NASA's OSIRIS-REx space probe successfully lands and collects samples from the asteroid Bennu. The samples will be returned to Earth in 2023. (CNN) (BBC News)
Russia reports 16,319 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its official number of cases to 1,431,635 and breaking its record for new infections since the pandemic began. (The Moscow Times)
Russia–United States relations Two United States F-22 fighters intercept a pair of Russian Tu-95 bombers in international airspace near Alaska. (Fox News)
Sinopharm is setting up production lines to supply up to one billion doses of two COVID-19 vaccines currently being tested on 50,000 people in Phase III trials. Sinopharm is currently testing the vaccines in ten countries, including Egypt, Argentina, Jordan, and Peru. (AP)
The governor of Zazi Maidan District and a bodyguard are shot dead and another two injured in Khost Province. (TOLOnews)
Two United States F-22 fighters intercept a pair of Russian Tu-95 bombers in international airspace near Alaska. (Fox News)
War in Afghanistan October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kills at least 12 members of the police in Baharak District, Takhar Province. (TOLOnews)
COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID-19 tier regulations in England It is announced that South Yorkshire will move into tier three restrictions at 00:01 a.m. BST on October 24, after a deal was reached between local leaders and the government to provide £41 million in extra support. The restrictions will cover around 1.4 million people in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, and the surrounding areas. (BBC News) (ITV)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic Czech Republic reports a new record high of new infections in a single day, with 11,984 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide total to 193,246. (The Times Of India) In response to the surge of new cases, the Czech government announces that it will close non-essential shops and limit the people's movement to essential reasons only in new lockdown measures effective between tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. and November 3 at 11:59 p.m. local time. (Politico)
In response to the surge of new cases, the Czech government announces that it will close non-essential shops and limit the people's movement to essential reasons only in new lockdown measures effective between tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. and November 3 at 11:59 p.m. local time. (Politico)
It is announced that South Yorkshire will move into tier three restrictions at 00:01 a.m. BST on October 24, after a deal was reached between local leaders and the government to provide £41 million in extra support. The restrictions will cover around 1.4 million people in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, and the surrounding areas. (BBC News) (ITV)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijani forces say they have captured the town of Mincivan and 13 other settlements in Zangilan District, Nagorno-Karabakh. (TASS)
A stampede at a stadium in Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan, kills 15 people and wounds 11 others. (Al Jazeera)
Azerbaijani forces say they have captured the town of Mincivan and 13 other settlements in Zangilan District, Nagorno-Karabakh. (TASS)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran announces a record-high single-day spike in new cases since the first case was reported in Qom in February, with 5,616 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, according to a statement from Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari. (Anadolu Agency) COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan reports 2,648 new cases, its highest daily number since the start of the pandemic as the country faces a major outbreak, with a tripling of deaths in just the last two weeks. The record numbers increase its total of cases to 43,620. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia Croatia registers 1,424 new infections in the last 24 hours, a new record high since the beginning of the pandemic. (Croatia Week)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn tests positive for COVID-19. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reports 865 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record high, raising the number of confirmed cases to 27,334, according to data from the National Public Health Organization (Ekathimerini) Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias announces the designation of Kastoria into Level Four (red zone) and imposes a local lockdown in the region starting October 23 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region. (Greek Travel Pages)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Iran announces a record-high single-day spike in new cases since the first case was reported in Qom in February, with 5,616 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, according to a statement from Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan reports 2,648 new cases, its highest daily number since the start of the pandemic as the country faces a major outbreak, with a tripling of deaths in just the last two weeks. The record numbers increase its total of cases to 43,620. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio The Ohio Department of Health registers 2,366 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day increase in cases for Ohio during the pandemic, and this brings the statewide total to 188,005. (WJW-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Poland surpasses 200,000 COVID-19 cases after a record 10,040 new cases were reported by the Health Ministry in the last 24 hours. (Swiss Info)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 317 new fatalities, taking the nationwide total to 24,952, as the country resists reintroducing strict lockdown measures. