Scientists determine that white mountains previously discovered on Pluto during New Horizons' flyby owe their color to methane frost directly condensed from the atmosphere, rather than snow. (NPR)
The number of daily cases in the Netherlands surges by 7,393, which is new record high for a single day. (CGTN)
The number of recoveries in Indonesia surges by a record 4,777 in the last 24 hours, increasing the overall total to 263,296 recoveries. The country also conducted a record 50,418 tests in a single day. (detikHealth)
The U.S.-led Artemis Accords are signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. According to NASA, the Accords aim to establish norms of behavior between countries regarding lunar resource extraction and exploration, outline "safety zones" on the lunar surface where other countries should not interfere, and protect heritage sites on the lunar surface such as the Apollo landing sites. Successive signatories since then have been announced. (Reuters) (The Verge)
Thousands of protesters from various organizations, including alumni of PA 212 and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), hold "Action 1310" to protest against the Job Creation Law in Jakarta. (Nusadaily.com)
TransJakarta temporarily suspends its operational services in all areas due to demonstrations taking place in the capital against the controversial omnibus law. (CNN Indonesia)
Spillover of the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Twenty civilians are killed after Islamic State militants and the allied terror group Ansar al-Sunna attack a village in Mtwara, Tanzania. Properties are damaged, forcing scores of people to abandon their homes. (Anadolu Agency)
Twenty civilians are killed after Islamic State militants and the allied terror group Ansar al-Sunna attack a village in Mtwara, Tanzania. Properties are damaged, forcing scores of people to abandon their homes. (Anadolu Agency)
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 Poland Poland reports a record 6,526 new infections and 116 deaths in a single day, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic, as doctors warn that the healthcare system in the country is becoming overloaded. (Reuters)
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)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland The government announces a nationwide ban on visits to homes or gardens in almost all circumstances, except for providing care to children or elderly and vulnerable people. It also announces that Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal, which border Northern Ireland, will move to Level 4 restrictions between midnight tomorrow until November 10, which means that non-essential retail stores will close and that all non-essential workers will work from home. (The Irish Times)
Former chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has been released by India. She was detained on 5 August last year, when the government stripped the region of its partial autonomy. She was in house arrest under a controversial law that allows detention without charge for up to two years. (BBC News)
Indonesian Omnibus Law on Job Creation People's Representative Council has submitted the final draft of Job Creation Law, which contains 812 pages after many revisions to President Joko Widodo, which represented by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno. (Kompas)
Kashmir conflict, Kashmir lockdown Former chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has been released by India. She was detained on 5 August last year, when the government stripped the region of its partial autonomy. She was in house arrest under a controversial law that allows detention without charge for up to two years. (BBC News)
People's Representative Council has submitted the final draft of Job Creation Law, which contains 812 pages after many revisions to President Joko Widodo, which represented by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno. (Kompas)
Poland reports a record 6,526 new infections and 116 deaths in a single day, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic, as doctors warn that the healthcare system in the country is becoming overloaded. (Reuters)
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)
Yemeni Civil War The Trump administration announces that they have secured the release of Mikael Gidada and Sandra Loli, two Americans that have been held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen for 16 months. (The New York Times) A Houthi spokesman says 240 of their fighters have been released. In September, the United Nations announced a swap of "1081 conflict-related prisoners". (AP via Star Tribune)
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)
2020 Pacific typhoon season Tropical Storm Linfa Member of Vietnamese National Assembly Major General Deputy commander of the 4th Military Region of Vietnam People's Army Nguyễn Văn Man is confirmed to be missing. He was among the rescue troops dispatched to the mountainous area of Phong Điền District, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Linfa. (VnExpress)
A Houthi spokesman says 240 of their fighters have been released. In September, the United Nations announced a swap of "1081 conflict-related prisoners". (AP via Star Tribune)
Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne both test positive for COVID-19. (ESPN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Iran announces temporary travel restrictions on Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia, which includes banning travel to and from the five major cities in the country. It comes after Iran reports single-day records in both deaths and new infections, with 279 deaths and 4,830 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. (France 24) COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Iraq surpasses 10,000 COVID-19 deaths. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia Croatia reports 748 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest number in a single day since the pandemic began. (Total Croatia News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports 5,132 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest number of reported cases in a single day since April 5, according to official figures from the Robert Koch Institute. