Russian President Vladimir Putin approves the construction of a new Russian Navy facility in Sudan. The naval base will be built near Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, and will hold up to 300 military and civilian personnel. (Reuters)
Alberta reports a record 91 new fatalities in the last 24 hours. (Airdrie Today)
An LP gas truck explodes on Federal Highway 15D in Nayarit, Mexico, killing at least 14 people. Most of the victims died inside their vehicles. (The Independent) (El Universal)
Buryatia becomes the first Russian republic to return to a lockdown, as it closes restaurants, shopping malls, and other places of public gathering for two weeks. (The Moscow Times)
Capital punishment in Iraq Iraq hangs 21 convicted terrorists and murderers at the Nasiriyah Central Prison in Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar Governorate. The interior ministry did not provide details of the crimes of those executed but stated they were all convicted under a 2005 counter-terrorism law. (DW)
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Patterson announces that Nunavut will close all non-essential services, businesses and organizations, as well as schools and daycare centres for two weeks beginning November 18, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the territory. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta reports a record 91 new fatalities in the last 24 hours. (Airdrie Today)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 13,053 new cases and 486 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East to 775,121 and the nationwide death toll to 41,979. (Al Arabiya) COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announces a temporary ban on political rallies and gatherings of more than 300 people in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan. (Deccan Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation Korean Air announces that it will acquire Asiana Airlines for 1.8 trillion KRW (US$1.6 billion) to help the South Korean airline industry continue to grow amid uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia The Northern Territory, Queensland, and Tasmania announce that their borders with South Australia are indefinitely closed, as the state's second wave reaches 17 cases. (News.com.au)
COVID-19 pandemic in California Governor Gavin Newsom announces that he has pulled an "emergency brake", which means that starting the following day, California will implement more closures and stricter restrictions, which will cover 41 counties containing 94% of the state's population. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta Alberta reports a record 91 new fatalities in the last 24 hours. (Airdrie Today) COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Patterson announces that Nunavut will close all non-essential services, businesses and organizations, as well as schools and daycare centres for two weeks beginning November 18, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the territory. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The number of hospitalized patients in France reaches an all-time high of 33,497. (Le Figaro)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 13,053 new cases and 486 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East to 775,121 and the nationwide death toll to 41,979. (Al Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan Michigan surpasses 8,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (MLive.com)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico New Mexico begins its two-week lockdown announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on November 13 in an attempt to curb COVID-19 infections. Under the latest public health order, people are being asked to stay at home, and only essential businesses will remain open. (KOB-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Patterson announces that Nunavut will close all non-essential services, businesses and organizations, as well as schools and daycare centres for two weeks beginning November 18, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the territory. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announces a temporary ban on political rallies and gatherings of more than 300 people in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan. (Deccan Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia Philadelphia bans nearly all indoor gatherings, both public and private, between November 20 and January 1 as part of new restrictions in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases. In addition, high schools will be reverted to remote learning, restaurants will only be allowed to have takeaway or delivery, and businesses like movie theaters, arcades, and bowling alleys are ordered closed again. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia Philadelphia bans nearly all indoor gatherings, both public and private, between November 20 and January 1 as part of new restrictions in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases. In addition, high schools will be reverted to remote learning, restaurants will only be allowed to have takeaway or delivery, and businesses like movie theaters, arcades, and bowling alleys are ordered closed again. (NPR)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports a record 91 new fatalities, bringing the nationwide death toll to 3,472. (Portugal Resident)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 22,778 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 1.95 million. (Anadolu Agency) Buryatia becomes the first Russian republic to return to a lockdown, as it closes restaurants, shopping malls, and other places of public gathering for two weeks. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation Korean Air announces that it will acquire Asiana Airlines for 1.8 trillion KRW (US$1.6 billion) to help the South Korean airline industry continue to grow amid uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Korea Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces a ban on public gatherings of more than eight people beginning November 24, as part of measures aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Sweden. (RTE)
COVID-19 pandemic in Texas Texas surpasses 20,000 total confirmed deaths from COVID-19 and becomes the state with the second-highest number of reported deaths in the United States, behind only New York. (ABC News)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation Korean Air announces that it will acquire Asiana Airlines for 1.8 trillion KRW (US$1.6 billion) to help the South Korean airline industry continue to grow amid uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Korea Herald)
Iran reports a record 13,053 new cases and 486 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East to 775,121 and the nationwide death toll to 41,979. (Al Arabiya)
Iraq hangs 21 convicted terrorists and murderers at the Nasiriyah Central Prison in Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar Governorate. The interior ministry did not provide details of the crimes of those executed but stated they were all convicted under a 2005 counter-terrorism law. (DW)
Korean Air announces that it will acquire Asiana Airlines for 1.8 trillion KRW (US$1.6 billion) to help the South Korean airline industry continue to grow amid uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Korea Herald)
List of explosions An LP gas truck explodes on Federal Highway 15D in Nayarit, Mexico, killing at least 14 people. Most of the victims died inside their vehicles. (The Independent) (El Universal)
Michigan surpasses 8,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (MLive.com)
New Mexico begins its two-week lockdown announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on November 13 in an attempt to curb COVID-19 infections. Under the latest public health order, people are being asked to stay at home, and only essential businesses will remain open. (KOB-TV)
Philadelphia bans nearly all indoor gatherings, both public and private, between November 20 and January 1 as part of new restrictions in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases. In addition, high schools will be reverted to remote learning, restaurants will only be allowed to have takeaway or delivery, and businesses like movie theaters, arcades, and bowling alleys are ordered closed again. (NPR)
Portugal reports a record 91 new fatalities, bringing the nationwide death toll to 3,472. (Portugal Resident)
