COVID-19 pandemic in Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei tests positive for COVID-19. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid The Madrid regional government announces new restrictions aimed at curbing the rising number of cases in the region. The order will go into effect on September 21 and last for at least two weeks, affecting more than 855,000 people, or 17% of the region's population. (El Pais in English)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid The Madrid regional government announces new restrictions aimed at curbing the rising number of cases in the region. The order will go into effect on September 21 and last for at least two weeks, affecting more than 855,000 people, or 17% of the region's population. (El Pais in English)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland Due to concerns over the spread, the government announces that it will move Dublin to "risk level three" restrictions in its response plan effective at midnight tonight, which means that indoor restaurant dining is banned again in the capital and residents are being advised against all non-essential travel. Meanwhile, indoor visitations are only allowed between one other household, most sporting events will be cancelled, and attendance at weddings and funerals is going to be capped at 25 guests effective September 21. (Sky News)
Due to concerns over the spread, the government announces that it will move Dublin to "risk level three" restrictions in its response plan effective at midnight tonight, which means that indoor restaurant dining is banned again in the capital and residents are being advised against all non-essential travel. Meanwhile, indoor visitations are only allowed between one other household, most sporting events will be cancelled, and attendance at weddings and funerals is going to be capped at 25 guests effective September 21. (Sky News)
President Alejandro Giammattei tests positive for COVID-19. (NPR)
The Madrid regional government announces new restrictions aimed at curbing the rising number of cases in the region. The order will go into effect on September 21 and last for at least two weeks, affecting more than 855,000 people, or 17% of the region's population. (El Pais in English)
Internet censorship in the United States, China–United States trade war Chinese technology company ByteDance announces a proposed joint deal with American corporations Oracle and Walmart to continue the operation of its video-sharing social networking service TikTok in the United States under the name Tiktok Global. U.S. President Donald Trump recognizes the proposal, having threatened to ban the service in suspicion of Chinese espionage should ByteDance have failed to reach a deal with an American firm. (AFP via The Hindu) (NPR)
2020 Thai protests More than 15,000 pro-democracy protesters led by students of the Thammasat University gather near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government as well as a reform of the Thai monarchy. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)
Chinese technology company ByteDance announces a proposed joint deal with American corporations Oracle and Walmart to continue the operation of its video-sharing social networking service TikTok in the United States under the name Tiktok Global. U.S. President Donald Trump recognizes the proposal, having threatened to ban the service in suspicion of Chinese espionage should ByteDance have failed to reach a deal with an American firm. (AFP via The Hindu) (NPR)
Hundreds of Romanian families protest at the University Square in Bucharest against the government's new mandate on social distancing and the wearing of face masks in schools. Many compare the measures to the country's communist regime. (AP via ABC News)
More than 15,000 pro-democracy protesters led by students of the Thammasat University gather near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government as well as a reform of the Thai monarchy. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Romania Hundreds of Romanian families protest at the University Square in Bucharest against the government's new mandate on social distancing and the wearing of face masks in schools. Many compare the measures to the country's communist regime. (AP via ABC News)
Canada–China relations Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne announces that Canada has ceased discussing any free trade agreements with China. Canada has walked away from free-trade talks with China amid soured relations over arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou and the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. He states that "the China of 2020 is not the China of 2016". (South China Morning Post)
Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne announces that Canada has ceased discussing any free trade agreements with China. Canada has walked away from free-trade talks with China amid soured relations over arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou and the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. He states that "the China of 2020 is not the China of 2016". (South China Morning Post)
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández informs Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over telephone of his plans to move the embassy of Honduras in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv by the end of the year. (Anadolu)
Honduras–Israel relations, Status of Jerusalem Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández informs Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over telephone of his plans to move the embassy of Honduras in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv by the end of the year. (Anadolu)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The government raises its alert level from 3 to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially." It comes after the government's scientific adviser warned that there could be 50,000 new cases a day by mid-October without further action. (BBC News)
