World 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Nov
17
Politics / Government

The Solomon Islands Cabinet passes a ban on the use of social media platform Facebook in the country, citing public misuse of the platform, and a need for stric

The Solomon Islands Cabinet passes a ban on the use of social media platform Facebook in the country, citing public misuse of the platform, and a need for stricter cybercrime legislation and regulation. Communications Minister Peter Shannel Agovaka says the ban does not require parliament's approval, and will be enforced once operators "establish a firewall" to block Facebook. (RNZ)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are to be placed into the highest level of

COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are to be placed into the highest level of restrictions (Level 4) for three weeks beginning at 6:00 p.m. GMT on November 20. The Level 4 status for the 11 areas will remain in effect "for a limited time". (Sky News)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are to be placed into the highest level of restrictions (Level 4) for three weeks beginning at 6:00 p.m. GMT on November 20. The Level 4 status for the 11 areas will remain in effect "for a limited time". (Sky News) The United Kingdom reports 598 new fatalities, the highest single-day total since May. (Reuters)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vows a "final and crucial" offensive after a three-day deadline to the leaders of the Tigray Region to surrender has expired

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vows a "final and crucial" offensive after a three-day deadline to the leaders of the Tigray Region to surrender has expired. Abiy also confirms that airstrikes are being carried out but defines them as "precision-led and surgical", denying claims of civilian casualties. (AP)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are to be placed into the highest level of restrictions (Level 4) for thr

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are to be placed into the highest level of restrictions (Level 4) for three weeks beginning at 6:00 p.m. GMT on November 20. The Level 4 status for the 11 areas will remain in effect "for a limited time". (Sky News)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

Iran–Saudi Arabia relations, Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir says that his country "re

Iran–Saudi Arabia relations, Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir says that his country "reserves the right to arm itself with nuclear weapons if Iran cannot be stopped from making one." (Al Jazeera)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

Tigray conflict Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vows a "final and crucial" offensive after a three-day deadline to the leaders of the Tigray Region to surre

Tigray conflict Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vows a "final and crucial" offensive after a three-day deadline to the leaders of the Tigray Region to surrender has expired. Abiy also confirms that airstrikes are being carried out but defines them as "precision-led and surgical", denying claims of civilian casualties. (AP)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

Beginning December 1, Taiwan will require almost all visitors to have negative COVID-19 tests before arriving in the country due to an increase in imported case

Beginning December 1, Taiwan will require almost all visitors to have negative COVID-19 tests before arriving in the country due to an increase in imported cases. The government will also increase the number of places where people must wear masks. (The Straits Times)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Cluster 5 Danish Agriculture Minister Mogens Jensen (politician) resigns following criticism of illegal government order to cull 15

COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Cluster 5 Danish Agriculture Minister Mogens Jensen (politician) resigns following criticism of illegal government order to cull 15-17 million minks after the discovery of a mutated version of the coronavirus at some of the country's mink farms. (Euronews)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Beginning December 1, Taiwan will require almost all visitors to have negative COVID-19 tests before arriving in the country due to

COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan Beginning December 1, Taiwan will require almost all visitors to have negative COVID-19 tests before arriving in the country due to an increase in imported cases. The government will also increase the number of places where people must wear masks. (The Straits Times)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi confirms the first case of COVID-19 in the country from a sailor who returned from

COVID-19 pandemic in Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi confirms the first case of COVID-19 in the country from a sailor who returned from Auckland, New Zealand. Malielegaoi said the sailor tested positive Wednesday night but that a second confirmation test from this morning was negative. He added that they were concerned that the man could be contagious, though he is in isolation. (RNZ)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

COVID-19 vaccine Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang to cooper

COVID-19 vaccine Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang to cooperate on the development of a safe and efficacious vaccine, as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Star) Pfizer formally ends its vaccine trial with a 95% success rate and will submit a regulatory approval "within days". (NBC News)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang to cooperate on the develo

Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang to cooperate on the development of a safe and efficacious vaccine, as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Star)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi confirms the first case of COVID-19 in the country from a sailor who returned from Auckland, New Zealand.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi confirms the first case of COVID-19 in the country from a sailor who returned from Auckland, New Zealand. Malielegaoi said the sailor tested positive Wednesday night but that a second confirmation test from this morning was negative. He added that they were concerned that the man could be contagious, though he is in isolation. (RNZ)

Nov
19
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reports a new single-day record of 534 new cases and raise its virus alert in the prefecture to the

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reports a new single-day record of 534 new cases and raise its virus alert in the prefecture to the highest of four levels for the first time since September, indicating that "infections are spreading". (Bloomberg) Japan reports a record 2,388 new cases, according to official figures. It comes as the country is on "maximum alert" and many prefectures such as Osaka, Aichi, and Hokkaido report record numbers of new cases. (The Straits Times) (Nippon.com)

