time, except in the Canary Islands. The emergency decree can be extended from an initial 15 days to six months depending on parliamentary approval. (Euronews)
British Special Boat Service (SBS) special forces storm the Liberian-registered Nave Andromeda after the tanker was suspected to be hijacked by a group of Nigerian stowaways off the Isle of Wight. The 22 crew members were found safe, and the seven suspected hijackers have been detained by British authorities following a 10-hour stand-off. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
Cardinals created by Francis Pope Francis announces the creation of 13 new cardinals, including the elevation of Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington who will become the first African-American cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. The elevation is scheduled to occur on November 28. (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)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France registers a record 52,010 new confirmed infections over the past 24 hours, according to a statement from the health ministry, taking the nationwide total to 1,138,507 and becoming the world's fifth highest number of cases after the United States, India, Brazil and Russia. (NBC 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)
Dozens of far-right protesters in Rome clash with riot police during a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions when 200 masked militants belonging to Forza Nuova hurl flares and firecrackers at police. Police arrest seven protesters and reported two officers injured. (TRT World)
European migrant crisis British Special Boat Service (SBS) special forces storm the Liberian-registered Nave Andromeda after the tanker was suspected to be hijacked by a group of Nigerian stowaways off the Isle of Wight. The 22 crew members were found safe, and the seven suspected hijackers have been detained by British authorities following a 10-hour stand-off. (BBC News) (The Guardian)
France registers a record 52,010 new confirmed infections over the past 24 hours, according to a statement from the health ministry, taking the nationwide total to 1,138,507 and becoming the world's fifth highest number of cases after the United States, India, Brazil and Russia. (NBC News)
It is announced that Tasmania will reopen to much of Mainland Australia, which was deemed as "low-risk" states, and New Zealand tomorrow. The state was the first Australian jurisdiction to close its borders in March and has not recorded a case in more than 70 days. (The Canberra Times)
Pope Francis announces the creation of 13 new cardinals, including the elevation of Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington who will become the first African-American cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. The elevation is scheduled to occur on November 28. (The Washington Post)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Dozens of far-right protesters in Rome clash with riot police during a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions when 200 masked militants belonging to Forza Nuova hurl flares and firecrackers at police. Police arrest seven protesters and reported two officers injured. (TRT World) More than 2,000 people protest in Naples in the evening against the announced measures. (Il Messaggero)
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)
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)
Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed by a vote of 52–48 in the United States Senate and is sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. She is expected to take the second of two necessary oaths and fully become a Justice on October 27. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey Newark Mayor Ras Baraka imposes a curfew on non-essential businesses in the city at 8 p.m. ET except grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations as COVID-19 cases in New Jersey continue to increase. (WPIX 11)
2020 California wildfires Fast-moving fires around Orange County, California, United States, force over 70,000 residents to evacuate. Two firefighters are critically injured while battling the blazes. (AP)
Demonstrations take place across dozens of cities in Italy against the new restrictions to curb the second wave of COVID-19. The protests in Milan, Turin, and Trieste turn violent, where petrol bombs were thrown at officers. Twenty-eight people are arrested in Milan. In Naples the protests continue for the fourth day. (The Washington Post)
Fast-moving fires around Orange County, California, United States, force over 70,000 residents to evacuate. Two firefighters are critically injured while battling the blazes. (AP)
Federal prosecutors announce the discovery of ghost guns and "explosive device components", which raises the possibility of them filing terrorism charges against six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (The Detroit News) (Michigan Live)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot Federal prosecutors announce the discovery of ghost guns and "explosive device components", which raises the possibility of them filing terrorism charges against six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (The Detroit News) (Michigan Live)
Mass shootings in the United States Two people are killed and eight others injured in a mass shooting at a post-funeral gathering in Greenwood, Mississippi. Police believe the shooter used an AR-15 style rifle, but no suspects are in custody. (USA Today)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Demonstrations take place across dozens of cities in Italy against the new restrictions to curb the second wave of COVID-19. The protests in Milan, Turin, and Trieste turn violent, where petrol bombs were thrown at officers. Twenty-eight people are arrested in Milan. In Naples the protests continue for the fourth day. (The Washington Post)