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia Slovakia reports 2,202 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record in a single day since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the Health Ministry. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia Slovenia reports 1,503 new cases in the past 24 hours, its highest number yet, taking the nationwide total to 15,982. In addition, a record eight people have died in the last 24 hours. (STA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Spain Spain exceeds one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first country in the EU to do so. (Sky News) La Rioja becomes the second region to go into perimetral lockdown. (La Vanguardia)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio The Ohio Department of Health registers 2,366 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day increase in cases for Ohio during the pandemic, and this brings the statewide total to 188,005. (WJW-TV) COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Wisconsin reports a record 48 new deaths, bringing the state's death toll to 1,681 and the death rate up from 0.91% to 0.92%. (WBAY-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine registers a record 6,719 new infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 309,107, according to the interactive map of the NSDC. (Kyiv Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin Wisconsin reports a record 48 new deaths, bringing the state's death toll to 1,681 and the death rate up from 0.91% to 0.92%. (WBAY-TV)
Croatia registers 1,424 new infections in the last 24 hours, a new record high since the beginning of the pandemic. (Croatia Week)
Czech Republic reports a new record high of new infections in a single day, with 11,984 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide total to 193,246. (The Times Of India)
End SARS, Lekki massacre Nigerian police open fire on protestors in Lekki, Lagos State, killing several people; Amnesty International puts the death toll at "at least 12". (The New York Post) (The Guardian)
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn tests positive for COVID-19. (DW)
Greece reports 865 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record high, raising the number of confirmed cases to 27,334, according to data from the National Public Health Organization (Ekathimerini)
Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias announces the designation of Kastoria into Level Four (red zone) and imposes a local lockdown in the region starting October 23 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region. (Greek Travel Pages)
Iran announces a record-high single-day spike in new cases since the first case was reported in Qom in February, with 5,616 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, according to a statement from Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari. (Anadolu Agency)
It is announced that Lazio will introduce a curfew between midnight and 5:00 a.m. local time starting October 23, becoming the third Italian region to impose a curfew, after Lombardy and Campania. (Il Messaggero)
Italy registers 15,199 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry, the highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak in the country. While deaths increase by 127, this is the first time virus-related deaths have surged above 100 since May. (RTÉ)
Jordan reports 2,648 new cases, its highest daily number since the start of the pandemic as the country faces a major outbreak, with a tripling of deaths in just the last two weeks. The record numbers increase its total of cases to 43,620. (Reuters)
La Rioja becomes the second region to go into perimetral lockdown. (La Vanguardia)
Lombardy reports a new record high of new infections, with 4,120 new cases reported in the last 24 hours and positivity rates surging to 11%. (Il Giorno)
Nigerian police open fire on protestors in Lekki, Lagos State, killing several people; Amnesty International puts the death toll at "at least 12". (The New York Post) (The Guardian)
Poland surpasses 200,000 COVID-19 cases after a record 10,040 new cases were reported by the Health Ministry in the last 24 hours. (Swiss Info)
Pope Francis says he supports civil unions for same-sex couples. (NBC News)
Russia reports a record 317 new fatalities, taking the nationwide total to 24,952, as the country resists reintroducing strict lockdown measures. (The Moscow Times)
Slovakia reports 2,202 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record in a single day since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the Health Ministry. (Reuters)
Slovenia reports 1,503 new cases in the past 24 hours, its highest number yet, taking the nationwide total to 15,982. In addition, a record eight people have died in the last 24 hours. (STA)
Spain exceeds one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first country in the EU to do so. (Sky News)
The former leadership of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police, whose defendants are Major Josep Lluís Trapero, Pere Soler, Cèsar Puig, and Lieutenant Teresa Laplana, are acquitted by the National Audience of the crimes of sedition and disobedience for their role during the 2017 Catalan independence referendum. (La Vanguardia)
The number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom surges to a new record high of 26,688, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 789,229. (Sky News)
The Ohio Department of Health registers 2,366 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day increase in cases for Ohio during the pandemic, and this brings the statewide total to 188,005. (WJW-TV)
Trial of Catalonia independence leaders The former leadership of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police, whose defendants are Major Josep Lluís Trapero, Pere Soler, Cèsar Puig, and Lieutenant Teresa Laplana, are acquitted by the National Audience of the crimes of sedition and disobedience for their role during the 2017 Catalan independence referendum. (La Vanguardia)
