A boy discovers a fossilized hadrosaur skeleton at the Horseshoe Canyon in Alberta, Canada, dating back 69 million years. (BBC News) (Global News)
Campania announces that it will shut down schools until the end of this month, in an effort to curb an increase of COVID-19 cases in the region. (Reuters)
Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes, entertainment parks, educational institution and swimming pools outside containment zones reopened in several states across India as part of measures allowing more activities in the country. (Firstpost)
COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia Croatia reports 793 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the second day in a row. (Total Croatia News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Cyprus reports a record of 104 cases in the past 24 hours, surpassing 100 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. (Cyprus-Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID-19 tier regulations in England Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that London, Essex, York, and other areas will be put under tier 2 restrictions on October 17, which means that different households will be banned from mixing indoors, including inside homes, pubs, and restaurants, and people will also be told to avoid public transport and non-essential travel. (BBC News) (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in France France reports a record 30,621 new infections in a single day as the cumulative number of cases surpasses 800,000. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany The number of new cases in Germany surges by 6,638 in the last 24 hours, according to official data from the Robert Koch Institute, a new record not seen since the pandemic began, which previously reported 6,294 cases on March 28. (RFI)
COVID-19 pandemic in India Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes, entertainment parks, educational institution and swimming pools outside containment zones reopened in several states across India as part of measures allowing more activities in the country. (Firstpost)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a single day record of 5,810 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide total of recoveries to 273,661. From that number, 2,223 new recoveries came from Central Java. (detikNews)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy registers 8,804 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry, a new record for the second consecutive day since the start of the outbreak in the country. (Daily Sabah) Campania announces that it will shut down schools until the end of this month, in an effort to curb an increase of COVID-19 cases in the region. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia reports 409 new recoveries in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number in a single day since the outbreak began, bringing the total number of recoveries to 12,014. according to Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah. (New Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports 2,101 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 93,294 confirmed cases. (DGS)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Slovenia reports an all-time high of 745 cases in the past day. Cumulative numbers pass 10,000 cases. (RTVSLO)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic reports a record 9,544 new cases in the last 24 hours, its highest single day tally since the pandemic began, according to data from the Health Ministry. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID-19 tier regulations in England Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that London, Essex, York, and other areas will be put under tier 2 restrictions on October 17, which means that different households will be banned from mixing indoors, including inside homes, pubs, and restaurants, and people will also be told to avoid public transport and non-essential travel. (BBC News) (ABC Australia)
Croatia reports 793 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the second day in a row. (Total Croatia News)
Cyprus reports a record of 104 cases in the past 24 hours, surpassing 100 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. (Cyprus-Mail)
France reports a record 30,621 new infections in a single day as the cumulative number of cases surpasses 800,000. (The Hill)
Hawaii is expected to reopen tourism to the public and lift the statewide mandatory quarantine for travellers who test negative. However, visitors will be required to wear masks and go through temperature screenings. (CNN) (TravelPulse.com)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that London, Essex, York, and other areas will be put under tier 2 restrictions on October 17, which means that different households will be banned from mixing indoors, including inside homes, pubs, and restaurants, and people will also be told to avoid public transport and non-essential travel. (BBC News) (ABC Australia)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaii is expected to reopen tourism to the public and lift the statewide mandatory quarantine for travellers who test negative. However, visitors will be required to wear masks and go through temperature screenings. (CNN) (TravelPulse.com)
Indonesia reports a single day record of 5,810 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide total of recoveries to 273,661. From that number, 2,223 new recoveries came from Central Java. (detikNews)
Italy registers 8,804 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry, a new record for the second consecutive day since the start of the outbreak in the country. (Daily Sabah)
Malaysia reports 409 new recoveries in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number in a single day since the outbreak began, bringing the total number of recoveries to 12,014. according to Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah. (New Straits Times)
Portugal reports 2,101 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 93,294 confirmed cases. (DGS)
Researchers announce the fossil discoveries of Triassic drepanosaur Skybalonyx skapter at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. (Los Angeles Times)