Nov
19
Politics / Government

Federal troops seize the town of Shire Inda Selassie from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as government forces advance on the Tigray Region's capita

Federal troops seize the town of Shire Inda Selassie from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as government forces advance on the Tigray Region's capital Mekelle. There are conflicting reports of the status of Axum, with both sides claiming to control the town. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael says his forces will never surrender and calls on all Tigrayans, including children, to mobilize and take up arms. (BBC News) (Reuters)

Nov
19
Politics / Government

Tigray conflict Federal troops seize the town of Shire Inda Selassie from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as government forces advance on the Tigray

Tigray conflict Federal troops seize the town of Shire Inda Selassie from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as government forces advance on the Tigray Region's capital Mekelle. There are conflicting reports of the status of Axum, with both sides claiming to control the town. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael says his forces will never surrender and calls on all Tigrayans, including children, to mobilize and take up arms. (BBC News) (Reuters) Thousands of more people flee into Sudan from Ethiopia's Tigray Region, according to international aid workers. (The Guardian)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

War in Afghanistan November 2020 Afghanistan attacks A rocket attack on residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul kills at least eight people and injures 31

War in Afghanistan November 2020 Afghanistan attacks A rocket attack on residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul kills at least eight people and injures 31 others. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC News) Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Taliban and the Afghanistan government in Doha, Qatar to negotiate a peace deal. (The Columbian)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irine

COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19.

Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

2020 G20 Riyadh summit World leaders at the virtual G20 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, call for a united response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the glob

2020 G20 Riyadh summit World leaders at the virtual G20 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, call for a united response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the global economic crises and climate change. (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Russian President Vladimir Putin tells G20 leaders that his country is ready to provide their Sputnik V vaccine to other countries who need it. (Reuters)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the government will lift the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kedah

COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the government will lift the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu and Johor tomorrow but will place Kelantan under the CMCO until December 6. He also announces that foreign workers in some regions will have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 swab tests. (The Star)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the government will lift the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu and Johor

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the government will lift the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu and Johor tomorrow but will place Kelantan under the CMCO until December 6. He also announces that foreign workers in some regions will have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 swab tests. (The Star)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

The government will increase social distancing rules in the Seoul Capital Area to Level 2 and both North and South Jeolla Province to Level 1.5 beginning Novemb

The government will increase social distancing rules in the Seoul Capital Area to Level 2 and both North and South Jeolla Province to Level 1.5 beginning November 24 amidst a third wave of COVID-19 cases. In level 2, gatherings involving more than 100 people are banned, some high-risk facilities will be closed, and restaurants cannot operate dine-in services after 9:00 p.m.. Cafes and coffee shops are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery services. Also, indoor sports facilities must close at 9:00 p.m.. (Yonhap News Agency)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

Battle of Mekelle (2020) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving the group 72 hou

Battle of Mekelle (2020) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving the group 72 hours to surrender before federal forces begin a ground offensive to capture the region's capital Mekelle. The Ethiopian military says Mekelle will be "encircled" and "shown no mercy". (The Guardian)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 vaccine Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez states that Spain will begin a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination programme in January

COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 vaccine Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez states that Spain will begin a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination programme in January and expects to have vaccinated a substantial part of the population within three months. (France 24)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving the group 72 hours to surrender before fe

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving the group 72 hours to surrender before federal forces begin a ground offensive to capture the region's capital Mekelle. The Ethiopian military says Mekelle will be "encircled" and "shown no mercy". (The Guardian)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

Tigray conflict Battle of Mekelle (2020) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving

Tigray conflict Battle of Mekelle (2020) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving the group 72 hours to surrender before federal forces begin a ground offensive to capture the region's capital Mekelle. The Ethiopian military says Mekelle will be "encircled" and "shown no mercy". (The Guardian)

Nov
23
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor The government announces that it will temporarily close 28 Top Glove factories in Klang in stages to enable the Health Ministry to

COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor The government announces that it will temporarily close 28 Top Glove factories in Klang in stages to enable the Health Ministry to conduct COVID-19 screening and quarantine workers. This comes as the world's largest surgical glove maker sees an increase in infections among factory workers. (France 24)

Nov
23
Politics / Government

The government announces that it will temporarily close 28 Top Glove factories in Klang in stages to enable the Health Ministry to conduct COVID-19 screening an

The government announces that it will temporarily close 28 Top Glove factories in Klang in stages to enable the Health Ministry to conduct COVID-19 screening and quarantine workers. This comes as the world's largest surgical glove maker sees an increase in infections among factory workers. (France 24)

Nov
23
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in England Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that gyms, bars, and non-essential shops across England will be allowed to reopen when the l

COVID-19 pandemic in England Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that gyms, bars, and non-essential shops across England will be allowed to reopen when the lockdown ends on December 2. The three-tiered regional measures will return at the same time, but with tighter rules. (BBC News)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in England, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announces that the government will reduce th