Ukraine registers a record 6,719 new infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 309,107, according to the interactive map of the NSDC. (Kyiv Post)
Wisconsin reports a record 48 new deaths, bringing the state's death toll to 1,681 and the death rate up from 0.91% to 0.92%. (WBAY-TV)
2020 Seychellois parliamentary election; 2020 Seychellois presidential election Presidential and parliamentary elections are being simultaneously held in Seychelles. Voting is scheduled to last until October 24. (Seychelles News Agency)
Presidential and parliamentary elections are being simultaneously held in Seychelles. Voting is scheduled to last until October 24. (Seychelles News Agency)
2020 Guinean presidential election Preliminary results show Alpha Condé winning Guinea's latest presidential election. The announcement sparks violent protests in the capital Conakry. (DW)
Preliminary results show Alpha Condé winning Guinea's latest presidential election. The announcement sparks violent protests in the capital Conakry. (DW)
War in Afghanistan Officials in Takhar Province, Afghanistan, report that 12 civilians, 11 of them children, were killed by an airstrike on a madrasa. The central government says it killed 12 Taliban fighters. (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic It is announced that the Canadian government and Alberta are launching a pilot program to test eligible returning travelers for COVID-19, allowing them to leave quarantine in two days once they receive a negative result instead of a normal two-week quarantine. The move could potentially bring relief to the country's struggling airline and tourism industries. Starting November 2, the new testing option will be offered at the Coutts land border crossing in southern Alberta and Calgary International Airport. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal On the first day of Durga Puja, West Bengal records its highest single-day spike of 4,157 new cases in the past 24 hours as doctors warn that the number could rise massively given a large number of gatherings in markets, shopping malls, and restaurants. (The Week)
COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal On the first day of Durga Puja, West Bengal records its highest single-day spike of 4,157 new cases in the past 24 hours as doctors warn that the number could rise massively given a large number of gatherings in markets, shopping malls, and restaurants. (The Week)
It is announced that the Canadian government and Alberta are launching a pilot program to test eligible returning travelers for COVID-19, allowing them to leave quarantine in two days once they receive a negative result instead of a normal two-week quarantine. The move could potentially bring relief to the country's struggling airline and tourism industries. Starting November 2, the new testing option will be offered at the Coutts land border crossing in southern Alberta and Calgary International Airport. (CBC)
Officials in Takhar Province, Afghanistan, report that 12 civilians, 11 of them children, were killed by an airstrike on a madrasa. The central government says it killed 12 Taliban fighters. (BBC News)
On the first day of Durga Puja, West Bengal records its highest single-day spike of 4,157 new cases in the past 24 hours as doctors warn that the number could rise massively given a large number of gatherings in markets, shopping malls, and restaurants. (The Week)
Saad Hariri is designated as Prime Minister of Lebanon, tasked with forming his fourth government, by a slim majority of the Chamber of Deputies. (Al Jazeera)
Syrian civil war The Sunni Muslim Grand Mufti of Damascus Sheikh Mohammed Adnan Afiouni is assassinated in a car bombing in the Syrian capital, according to state media. (Reuters)
Vote of no confidence in the government of Pedro Sánchez Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez survives a vote of no-confidence presented by the far-right Vox political party. (ABC News)
2020 Thai protests Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha lifts the "severe" state of emergency that was imposed in Bangkok to crack down on the protesters. (CNN)
Abortion in Poland The Constitutional Tribunal of Poland rules that abortions in cases of fetal defects are unconstitutional. Once the decision comes into effect, terminations will only be allowed in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother's health is at risk. Poland's abortion laws were already among the strictest in Europe. (BBC News)
Belgian incumbent Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès is admitted to an intensive care unit nearly a week after testing positive for COVID-19. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Austria The number of new confirmed cases in Austria surges to a record 2,435 in the past 24 hours, making it the highest single-day increase since the pandemic began. (Hindustan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Belgian incumbent Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès is admitted to an intensive care unit nearly a week after testing positive for COVID-19. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou announces the imposing of a curfew in Limassol and Paphos districts and a mask mandate for all outdoor spaces. (Cyprus-Mail)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Prime Minister Jean Castex announces that 38 more departments, as well as French Polynesia, will be placed under curfew starting October 24. In total, 54 departments will now adhere to the new hourly limitations between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time, affecting almost 46 million people in these areas. (BBC News) The number of new confirmed cases in France hits an alarming record high of 41,622 in the last 24 hours, making it the first time the country has reported more than 40,000 new cases. (Anadolu Agency)
