Portal:Current events

Edit instructions

Topics in the news

COVID-19 pandemic: Disease; Virus; By location; Impact; Portal

Sean Connery

Typhoon Goni makes landfall in the Philippines as a super typhoon, killing at least 16 people.
Scottish actor Sean Connery (pictured) dies at the age of 90.
An earthquake in the Aegean Sea kills at least 85 people and injures more than 990 others.
In baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series.

November 3, 2020 (Tuesday)

edithistorywatch

Politics and elections

2020 United States presidential election
- Voters in the United States will vote to elect the President of the United States and Vice President of the United States. More than 97 million Americans have already voted early or by mail due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The New York Times)

November 2, 2020 (Monday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Vienna attacks
- Three people, including a gunman, have been killed and about 14 more are suspected to be dead after several gunmen open fire in six locations in the streets of Vienna, Austria, near the central Schwedenplatz square. The Interior Minister described it as a "terror attack". One of the attackers is shot dead. (BBC)
- The Austrian Armed Forces are deployed to secure public buildings in Vienna. (The Independent)
2020 Kabul University attack
- Three militants open fire at Kabul University's campus, killing 22 people and wounding 22 others. The attack began around the time government officials were expected to arrive at the campus for the opening of an Iranian book fair. The gunmen are killed during a battle with security forces. The ISIL claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC)
Operation Barkhane; Mali War
- French military airstrikes kill over 50 al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Mali. (AFP via Yahoo News)

Arts and culture

Most-viewed YouTube videos
- "Baby Shark Dance", produced by Pinkfong, surpasses "Despacito" as the most-viewed video on YouTube. (The Guardian)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Pacific typhoon season
- Typhoon Goni
  - The death toll in Philippines from the Typhoon Goni, the world's strongest this year, rises to 20 people. Electricity, water and phone networks are cut off in Catanduanes, while homes are buried under volcanic rocks in Albay; those two are the provinces were all the deaths occurred. About one million people are evacuated. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- Six more people are found dead under debris in İzmir after an earthquake struck Greece and Turkey three days ago, bringing the death toll to 91. The earthquake is currently the deadliest this year. (CNN)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Eta is expected to rapidly increase within the next 18 hours according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm moves in the Caribbean Sea towards Nicaragua. bringing "devastating conditions". A hurricane warning has been issued for Nicaragua and Honduras. (CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France reports a record 52,518 new infections in the past 24 hours, raising its cumulative case total at 1.46 million. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Greece impose a two-week lockdown on its second largest city of Thessaloniki to curb the spread of COVID-19. Flights to and from city also suspended from tomorrow and also affects the northern city of Serres. (Medical Xpress)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told Italian lawmakers he will announce new restrictions that would vary by region but would include a "late evening" curfew for many regions. Therefore, high schools across the country will move to full-time distance learning and shopping malls will close on weekends. (The Hill)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo
    - The government impose a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time for all restaurants and cafés. No more than five people are allowed to socialize, and no mass events may be held. Concerts, cultural and sporting events may be held if seating is limited. In addition, elderly people are allowed out only at certain times, and masks are mandatory outdoors. (The National Herald)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine surpasses 400,000 cases of COVID-19. (112 UA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (country)
    - Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia tests positive for COVID-19. (Agenda.ge)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports a record 440 new deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide death toll to 35,738. (Arab News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts
    - Governor Charlie Baker announces new restrictions for the state, including a stay-at-home order, curfew for businesses, reduction of indoor gatherings, and a tighter mask mandate. The restrictions will take effect on November 6. (WBZ-TV) (The Boston Globe)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana
    - The first round of Indiana National Guard troops are expected to arrive at nursing homes in the state. The move was announced by Governor Eric Holcomb during a press conference in Indianapolis on October 28. (The Chicago Tribune)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - South Africa pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare announces that they have made a deal with Johnson & Johnson to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccine candidate if approved in South Africa and internationally. (The Star Tribune)

International relations

Russia–United States relations
- Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden applies for Russian citizenship. (CNN)

