COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgian incumbent Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès is admitted to an intensive care unit nearly a week after testing positive for COVID-19. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou announces the imposing of a curfew in Limassol and Paphos districts and a mask mandate for all outdoor spaces. (Cyprus-Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces that 38 more departments, as well as French Polynesia, will be placed under curfew starting October 24. In total, 54 departments will now adhere to the new hourly limitations between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time, affecting almost 46 million people in these areas. (BBC News) The number of new confirmed cases in France hits an alarming record high of 41,622 in the last 24 hours, making it the first time the country has reported more than 40,000 new cases. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Prime Minister Igor Matovič announces that Slovakia will shut down most of its schools and require the population to stay home apart from work, essential shopping, and nature trips between October 24 and November 1, in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. He also plans to go ahead with nationwide free testing of 5.5 million people across the country. (Yahoo News)
Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou announces the imposing of a curfew in Limassol and Paphos districts and a mask mandate for all outdoor spaces. (Cyprus-Mail)
Prime Minister Igor Matovič announces that Slovakia will shut down most of its schools and require the population to stay home apart from work, essential shopping, and nature trips between October 24 and November 1, in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. He also plans to go ahead with nationwide free testing of 5.5 million people across the country. (Yahoo News)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces that 38 more departments, as well as French Polynesia, will be placed under curfew starting October 24. In total, 54 departments will now adhere to the new hourly limitations between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time, affecting almost 46 million people in these areas. (BBC News)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. These measures include the "compulsory" use of masks both indoors and outdoors and imposition of a curfew between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time in all areas deemed as high-risk zones, including Athens and Thessaloniki, starting October 24. (Medical Xpress)
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez survives a vote of no-confidence presented by the far-right Vox political party. (ABC News)
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha lifts the "severe" state of emergency that was imposed in Bangkok to crack down on the protesters. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal The Portuguese Parliament approves a bill that imposes the mandatory use of a mask for people over ten years of age in crowded outdoor areas if social distancing cannot be implemented, as requested by the government, as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. The measures will be in effect for 70 days. (The Star)
Second Libyan Civil War The United Nations mission for Libya announces that the warring parties in the war have agreed to a "permanent ceasefire in all areas of Libya." The UN says it is an "important turning point towards peace and stability in Libya." The Libyan National Army (LNA) of Khalifa Haftar, based in the east, had been at war with the Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli. (Al Arabiya)
The Portuguese Parliament approves a bill that imposes the mandatory use of a mask for people over ten years of age in crowded outdoor areas if social distancing cannot be implemented, as requested by the government, as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. The measures will be in effect for 70 days. (The Star)
The United Nations mission for Libya announces that the warring parties in the war have agreed to a "permanent ceasefire in all areas of Libya." The UN says it is an "important turning point towards peace and stability in Libya." The Libyan National Army (LNA) of Khalifa Haftar, based in the east, had been at war with the Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli. (Al Arabiya)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveils parts of the draft five-level system of restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, ranging from Level Zero to Level Four. The new system will come into force on November 2 if the draft is approved by Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, next week, and the application of different levels in different areas will be reviewed on a weekly basis. (ITV)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveils parts of the draft five-level system of restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, ranging from Level Zero to Level Four. The new system will come into force on November 2 if the draft is approved by Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, next week, and the application of different levels in different areas will be reviewed on a weekly basis. (ITV)
Hundreds of people protests in Naples after stricter COVID-19 measures were imposed in the city and the whole region of Campania. The protestors clashed with police, wounding seven officers with smoke bombs, burning trash bins and chanting against the President of the region, Vincenzo De Luca. Two people are arrested. (Il Fatto Quotidiano) (ITV)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Hundreds of people protests in Naples after stricter COVID-19 measures were imposed in the city and the whole region of Campania. The protestors clashed with police, wounding seven officers with smoke bombs, burning trash bins and chanting against the President of the region, Vincenzo De Luca. Two people are arrested. (Il Fatto Quotidiano) (ITV)
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveils parts of the draft five-level system of restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, ranging from Level Zero to Level Four. The new system will come into force on November 2 if the draft is approved by Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, next week, and the application of different levels in different areas will be reviewed on a weekly basis. (ITV)
