Iran–United States relations In an expletive-laden interview on The Rush Limbaugh Show, U.S. President Donald Trump warns Iran, "not to fuck around" with the United States, and "if you do something bad to us, we are gonna do things to you that have never been done before". (The Hill)
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov declares a state of emergency in the capital Bishkek and deploys the country's armed forces across the city following serious political unrest that came after the now-overturned 2020 elections. (CNN)
Chancellor Angela Merkel and mayors of 11 large cities agrees on stricter controls for urban areas exceeding the government COVID-19 threshold. She said for cities with more than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a seven-day period, which Berlin and Frankfurt already exceed that number, tighter restrictions should be implemented immediately. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario The government announces that bars, indoor dining, gyms, and theatres in Toronto, Ottawa, and Peel Region will close due to a rise in cases. This comes after the province recorded 939 cases. (CBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and mayors of 11 large cities agrees on stricter controls for urban areas exceeding the government COVID-19 threshold. She said for cities with more than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a seven-day period, which Berlin and Frankfurt already exceed that number, tighter restrictions should be implemented immediately. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario The government announces that bars, indoor dining, gyms, and theatres in Toronto, Ottawa, and Peel Region will close due to a rise in cases. This comes after the province recorded 939 cases. (CBC News)
Internet censorship in Pakistan, Censorship of TikTok Pakistan announces that it would ban Chinese app TikTok after it did not take down "immoral and indecent" content on the platform. The government kept the door open for a return of TikTok, saying "it is open for engagement" and would review its decision if TikTok develops a mechanism to moderate this content. (AP)
Mali War Switzerland says it has been informed that a female Swiss hostage has been killed in Mali by jihadist group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin. The exact circumstances of the killing are still unclear, according to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. (Reuters)
Pakistan announces that it would ban Chinese app TikTok after it did not take down "immoral and indecent" content on the platform. The government kept the door open for a return of TikTok, saying "it is open for engagement" and would review its decision if TikTok develops a mechanism to moderate this content. (AP)
The government announces that bars, indoor dining, gyms, and theatres in Toronto, Ottawa, and Peel Region will close due to a rise in cases. This comes after the province recorded 939 cases. (CBC News)
Switzerland says it has been informed that a female Swiss hostage has been killed in Mali by jihadist group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin. The exact circumstances of the killing are still unclear, according to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. (Reuters)
2020 Kyrgyzstan protests Kyrgyzstan special forces detain former President Almazbek Atambayev in a raid on his compound. Atambayev was freed from prison by anti-government protesters on October 5. (BBC News)
Kyrgyzstan special forces detain former President Almazbek Atambayev in a raid on his compound. Atambayev was freed from prison by anti-government protesters on October 5. (BBC News)
2020 Belarusian protests Alexander Lukashenko, disputed President of Belarus, visits opposition activists in a prison in Minsk. (ABC News)
Alexander Lukashenko, disputed President of Belarus, visits opposition activists in a prison in Minsk. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba The Manitoba government announced 97 new cases of COVID-19 in the province, setting a single-day record since the first cases reported in Manitoba. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba The Manitoba government announced 97 new cases of COVID-19 in the province, setting a single-day record since the first cases reported in Manitoba. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The government mull reimposing a lockdown as the health ministry reports 8,618 new cases on Friday, surpassing the previous record set on Thursday and reached a fourth straight daily record for the country where infection rate per capita (398 per 100,000) is the highest in the European Union. (Arab News)
George Floyd protests in Kentucky Over 500 people march at Tyler Park in Louisville to march in the name of Breonna Taylor. Rep. John Yarmuth, State Rep. Charles Booker, Kentucky State Senator Morgan McGarvey, and Louisville Urban League President Sadiqa Reynolds speak at the Tyler Park protest. (The Courier-Journal)
Over 500 people march at Tyler Park in Louisville to march in the name of Breonna Taylor. Rep. John Yarmuth, State Rep. Charles Booker, Kentucky State Senator Morgan McGarvey, and Louisville Urban League President Sadiqa Reynolds speak at the Tyler Park protest. (The Courier-Journal)
The government mull reimposing a lockdown as the health ministry reports 8,618 new cases on Friday, surpassing the previous record set on Thursday and reached a fourth straight daily record for the country where infection rate per capita (398 per 100,000) is the highest in the European Union. (Arab News)
The Manitoba government announced 97 new cases of COVID-19 in the province, setting a single-day record since the first cases reported in Manitoba. (CTV News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, Corruption in Israel Protesters gather to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegations of corruption and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. (AP)
Protesters gather to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegations of corruption and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. (AP)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, Corruption in Israel Protesters gather to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegations of corruption and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. (AP)
2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election The first round of parliamentary elections in Lithuania takes place. Voters are asked to elect the 141 members of the Seimas amidst a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, causing fears of a low voter turnout. (DW)
2020 Northern Cypriot presidential election Voters in Northern Cyprus vote to select the president after being delayed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The election council reports that nationalist Prime Minister Ersin Tatar narrowly defeated pro-reunification incumbent Mustafa Akıncı. As neither candidate received a majority of the vote, a run-off will be held on October 18. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Tajik presidential election Voters in Tajikistan head to the polls to elect the country's President. Long-time authoritarian leader Emomali Rakhmon is highly expected to be declared the clear victor of the election. (DW)