Law and crime

2020 Tanzanian general election
- Police arrest opposition activists Freeman Mbowe, Godbless Lema, Isaya Mwita Charles and Boniface Jacob ahead of planned protests against the election which gave incumbent John Magufuli another term. (Al Jazeera)
Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd
- The High Court of Justice finds in favour of News UK in the libel action that Johnny Depp took against them over claims he had beaten his ex-wife Amber Heard. (The Guardian)
The French government announces that it will ban the Turkish ultranationalist group Grey Wolves. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin describes the group as "particularly aggressive" and will be seeking its dissolution. The group has been accused of vandalizing Armenian Genocide memorials, including one in Lyon last weekend. (Al Jazeera)

November 1, 2020 (Sunday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - Three policemen are killed and two others are injured after a bomb on a motorbike explodes near a police checkpoint in Herat, Herat Province. (TOLOnews)
  - At least four people are killed and another eight injured after a mortar shell hit the governor of Kunduz's compound, as soldiers were playing volleyball. (TOLOnews)
Thirty-two civilians are killed during an attack by an armed group against the Amhara ethnic group in Welega Province, Ethiopia. It is suspected that at least twenty other people have been killed in the attack. (Al Jazeera)

Business and economy

The city of Geneva, Switzerland, sets the minimum wage to CHF23 (US$25) per the results of a September referendum, becoming the highest in the world. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- Forty-five more people are found dead under debris in İzmir after an earthquake struck Greece and Turkey two days ago, bringing the death toll to 85. More than 1,000 people are injured. (Reuters)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports a record 434 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide death toll to 35,298, a day after announcing stringent new restrictions including the closure of schools, universities and mosques in most of the country. (Middle East Monitor)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Israel begins testing its vaccine on humans. In the first trial, 80 volunteers will take part, and will be expanded to 960 people in December. If the two trials are successful, the third stage of the trial will occur with 30,000 volunteers in April or May. If these stages are successful, the vaccine could be ready for the general public by the end of summer 2021. (The Times of Israel)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
    - South Korea announces that from November 7, it will expand its mandatory mask policy to department stores, theme parks, spas, wedding halls and other places as part of new social distancing rules aimed at preparing for a prolonged outbreak. It also introduces a new five-tiered social distancing system, which replaces a three-level system that was designed to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic. (Yonhap News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - Prime Minister Jean Castex announces in a televised interview on TF1 that the government would introduce a ban on the sale of all 'non-essential' items in supermarkets from November 3 as part of a lockdown measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 18,665 new infections in the last 24 hours, a single day record, taking the nationwide total to 1,636,781. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Starting tomorrow, Geneva will impose a partial lockdown until November 29, after it reported more than 1,000 new cases in the past several days. According to new rules, restaurants, bars, and non-essential shops will be closed at 7:00 pm local time. In addition, cinemas, museums, concert halls, gyms, swimming pools and ice rinks will also be closed. However, schools will remain open. (Swiss Info)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
  - Australia records no new cases of COVID-19 for the first time since June 9, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt. (BBC)

International relations

France–Turkey relations
- Amid deteriorating relations between the two countries, French President Emmanuel Macron accuses Turkey of adopting a "bellicose stance towards its NATO allies", and that it was essential that the "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan respects France, respects the European Union, respects its values, does not tell lies and does not utter insults". He also says Turkey's military intervention in Syria was "a surprise and aggression for NATO allies", and that Turkey has "not respected" an arms embargo on Libya. (The Guardian)
Foreign relations of the Cook Islands
- The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, calls the threat of five nations (Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) withdrawing from the Pacific Islands Forum in case their nominee is not elected as Secretary-General as "premature" and "extreme". (RNZ)

Law and crime

Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers Eddie Chu, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, Wu Chi-wai, Andrew Wan, Helena Wong, Fernando Cheung and Kwok Wing-kin are arrested for "scuffles with pro-Beijing legislators" last May. (BBC)
The main defendant in the trial of the mass shooting in January 2015 at the Charlie Hebdo headquarters tests positive for COVID-19. The other defendants will be tested, prompting the judge to suspend court for several days. (BBC)

Politics and elections

2020 Moldovan presidential election
- Moldovans head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Igor Dodon seeks a second term against main opposition candidate and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu, who wants closer ties with the European Union. (Reuters)
Kashmir conflict
- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announces that Gilgit-Baltistan has been granted "provisional provincial status" to mark the territory's independence day. (Hindustan Times) (Gulf News)