The government raises its alert level from 3 to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially." It comes after the government's scientific adviser warned that there could be 50,000 new cases a day by mid-October without further action. (BBC News)
United States sanctions against Iran, International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis, United States–Venezuela relations U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces the imposition of an arms embargo on the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics and other entities involved in Iran's nuclear program, including the government of disputed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for providing weapons to Iran. (AFP via CNA) (CNBC)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international relations, COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte lifts a moratorium on Filipino health professionals to work overseas during the pandemic. (Anadolu)
President Rodrigo Duterte lifts a moratorium on Filipino health professionals to work overseas during the pandemic. (Anadolu)
The Australian government reports that over 200 pilot whales are stranded off the Macquarie Harbour in West Coast, Tasmania, at least 25 of which have died. A rescue mission for the surviving whales is scheduled for tomorrow. (AAP via The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern lifts all remaining lockdown restrictions in the country except for Auckland, which maintains its lockdown until at least October 7. (AP)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern lifts all remaining lockdown restrictions in the country except for Auckland, which maintains its lockdown until at least October 7. (AP)
Belarus–United States relations, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests The United States formally no longer recognizes Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus, according to a U.S. Department of State statement. A State Department spokesperson calls for a new "free and fair election" in Belarus under independent observation. (Axios)
Ishmael Toroama is declared President-elect of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville following an election process that began six weeks ago. Toroama secured 48,766 votes cast and promised to solve the issue of independence. (RNZ)
Foreign relations of Argentina President Alberto Fernández demands Iran extradite the Iranian citizens accused of responsibility for the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires and states that the demand is of "vital importance". (Argentine Official News Agency Télam)
President Alberto Fernández demands Iran extradite the Iranian citizens accused of responsibility for the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires and states that the demand is of "vital importance". (Argentine Official News Agency Télam)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India The number of deaths in India exceeds 90,000. In the past 24 hours, the country reported 83,347 new cases and 1,085 more deaths. (The Nation PK) (Deccan Herald) Railway Minister Suresh Angadi dies from the disease at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. (Khaleej Times) COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel reports a record jump of 6,923 new cases in the past 24 hours, as the country imposes a second nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. Further restrictions are being considered. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in India The number of deaths in India exceeds 90,000. In the past 24 hours, the country reported 83,347 new cases and 1,085 more deaths. (The Nation PK) (Deccan Herald) Railway Minister Suresh Angadi dies from the disease at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. (Khaleej Times)
Railway Minister Suresh Angadi dies from the disease at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. (Khaleej Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France French health authorities report a new record of 16,096 daily cases in the last 24 hours, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. The new record comes a day after the government announced new restrictions on bars and restaurants in major cities, including Marseille and Paris, provoking an outcry from local politicians and business owners. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland The government announces a plan to elevate Donegal to Level 3 out of a five-alert level alongside Dublin effective midnight tomorrow, which means that authorities will tighten restrictions due to an increase in cases; restrictions include a ban on indoor restaurant dining and an advisory for people not to travel outside the county. The measure will remain in place for three weeks until October 16. (The Irish Times)
French health authorities report a new record of 16,096 daily cases in the last 24 hours, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. The new record comes a day after the government announced new restrictions on bars and restaurants in major cities, including Marseille and Paris, provoking an outcry from local politicians and business owners. (France 24)
The government announces a plan to elevate Donegal to Level 3 out of a five-alert level alongside Dublin effective midnight tomorrow, which means that authorities will tighten restrictions due to an increase in cases; restrictions include a ban on indoor restaurant dining and an advisory for people not to travel outside the county. The measure will remain in place for three weeks until October 16. (The Irish Times)
Google and YouTube announce that after the polls close on November 3 for the Presidential election, they will stop allowing political ads even if there is confusion or civil unrest while votes are counted. (NBC News)