Two people are killed and eight others injured in a mass shooting at a post-funeral gathering in Greenwood, Mississippi. Police believe the shooter used an AR-15 style rifle, but no suspects are in custody. (USA Today)
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)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Zeta makes landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula as a Category 1 hurricane. (Fox News) Hurricane warnings are issued by the National Hurricane Center across the Gulf Coast of the United States from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Mississippi–Alabama border. (Fox News)
Hurricane warnings are issued by the National Hurricane Center across the Gulf Coast of the United States from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Mississippi–Alabama border. (Fox News)
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)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest, Killing of Walter Wallace Protests break out in Philadelphia after police shoot and kill Walter Wallace, who they say had been armed with a knife. There are also reports of vandalism, including looting, spray painting and smashing of windows at a police station. Police also say 30 officers have been injured, many of which were struck by bricks and other debris, and that 91 protesters were arrested. (WCAU-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio asks residents to avoid traveling out of state during the upcoming holidays. For those who decide to travel, he urges them to get tested and quarantine for two weeks. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York City New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio asks residents to avoid traveling out of state during the upcoming holidays. For those who decide to travel, he urges them to get tested and quarantine for two weeks. (CNBC)
Following high-level talks in Delhi, India and the United States sign a military agreement on sharing sensitive satellite data. The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) gives the Indian Armed Forces access to a range of sensitive geospatial and aeronautical data for military use. Agreements on nuclear energy, earth sciences and alternative medicine are also signed. (BBC News)
Hong Kong national security law Hong Kong pro-independence activist Tony Chung is arrested when he tries to seek asylum at the U.S. Consulate General. He was on bail for alleged national security law offences. (The Guardian)
Hong Kong pro-independence activist Tony Chung is arrested when he tries to seek asylum at the U.S. Consulate General. He was on bail for alleged national security law offences. (The Guardian)
India–United States relations Following high-level talks in Delhi, India and the United States sign a military agreement on sharing sensitive satellite data. The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) gives the Indian Armed Forces access to a range of sensitive geospatial and aeronautical data for military use. Agreements on nuclear energy, earth sciences and alternative medicine are also signed. (BBC News)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio asks residents to avoid traveling out of state during the upcoming holidays. For those who decide to travel, he urges them to get tested and quarantine for two weeks. (CNBC)
Protests break out in Philadelphia after police shoot and kill Walter Wallace, who they say had been armed with a knife. There are also reports of vandalism, including looting, spray painting and smashing of windows at a police station. Police also say 30 officers have been injured, many of which were struck by bricks and other debris, and that 91 protesters were arrested. (WCAU-TV)
The United Nations cancels all in-person meetings at its New York City headquarters after five people on the Niger mission tested positive. (Reuters)
An unsealed search warrant reveals that Barry Croft, one of the suspects accused in federal court of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, has also discussed South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and President Donald Trump as possible targets. (The Detroit News) (The Post and Courier)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot An unsealed search warrant reveals that Barry Croft, one of the suspects accused in federal court of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, has also discussed South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and President Donald Trump as possible targets. (The Detroit News) (The Post and Courier)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest, Black Lives Matter Protesters march through Philadelphia for a second night, demanding racial justice after the killing of Walter Wallace. The marches began peacefully but became more confrontational into the evening and Wednesday morning. Police and the city's office of emergency management said looting was reported in several areas. Protesters try to erect makeshift barricades using bins while police use pepper spray and batons after saying they were attacked by demonstrators. (BBC News)
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)
Protesters march through Philadelphia for a second night, demanding racial justice after the killing of Walter Wallace. The marches began peacefully but became more confrontational into the evening and Wednesday morning. Police and the city's office of emergency management said looting was reported in several areas. Protesters try to erect makeshift barricades using bins while police use pepper spray and batons after saying they were attacked by demonstrators. (BBC News)
The National Weather Service issues Storm Surge Warnings from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, to Navarre, Florida. (National Hurricane Center)
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)