The first round of parliamentary elections in Lithuania takes place. Voters are asked to elect the 141 members of the Seimas amidst a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, causing fears of a low voter turnout. (DW)
Voters in Northern Cyprus vote to select the president after being delayed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The election council reports that nationalist Prime Minister Ersin Tatar narrowly defeated pro-reunification incumbent Mustafa Akıncı. As neither candidate received a majority of the vote, a run-off will be held on October 18. (Al Jazeera)
Voters in Tajikistan head to the polls to elect the country's President. Long-time authoritarian leader Emomali Rakhmon is highly expected to be declared the clear victor of the election. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand The government announces that they have signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 1.5 million vaccine doses for 750,000 people in the country. (New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victorian premier Daniel Andrews extends its state of emergency and state of disaster across the state for the next four weeks until November 8. (7 News) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand The government announces that they have signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 1.5 million vaccine doses for 750,000 people in the country. (New Zealand Herald)
The government announces that they have signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 1.5 million vaccine doses for 750,000 people in the country. (New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that South Korea will begin easing social distancing rules from Level 2 to Level 1 nationwide tomorrow, allowing limited audiences at sporting events and the reopening of nightly entertainment facilities, as long as they comply with anti-virus health protocols, as new cases have been edging lower in recent weeks. However, some restrictions will be kept in place in Seoul Capital Area and other high-risk facilities. (The Jakarta Post) (Yonhap News Agency)
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that South Korea will begin easing social distancing rules from Level 2 to Level 1 nationwide tomorrow, allowing limited audiences at sporting events and the reopening of nightly entertainment facilities, as long as they comply with anti-virus health protocols, as new cases have been edging lower in recent weeks. However, some restrictions will be kept in place in Seoul Capital Area and other high-risk facilities. (The Jakarta Post) (Yonhap News Agency)
2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election Early data shows the oppositional Homeland Union victorious in the first round of the latest parliamentary election in Lithuania. The second round will be held on October 25. (DW)
2020 Tajik presidential election Long-term President Emomali Rakhmon is declared the victor of Tajikistan's latest presidential election with over 90% of the votes. (DW)
Early data shows the oppositional Homeland Union victorious in the first round of the latest parliamentary election in Lithuania. The second round will be held on October 25. (DW)
Long-term President Emomali Rakhmon is declared the victor of Tajikistan's latest presidential election with over 90% of the votes. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C. White House COVID-19 outbreak Dr. Sean Conley reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days. Conley also said the President was no longer a risk of spreading the virus to others. (ABC Australia) COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio Ohio reaches 5,000 COVID-19 deaths. (Cincinnati News) COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaii reports 42 cases, the lowest in the state since July 24. (Hawaii News Now) (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kuala Lumpur, COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor Following a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the federal government announces that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya will be put under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The tightened restrictions will be enforced between October 14 and October 27. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia COVID-19 vaccination in Russia Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic To prevent the fast spread of COVID-19, which is among the highest in Europe, Health Minister Roman Prymula announces on Twitter that the Czech government has ordered bars, restaurants, and clubs closed between October 14 and November 3, and most schools must shift to distance learning. In addition, public gatherings will also be restricted to six people, alcohol consumption in public spaces is banned, and masks are required at public transport stops. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in Russia Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
Following a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the federal government announces that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya will be put under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The tightened restrictions will be enforced between October 14 and October 27. (CNA)
French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
To prevent the fast spread of COVID-19, which is among the highest in Europe, Health Minister Roman Prymula announces on Twitter that the Czech government has ordered bars, restaurants, and clubs closed between October 14 and November 3, and most schools must shift to distance learning. In addition, public gatherings will also be restricted to six people, alcohol consumption in public spaces is banned, and masks are required at public transport stops. (Reuters)
A massive power failure in Mumbai, India, believed to be caused by an issue with the main power grid receiving electricity, leaves millions of people without power and brings the city's rail lines to a standstill. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray orders an investigation into the cause. (BBC News) (NDTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Minister of Finances Èric Jover tests positive for COVID-19 and becomes the first Andorran high-profile politician to get infected. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in England Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveils a new three-tier restrictions system aimed to simplify the range of different restrictions already in place across various parts of England. The Local COVID Alert Levels ("medium", "high", and "very high") will be implemented in different areas depending on local infection rates. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveils a new three-tier restrictions system aimed to simplify the range of different restrictions already in place across various parts of England. The Local COVID Alert Levels ("medium", "high", and "very high") will be implemented in different areas depending on local infection rates. (Sky News)