October 31, 2020 (Saturday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia–Russia relations
- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formally requests "urgent consultations on providing security" to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid its escalating conflict with Azerbaijan in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh that has left thousands dead. Russia says it would provide "necessary" assistance to Armenia without alluding further. (France 24)
- Videos emerge allegedly showing Azerbaijani Armed Forces using white phosphorus munitions on forested areas in Nagorno-Karabakh, although Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence denies the use of white phosphorus. (TASS) (Al Masdar News)
Kivu conflict; Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
- 2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo attacks
  - Allied Democratic Forces militants kills 21 civilians in an attack on a village in the village of Lisasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. More people were kidnapped, a health centre was ransacked, while homes were set on fire and a Catholic church desecrated. (Al Jazeera)
Iraqi insurgency
- Two children are killed and 28 wounded in a bombing targeting a gas pipeline in Muthanna Governorate, Iraq. It is the second time this week that an oil facility has been targeted. (Al Arabiya English)
2020 Nigeria hostage rescue
- SEAL Team Six conducts a predawn raid in northern Nigeria, rescuing American hostage Philip Walton, who was kidnapped in Niger. The Pentagon says no U.S. military personnel were injured in the operation. (CBS News)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Pacific typhoon season
- Typhoon Goni
  - Philippine authorities in Luzon order the evacuation of thousands as Goni approaches as a category 5 storm, the world's strongest this year. Ten people are killed by the typhoon. (Reuters)
2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- The death toll of the earthquake that struck Greece and Turkey yesterday rises to 39, as 17 more people are found dead in Izmir. Rescue teams in the city are hunting through the rubble of collapsed buildings for survivors. (CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in England
      - Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a month-long nationwide lockdown in England. The new rules are to come into effect at midnight on November 5 and will last until December 2. However, unlike the first lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities can stay open and major sporting events will go ahead as normal. (BBC)
    - The United Kingdom surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announces a "second lockdown" that orders bars and restaurants to close except for deliveries and takeout and imposes a nighttime curfew from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am local time beginning November 2 and lasting for four weeks. (OE24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany reports a record 19,059 new cases and surpasses 500,000 cumulative cases, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, making it the fourth consecutive time the country sets a new record of daily infections. (The Times of India)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declares a one-month partial lockdown in Athens and other major cities beginning next week. Under the rules, restaurants, bars and gyms would be closed beginning November 3. However, in contrast to the first lockdown, travel within the country will not be affected and schools and shops will remain open. In the rest of the country, masks will become mandatory and a curfew will be imposed from midnight to 5:00 am local time. (Ekathimerini)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
    - The number of new infections in Hungary surges by a record 3,908 in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cases total to 75,321. (Daily News Hungary)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports 31,758 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports a record 21,897 new cases, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 362,731. (Poland In)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portuguese government reimposes a partial lockdown from 4 November affecting the 70% of the national territory. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine reports a record 8,752 new infections in the last 24 hours, raising its cumulative case total to 387,481. (Kyiv Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
    - Michigan reports 3,792 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
    - Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that travelers outside of the New York metro area will be required to undergo mandatory testing. (New York Daily News) (WNBC-TV)
  - A study by Stanford University reports over 30,000 new cases and 700 deaths from COVID-19 have been linked to President Donald Trump's campaign rallies. (Los Angeles Times)
Environmental dumping
- Sri Lanka begins shipping back 242 containers of hazardous waste to the United Kingdom, after a Sri Lankan court ruled two weeks ago that their importation violated local and international shipping regulations. (Bangkok Post)

Law and crime

2020 Lyon shooting
- A Greek Orthodox priest is critically wounded after being shot twice while closing his church in Lyon, France. The attacker fled the scene. The victim, a Greek national, is being treated for life-threatening injuries. (BBC)
2020 United States racial unrest
- Kenosha unrest, Kenosha unrest shooting, George Floyd protests
  - Illinois authorities announce that Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting two demonstrators in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will be extradited to stand trial on homicide charges. (The Washington Post)
- Killing of Walter Wallace
  - Protesters gather in West Philadelphia to protest the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. (WHYY-TV)
2019–20 Iraqi protests
- Iraqi security forces clear the camps set up by protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square and re-open a major bridge that connects to the Green Zone. (Al Jazeera)
Quebec City stabbing
- Two people are killed and five others are injured in a series of stabbings in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The suspect, a man in his 20s who was wearing medieval-style armor, is now in police custody. (Global News)