2020 Paris stabbing attack A knife attack outside the former headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France, leaves two people wounded. The building is now used by a television production company, and the two wounded victims are workers of the company. The suspected perpetrator and six other people are taken into custody. The interior minister Gérald Darmanin says that the stabbing is an Islamic extremist terror attack. (BBC News)
A knife attack outside the former headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France, leaves two people wounded. The building is now used by a television production company, and the two wounded victims are workers of the company. The suspected perpetrator and six other people are taken into custody. The interior minister Gérald Darmanin says that the stabbing is an Islamic extremist terror attack. (BBC News)
Boko Haram insurgency Fifteen security personnel are killed when Boko Haram ambush a convoy of vehicles in which government officials were driven in Borno State, Nigeria. (Xinhua)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Israel tightens restrictions one week after a second lockdown came into effect. Effective this afternoon, all businesses not officially considered essential are ordered closed for the next two weeks, with the possibility of being extended, and travel is restricted to 1 kilometer from people's homes. Other planned rules which would affect protesters and synagogue-goers are not yet approved by parliament. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario The Government of Ontario is implementing a number of new province-wide restrictions and public health measures aimed at curbing a surge in new cases. Under these rules, bars and restaurants, including nightclubs, are ordered to close at 11:00 p.m. local time and all strip clubs will be closed until further notice. The orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. local time tomorrow. (CBC)
Fifteen security personnel are killed when Boko Haram ambush a convoy of vehicles in which government officials were driven in Borno State, Nigeria. (Xinhua)
Israel tightens restrictions one week after a second lockdown came into effect. Effective this afternoon, all businesses not officially considered essential are ordered closed for the next two weeks, with the possibility of being extended, and travel is restricted to 1 kilometer from people's homes. Other planned rules which would affect protesters and synagogue-goers are not yet approved by parliament. (France 24)
The Government of Ontario is implementing a number of new province-wide restrictions and public health measures aimed at curbing a surge in new cases. Under these rules, bars and restaurants, including nightclubs, are ordered to close at 11:00 p.m. local time and all strip clubs will be closed until further notice. The orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. local time tomorrow. (CBC)
Thousands of protesters, predominantly farmers, block roads and railways in India to protest legislation that would remove government-guaranteed grain prices which are paid to farmers who sell their produce to the government. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that the country has signed a deal with AstraZeneca to buy up to 20 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine. (Business Recorder)
Yemeni Civil War The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths announces that the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government have agreed to a prisoner swap of 1,081 detainees. The release will include 400 government prisoners and 681 Houthi fighters. (Reuters)
The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths announces that the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government have agreed to a prisoner swap of 1,081 detainees. The release will include 400 government prisoners and 681 Houthi fighters. (Reuters)
2020 Swiss referendums Swiss voters reject the proposal, from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, to end an accord with the European Union that allows free movement of people. (BBC News)
In a live televised address to the nation, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declares a general mobilization and orders citizens to "get ready to defend our sacred homeland", following the clashes with Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. (The National)
Swiss voters reject the proposal, from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, to end an accord with the European Union that allows free movement of people. (BBC News)
Three ministers resign from Bolivia's interim government. One of them, Economic Minister Oscar Ortiz, stated his resignation was in protest of President Jeanine Áñez's decision to sell shares in the state-run electricity company ELFEC close to the upcoming general election. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The government introduces new nationwide restrictions aimed at tackling the swift spread sweeping across the country, including disallowing fans in professional sports matches and ordering bars and restaurants to close at 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) CEST for the next three weeks. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also advises people to wear face masks when shopping in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, the three cities with the highest rates of infections. (CTV News)
FIFA gives the president of the Club Olimpia of Paraguay Marco Trovato a lifetime ban from all football-related activity, following an investigation into match manipulation. He is also fined CHF100,000. Trovato said he would appeal the decision. (FIFA) (Reuters)
Indonesia accuses Vanuatu of having an "excessive and unhealthy obsession" about West Papua. The remark comes after Vanuatuan Prime Minister Bob Loughman warned the international community about "human rights violations and abuses" in the region. (RNZ)
Papua conflict, Foreign relations of Indonesia, Foreign relations of Vanuatu Indonesia accuses Vanuatu of having an "excessive and unhealthy obsession" about West Papua. The remark comes after Vanuatuan Prime Minister Bob Loughman warned the international community about "human rights violations and abuses" in the region. (RNZ)
