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)
The French National Assembly overwhelmingly approves new nationwide lockdown measures that were announced yesterday by President Emmanuel Macron by a vote of 399 to 27. Under the new measures, French schools will require all students aged six and over to wear face masks in the classroom. (France 24)
A former associate of Lev Parnas pleads guilty to defrauding investors in an insurance start-up that paid Rudy Giuliani for consulting work and to lying to federal regulators investigating suspected campaign finance violations. (ABC News)
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)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces more details about the second lockdown. In the rules, people will only be allowed to leave the house to buy groceries, commuting to work, medical or pressing family reasons, and for outdoor exercise for one hour per day no farther than 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from their homes. (Euronews)
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)
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called the situation a "state of sanitary emergency" in the country and announces a second nationwide lockdown from November 1 for at least six weeks, with all non-essential businesses ordered to close. Belgium is the worst affected country in Europe with more than 1,600 cases per 100,000 people. (Houston Chronicle) (The Brussels Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called the situation a "state of sanitary emergency" in the country and announces a second nationwide lockdown from November 1 for at least six weeks, with all non-essential businesses ordered to close. Belgium is the worst affected country in Europe with more than 1,600 cases per 100,000 people. (Houston Chronicle) (The Brussels Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Chamber of Deputies votes to extend the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until November 20. The present state of emergency is due to expire on November 3. (Radio Prague International)
The Chamber of Deputies votes to extend the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until November 20. The present state of emergency is due to expire on November 3. (Radio Prague International)
2020 Georgian parliamentary election Voters in Georgia head to the polls to elect the members of the country's parliament. (DW)
2020 Ivorian presidential election Ivorians head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeks a third term, while main opposition candidates Pascal Affi N'Guessan and Henri Konan Bédié say it is illegal for Ouattara to seek a third term and have boycotted the election and called for civil disobedience. (BBC News)
2020 Tanzanian general election Opposition parties say that they will not recognize the election's result, which gave incumbent President John Magufuli another term. The Chadema party calls for fresh elections. (Reuters)
Ivorians head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeks a third term, while main opposition candidates Pascal Affi N'Guessan and Henri Konan Bédié say it is illegal for Ouattara to seek a third term and have boycotted the election and called for civil disobedience. (BBC News)
Opposition parties say that they will not recognize the election's result, which gave incumbent President John Magufuli another term. The Chadema party calls for fresh elections. (Reuters)
2020 Queensland state election Incumbent Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor Party expands their majority in the election. Palaszczuk becomes the first woman to win three elections in Australian history. (ABC)
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formally requests "urgent consultations on providing security" to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid its escalating conflict with Azerbaijan in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh that has left thousands dead. Russia says it would provide "necessary" assistance to Armenia without alluding further. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portuguese government reimposes a partial lockdown from 4 November affecting the 70% of the national territory. (BBC News)
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)
Elections in Australia 2020 Queensland state election Incumbent Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor Party expands their majority in the election. Palaszczuk becomes the first woman to win three elections in Australian history. (ABC)
Incumbent Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor Party expands their majority in the election. Palaszczuk becomes the first woman to win three elections in Australian history. (ABC)
Portuguese government reimposes a partial lockdown from 4 November affecting the 70% of the national territory. (BBC News)
Voters in Georgia head to the polls to elect the members of the country's parliament. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in England Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a month-long nationwide lockdown in England. The new rules are to come into effect at midnight on November 5 and will last until December 2. However, unlike the first lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities can stay open and major sporting events will go ahead as normal. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declares a one-month partial lockdown in Athens and other major cities beginning next week. Under the rules, restaurants, bars and gyms would be closed beginning November 3. However, in contrast to the first lockdown, travel within the country will not be affected and schools and shops will remain open. In the rest of the country, masks will become mandatory and a curfew will be imposed from midnight to 5:00 a.m. local time. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a month-long nationwide lockdown in England. The new rules are to come into effect at midnight on November 5 and will last until December 2. However, unlike the first lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities can stay open and major sporting events will go ahead as normal. (BBC News) The United Kingdom surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Sky News)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a month-long nationwide lockdown in England. The new rules are to come into effect at midnight on November 5 and will last until December 2. However, unlike the first lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities can stay open and major sporting events will go ahead as normal. (BBC News)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declares a one-month partial lockdown in Athens and other major cities beginning next week. Under the rules, restaurants, bars and gyms would be closed beginning November 3. However, in contrast to the first lockdown, travel within the country will not be affected and schools and shops will remain open. In the rest of the country, masks will become mandatory and a curfew will be imposed from midnight to 5:00 a.m. local time. (Ekathimerini)