Slovenia reports an all-time high of 745 cases in the past day. Cumulative numbers pass 10,000 cases. (RTVSLO)
The Czech Republic reports a record 9,544 new cases in the last 24 hours, its highest single day tally since the pandemic began, according to data from the Health Ministry. (Arab News)
The number of new cases in Germany surges by 6,638 in the last 24 hours, according to official data from the Robert Koch Institute, a new record not seen since the pandemic began, which previously reported 6,294 cases on March 28. (RFI)
A history teacher is stabbed and decapitated near a school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Île-de-France, France. The killer is shot dead by police. The anti-terrorism prosecutor investigates the murder, which is described by President Emmanuel Macron as an "Islamist attack". The victim is believed to have shown caricatures of Islam's prophet Muhammad to his students during a lesson. (The Independent) (CNN)
Alleged Libyan financing in the 2007 French presidential election Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is charged with conspiracy for accepting Libyan money during the 2007 election. (BBC News)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is charged with conspiracy for accepting Libyan money during the 2007 election. (BBC News)
Gunmen attack a military base in Kindia, Guinea, about 85 km (53 mi) outside of the capital Conakry, killing the camp's commander, according to a statement released by the defence ministry. A prison in the city is also attacked, wounding an official and allowing several inmates to escape. The attacks come two days before the general elections. (Reuters)
Murder of Samuel Paty A history teacher is stabbed and decapitated near a school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Île-de-France, France. The killer is shot dead by police. The anti-terrorism prosecutor investigates the murder, which is described by President Emmanuel Macron as an "Islamist attack". The victim is believed to have shown caricatures of Islam's prophet Muhammad to his students during a lesson. (The Independent) (CNN)
War in Afghanistan Afghan peace process The Taliban says that it plans to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan if the United States promises to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement signed in February. (San Francisco Chronicle) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien says that the Trump administration plans to lower the troop level in Afghanistan by early 2021. (CNBC)
An attack left at least 7 soldiers and 7 security guards dead in Balochistan, Pakistan. (Dawn)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium The federal government closes all bars and restaurants for four weeks, imposes a nationwide curfew between midnight and 5:00 a.m. local time, bans alcohol sales after 8:00 p.m. local time, sets telework as a rule, and reduces people's "social bubble", their number of close social contacts outside a household, to one in an attempt to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. The new measures is set to take effect on October 19. (Le Soir) (AP)
COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois Illinois reports a record 4,553 new cases in a single day for the second consecutive days as Governor J.B. Pritzker said a third of the state has reached a “warning level” and the positivity rate rises above 5% the first time since early June. (Chicago Sun Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns The government agrees to ease a month-long second nationwide lockdown on October 18, after a significant decline in the number of new cases. On that day, people will be permitted to go more than one kilometer from their homes for non-essential purposes, nurseries will reopen, and restaurants will be able to serve takeaway food. (BBC News)
Illinois reports a record 4,553 new cases in a single day for the second consecutive days as Governor J.B. Pritzker said a third of the state has reached a “warning level” and the positivity rate rises above 5% the first time since early June. (Chicago Sun Times)
Insurgency in Balochistan An attack left at least 7 soldiers and 7 security guards dead in Balochistan, Pakistan. (Dawn)
Pfizer says that it will not seek emergency approval for its COVID-19 vaccine until after the upcoming election. (Politico)
The federal government closes all bars and restaurants for four weeks, imposes a nationwide curfew between midnight and 5:00 a.m. local time, bans alcohol sales after 8:00 p.m. local time, sets telework as a rule, and reduces people's "social bubble", their number of close social contacts outside a household, to one in an attempt to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. The new measures is set to take effect on October 19. (Le Soir) (AP)
The government agrees to ease a month-long second nationwide lockdown on October 18, after a significant decline in the number of new cases. On that day, people will be permitted to go more than one kilometer from their homes for non-essential purposes, nurseries will reopen, and restaurants will be able to serve takeaway food. (BBC News)
2020 Belarusian protests Belarus says that it was seeking the arrest of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for jeopardizing national security. Nikolai Karpenkov proceeded to threaten the use of firearms against protesters. (Reuters)
2020 Colorado wildfires The Cameron Peak Fire grows into 167,153 acres and becomes the largest wildfire this year in Colorado, surpassing the Pine Gulch Fire. (The Hill)
2020 Thai protests Two activists in Thailand are arrested on charges of attempting violence against the Queen. Bunkueanun "Francis" Paothong and Ekachai Hongkangwan are set to be charged under Section 110 of Thailand's criminal code and could result in a possible life sentence. (CNN)
A 59-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple over opposition to the city's mitigation measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP) (The Wichita Eagle)
A Berlin court suspends an order to close bars and restaurants between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time in an attempt to tackle surging numbers of COVID-19 in the city as the court considers it disproportionate in the view of other measures taken to fight the pandemic. (TheJournal.ie)