Prime Minister Imran Khan announces a temporary ban on political rallies and gatherings of more than 300 people in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan. (Deccan Herald)
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces a ban on public gatherings of more than eight people beginning November 24, as part of measures aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Sweden. (RTE)
Russia reports a record 22,778 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 1.95 million. (Anadolu Agency)
The number of hospitalized patients in France reaches an all-time high of 33,497. (Le Figaro)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war The Grand National Assembly of Turkey approves President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's request to deploy Turkish Army peacekeepers to monitor a ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. (France 24) Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange the bodies of at least 200 people killed in clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh. The exchange was overseen by Russian peacekeepers, according to the Red Cross. (Al Jazeera)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on European leaders to impose sanctions on supporters of President Alexander Lukashenko after police used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse protesters. (Reuters)
Censorship of Facebook 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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark Cluster 5 The Minority government of Denmark, held by Social Democrats, agrees with four left-leaning and center parties to support a law proposal that would allow for the culling of 15 million minks across the country over concerns about a mutated version of the virus that has spread among the animals. The proposed law also bans mink farming until the end of next year. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea The government will increase social distancing rules in the Seoul Capital Area to Level 1.5 amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases. The new protocols will be enforced for Seoul and Gyeonggi Province beginning November 19, as well as in Incheon beginning November 23. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces the closure of schools for the remainder of the semester and introduces a nationwide weekend curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. local time. Restrictions for senior citizens over 65 years of age will also be expanded to include people under 20 years of age, allowing them to go outside only from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.. The new restrictions also order the closure of coffeehouses and cinemas, and for all sports events to be held without fans. (Daily Sabah)
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces the closure of schools for the remainder of the semester and introduces a nationwide weekend curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. local time. Restrictions for senior citizens over 65 years of age will also be expanded to include people under 20 years of age, allowing them to go outside only from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.. The new restrictions also order the closure of coffeehouses and cinemas, and for all sports events to be held without fans. (Daily Sabah)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel engine cars by 2030, as part of a government plan to reach a net zero emissions climate target in the United Kingdom by 2050. The sale of hybrid vehicles will also be banned by 2035. (Reuters)
The government will increase social distancing rules in the Seoul Capital Area to Level 1.5 amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases. The new protocols will be enforced for Seoul and Gyeonggi Province beginning November 19, as well as in Incheon beginning November 23. (Yonhap News Agency)
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey approves President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's request to deploy Turkish Army peacekeepers to monitor a ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. (France 24)
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)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency The bodies of 29 people are found in the Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo after they were "executed en masse". The interior ministry of North Kivu province has blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and added that six other civilians were killed in a nearby village on Tuesday. (Al Jazeera)
Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange the bodies of at least 200 people killed in clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh. The exchange was overseen by Russian peacekeepers, according to the Red Cross. (Al Jazeera)
British Columbia reports a record 717 new cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial death toll to 310 and the total number of cases to 23,661. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia British Columbia reports a record 717 new cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial death toll to 310 and the total number of cases to 23,661. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria The number of total confirmed cases in Bulgaria surpasses 100,000, as the country sets a new record for daily deaths, with 152 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. (Coronavirus.bg)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reported 45,422 new cases in the last 24 hours, surpassing two million total confirmed COVID-19 cases. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho Idaho reports 1,781 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single day record. (KIFI-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran reports a record 13,352 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cumulative total to 788,473 cases. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy reports 731 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since April 3, bringing the nationwide death toll to 46,464. (Corriere della Sera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese economy grew at annualized rate of 21.4% in July-September quarter after two consecutive quarters of contraction due to the pandemic, driven by rise of private spending and exports. (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan reports a record 6,454 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cumulative total to 155,993 cases. (Roya News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Maine Maine reports 246 new cases of COVID-19, a new single-day record. (WGME-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico New Mexico reports a record 2,112 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 67,559 cases. (Santa Fe Reporter)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio Ohio Governor Mike DeWine orders a night time curfew from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. EST in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. The curfew will begin on November 19 and will last for three weeks. (WDIV-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine announces that out-of-state travelers will be required to either quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test to enter the state. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 442 new fatalities and 22,055 recoveries over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 33,931 and nationwide recoveries to 1.47 million. (Anadolu Agency)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain reports 435 new fatalities, the highest daily increase in the second wave of the pandemic, bringing the death toll in the country to 41,688. (CNA)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Wisconsin reports a record 92 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 2,741. In addition, a record 318 hospitalizations are also reported. (WBAY-TV)
Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japanese economy grew at annualized rate of 21.4% in July-September quarter after two consecutive quarters of contraction due to the pandemic, driven by rise of private spending and exports. (AP)
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)
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)
France reported 45,422 new cases in the last 24 hours, surpassing two million total confirmed COVID-19 cases. (France 24)
Health Secretary Rachel Levine announces that out-of-state travelers will be required to either quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test to enter the state. (CBS News)