Politics and elections

Elections in Australia
- 2020 Queensland state election
  - Incumbent Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor Party expands their majority in the election. Palaszczuk becomes the first woman to win three elections in Australian history. (ABC)
2020 Tanzanian general election
- Opposition parties say that they will not recognize the election's result, which gave incumbent President John Magufuli another term. The Chadema party calls for fresh elections. (Reuters)
2020 Ivorian presidential election
- Ivorians head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeks a third term, while main opposition candidates Pascal Affi N'Guessan and Henri Konan Bédié say it is illegal for Ouattara to seek a third term and have boycotted the election and called for civil disobedience. (BBC)
2020 Georgian parliamentary election
- Voters in Georgia head to the polls to elect the members of the country's parliament. (DW)

October 30, 2020 (Friday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Terrorism in Russia
- A police officer is wounded after being stabbed several times by a 16-year-old boy in Kukmor, Tatarstan, Russia. The attacker is then shot dead by a fellow officer. The stabbing is being investigated as a terrorist incident. (Al Jazeera)

Arts and culture

List of most expensive coins
- A near-mint condition Roman coin celebrating the assassination of dictator Julius Caesar is sold at an auction for £2.7 million (US$3.5 million), becoming the most expensive Roman coin ever auctioned. (CNN)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 hits Greece and Turkey, with an epicentre in the Aegean Sea. Flooding and destruction of houses is reported in Samos, where two people have died, and Izmir, where 20 people have died and 786 injured. (BBC)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 18,283 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the second consecutive day, bringing the nationwide total to 1,599,976, still the fourth-highest in the world. (The Moscow Times)
    - Moscow city authorities announce that residents who want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 may be able to do so as early as next month if large volumes of doses are supplied by then. Deputy mayor Anastasia Rakova also said the city was creating a large network of specialized vaccination rooms with 2,500 high-risk people already having been vaccinated. (News18)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
    - Austria reports a record increase of 5,627 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative nationwide total to 99,576 confirmed cases. (Vienna.at)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called the situation a "state of sanitary emergency" in the country and announces a second nationwide lockdown from November 1 for at least six weeks, with all non-essential businesses ordered to close. Belgium is the worst affected country in Europe with more than 1,600 cases per 100,000 people. (Houston Chronicle) (The Brussels Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The Chamber of Deputies votes to extend the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until November 20. The present state of emergency is due to expire on November 3. (Radio Prague International)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany reports a record 18,681 new cases, pushing the total of confirmed cases near 500,000, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, making it the third consecutive time the country sets a new record of daily infections. (RND)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland
    - Iceland announces new restrictions, lowering its limit on public gatherings from 20 people to 10 people and suspending sporting activities and stage performances. The new restrictions will take effect tomorrow and last until November 17. (Reykjavik Grapevine)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports a record 31,084 new cases in the last 24 hours, pushing the total of confirmed cases to 647,674. (Il Sole 24 ORE)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports 21,629 new cases, the largest jump in the number of cases since the start of the pandemic, bringing the total number of cases to 340,834. It also reaches 5,351 COVID-19 deaths, with 202 deaths in the last 24 hours. (Poland In)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record daily increase with 4,656 new cases, bringing the cumulative counts to 137,272 confirmed cases and 2,468 deaths. (DGS)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - Spain registers its record daily jump in COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row, when the country's Ministry of Health reports 25,595 new cases over the past 24 hours. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in California
    - COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area
      - San Francisco Mayor London Breed announces that the city will pause reopening due to an increase of cases. (CNN)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
    - New Jersey reports over 2,000 cases, its largest increase in cases during a one-day period since early May. (News 12)
  - The United States surpasses nine million cases of COVID-19. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
  - Iran surpasses 600,000 COVID-19 cases. (Al-Arabiya English)

International relations

France–Pakistan relations, aftermath of the Murder of Samuel Paty
- Riot police clash with thousands of anti-Charlie Hebdo cartoons protesters who attempted to march on the French Embassy building in Islamabad, Pakistan. (VOA)

Law and crime

LGBT rights in Taiwan
- The military of Taiwan conducts the first mass same-sex marriages since the country became the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex unions in 2019. (BBC)
Russian interference in the 2020 United States elections
- Reuters reports that Fancy Bear, the Russian hacker group accused of interfering in the 2016 United States presidential election, had attempted, earlier this year, to hack the email accounts of the California and Indiana branches of the Democratic Party, and those of influential think tanks like the Council on Foreign Relations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (Reuters) (The Verge)