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Iran announces temporary travel restrictions on Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia, which includes banning travel to and from the five major cities in the country. It comes after Iran reports single-day records in both deaths and new infections, with 279 deaths and 4,830 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq Iraq surpasses 10,000 COVID-19 deaths. (Al-Arabiya)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy registers 7,332 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record for a single day since the pandemic began and surpassing the previous record of 6,557 cases that reported in March, when the country was still in lockdown. (National Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster announces a "circuit breaker" lockdown in Northern Ireland effective October 16. Pubs and restaurants will have to shut down for four weeks unless they offer a takeaway service, and schools will close for two weeks until November 2. Meanwhile, places of worship, shops, and gyms can stay open. (BBC News) (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports 2,072 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 91,193 confirmed cases. (DGS) Prime Minister António Costa announces the reinstatement of the "state of calamity" effective at midnight tonight. Gatherings will be limited to five people. Weddings and baptisms can be attended by a maximum of 50, but university parties will be banned. Fines for businesses not complying with the rules will be doubled from an upper limit of 5,000 to 10,000 euros. (Politico)
COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic in Liechtenstein Switzerland reports 2,823 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest record number in a single day since the pandemic began, thus taking the total to 68,704 confirmed cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. (Financial Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster announces a "circuit breaker" lockdown in Northern Ireland effective October 16. Pubs and restaurants will have to shut down for four weeks unless they offer a takeaway service, and schools will close for two weeks until November 2. Meanwhile, places of worship, shops, and gyms can stay open. (BBC News) (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela, COVID-19 vaccine Venezuela is expected to start clinical trials for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (TASS)
Croatia reports 748 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest number in a single day since the pandemic began. (Total Croatia News)
First Minister Arlene Foster announces a "circuit breaker" lockdown in Northern Ireland effective October 16. Pubs and restaurants will have to shut down for four weeks unless they offer a takeaway service, and schools will close for two weeks until November 2. Meanwhile, places of worship, shops, and gyms can stay open. (BBC News) (Sky News)
Germany reports 5,132 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest number of reported cases in a single day since April 5, according to official figures from the Robert Koch Institute. (Anadolu Agency)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 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) Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne both test positive for COVID-19. (ESPN)
Iran announces temporary travel restrictions on Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia, which includes banning travel to and from the five major cities in the country. It comes after Iran reports single-day records in both deaths and new infections, with 279 deaths and 4,830 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. (France 24)
It is announced that Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager charged for killing two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will not face gun charges in Illinois. (The Patriot-News)
Italy registers 7,332 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record for a single day since the pandemic began and surpassing the previous record of 6,557 cases that reported in March, when the country was still in lockdown. (National Post)
Kenosha unrest It is announced that Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager charged for killing two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will not face gun charges in Illinois. (The Patriot-News)
Member of Vietnamese National Assembly Major General Deputy commander of the 4th Military Region of Vietnam People's Army Nguyễn Văn Man is confirmed to be missing. He was among the rescue troops dispatched to the mountainous area of Phong Điền District, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Linfa. (VnExpress)
Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic YouTube announces that it will ban misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines as an effort to expand its policy surrounding misinformation about COVID-19. (The Hill)
Portugal reports 2,072 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 91,193 confirmed cases. (DGS)
Prime Minister António Costa announces the reinstatement of the "state of calamity" effective at midnight tonight. Gatherings will be limited to five people. Weddings and baptisms can be attended by a maximum of 50, but university parties will be banned. Fines for businesses not complying with the rules will be doubled from an upper limit of 5,000 to 10,000 euros. (Politico)
Switzerland reports 2,823 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest record number in a single day since the pandemic began, thus taking the total to 68,704 confirmed cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. (Financial Post)
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)
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)
Tropical Storm Linfa Member of Vietnamese National Assembly Major General Deputy commander of the 4th Military Region of Vietnam People's Army Nguyễn Văn Man is confirmed to be missing. He was among the rescue troops dispatched to the mountainous area of Phong Điền District, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Linfa. (VnExpress)
Twitter and Facebook announce they are limiting the distribution of the article until it is fact-checked. (CNET) (RealClearPolitics)
Venezuela is expected to start clinical trials for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (TASS)