2020 Georgian parliamentary election Preliminary results see Georgia's ruling party Georgian Dream winning the country's latest parliamentary election. The announcement sparks protests throughout the country. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Moldovan presidential election Moldovans head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Igor Dodon seeks a second term against main opposition candidate and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu, who wants closer ties with the European Union. (Reuters)
Amid deteriorating relations between the two countries, French President Emmanuel Macron accuses Turkey of adopting a "bellicose stance towards its NATO allies", and that it was essential that the "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan respects France, respects the European Union, respects its values, does not tell lies and does not utter insults". He also says Turkey's military intervention in Syria was "a surprise and aggression for NATO allies", and that Turkey has "not respected" an arms embargo on Libya. (The Guardian)
France–Turkey relations Amid deteriorating relations between the two countries, French President Emmanuel Macron accuses Turkey of adopting a "bellicose stance towards its NATO allies", and that it was essential that the "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan respects France, respects the European Union, respects its values, does not tell lies and does not utter insults". He also says Turkey's military intervention in Syria was "a surprise and aggression for NATO allies", and that Turkey has "not respected" an arms embargo on Libya. (The Guardian)
Preliminary results see Georgia's ruling party Georgian Dream winning the country's latest parliamentary election. The announcement sparks protests throughout the country. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Algerian constitutional referendum Citizens of Algeria head to the polls to decide over a proposed amendmend of the country's constitution. The proposal is supported by president Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the military as a reaction to widespread protests which resulted in the resignation of long-term president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. (DW)
Citizens of Algeria head to the polls to decide over a proposed amendmend of the country's constitution. The proposal is supported by president Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the military as a reaction to widespread protests which resulted in the resignation of long-term president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces in a televised interview on TF1 that the government would introduce a ban on the sale of all 'non-essential' items in supermarkets from November 3 as part of a lockdown measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
Moldovans head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Igor Dodon seeks a second term against main opposition candidate and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu, who wants closer ties with the European Union. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Jean Castex announces in a televised interview on TF1 that the government would introduce a ban on the sale of all 'non-essential' items in supermarkets from November 3 as part of a lockdown measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
Australia records no new cases of COVID-19 for the first time since June 9, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Australia records no new cases of COVID-19 for the first time since June 9, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt. (BBC News)
Foreign relations of the Cook Islands The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, calls the threat of five nations (Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) withdrawing from the Pacific Islands Forum in case their nominee is not elected as Secretary-General as "premature" and "extreme". (RNZ)
Kashmir conflict Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announces that Gilgit-Baltistan has been granted "provisional provincial status" to mark the territory's independence day. (Hindustan Times) (Gulf News)
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announces that Gilgit-Baltistan has been granted "provisional provincial status" to mark the territory's independence day. (Hindustan Times) (Gulf News)
The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, calls the threat of five nations (Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) withdrawing from the Pacific Islands Forum in case their nominee is not elected as Secretary-General as "premature" and "extreme". (RNZ)
2020 Kabul University attack Three militants open fire at Kabul University's campus, killing 22 people and wounding 22 others. The attack began around the time government officials were expected to arrive at the campus for the opening of an Iranian book fair. The gunmen are killed during a battle with security forces. ISIL claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
2020 Moldovan presidential election Maia Sandu wins the first election round of Moldova's latest presidential election by gaining around 36% of the votes. Incumbent president Igor Dodon received over 32% and will face Sandu in the second round later in November. (DW)
Maia Sandu wins the first election round of Moldova's latest presidential election by gaining around 36% of the votes. Incumbent president Igor Dodon received over 32% and will face Sandu in the second round later in November. (DW)