Politics and elections

2020 New Zealand euthanasia referendum, 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum
- The preliminary results are announced for a referendum on the End of Life Choice Act 2019, which legalizes doctor-assisted euthanasia, with voters approving it. Another referendum on the legalization of the sale and use of cannabis was not approved by voters. (Al Jazeera) (BBC) (RNZ)

October 29, 2020 (Thursday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Islamic terrorism in Europe
- Terrorism in France
  - 2020 Nice stabbing
    - Three people are killed at Notre-Dame de Nice in Nice, by an attacker shouting "Allahu Akbar". The city's mayor describes the incident as "terrorism" while police investigate the case. The attacker has been shot and arrested by police. (Reuters)
  - A man is arrested near a church in Sartrouville, Île-de-France, after police received a call from his father. The man had been trying to carry out a stabbing attack and was quoted as saying he was inspired by the Nice attack. (Le Parisien)
  - A man is shot dead by police in Montfavet, Avignon, after threatening police and a trader of a North African background with a handgun. The man was reported to be a member of a far-right French organisation and also having a history of psychiatric treatment. (Libération)
  - A man carrying a knife is arrested in Lyon for plotting to attack people aboard a tram, according to police. (Le Parisien)
  - An hour after the attack in Nice, a French guard is stabbed and wounded by a knifeman outside the French consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The attacker is then arrested by security forces. (The News International)
Kivu conflict; Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
- 2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo attacks
  - Suspected Allied Democratic Forces militants kill at least 18 people and burn down a church in an attack near Oicha in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Reuters)
Mexican drug war
- Authorities in the Mexican state of Guanajuato discover a mass grave containing 59 bodies. (Al Jazeera English)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Zeta kills five people and leaves 2 million without power. (CNN)
- Hurricane Zeta weakens to a tropical storm. (National Hurricane Center)
2020 Central Vietnam floods
- Landslides and flash floods caused by Typhoon Molave leave at least 35 people dead and over 50 others missing in central Vietnam. (ABC News)
At least 140 migrants drown when a boat carrying 200 people to the Canary Islands caught fire and then capsized off the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal. The International Organization for Migration says this is the deadliest shipwreck recorded this year. (CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
    - The number of new infections in Austria since the start of the pandemic rises by a record 4,453 cases in the past 24 hours. (OE24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - The French National Assembly overwhelmingly approves new nationwide lockdown measures that were announced yesterday by President Emmanuel Macron by a vote of 399 to 27. Under the new measures, French schools will require all students aged six and over to wear face masks in the classroom. (France 24)
    - Prime Minister Jean Castex announces more details about the second lockdown. In the rules, people will only be allowed to leave the house to buy groceries, commuting to work, medical or pressing family reasons, and for outdoor exercise for one hour per day no farther than 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from their homes. (Euronews)
    - The Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, suffers a record traffic jam of a cumulative 706 kilometres (439 mi) in the early evening as people attempted to leave the region or elsewhere before the second lockdown begins. (ITV) (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - The number of confirmed cases in Germany surges to a record of 16,774 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to Robert Koch Institute data, taking the total number since the beginning of the pandemic at 481,013. (RTL)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy surpasses 600,000 cases of COVID-19 after a record 26,831 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours. The number of swabs taken reaches a record 201,452. (ANSA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19 after a record 20,156 new cases were reported. It also reports a record 301 deaths over the past 24 hours. (Yahoo News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record daily increase with 4,224 new cases, bringing the cumulative counts to 132,616 confirmed cases and 2,428 deaths. (DGS)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
    - Romania reports 6,491 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the highest daily count since the start of the pandemic and the first time the country has reported over 6,000 cases. (Romania Insider)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 17,717 new cases and 366 new deaths in the last 24 hours. It is the largest jump in the number of cases and deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. (The Moscow Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - The Spanish Congress of Deputies votes to extend the state of emergency for another six months as the Health Ministry reports a record 23,580 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 1.16 million. (The Times) (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
    - Sweden reports 2,820 new infections in the past 24 hours, a new record in a single day since the pandemic began, bringing the total number of cases to 121,167. (Swiss Info)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic in Liechtenstein
    - Switzerland reports 9,386 new infections, a new record since the pandemic began, taking the total caseload in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to 145,044. (Reuters)
  - European Union response to the COVID-19 pandemic
    - The European Union will finance €220 million to transfer patients in hard-hit countries across borders to prevent hospitals across the continent from getting overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. (RTE)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in India
    - India surpasses eight million cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country to pass the milestone after the United States. (Times of India)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports a record 8,293 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide total to 596,841 cases. (Bloomberg)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    - Japan surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (Kyodo News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia surpasses 30,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Edge Markets)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
    - Illinois records 6,363 new cases, a new single-day record. (WGN-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
    - Michigan records 3,675 new cases, a new single-day record. (MLive.com)
    - Michigan announces new restrictions on gatherings amid rise of cases. (MLive.com)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon
    - Oregon records 575 new cases, a new single-day record. (The Oregonian)
  - Nationally, 87,164 new cases are reported, a new single-day record. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia
  - Tunisia announces new measures that include a nighttime curfew, which will remain in effect until November 15. In addition, movement between provinces without essential reasons will be prohibited, schools will be suspended until November 8 and demonstrations, access to places of worship and gatherings of more than four people in public will also be prohibited. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Moderna says that it is preparing for the global launch of their potential vaccines, as well as taking $1.1 billion in deposits from governments. (CNBC)