YouTube announces that it will ban misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines as an effort to expand its policy surrounding misinformation about COVID-19. (The Hill)
2020 Kyrgyzstan protests President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigns following ten days of unrest and protests in response to the parliamentary election. (Reuters)
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigns following ten days of unrest and protests in response to the parliamentary election. (Reuters)
Immigrant investor programs President of the Parliament of Cyprus Demetris Syllouris resigns after being allegedly implicated in a case of sale of passports to investors with criminal records, who do not meet the necessary criteria to be able to move freely within the European Union. (Cyprus-Mail)
President of the Parliament of Cyprus Demetris Syllouris resigns after being allegedly implicated in a case of sale of passports to investors with criminal records, who do not meet the necessary criteria to be able to move freely within the European Union. (Cyprus-Mail)
2020 Thai protests The government issues an emergency decree following yesterday's generally peaceful protests and counter-protests, effective Thursday at 4:00 a.m. local time (Wednesday 21:00 UTC) that bans gatherings of five or more people and forbids the publication of news or online messages that "could harm national security." Two leaders of the anti-government protests, Anon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok, are arrested after the emergency decree became effective. (BBC News)
A court in Bangladesh sentences five men to death for the gang rape of a girl in 2012. The verdict comes amidst public outcry regarding growing sexual violence. It was the first conviction since the government this week introduced the death penalty for rape. (Al Jazeera)
After new cases reaches a record 8,099 cases in a single day, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces new restrictions in Warsaw and other major cities that considered a "red" zone from October 17. All secondary schools in those areas will be closed, restaurants will close at 9 p.m. local time, weddings will be banned and there will be stricter limits on the numbers of people allowed in shops and on public transport and at religious services. (Daily Sabah)
Capital punishment in Bangladesh A court in Bangladesh sentences five men to death for the gang rape of a girl in 2012. The verdict comes amidst public outcry regarding growing sexual violence. It was the first conviction since the government this week introduced the death penalty for rape. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in France The French police have raided the homes of senior government and health officials such as Health Minister Olivier Véran and the director of the national health agency, Jérôme Salomon, as part of an investigation into their handling of the pandemic in the country. It comes after a court launched an inquiry earlier this year. Prime Minister Jean Castex is also under investigation, according to French media. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece The Greek government places the northern regional unit of Kozani on lockdown, as the region is declared an "increased threat." The measure, applicable until October 29, implies the use of masks at all sites; the prohibition of meetings in public and private spaces; the ban to travel outside the region; and the closure of restaurants, gyms, museums, courts, and shops, and the suspension of festivals. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland After new cases reaches a record 8,099 cases in a single day, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces new restrictions in Warsaw and other major cities that considered a "red" zone from October 17. All secondary schools in those areas will be closed, restaurants will close at 9 p.m. local time, weddings will be banned and there will be stricter limits on the numbers of people allowed in shops and on public transport and at religious services. (Daily Sabah)
Mexican Drug War Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, Mexico's minister of defence during the Peña Nieto administration, is arrested in the United States on drugs charges. (BBC News)
Netherlands–Russia relations The Dutch government urges Russia to return to negotiation tables after the country withdrew from talks on liability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. (Reuters)
The Dutch government urges Russia to return to negotiation tables after the country withdrew from talks on liability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. (Reuters)
The French police have raided the homes of senior government and health officials such as Health Minister Olivier Véran and the director of the national health agency, Jérôme Salomon, as part of an investigation into their handling of the pandemic in the country. It comes after a court launched an inquiry earlier this year. Prime Minister Jean Castex is also under investigation, according to French media. (BBC News)
The government issues an emergency decree following yesterday's generally peaceful protests and counter-protests, effective Thursday at 4:00 a.m. local time (Wednesday 21:00 UTC) that bans gatherings of five or more people and forbids the publication of news or online messages that "could harm national security." Two leaders of the anti-government protests, Anon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok, are arrested after the emergency decree became effective. (BBC News)
The Greek government places the northern regional unit of Kozani on lockdown, as the region is declared an "increased threat." The measure, applicable until October 29, implies the use of masks at all sites; the prohibition of meetings in public and private spaces; the ban to travel outside the region; and the closure of restaurants, gyms, museums, courts, and shops, and the suspension of festivals. (Ekathimerini)
2020 in paleontology Researchers announce the fossil discoveries of Triassic drepanosaur Skybalonyx skapter at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. (Los Angeles Times) A boy discovers a fossilized hadrosaur skeleton at the Horseshoe Canyon in Alberta, Canada, dating back 69 million years. (BBC News) (Global News)