The Governments of Catalonia, Euskadi, Extremadura, Asturias, Melilla, and La Rioja urge the national government to declare a state of emergency. (La Vanguardia)
The regional government of Castile and León orders a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time that will take effect tomorrow and last for two weeks. (RTVE)
After Poland reports the highest single-day record of 13,632 new infections, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces the designation of the country as a "red zone" area, which means that tomorrow it will partially close schools, with only grades one to three attending classes, restrict gatherings to five people, and restrict the operations of restaurants, cafés, and pubs to only serve take-away or delivery services. He also advises people over 70 years of age to stay home. (Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland After Poland reports the highest single-day record of 13,632 new infections, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces the designation of the country as a "red zone" area, which means that tomorrow it will partially close schools, with only grades one to three attending classes, restrict gatherings to five people, and restrict the operations of restaurants, cafés, and pubs to only serve take-away or delivery services. He also advises people over 70 years of age to stay home. (Times of India)
2020 Egyptian parliamentary election The first round of parliamentary elections starts in Egypt. The election is under criticism as most candidates are aligned with the pro-government Nation's Future Party, curbing the expectations for political change. (Al Jazeera)
The first round of parliamentary elections starts in Egypt. The election is under criticism as most candidates are aligned with the pro-government Nation's Future Party, curbing the expectations for political change. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium The Brussels regional government, headed by its minister-president Rudi Vervoort, orders sports and cultural facilities to close and imposes a curfew lasting between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time. In addition, masks once again become mandatory in public spaces, shops must close at 8:00 p.m. local time, and public gatherings of more than four people are banned. The measures will last until November 19. (The Brussels Times)
The Brussels regional government, headed by its minister-president Rudi Vervoort, orders sports and cultural facilities to close and imposes a curfew lasting between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time. In addition, masks once again become mandatory in public spaces, shops must close at 8:00 p.m. local time, and public gatherings of more than four people are banned. The measures will last until November 19. (The Brussels Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports a further record of 19,644 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, as the government considers further restrictions to contain a COVID-19 resurgence. (Al-Arabiya English)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland President Andrzej Duda tests positive for COVID-19. (DW)
Italy reports a further record of 19,644 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, as the government considers further restrictions to contain a COVID-19 resurgence. (Al-Arabiya English)
President Andrzej Duda tests positive for COVID-19. (DW)
2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election Lithuania holds the second round of parliamentary elections amidst an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round was held on October 11. (The Standard)
Lithuania holds the second round of parliamentary elections amidst an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round was held on October 11. (The Standard)
2020 British Columbia general election Premier of British Columbia John Horgan is projected to win a majority of seats for the New Democratic Party; he is the first BC NDP leader to be reelected in the province's history. (CBC) (Vancouver Sun) (CTV)
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)
Elections in Canada 2020 British Columbia general election Premier of British Columbia John Horgan is projected to win a majority of seats for the New Democratic Party; he is the first BC NDP leader to be reelected in the province's history. (CBC) (Vancouver Sun) (CTV)
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)
2020 Chilean national plebiscite A referendum to start the process to draft a new constitution is held in Chile. The referendum was one of the announcements made after the 2019–20 Chilean protests. Over 78% vote in favour of abandoning the 1980 Constitution. (France 24)
A referendum to start the process to draft a new constitution is held in Chile. The referendum was one of the announcements made after the 2019–20 Chilean protests. Over 78% vote in favour of abandoning the 1980 Constitution. (France 24)
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 Bulgaria Prime Minister Boyko Borisov tests positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
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)
Prime Minister Boyko Borisov tests positive for COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
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)
2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election Preliminary results show the opposition Homeland Union winning the most seats in parliament, thus making a change of government highly realistic. (Politico)
France–Turkey relations, aftermath of the murder of Samuel Paty Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calls on all Turks and the Muslim world to boycott France over French President Emmanuel Macron's crackdown on radical Islam in French society. Erdoğan says Muslims in France are now "subjected to a lynch campaign similar to that against Jews in Europe before World War II". The leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands condemn Erdoğan's comments and declare their support for France. (BBC News)