Law and crime

2020 United States racial unrest, Killing of Walter Wallace
- Walmart announces that it would remove guns and ammunition from their stores, citing rising tensions and unrest that broke out in Philadelphia following the killing of Walter Wallace. (NPR)
A former associate of Lev Parnas pleads guilty to defrauding investors in an insurance start-up that paid Rudy Giuliani for consulting work and to lying to federal regulators investigating suspected campaign finance violations. (ABC News)
A riot in Herat Province, Afghanistan, leaves at least eight people dead and 12 others injured. (TOLOnews)

Politics and elections

Antisemitism in the UK Labour Party
- Labour suspends its former leader Jeremy Corbyn following a report into antisemitism within the party's ranks. The report found Corbyn had "politically interfered" in the complaints process. (BBC)
2020 Belarusian protests, COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus
- Amidst ongoing protests against Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus abruptly closes its borders with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, while leaving its border with Russia open. Lukashenko insists that the move is to restrict the spread of COVID-19. (AP)

October 28, 2020 (Wednesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Ituri conflict
- The army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo says it killed 33 militiamen and reported the death of two soldiers in days of intense fighting in Ituri province. The army says it seized control of two rebel strongholds held by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) group, which is accused by the United Nations of committing war crimes. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan
- Over 100 Taliban insurgents are killed as the Afghan Armed Forces retake parts of Helmand Province. (TOLO News)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Barda ballistic missile attacks
- Azerbaijan says the death toll from an Armenian cluster missile attack on Barda has risen to 21 with dozens more wounded. Armenia denies carrying out the strike. (BBC)