Indonesia aims to start administering COVID-19 vaccines early next month, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs. Sinopharm and G42 Healthcare will supply five million doses starting next month, CanSino Biologics will supply 100,000 doses that same time, and Sinovac will supply three million doses of CoronaVac by December. All three vaccines are currently in Phase III trials in various countries. (The Straits Times)
Minister of Finances Èric Jover tests positive for COVID-19 and becomes the first Andorran high-profile politician to get infected. (Diari d'Andorra)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveils a new three-tier restrictions system aimed to simplify the range of different restrictions already in place across various parts of England. The Local COVID Alert Levels ("medium", "high", and "very high") will be implemented in different areas depending on local infection rates. (Sky News)
The Cypriot Interior and Finance Ministries announce they will abolish the country's "citizenship through investment" program by November 1, after Al Jazeera released a video yesterday showing that several senior officials, such as parliament president Demetris Syllouris and fellow MP Christakis Giovanis, were willing to help criminals obtain passports through the program. Attorney General George Savvidis also announced that he will launch a criminal inquiry into the officials involved. (Al Jazeera)
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announce new restrictions, such as restarting a partial lockdown. The new measures include closing bars and restaurants, banning alcohol sales after 8:00 p.m. local time, restricting retail opening hours, and banning gatherings of more than 30 people across the country. This measure also includes making wearing cloth masks mandatory for people at least 13 years old in indoor spaces. The government says the measures will take effect tomorrow and last for at least four weeks, with a review of their impact after two weeks. (France 24)
The United Nations General Assembly votes on a slate of new members of the Human Rights Council. The election of certain countries—China, Russia, Cuba, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan—draws strong criticism over their human rights records, including from UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer, who described the election as "making a gang of arsonists into the fire brigade". (CBC)
2020 Pacific typhoon season Around 40 people die in Vietnam and Cambodia as Tropical Storm Nangka impacts the area. Scores of others, including rescue workers, are missing. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc orders more rescue troops to be sent to the region. (CNN)
Around 40 people die in Vietnam and Cambodia as Tropical Storm Nangka impacts the area. Scores of others, including rescue workers, are missing. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc orders more rescue troops to be sent to the region. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signs a decree that restricts private gatherings to more than six people inside homes and sets a limit of 30 guests for banquets organized after religious or civil ceremonies. It also bans parties, school trips, and informal amateur contact sports, while also ordering restaurants, bars, and ice-cream sellers to stop serving non-seated customers after 9:00 p.m. local time to avoid crowds. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki goes into quarantine after making contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announces the country has signed agreements with AstraZeneca for 77.4 million, COVAX for 51.57 million, CanSino Biologics for 35 million, and Pfizer for 34.4 million vaccine doses, respectively. The vaccines by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and the COVAX plan require two doses, whereas the CanSino product requires one dose. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki goes into quarantine after making contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in France President Emmanuel Macron announces a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time curfew for the Île-de-France region that includes Paris, as well as Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Étienne, and Toulouse starting October 17 for at least four weeks in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 as the country declares another national state of health emergency after it expired on July 10. (RTÉ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia The number of new cases in Russia reaches 14,231 in the past 24 hours, a new record for the sixth day in a row. It is the first time that the country has reported more than 14,000 cases in a single day as authorities grapple with a second wave that has pushed hospitals to near-capacity. (The Moscow Times) President Vladimir Putin announces that the country has approved its second COVID-19 vaccine following preliminary trials. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain The Catalan acting government announces the closure of bars, restaurants, beauty salons, and theme parks; the government also reduces the capacity in shops to 30% and 50% in gyms, cultural centers, and religious spaces for 15 days. (El Mundo)
President Emmanuel Macron announces a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time curfew for the Île-de-France region that includes Paris, as well as Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Étienne, and Toulouse starting October 17 for at least four weeks in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 as the country declares another national state of health emergency after it expired on July 10. (RTÉ)
President Vladimir Putin announces that the country has approved its second COVID-19 vaccine following preliminary trials. (Reuters)
The Catalan acting government announces the closure of bars, restaurants, beauty salons, and theme parks; the government also reduces the capacity in shops to 30% and 50% in gyms, cultural centers, and religious spaces for 15 days. (El Mundo)
Ugandan security forces raid the offices of the National Unity Platform in Kampala and arrest several people, including opposition leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, allegedly for illegally housing army uniforms. Signatures to get Ssentamu on the ballot and his 1campaign materials were also seized. (DW)
2020 NFL season The National Football League announces that the upcoming Pro Bowl will be cancelled, the first time since 1949. However, the league announced that it would still name teams at the end of the season in the usual format through votes by fans, players, and coaches. (ESPN) (USA Today)