Preliminary results show the opposition Homeland Union winning the most seats in parliament, thus making a change of government highly realistic. (Politico)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calls on all Turks and the Muslim world to boycott France over French President Emmanuel Macron's crackdown on radical Islam in French society. Erdoğan says Muslims in France are now "subjected to a lynch campaign similar to that against Jews in Europe before World War II". The leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands condemn Erdoğan's comments and declare their support for France. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The government announces that they will impose a curfew between 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time beginning October 28 and ban Sunday shopping in order to curb the surge of COVID-19 cases. Shops that sell essential goods will have to close on weekdays at 8:00 p.m. local time and on Sundays. (Radio Prague International)
The government announces that they will impose a curfew between 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time beginning October 28 and ban Sunday shopping in order to curb the surge of COVID-19 cases. Shops that sell essential goods will have to close on weekdays at 8:00 p.m. local time and on Sundays. (Radio Prague International)
2020 Chilean national referendum 78% of the voters approve the process to draft a new Constitution, replacing the one established during the Pinochet dictatorship. (BBC News) A constituent assembly will be elected in April 2021 after 79% of the voters in the referendum chose this option to write the new Constitution. (Financial Times)
78% of the voters approve the process to draft a new Constitution, replacing the one established during the Pinochet dictatorship. (BBC News)
A constituent assembly will be elected in April 2021 after 79% of the voters in the referendum chose this option to write the new Constitution. (Financial Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports 1,240 new cases, the highest number of infections since the pandemic began in March. The country's cumulative total stands at 27,805. Of those new cases, 927 are from Sabah. (The New Straits Times) Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor will be extended until November 9. (Mashable)
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor will be extended until November 9. (Mashable)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Artsakh Defence Minister Jalal Harutyunyan is seriously wounded in an Azerbaijani drone strike on his vehicle in Nagorno-Karabakh. He is replaced by Mikael Arzumanyan until he recovers from his injuries. (Public Radio of Armenia) Azerbaijan says an Armenian missile attack on the city of Barda killed at least four civilians and injured 13 others. (Caspian News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is hospitalized at a military hospital in Algiers, days after he went into self-isolation after suspected COVID-19 cases amongst his aides. (AFP Via Yahoo! News)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports 523 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, which includes 292 people that died in hospitals and another 231 people who died in nursing homes. This is the highest number of daily fatalities since the first wave in April, as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to announce new restrictions tomorrow. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Hong Kong announces that it will reopen public beaches and increase the number of people allowed to sit together in bars to four people, and at restaurants to six people, on October 30, as part of a relaxation of social distancing measures. The city's government also said that those venues will be allowed to run on-site services until 2:00 a.m. local time. (South China Morning Post)
FIFA announces that the President Gianni Infantino tests positive for COVID-19. (BEIN Sports)
France reports 523 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, which includes 292 people that died in hospitals and another 231 people who died in nursing homes. This is the highest number of daily fatalities since the first wave in April, as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to announce new restrictions tomorrow. (Anadolu Agency)
Hong Kong announces that it will reopen public beaches and increase the number of people allowed to sit together in bars to four people, and at restaurants to six people, on October 30, as part of a relaxation of social distancing measures. The city's government also said that those venues will be allowed to run on-site services until 2:00 a.m. local time. (South China Morning Post)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports FIFA announces that the President Gianni Infantino tests positive for COVID-19. (BEIN Sports)
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is hospitalized at a military hospital in Algiers, days after he went into self-isolation after suspected COVID-19 cases amongst his aides. (AFP Via Yahoo! News)
Artsakh Defence Minister Jalal Harutyunyan is seriously wounded in an Azerbaijani drone strike on his vehicle in Nagorno-Karabakh. He is replaced by Mikael Arzumanyan until he recovers from his injuries. (Public Radio of Armenia)
2020 Tanzanian general election Tanzanians head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent John Magufuli seeks reelection as his top opposition candidate Tundu Lissu, who returned from exile after a failed assassination attempt, warns of "widespread irregularities". (Al Jazeera)
Tanzanians head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent John Magufuli seeks reelection as his top opposition candidate Tundu Lissu, who returned from exile after a failed assassination attempt, warns of "widespread irregularities". (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 France French President Emmanuel Macron announces a second nationwide lockdown from October 30, with all non-essential businesses ordered to close. Unlike the first lockdown in March, most schools and factories will remain open and care home visits will still be allowed. (BBC News)
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 South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa goes into self-quarantine after one of 35 guests at a charity event that he attended tested positive for COVID-19. (Sowetanlive)
French President Emmanuel Macron announces a second nationwide lockdown from October 30, with all non-essential businesses ordered to close. Unlike the first lockdown in March, most schools and factories will remain open and care home visits will still be allowed. (BBC News)
President Cyril Ramaphosa goes into self-quarantine after one of 35 guests at a charity event that he attended tested positive for COVID-19. (Sowetanlive)
COVID-19 vaccine Moderna says that it is preparing for the global launch of their potential vaccines, as well as taking $1.1 billion in deposits from governments. (CNBC)