A bomb kills at least 6 soldiers in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. (Dawn)
Andorra becomes the 190th member of the International Monetary Fund. (Reuters)
Azerbaijan announces that it will suspend secondary school classes and the use of Baku's metro system between October 19 and November 2 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. (National Post)
Belarus says that it was seeking the arrest of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for jeopardizing national security. Nikolai Karpenkov proceeded to threaten the use of firearms against protesters. (Reuters)
Bulgaria reports 914 new cases in the past 24 hours, the seventh time in the past ten days that the country has set a new record. (The Sofia Globe)
COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan announces that it will suspend secondary school classes and the use of Baku's metro system between October 19 and November 2 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. (National Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports 914 new cases in the past 24 hours, the seventh time in the past ten days that the country has set a new record. (The Sofia Globe)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba Manitoba reports 75 cases, ending a three-day streak of reporting no cases. (CBC) Winnipeg is expected to close bars and casinos for two weeks as cases in the city rise. In addition, stores and restaurants in the city will reduce their capacity by 50%. Restrictions will go into effect on Monday. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announces new restrictions as cases in the city rise. Masks will be required in public spaces and gatherings will be limited to five people. (Fox News) (KCNC-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia Croatia reports 1,131 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the third day in a row. (koronavirus.hr)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany A Berlin court suspends an order to close bars and restaurants between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time in an attempt to tackle surging numbers of COVID-19 in the city as the court considers it disproportionate in the view of other measures taken to fight the pandemic. (TheJournal.ie)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany With 7,334 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, Germany sets a new record of daily cases for the second day in a row since the start of the outbreak, according to official figures released by the Robert Koch Institute. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece The number of new infections in Greece reaches a record 508 in the last 24 hours, for the first time daily new cases reach 500 in a single day. From that cases, 227 are from Athens metropolitan area. (The National Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy The number of new cases in Italy reaches 10,000 for the first time, when the country reports 10,010 new infections in the past 24 hours. (ABC Australia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malta Malta orders clubs, bars, and places of entertainment to close at 11 p.m. local time effective October 19, as the country makes mandatory the wearing of face masks in public in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Swiss Info)
COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba Manitoba reports 75 cases, ending a three-day streak of reporting no cases. (CBC) Winnipeg is expected to close bars and casinos for two weeks as cases in the city rise. In addition, stores and restaurants in the city will reduce their capacity by 50%. Restrictions will go into effect on Monday. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announces new restrictions amid rising cases and hospitalizations in the state. Indoor gatherings will be reduced from a capacity of 75% to 50%, people at bars and restaurants must remain seated with no more than eight people on tables, and table sizes for weddings and funerals must be limited to no more than eight people. The restrictions will go into effect on Wednesday. (The News & Observer)
COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland reports 1,299 new daily cases in the last 24 hours, its highest number of a single day yet, bringing the cumulative total at 25,177. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania Wallis and Futuna reports its first case of infection by SARS-CoV-2. The individual, who arrived on October 3, and later tested positive, is asymptomatic and in isolation in a hospital. The territory was the only French-administered region free of COVID-19 until today. (RNZ)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland reports 132 new deaths, a record increase since the outbreak began, amid fears the pandemic is testing the country's supply of hospital beds and ventilators. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal Portugal reports 2,608 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 95,902 confirmed cases. (DGS)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports 15,150 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new daily record since the start of the pandemic as authorities grapple with the onset of a second wave. This is the first time that the country has reported more than 15,000 cases in a single day. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia reports 2,075 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the second day in a row. (The Slovak Spectator)
COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic in Liechtenstein Switzerland reports 3,105 new cases, the highest record number in a single day since the pandemic began, thus taking the total to 74,442 confirmed cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein as the second wave of the pandemic grips the country. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic reports a record 9,721 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for two days in a row, according to data from the Health Ministry. (The Daily Telegraph)