Three militants open fire at Kabul University's campus, killing 22 people and wounding 22 others. The attack began around the time government officials were expected to arrive at the campus for the opening of an Iranian book fair. The gunmen are killed during a battle with security forces. ISIL claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo The government imposes a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time for all restaurants and cafés. No more than five people are allowed to socialize, and no mass events may be held. Concerts, cultural and sporting events may be held if seating is limited. In addition, elderly people are allowed out only at certain times, and masks are mandatory outdoors. (The National Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Panama President Laurentino Cortizo self-isolates after a close coworker tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
Four civilians are killed and 22 others injured after a gunman opens fire in six locations in the streets of Vienna, Austria, near the central Schwedenplatz square. The Interior Minister described it as a "terror attack". The attacker was shot dead, and is identified as an Islamic supporter who tried to join the group in Syria. (BBC News)
President Laurentino Cortizo self-isolates after a close coworker tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
The French government announces that it will ban the Turkish ultranationalist group Grey Wolves. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin describes the group as "particularly aggressive" and will be seeking its dissolution. The group has been accused of vandalizing Armenian Genocide memorials, including one in Lyon last weekend. (Al Jazeera)
The government announces that from November 21, air travellers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information through ArriveCAN before they board their flight and starting immediately, travellers that enter by land or marine modes are strongly encouraged to continue ArriveCAN by downloading the mobile app or signing in online to provide the mandatory information before they arrive. (Biospace)
The government imposes a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time for all restaurants and cafés. No more than five people are allowed to socialize, and no mass events may be held. Concerts, cultural and sporting events may be held if seating is limited. In addition, elderly people are allowed out only at certain times, and masks are mandatory outdoors. (The National Herald)
2020 Algerian constitutional referendum The proposed amendmends to the Constitution of Algeria are passed with over 66% of the votes having been cast in favour. Voting turnout however was at a record low of less than 24%. (DW)
British Columbia's deputy provincial health officer Réka Gustafson and Health Minister Adrian Dix announce a record 1,120 new cases over the weekend, which includes 352 cases from Friday to Saturday, 389 cases were reported from Saturday to Sunday, and 379 cases from Sunday to Monday. (CTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (country) Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia tests positive for COVID-19. (Agenda.ge) COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 440 new deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide death toll to 35,738. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia British Columbia's deputy provincial health officer Réka Gustafson and Health Minister Adrian Dix announce a record 1,120 new cases over the weekend, which includes 352 cases from Friday to Saturday, 389 cases were reported from Saturday to Sunday, and 379 cases from Sunday to Monday. (CTV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (country) Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia tests positive for COVID-19. (Agenda.ge)
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia tests positive for COVID-19. (Agenda.ge)
The proposed amendmends to the Constitution of Algeria are passed with over 66% of the votes having been cast in favour. Voting turnout however was at a record low of less than 24%. (DW)
2020 Ivorian presidential election Incumbent president of the Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara is declared the victor of the latest presidential election which has been boycotted by the political opposition as a third term for Ouattara was deemed unconstitutional. The election was overshadowed by deadly clashes with at least 30 casualties. (DW)
Incumbent president of the Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara is declared the victor of the latest presidential election which has been boycotted by the political opposition as a third term for Ouattara was deemed unconstitutional. The election was overshadowed by deadly clashes with at least 30 casualties. (DW)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria President Abdelmadjid Tebboune tests positive for COVID-19 but his condition is gradually improved as he receives treatment in a German hospital, according to a statement from the presidency. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maine Maine reports 127 new infections on Election Day, its single day record since the pandemic began. (The Press Herald)
Maine reports 127 new infections on Election Day, its single day record since the pandemic began. (The Press Herald)
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune tests positive for COVID-19 but his condition is gradually improved as he receives treatment in a German hospital, according to a statement from the presidency. (Bloomberg)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte announces additional restrictions, closing theatres, cinemas, museums and zoos for two weeks beginning at 10:00 p.m. local time tomorrow. He also advises people to stay at home and only go outside if necessary. In addition, the maximum amount of people who can meet outside is reduced from four to two. (Dutch News)
COVID-19 pandemic in United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm. Front-line healthcare workers in the UAE are also getting the shot as part of emergency use authorization. (Al Jazeera)
Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm. Front-line healthcare workers in the UAE are also getting the shot as part of emergency use authorization. (Al Jazeera)
Prime Minister Mark Rutte announces additional restrictions, closing theatres, cinemas, museums and zoos for two weeks beginning at 10:00 p.m. local time tomorrow. He also advises people to stay at home and only go outside if necessary. In addition, the maximum amount of people who can meet outside is reduced from four to two. (Dutch News)
The legalization of sports betting is approved by voters in Louisiana, Maryland and South Dakota. (ESPN)