The government introduces new nationwide restrictions aimed at tackling the swift spread sweeping across the country, including disallowing fans in professional sports matches and ordering bars and restaurants to close at 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) CEST for the next three weeks. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also advises people to wear face masks when shopping in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, the three cities with the highest rates of infections. (CTV News)
Amnesty International says it has been forced to halt its Indian operations due to "reprisal" from the government. Amnesty said its bank accounts were frozen and it was forced to lay off staff, and suspend all its campaign and research work. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in India Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu tests positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic and quarantined at home. (The Hindu)
Animal welfare and rights in France French Minister of Ecology Barbara Pompili announces that mink farms and the use of wild animals in circuses will be phased out, and the breeding and importing of dolphins and killer whales at marine parks are banned effective immediately. (The Independent)
French Minister of Ecology Barbara Pompili announces that mink farms and the use of wild animals in circuses will be phased out, and the breeding and importing of dolphins and killer whales at marine parks are banned effective immediately. (The Independent)
Politics of Togo Victoire Tomegah Dogbé becomes the first female Prime Minister of Togo. (CNN)
Victoire Tomegah Dogbé becomes the first female Prime Minister of Togo. (CNN)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan reject proposals of peace talks citing each other's attempts at obstructing negotiations. (AP) Sali Berisha, former President of Albania, calls for the international community to engage the conflict with greater seriousness. (Trend AZ) United States presidential nominee Joe Biden calls on the Trump Administration to demand Turkey "stay out of the conflict". (New Europe) The Moscow International Film Festival cancels the screening of Gate to Heaven, a film about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. (Meduza)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia reports 567 new cases in the past 24 hours, the largest single-day tally since the pandemic started in the country. (Reuters) The government approves the declaration of the state of emergency due to rising cases in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Igor Matovič states that the state of emergency will be imposed for 45 days starting tomorrow. It is the second time that the state of emergency has been imposed by the country. (TASR)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The government declares a state of emergency and imposes tighter measures, including limiting gatherings and banning musicals and opera, in an attempt to combat a surge of the disease before it overwhelms the health system. The measures start on October 5 and will be in effect for 30 days. (Reuters)
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan reject proposals of peace talks citing each other's attempts at obstructing negotiations. (AP) Sali Berisha, former President of Albania, calls for the international community to engage the conflict with greater seriousness. (Trend AZ) United States presidential nominee Joe Biden calls on the Trump Administration to demand Turkey "stay out of the conflict". (New Europe) The Moscow International Film Festival cancels the screening of Gate to Heaven, a film about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. (Meduza)
Sali Berisha, former President of Albania, calls for the international community to engage the conflict with greater seriousness. (Trend AZ)
The government approves the declaration of the state of emergency due to rising cases in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Igor Matovič states that the state of emergency will be imposed for 45 days starting tomorrow. It is the second time that the state of emergency has been imposed by the country. (TASR)
The government declares a state of emergency and imposes tighter measures, including limiting gatherings and banning musicals and opera, in an attempt to combat a surge of the disease before it overwhelms the health system. The measures start on October 5 and will be in effect for 30 days. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports 2,548 new cases in the past 24 hours, partly due to higher swab tests that were conducted. It is the biggest daily jump of cases in five months and the first time the country has reported more than 2,000 cases since April. (Anadolu Agency) The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would ask parliament to extend the country's state of emergency to the end of January 2021, as the government tries to avoid the surge in cases seen in other European countries. (Reuters)
The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would ask parliament to extend the country's state of emergency to the end of January 2021, as the government tries to avoid the surge in cases seen in other European countries. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports 260 new cases, the second biggest daily spike since the pandemic began. The sharp increase in infections comes after a surge in travel to and from Sabah for the state elections. The national tally now stands at 11,484 cases with a total of 136 deaths. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid The Spanish government orders a partial lockdown in Madrid and surrounding areas badly affected by COVID-19 after a rise in cases. Under the new restrictions, residents will not be allowed to leave the area unless they have to make an essential journey. However, Madrid's regional government says that the lockdown is not legally valid. (BBC News)