COVID-19 pandemic in England, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announces that the government will reduce the length of quarantines for people who arrive in England from other countries to five days beginning December 15, if they pay for a COVID-19 test. (BBC News)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in France President Emmanuel Macron announces that the country will began to ease its strict lockdown measures beginning November 28, allowing

COVID-19 pandemic in France President Emmanuel Macron announces that the country will began to ease its strict lockdown measures beginning November 28, allowing shops to reopen with strict hygiene measures. If health conditions in the country continue to improve, France will lift its lockdown on December 15, allowing cinemas, theatres, and museums to reopen. (Euronews)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The government announces that Hong Kong will close some entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs and bathhouses from Novembe

COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The government announces that Hong Kong will close some entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs and bathhouses from November 26 to December 2. In addition, a maximum of ten tables will be allowed in restaurants, with four people per table. These measures come as Hong Kong reports 80 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since August. (South China Morning Post)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The government announces that they will exclude Osaka and Sapporo from the "Go

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The government announces that they will exclude Osaka and Sapporo from the "Go To Travel" domestic travel subsidy campaign for three weeks due to a rise of COVID-19 cases in the two cities. (Kyodo News)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Transport Secretary Grant Shapps anno

COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announces that the government will reduce the length of quarantines for people who arrive in England from other countries to five days beginning December 15, if they pay for a COVID-19 test. (BBC News)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

President Emmanuel Macron announces that the country will began to ease its strict lockdown measures beginning November 28, allowing shops to reopen with strict

President Emmanuel Macron announces that the country will began to ease its strict lockdown measures beginning November 28, allowing shops to reopen with strict hygiene measures. If health conditions in the country continue to improve, France will lift its lockdown on December 15, allowing cinemas, theatres, and museums to reopen. (Euronews)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

The government announces that Hong Kong will close some entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs and bathhouses from November 26 to December 2.

The government announces that Hong Kong will close some entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs and bathhouses from November 26 to December 2. In addition, a maximum of ten tables will be allowed in restaurants, with four people per table. These measures come as Hong Kong reports 80 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since August. (South China Morning Post)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

The Tigray People's Liberation Front forces claim that they have destroyed an Ethiopian National Defense Force division.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front forces claim that they have destroyed an Ethiopian National Defense Force division. The Ethiopian government denies this and claims that many Tigrayan fighters are surrendering as the 72-hour ultimatum previously issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is approaching its end and a military build-up is growing around the region's capital, Mekelle. (Reuters)

Nov
24
Politics / Government

Tigray conflict The Tigray People's Liberation Front forces claim that they have destroyed an Ethiopian National Defense Force division.

Tigray conflict The Tigray People's Liberation Front forces claim that they have destroyed an Ethiopian National Defense Force division. The Ethiopian government denies this and claims that many Tigrayan fighters are surrendering as the 72-hour ultimatum previously issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is approaching its end and a military build-up is growing around the region's capital, Mekelle. (Reuters)

Nov
25
Politics / Government

Avian influenza Poland's local veterinary authorities states that they will cull 930,000 hens in a farm in western Poland due to an H5N8 bird flu outbreak in th

Avian influenza Poland's local veterinary authorities states that they will cull 930,000 hens in a farm in western Poland due to an H5N8 bird flu outbreak in the village of Wroniawy which was discovered yesterday. (NDTV) Japan detects a new case of what is believed to be a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza at a poultry farm in Fukuoka Prefecture. This is the first confirmed case outside of Kagawa Prefecture. As a result, the prefectural government will cull 93,500 chickens at a farm in Munakata to prevent the spread of the infection. (The Straits Times)

Nov
25
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announces that establishments that serve alcohol and karaoke parlors in the capital will be asked to clos

COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announces that establishments that serve alcohol and karaoke parlors in the capital will be asked to close at 10:00 p.m. local time between November 28 and December 17 as part of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will provide ¥400,000 in financial compensation to each business that complies with the voluntary request. (The Japan Times)

Nov
25
Politics / Government

Japan detects a new case of what is believed to be a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza at a poultry farm in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Japan detects a new case of what is believed to be a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza at a poultry farm in Fukuoka Prefecture. This is the first confirmed case outside of Kagawa Prefecture. As a result, the prefectural government will cull 93,500 chickens at a farm in Munakata to prevent the spread of the infection. (The Straits Times)

Nov
25
Politics / Government

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announces that establishments that serve alcohol and karaoke parlors in the capital will be asked to close at 10:00 p.m.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announces that establishments that serve alcohol and karaoke parlors in the capital will be asked to close at 10:00 p.m. local time between November 28 and December 17 as part of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will provide ¥400,000 in financial compensation to each business that complies with the voluntary request. (The Japan Times)

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