Business and economy

German anti-trust regulator Federal Cartel Office launches an investigation into Amazon and Apple for potentially breaking competition laws, by having the former being the exclusive distributor for the latter's dealerships online. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- U.S. President Donald Trump declares a state of emergency for Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Zeta's impending landfall. (Fox News)
- The National Hurricane Center forecasts 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m) of storm surge for the entire Mississippi coastline. In Louisiana, mandatory evacuations are issued in Terrebonne Parish and Jefferson Parish. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issue a state of emergency for their states. (CNN)
- The National Weather Service issues Storm Surge Warnings from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, to Navarre, Florida. (National Hurricane Center)
- Hurricane Zeta strengthens to a Category 2 hurricane. (National Hurricane Center)
- Hurricane Zeta makes landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, as a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph. In the process, it sets a new record for being the fifth named storm to make landfall in Louisiana in a single season, the previous record being four. (The New York Times)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - The Robert Koch Institute reports a record 14,964 new infections in the past 24 hours, putting the total number of cases at 464,239. (Welt)
    - Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of 16 states agree to impose a nationwide partial lockdown from November 2, which means that restaurants, bars, and all leisure facilities are ordered to be closed until November 30, private gatherings will be limited to ten people and social contacts will be limited to two households. However, schools, churches and kindergartens will remain open with strict hygiene measures. The new restrictions will last for at least four weeks. (France 24) (CNN)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland
    - Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health reports a record of 8,616 new infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 135,658. In addition, in the last two weeks, the positivity rate has risen from 14% to 32%, higher than the peak of 26% during the first wave. (Le News)
    - Switzerland imposes new restrictions, ordering dance clubs to be closed beginning tomorrow, halting in-person university classes beginning in early November, and placing new limits on sporting and leisure activities. In addition, a requirement to wear masks in all offices and secondary schools as well as outdoors where social distancing is difficult has been indefinitely extended. (Yahoo! Finance)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The Czech Republic reports 15,663 new cases, a record number since the pandemic began, as the country struggles with one of Europe's fastest growing infection rates. (Arab News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - French President Emmanuel Macron announces a second nationwide lockdown from October 30, with all non-essential businesses ordered to close. Unlike the first lockdown in March, most schools and factories will remain open and care home visits will still be allowed. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Greece reports a record 1,547 new cases, bringing the nationwide total to 34,299 cases, according to data from National Public Health Organization. (NPHO)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy registers a record 24,991 new infections over the past 24 hours, according to health ministry data, bringing the nationwide total of cases to 589,766. (RTÉ)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports 18,820 new cases and 236 new deaths in the last 24 hours. It is the largest jump in the number of cases and the deadliest day since the start of the pandemic, bringing the total number of cases to 299,049. (Reuters) (Poland In)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record daily increase with 3,960 new cases, bringing the cumulative counts to 128,382 confirmed cases and 2,395 deaths. (DGS)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports a record high of 346 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, pushing the national death toll to 26,935. (The Moscow Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia
    - Slovenia reports 2,605 new cases, a new record since the start of the pandemic. (STA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
    - Sweden reports 1,980 new infections in the past 24 hours, its highest number in a single day yet, bringing the nationwide total at 117,913. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
    - Turkey surpasses 10,000 COVID-19 deaths, becoming the eighth European country to reach the milestone. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine reports a record high of 165 fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 6,755. (Gordonua)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia surpasses 400,000 total cases of COVID-19, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to reach the milestone. (CNN Indonesia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports a record 415 new fatalities, bringing the death toll since the pandemic began to 33,714. (Barrons)
    - Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf tested positive for COVID-19. (Voice of America)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
    - Thailand's cabinet agrees to extend a state of emergency until the end of November to contain its COVID-19 outbreak. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
    - New York surpasses 500,000 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, becoming the fourth state to surpass that number after California, Florida and Texas. (WNBC-TV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
  - Tonga extends the state of emergency, which includes curfews and restrictions on gatherings, until November 23. The country, which is COVID-19-free, imposed strict measures on March 12. (RNZ)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
  - President Cyril Ramaphosa goes into self-quarantine after one of 35 guests at a charity event that he attended tested positive for COVID-19. (Sowetanlive)

International relations

France–Turkey relations
- Turkey threatens to take "legal and diplomatic action" in response to French magazine Charlie Hebdo's caricature mocking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay condemns the publication. France responds by saying that the country would not give in to "destabilisation and intimidation attempts." (France 24)

Law and crime

2020 United States racial unrest, Black Lives Matter
- Protesters march through Philadelphia for a second night, demanding racial justice after the killing of Walter Wallace. The marches began peacefully but became more confrontational into the evening and Wednesday morning. Police and the city's office of emergency management said looting was reported in several areas. Protesters try to erect makeshift barricades using bins while police use pepper spray and batons after saying they were attacked by demonstrators. (BBC)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
- An unsealed search warrant reveals the suspects accused in federal court of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer had also discussed South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster as a possible target. (The Detroit News) (The Post and Courier)
The FBI arrests five people in the United States, and charges three more, for spying on opponents of the Chinese Communist Party and trying, among other things, to coerce them to return home to face trial. (BBC)

Politics and elections

2020 Tanzanian general election
- Tanzanians head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent John Magufuli seeks reelection as his top opposition candidate Tundu Lissu, who returned from exile after a failed assassination attempt, warns of "widespread irregularities". (Al Jazeera)

October 2020 Polish protests
- Approximately 430,000 people participated in 410 protests across the country, according to the police spokesperson Jarosław Szymczyk. (Gazeta Prawna)

Science and technology

Scientists announce that last week they discovered a reef structure in the Great Barrier Reef that is 500 m (1,600 ft)-tall, surpassing the height of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. The discovery is the first of its type in the region since the 1800s. (BBC)

More October 2020 events...

Time: 03:02 UTC|Day: 3 November